March 27, 2017

Meet Gabrielle Saran of Saran Pilates in Sherman Oaks

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabrielle Saran.

Gabrielle, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m basically a cronut topped with chocolate: a mix of French, American, and Swiss. Probably not the best analogy for a Pilates instructor, but I’m a foodie, what can I say! My life in general is a concoction of a variety of jobs and places I’ve moved to. Actually, Pilates wasn’t in the cards until not too long ago.

I was a freelance graphic designer with the usual cliché of back pain and bad posture due to being hunched over the computer every second of every day. I tried a Pilates mat class, and was instantly hooked. First, because it wasn’t cardio so I had a shot at this, and second, because I lacked something called a “core” which is apparently uber important. Soon, I started religiously attending Pilates Reformer classes, which is Pilates on a machine where springs, leverage, and body weight are used as resistance.

After a period of soul-searching (the usual Millennial pass-time), and five years of practicing Pilates, I became a Pilates instructor in 2015, earned a nationally recognized certification, and then asked myself, “now what?”.

Being a big fan of DIY, my life partner insisted that I open my own studio: he would build out the space, I would do the branding and marketing. Being a talented carpenter, Jared built a beautiful quaint Pilates sanctuary and my graphic design background came in handy. We opened Saran Pilates Los Angeles in January 2016, and just recently teamed up again to create Saran Pilates Asheville.

Having a place where I and other instructors can teach people how to find their core, feel good in their own skin, and have fun working out has been the biggest reward in my life so far.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Starting a small business, for one, is taking a risk. I learned to embrace that and roll with it. At first, when I saw the mirrors being installed, walls torn down, machines put together, I freaked out a little. I had never owned anything before. Sure, I had experience as a concierge (people skills, check), a freelancer (managing time and money, check), but as a physical business owner, not so much. With time, though, I learned that it’s quite useless to cling onto things beyond my control. The LA location has now been open for a year, and we’re one of the top rated studios on Yelp, and have become a real part of the LA fitness scene. Going into my second location, I’m much more relaxed about the whole thing. Listening to suggestions, asking clients questions about their experience, and accepting criticism are all keys to growing a business in the right direction: where it finds its natural place in the community.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Saran Pilates story. Tell us more about the business.
Saran Pilates takes pride in creating a workout on the Reformer that strengthens your body in the most balanced way possible. Poses aren’t held for too long, we don’t do endless reps, you’ll actually learn about your body: its alignments, its strengths, its flexibilities. My style is a fresh mix of Pilates exercises with the upbeat feel of a fitness class. Yes, we’ll squat, plank, laugh, and sometimes sing, but we’ll do it with our Pilates form in mind! I’ve seen so many clients injured doing activities like weight-lifting because they weren’t aligning their body properly. Saran Pilates instructors make good form a priority in every class, so that you can leave feeling strong, balanced, and toned, of course!

The studio offers different class types, so that everyone finds their groove. A beginner class to perfect our Pilates understanding, an intermediate/advanced class to keep us on our toes, and a Power and Jump class for when we need loud music and an extra boost of motivation! Each instructor has his/her own style, which makes each class different, and keeps people coming back!

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I believe that our lives are made up of knowledge we’ve collected from the things we’ve failed at or succeeded in. I’m extremely grateful to have been raised by a go-getter single mom, an artistic dad, etched and sketched myself through various jobs and experiences, and met a talented builder. Without that, I wouldn’t be here. I don’t know if that’s luck, but it’s what I chose for myself and made happen with the help of so many.

Pricing: