Community Highlights: Meet Alejandra Torres of DIOSA Pilates

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alejandra Torres.

Hi Alejandra, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story definitely didn’t start in fitness or with the dream of owning a Pilates studio.

I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Business Management and went on to work in the criminal justice field. In 2021, I became a mom for the first time, and by 2022, I made the decision to become a stay at home mom so I could dedicate myself to raising my daughter. I couldn’t help but just stay home so I started taking event hair styling clients (a hobby I had picked up during my last year in college). Then in 2023, we welcomed our son. I had to slow down now being a mom of two babies.

Becoming a mom is one of the greatest blessings of my life, but after having two babies so close together, I reached a point where I felt like I had lost a little bit of my own identity. I was so focused on being a mom and taking care of everyone around me that I wasn’t really making time for myself anymore.

In 2025, Pilates kind of found me. I loved the way movement made me feel and started realizing how much I needed that little bit of “me time.” But I wasn’t consistent with it. Mom guilt was REAL, nothing was very close to home, and taking an hour for myself could easily turn into two or more with the drive. Even with an incredibly supportive husband, I still struggled with feeling guilty for taking that time away from my family.

Toward the end of 2025, I really wanted to make Pilates and sculpt a regular part of my life, but I kept thinking, “Why isn’t there something like this closer to us? Why should we have to drive so far to experience these beautiful wellness spaces?”

That thought eventually became something much bigger.

In early 2026, I started thinking about creating a space right here for our community, especially for Latina women and all women in every season of life. I wanted us to have a place for movement and wellness where we felt welcomed, represented, comfortable, and like we belonged. And, of course, somewhere close to home!

But I was TERRIFIED to actually do it. I had never owned a studio. This was completely different from the career and life I had known.

So before committing to a physical space, I started small. We began hosting monthly Pilates events in our backyard. What started as an idea quickly turned into this beautiful community of women showing up, moving together, connecting, and supporting one another. Every event made me realize that maybe this wasn’t just something I wanted, there was actually a need for it.

All while hosting those events, I was secretly looking at locations. I would find spaces, imagine what they could become, and then talk myself out of taking the leap.

I prayed A LOT during that season. I kept asking God for guidance and for the courage to know when it was time. Eventually, I felt like God was very clearly telling me, “Go for it.”

So I did.

I trusted Him, took probably one of the scariest leaps I’ve ever taken, and that’s when DIOSA went from an idea in my head and events in our backyard to an actual physical space.

Looking back now, it’s crazy to think that something that started because I was a mom trying to find a little piece of herself again has turned into a community where so many other women can come and choose themselves, too. DIOSA has grown into so much more than I originally imagined, and I think that’s what makes this entire journey so special to me.

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?
Definitely not! I don’t think starting a business is ever a completely smooth road.

For me, one of the biggest struggles has honestly been getting out of my own head. I can be an overthinker, and there were so many moments where fear made me question whether I was ready or whether I knew enough to actually do this. I had never owned a fitness studio before, so SO much of this journey has been learning as I go.

Another big one has been balancing motherhood with being a business owner. The funny part is that DIOSA was partially born from my own struggle with mom guilt and wanting to make time for myself, and now I own a business that also requires so much of my time. I’m still learning that balance every single day.

There are days when I’m answering emails, working on the schedule, planning events, creating content, handling things at the studio, and then coming home and immediately switching back into mom and wife mode. Some days I feel like I’m doing an amazing job balancing everything, and other days… not so much.

I’ve also had to learn that owning a business means there will always be something you didn’t plan for. Staffing changes, schedule adjustments, things breaking, making decisions that not everyone will agree with, the list goes on. You can plan as much as possible, but at some point you have to learn to problem-solve, trust yourself, and keep moving.

One of the biggest lessons for me has been realizing that I don’t have to have everything figured out before I take the next step. I used to think I needed to know exactly what I was doing before I started. Now I’ve learned that sometimes you just have to start, stay open to learning, listen to your community, and adjust along the way.

It hasn’t always been easy, but every challenge has taught me something and helped me become more confident not only as a business owner, but as a person too.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
DIOSA Pilates is a women-only boutique movement studio in the City of San Fernando offering heated and non-heated mat Pilates, sculpt, strength, and yoga.

But DIOSA has always been about more than just the workout. I wanted to create the kind of wellness space I felt was missing in our community, something beautiful and intentional, but still welcoming, approachable, and representative of the women we serve, especially our Latina community.

Our classes are intentionally small, with only 12 spots, which allows us to create a more personal experience. We welcome women at all fitness levels and in every season of life, whether they’re trying Pilates for the first time, finding their way back to movement, or simply looking for a space to prioritize themselves.

What I’m most proud of is the community that has formed within DIOSA. I’ve watched women walk into the studio not knowing each other and genuinely become friends. There’s a sense of unity between our clients and our team that you can actually feel when you’re in the studio, and I think that’s so special. Between our classes, events, collaborations, and little moments in between, DIOSA has become a place where women come not only to move, but to connect and feel like they belong.

That’s really what I want people to know about DIOSA, you don’t have to look a certain way or be at a certain fitness level to be here. Just come as you are. There’s a space for you here. 🤎

What makes you happy?
Honestly, the simple things make me the happiest. Being home with my husband and our kids, watching my children grow and become their own little people, spending time with family, a good coffee, moving my body, and having those moments where life just feels full.

My faith is also a huge part of my happiness. Looking back and seeing how God has guided me through different seasons of my life, even the ones I didn’t fully understand at the time, gives me so much gratitude.

I’ve also learned that I’m happiest when I feel like I have purpose outside of just one role. I love being a mom and a wife, but I’ve learned how important it is for me to still be Alejandra too; to have dreams, create, challenge myself, and make time for the things that fill my cup.

And of course, DIOSA brings me so much joy, but not necessarily because of the business itself. One of my biggest joys recently has been watching our girls at DIOSA hit their 50-class milestone and now seeing so many of them on their way to 100. It genuinely makes me SO happy! It’s not even about the number, it’s knowing that behind every class is a woman who continued showing up and making time for herself. Getting to celebrate those little wins with them is so special to me.

At this point in my life, happiness looks a lot like gratitude. I’m grateful for my family, my faith, the people around me, the life we’re building, and even the chaos that comes with it. I don’t think life has to be perfectly balanced to be beautiful. 🤎

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.diosapilates.com/
• Instagram: @diosa.pilates , @stylesbymissale

Image Credits
some are from Laci @evastudio and some are from Karina Becerra @throughkarislens