SOAR Pilates celebrates five years with new instructors, an expanded schedule, and a proper retail space … in a thriving, intimate community
By Hilary Dartt • Photos by Blushing Cactus Photography
As the women of SOAR Pilates celebrate the brick-and-mortar studio’s fifth anniversary, they’re also celebrating something even more important: the community they’ve built with their clients and with each other.
For owner Heather Burgoyne, SOAR’s close-knit atmosphere echoes that of Prescott, a place that has felt like home since she moved here partway through high school.
After living in cities around the world, Heather felt the call to return to Prescott and its small-town feel … a place where, she said, “people have the time to say ‘hello’ to each other and want to be around you.”
She practiced Pilates in lots of other places, and said she’d go into class and not know her neighbor, even if they both showed up every week for the same class.
At SOAR, though, a sense of community “organically happened, where people would introduce themselves to each other.” Whether that’s down to the intimacy of the space, the cozy feeling (SOAR is housed in a log cabin with a fireplace), or the limited class size, she said, “You feel safe to say ‘hello’ to somebody.”
“You know your neighbor,” she added. “People build relationships at the studio.” Their chats become conversations, and those lead to after-class lunches.
“Most of us know each other, and we’re all showing up with the shared goal of moving better and feeling stronger. No matter your level we are able to provide a truly effective workout to everyone by performing movements with intention, following cues and tuning into our bodies.”
Rachel Benton was the first instructor to join Heather at SOAR, four and-a-half years ago.
“I wouldn’t have been able to do it without her, hands down,” Heather said. “She has been so supportive and encouraging.”
Rachel said, “It’s such a gift to be along for the ride and be part of the journey.”
For her, the transition to becoming an instructor was a result of loving the way it made her feel and wanting to help others find that for themselves.
As the SOAR community has grown over the years, she said, she especially appreciates “the support regardless of the day you’re having, the season of life you’re in, or the challenges you’re facing inside the studio or outside the studio. SOAR has a solid community of support.”
Barbara Fullers Fleming joined SOAR’s staff three and-a-half years ago and has been an instructor for 17 years. Before that, she trained in different modalities, but after her first two Pilates classes, she knew she wanted to train to teach.
Heather was impressed by Barbara’s experience, but even more importantly, she said, “We just clicked.” Barbara trained with the same person Heather’s mentor trained with, so they had a similar understanding of Pilates. “She’s just such a badass and so inspiring. She’s so strong and capable.”
“Pilates just resonates with me,” Barbara said. “I like the mind-body connection and the creativity I can use within the Pilates method.”
When it comes to SOAR, she said, she appreciates the intimate vibe, not only for the community-building but also because it enables the instructors to ensure their clients are doing each exercise properly.
“I love Heather,” Barbara said. “I love her vision and how she’s going about it. I love all my co-workers. They’re just really quality instructors. We all really care about what we do, and about our clients.”
Jessica Leary is the most recent addition to the SOAR staff; she started teaching in 2017 and joined SOAR three years ago.
Heather was thrilled when Jessica joined; her presence was like finding the missing piece of a puzzle. “She really solidified our group.”
Plus, having that fourth staff member gave the other three room to breathe. Covering vacations became easier, and Heather was able to step out of the studio sometimes.
A teacher by nature, Jessica said it never occurred to her to teach in fitness until someone asked if she’d considered it … and she found that she liked it. She started with spin, then Pilates, then yoga.
“It was an unexpected turn I’m really happy about,” she said.
She said she likes the strength she feels from Pilates movements, and especially appreciates the SOAR community, which comprises people in so many different categories of life. “It’s such a supportive environment with multi-generational depth,” she said, “and people who are truly friendly and encouraging to each other in a space that can feel intimate.”
Her journey from someone who practices Pilates to someone who teaches it has been “a nice way to see my own growth,” she said, and her fellow instructors have been an essential part of it: “I don’t think I could have walked through that growth phase without these lovely ladies.”
Each instructor brings something unique to the studio: Jessica, who’s also yoga certified, has a calming presence; Barbara is detail-oriented and moves her clients really slow “in such a specific way that you’ll be sore for three days,”; Rachel is sweet and strong, encouraging and positive.
Speaking about her own style, Heather explained, “What I love most is the seamless flow…from one movement to the next, where everything just connects. It’s almost meditative. You look up and realize 50 minutes have flown by. For me, form is everything … it’s the foundation of the Pilates practice.”
It’s the team—together—that really makes SOAR special: “We have such a strong bond. Professionally, we work together effortlessly, but what really sets us apart is our friendship and mutual respect. I truly adore all three of them. They’ve supported me in so many ways, I honestly couldn’t do this without them.”
This past summer, Heather wanted to take time out of the studio to write a training manual so she could train and bring on new instructors, and her team was happy to help out. Not only that, but they want to be part of the new training and share their knowledge.
As SOAR celebrates the five-year milestone, Heather will in fact be bringing on more instructors and expanding the current schedule in late fall or early winter (including Sunday classes). SOAR will also offer specials during this time.
Also, she’s adding a proper retail space where people can shop and try on clothes during certain hours.
Five years, Heather said, “is huge for a female-owned small business.” The best part: “We’re growing from the inside out, and it feels really natural and organic.”
To stay up to date on the new instructors, class schedule, and retail hours, visit https://www.soarpilates.com/ or follow @soarpilates on Instagram and Facebook.