March 20, 2017

Meet Lily Ahn of Starting Point Pilates in Koreatown

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lily Ahn.

Lily, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Never have I imagined I would be teaching Pilates! But I feel like I’ve come full circle.

I first knew of Pilates as a young girl in the 80’s at my ballet studio where mat Pilates was offered for the ballet dancers. Back then, it was unknown to the mainstream. It was in the 90’s when media caught drift of this wonderful method as it was being practiced by some Hollywood celebrities. I remember being intrigued even just by the word Pilates. I overheard the adult ballet dancers talking about how amazing it was and how it helps with ballet, but as a young girl, I was intimidated to take the class, thinking it was a special class for adults. Decades later in college when I was at a bookstore, I saw a book on Pilates. Remembering my old ballet studio, I was so thrilled to stumble upon this book as if I finally got to unearth some “secret” of the past. Of course, I purchased the book, immediately went to my dorm room that day and started mimicking the exercises. Even to this day, I can never exactly explain in words the euphoric feeling when you finish a Pilates session! You just have to do it to know it. I was hooked. So, that’s how I first taught myself Pilates. As years passed and I entered the working world, life went on… without Pilates.

Prior to opening my studio in LA, I had been living in New York, working in the fashion industry. The long hours of work and the fast-paced city life eventually burnt me out physically and mentally. I kept getting sick, and I started to experience crippling pain one after another – GI issues, back pain, sciatica, tension headaches, shoulder impingement, sacroiliac joint compression.

After resigning, I moved back to Los Angeles. My top priority was to get in better health. Remembering how I felt doing Pilates in my college days, I sought out Pilates. Through Pilates, I experienced the power of healing through movement and breathing. After re-discovering Pilates and finding restoration both physically and emotionally, I had a turning point in my career. Not only does the name Starting Point signify a “starting point” for myself, but I wanted to create a space that would be a “starting point” for everyone else who comes through these doors….a starting point for their journey of fitness and wellness.

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?
This studio was my first retail business. While it was exciting to implement ideas from start to finish and have clients experience the way I understood Pilates, at the end of the day, you have a business to run. There is the challenge of the ever evolving market place. Especially in a fitness oriented city like Los Angeles where there is a plethora of fitness studios and new concepts/new fads continuously popping up everywhere, you have to know where you stand. Even Pilates has branched out into such diverse forms, and these days, many studios offer more than just pure Pilates. Competition in class variety, studio size, client retention, pricing, and such will always be there.

However, what I learned was that while you want to stay relevant, you don’t want to try to become everything for everyone. When you have a business in a dense market, it becomes all the more important to define your studio mission, hone in on what at you’re good at and, simply, be passionate about it. Clients recognize that. What has helped me through and through was to remember what my purpose is and why I believe in Pilates!

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Starting Point Pilates story. Tell us more about the business.
Starting Point Pilates is a classical/contemporary Pilates studio that offers privates and group reformer classes. What’s exciting is that we were the first Pilates studio to bring group reformer classes to the Koreatown community in Los Angeles and happy to say these classes are very popular here! Also, recently launched is our “happy hour” privates during off-peak hours at discounted rates. Hearing many clients loving the benefits of private instruction but not being able to continue because of other expenses in life (we totally understand), we wanted to offer another option. Hence, the “happy hour” – happy rates, happy clients!

My Korean upbringing has uniquely shaped me as a Pilates instructor and a studio owner. When it comes to learning and teaching, the Korean culture is strongly rooted in discipline, hawk-like focus and commitment, and respect for purity. This definitely translates over into my own teaching practice.

What’s distinct about our studio is our methodical approach to teaching Pilates, and the strong emphasis on fundamental technique and precision. Also, we educate clients on WHAT and WHY he/she is doing is what we’re doing in class. This is what truly creates the mind-body connection. Not only does it result in a more in-depth work-out, but also, a wholly gratifying learning experience for everyone. Oft times, when I used to be a student myself taking classes, I found it frustrating because I didn’t get the whole picture. We are not a gym-like studio where the instructor just counts you off through a set of exercises for the arms, glutes, abs which can be very static and gets boring very quickly. Rather, there is a sense of progression here which engages everyone individually. Our classes are loved for the constant variety and challenges we bring to our clients.

I am most proud of and thankful for our dedicated clients. What’s so interesting and singular about Pilates from the teaching perspective is the infinite applications of Pilates in ANY person’s life, which is why I believe why Pilates will keep growing. I have a penchant for study and research. My curiosity for learning and desire to cater Pilates to each unique body is what keeps me going, and what, I think, keeps the clients coming back!

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Hmm. Personally, I don’t use the word luck because I am a believer of everything happening for a reason and a purpose. Prior to opening the studio, there were several months of praying and searching for a location. Funny thing is the studio is actually down the street from where I live, but it took several months to actually see this location as a place for a Pilates studio! But it’s perfect in every way- it’s situated perfectly on the cusp of Koreatown and Miracle Mile, has great natural lighting, and ample free parking (yes, free parking. In LA, parking availability can be a deal maker and breaker.) Initially, I had balked about the space because the asking rent was very high and was flat out told it was nonnegotiable, but I could not stop thinking about this space. After a month of contemplating and praying, I decided to write a letter to the landlord, explaining what brought me to Pilates, my desires and goals for this studio. I had nothing to lose. A day later, much to my surprise and joy, she responded favorably and so, I was able to work out a deal with her!

In life and in business, whether you have “good luck or bad luck”, I believe facing all that life has to bring with prayers, positivity, and determination!

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