Check Out Lora Pavilack’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lora Pavilack.

Lora, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was a professional dancer and moved to LA in 1998. I went through my first Pilates Teacher Training Program in 2002 and fell in love with teaching Pilates and helping clients and friends feel better. In 2004, I had saved enough money to buy my friend’s Pilates studio, and that is when my journey as a business owner began. Pilates Studio City was formed, and I was about to learn a bunch about running my own business as well as growing as a teacher. Below you will see my resume and it will tell you about all my training.

Lora has been dancing with happy abandon since she was three years old. When she became a professional dancer, she practiced Pilates to strengthen herself during rehearsals and performance schedules. She went on to dance as a Radio City Rockette in NYC for nine years and appeared in numerous musicals around the world. During her very active entertainment career, she never missed a show and remained injury-free. She credits this to the attention she paid to posture and alignment.

While still performing, she began her studies that would lead her to become a master teacher in the Pilates method through Pilates Sports Center as well as certified in GYROTONIC®, GYROKINESIS®, the Franklin Method Level 3, RedCord, DaVinci BodyBoard, and other body balancing disciplines. Since 2004, she has helped thousands of individuals improve their posture, strength, and balance through movement studios. In 2004, Lora opened the doors to Pilates Studio City and co-owned three studios in Los Angeles with Nikki Alstedter and Pilates South Austin in Austin, TX. Lora and Nikki are co-authors of Pain-Free Posture Handbook published in 2016. Her commitment to core principles continues to serve her well in other areas of her life, making her a better surfer, hiker, skier, wife and mother to her two kiddos.

Lora’s mission is to help others enhance their well-being and vitality so they can stand tall and enjoy life to the fullest.

Her credentials include:
*Co-owning four successful Pilates & Movement studios since 2004
*Pilates Instructor Certification – Core Conditioning in 2002 / Balanced Body University
*Pilates Sports Center – Master Teacher Trainer since 2004
*Level 1 & 2 Certified Instructor of GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® & Pre-Trainer
*Level 1 Certified Instructor of GYROKINESIS® & Pre-Trainer
*Level 3 Certified Instructor of the Franklin Method
*Pilates Method Alliance Certified since 2006
*Pilates Method Alliance Educational Member
*Preferred Trainer – Balanced Body
*Studio Member – Pilates Method Alliance
*CPR / First Aid Certified
*Bachelor of Science in Arts Management from Oklahoma City University

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Owning a business is never a smooth road, but it is a creative one and something that I am so very glad I embarked upon. After buying my studio, I asked my friend Nikki to partner with me. We then opened up two more studios in the Los Angeles area and one in Austin, TX. Our goal was to open studios to help communities and also provide a place of work for talented Pilates and movement teachers. We learned to manage employees and had to figure out how to do payroll and all the logistics of a business. It kept us super busy! I would say some of the struggles were learning how to communicate with landlords and employees and each other. We also had to figure out how to promote the studios and keep them growing and retain teachers. It wasn’t easy, but it was rewarding. Eventually, we sold our Austin studio to our friends and closed the other two studios in LA. We kept our main location and downsized back to our first space.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work, first and foremost, is to connect with my clients and help them build strength, support and balance for their bodies. I do this by teaching them Pilates, GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM, Record, Roll Model Method, and the Franklin Method. I specialize in finding ways to help clients reconnect to their bodies and learn how to take care of them. I am known for stretching with my clients and really finding what they need to feel their best! Because of my diverse education in movement, I can work with professional athletes, dancers, and office workers from young to old and everyone in between.

I am most proud of having a studio for over 19 years and making it through the pandemic and all the other ups and downs. I have worked with some of the same clients for 19 years as well, and they have become my close friends. I love seeing them reach their fitness goals and live a healthier life.

I believe our welcoming studio sets us apart from others! All the teachers that rent space from Pilates Studio City are amazing knowledgeable instructors and care deeply about their clients. We have private rooms that allow each teacher and client to focus and have privacy during their sessions. It is a warm and friendly studio that is ready to welcome anyone!

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Some of the most important lessons I have learned along my journey is to ask questions and look to mentors and wise people to help you. I have learned that most people really want you to succeed and are willing to help you. You do not have to know everything. I have learned that is important to build an excellent team, teach them everything, and have faith in them to do the best job they can. It is better to listen and not overreact and take time to respond.

To enjoy the moment and the journey and the person in front of me!!! And never stop learning and being inspired!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.pilatesstudiocity.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/pscpilates?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PilatesStudioCity?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@PilatesStudioCity
• Yelp: https://yelp.to/8RYTxE9Pk2