Today we’d like to introduce you to Kate Andrews.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up dancing, went to CSU Long Beach, and received my BFA in Dance. I danced professionally with several companies and toured internationally. Loving movement of any type, I decided to get my Pilates certification with an emphasis on training dancers through BASI under Karen Clippinger in 2013. I moved to LA in 2014 and started teaching as many classes as I could in a large studio, a private boutique studio, and a physical therapy clinic. I wanted as much experience as I could get my hands on. My main studio was bought by a corporate company, and the vibes changed. Lots of rules and policies that hindered instructor creativity and didn’t give our clients the same challenge they were used to. During that time, I got my now husband to finally try Pilates. We decided it was time to open a creative, flow-based pilates studio that was focused on more athletic-based classes. After a few months, we opened AVENIR-LA in 2018. We’ve gone through several iterations of our classes, the pandemic, getting married, having two kids, and now finally opening our 2nd location in Burbank!
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?
Lots of challenges in staffing, and obviously the big P, the pandemic. We weren’t sure whether to close or just wait it out. Thankfully, we chose to wait it out, and when we were allowed to reopen, our clients came back in droves!!!
We’ve been impressed with Avenir, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are known for our challenging group reformer classes focusing on athletic flows. We offer over 60 classes a week at our Silverlake location. We just opened our Burbank location on 10/17 and offer over 35 classes there. We also teach private sessions to clients wanting to focus on a specific goal or clients that are working with any injury or limitation. For people that are interested in becoming pilates instructors, we also offer a 250-hour reformer and mat pilates certification. Something fun is that we offer Birthday Party private classes for those who want to celebrate getting older with some health and wellness.
How do you think about happiness?
I love being able to provide a space for our community to build health and wellness. I love being able to employ so many wonderful and inspiring instructors and staff. It absolutely feeds my soul.
Pricing:
- Unlimited Membership – $250/month; currently offering 20% off this membership level for the first three months when joining at the Burbank location
- 6x Membership – $180; currently offering 20% off this membership level for the first three months when joining at the Burbank location
- 4x – Membership – $119; currently offering 20% off this membership level for the first three months when joining at the Burbank location
- First Class for $15
Contact Info:
- Website: www.avenir-la.com
- Instagram: @avenirpilates
Image Credits
Jimmy Bazan
