Community Highlights: Meet Khalisa Jiwa Mawji of Global Pilates

Today we’d like to introduce you to Khalisa Jiwa Mawji.

Hi Khalisa, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started Global Pilates because I wanted to create the kind of space I felt was missing. I’ve always loved movement, wellness, and bringing people together, but I noticed that even in a city like Vancouver, so many people felt disconnected or intimidated by traditional fitness spaces.

While working my 9–5 and teaching Pilates, I realized I didn’t just want to instruct classes. I wanted to build community. What began as a small idea turned into sold-out events that blend Pilates with social connection, local brands, and meaningful conversations. I focused heavily on building an online presence, sharing my journey authentically, and treating social media like a business tool rather than just a highlight reel.

Over time, Global Pilates grew into more than workouts. It became a platform for collaboration, creativity, and empowering women to feel strong both physically and mentally. Every event, partnership, and post has been intentional. I’m still building, still learning, but I’m proud that what started as a vision is now a growing community that people genuinely look forward to being part of.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road.

In the beginning, the hardest part was believing in something before anyone else could fully see it. There were moments where I questioned whether people would show up, whether brands would take me seriously, and whether I was truly ready to build something of my own. Starting from zero can feel vulnerable.

There were also real learning curves. Securing venues, managing event logistics, coordinating partnerships, budgeting properly, and handling last-minute changes all came with pressure. Not every event idea works perfectly. Not every piece of content performs the way you hope. You learn quickly that consistency matters more than instant results.

Comparison was another challenge. It’s easy to look at larger creators or established studios and feel behind. I had to ground myself in my own vision and remind myself that building community takes time.

But those struggles shaped Global Pilates. They pushed me to refine my voice, become more confident in my leadership, and build something intentional rather than rushed. The journey hasn’t been perfect, but every obstacle has made the brand stronger and more aligned with why I started in the first place.

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?
Global Pilates is a mat Pilates classes and curated wellness events that blend a challenging, empowering workout with a social, feel-good atmosphere. Each session is designed to help people reconnect with their bodies through core-focused Pilates while also giving them space to slow down, reset, and feel part of something bigger than just a workout.

What sets Global Pilates apart is that it goes beyond fitness. It’s not just about the physical practice, it’s about how people feel when they leave. Our events often combine Pilates with lifestyle elements like social gatherings, café collaborations, and themed wellness experiences that make movement feel exciting, accessible, and community-driven.

We’re especially proud of how quickly the brand has grown through word of mouth and real community connection. Every event sells out not just because of the workout, but because people come for the atmosphere, the energy, and the sense of belonging.

At its core, Global Pilates is about making Pilates feel modern, social, and empowering, while still staying rooted in strong classical fundamentals. We want people to leave feeling stronger in their body, lighter in their mind, and more connected to themselves and others.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I like most about Los Angeles is how much possibility it holds in one place. There’s this constant sense of momentum where creativity, wellness culture, entrepreneurship, and content creation all overlap in a really natural way. You can go from a Pilates class in a bright studio to a healthy café to a beach sunset walk all in one day. It feels like a city that encourages people to build their own path and really express themselves.

I also love how rooted it is in lifestyle. Movement, wellness, and social life aren’t separate things there, they’re blended. That makes it feel very aligned with brands and communities that are experience-driven.

What I like least is that it can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming and surface-level depending on where you are. The pace is fast, and it can feel like there’s pressure to always be “on,” always doing something, always presenting a certain image. It can also be harder to find real stillness or tight-knit community unless you intentionally seek it out.

Overall though, it’s a city that gives a lot but you have to be intentional about how you move through it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.globalpilates.ca/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/global__pilates/