“What does YOUR level mean at Bria?” is a great guide on what you should be able to demonstrate before you move on to the next level. Misty also wrote a couple of posts on the conceptual knowledge one would want to have to feel comfortable at Levels 1&2 and Levels 3&4.

Still have questions? Ask the instructor the next time you’re in class or drop us a line at info@briaseattle.com.

Bria before 3/19/2012

It’s our 1-month anniversary in our new digs and we couldn’t be happier as we get settled in. If you had seen this space before you wouldn’t recognize it today. Check out our “before” photo at left (orange paint!). The first time I stepped foot in the door was just 14 days before we re-opened, and Misty was literally ripping the carpet off the floor when I walked in. For Misty and I it was non-stop from there as we hustled to pack, clean, hang signs, choose paint, call in volunteers, and ultimately make the stars align just right so that we could open in time to offer class to our beloved clients on April 2nd. We built this for you, with you.  We are so thrilled. And now, the “after” photos. Stay tuned for details on our open house.

The new Bria Studios at 101 W Nickerson are expected to open on April 2nd with more space for parking, more space for working out, more space for physical therapy, and a climate controlled environment. Check back on our website and blog for more information about the move. If you’d like to volunteer for work parties on the new location, please check in with our front desk personnel for a signup sheet and information.

UPDATE 03/24/2012: The date and time for the Grand Finale class has changed in the post above. It was originally Wednesday, March 28th from 6:30-7:30pm. Due to dust and debris from the demolition next door, we are moving the class forward to Tuesday, March 27th, 2012, from 6:00-7:00pm.

Just two weeks ago I sent out a letter explaining Bria’s situation of early lease termination and asked you to help out. This was a risky move because it opened room for doubt, however my intension was true and the community persevered. The warm out pouring of responses renewed my passion for why I started Bria- to help you stay fit and healthy. Clients, staff, colleagues, business associates, fellow studio owners and others wrote and called expressing their concerns and desire to keep Bria alive. People willing to come paint, hang mirrors, prepay for 2 years’ worth of services and more! Bria has changed many lives and you cared enough to want it to continue to impact your life and others. This is reason I started Bria and your care convinced me I could do whatever it took to keep Bria thriving for you and many others!

I am pleased to announce that I have found a perfect partner to join me as co-owner of Bria, Christine Jimenez. Christine is a Seattle native and avid distance runner. She turned to Pilates when a running injury sidelined her years ago and she has been hooked ever since. She has been a Bria client since the day it opened and is thrilled to be working with the wonderful staff and clientele in the new location. Look for her face around the studio; I am sure you are going to adore her kind and charismatic nature.

I also secured a perfect new home for Bria located at 101 Nickerson. It is just 2.5 miles north/east of our current location the new studio. It is on the north side if Queen Anne, one block south/west from the Fremont bridge, just behind the Tully’s Coffee. There are 32 free surface parking spots, double pane windows, climate control and offers more studio space that we will be filling with more equipment. This means more space in those much desired waitlist classes so get signed up today!

In addition, Greenwood Physical Therapy, a well-known physical therapy clinic in the community and highly endorsed by our former Megan Sullivan PT, will be opening up a satellite location within our new studio. We will now be able to send you to reputable, in house physical therapists trained in Pilates rehab and with established insurance billing.

Many more workshops and exciting additions are happening including nutritional workshops, rehabilitation classes, Pilates teacher trainings and more. I am so excited to share all of this and more information with you, but for now,

Check out our Promotions and Save the date!

Projected opening day is April 2nd 2012.
15% off all packages purchased from now until our opening day
All packages purchased in the next 2 weeks won’t expire for 2 months after the new studio opens.
All members that keep or reinstate their membership prior to the move will receive 2 weeks free.
Work party, community involvement and Open House to be announced.
Please stay posted to our future newsletters, blogs and websites for news and updates.

I extend my sincere gratitude to all of you. Your belief in Bria makes us all strong!

Sincerely,

Misty Moon Nickel

Successful relationships are often described as having a rock solid core – a steady foundation upon which both partners can build support for one another. It’s the same for human bodies, say Pilates experts. If we don’t concentrate on building a good foundation and a strong trunk or core, we’ll end up tight in some places and weak in others, injury-prone and susceptible to the pitfalls of our occupation or chosen form of exercise.

So try out a membership at Bria Pilates this Valentine’s Day – for a healthier you and a stronger two-of-you!

“How are your posture and sitting habits linked to pelvic floor issues like incontinence and painful menstrual cramps? Biomechanical scientist Katy Bowman has designed the perfect program to show you how to hold your pelvis in the correct place and get your pelvic floor muscles working optimally!”

Yikes – enough to stress anyone out.

Then I remembered – oh yeah … I have me, the floor and a Theraband.
I’ll be just fine.

Here are my words of advice for this chaotic, possibly stressful and full of travel holiday time:
1. Lay down and spend at least one minute breathing.
2. Do some intense core matwork for 5 minutes.
3. Stretch with your theraband – hamstrings, hips, low back.
4. Breathe – again.
5. Promise to be stronger and leaner and taller than 15 min ago.
DONE!
Feel better about you and your body! YOU ARE WORTH IT!

-Amy Sennett-Starner

Reward yourself by rewarding others this season. Start shopping…

Happy Holidays from Bria!

Because I love to run. I started running with my dad when I was in middle school. I thought my dad was the coolest person in the world and I would have done anything to make him proud. He loved to run so I wanted to love to run. We would get up early in the morning before the sun came up and run in our neighborhood. At the time I didn’t love running but I loved being with him. I thought doing what he did would make me more like him. I continued to run through out my school years but it wasn’t until I had my first child that I began to love it. Going out for a run in the morning was what got me through the long days of staying at home with an infant. It literally kept me sane.

So what does this have to do with pilates? Pilates has allowed me to continue to do what I love and to do it better at age 40 than I did at 20. It wasn’t until I started doing pilates did I figure out that the pain I felt at my collarbone while on a long run was a result of poor shoulder mechanics and cervical alignment. The more tired I got the more forward my head went and the more rounded and depressed my shoulders became. With better shoulder and neck stability I could run longer and faster. Next time I’ll tell you about my hips!

Heather