About the Studio

by Alicia Thomasson

I am starting this blog to share Pilates, prenatal and postpartum tips, studies, exercises and more. Here is a bit about my studio:

I began taking Pilates classes at the age of twelve to supplement my dance training, but it was when I was in college that I fell in love with the method and decided to get certified. I started Glowing Oasis Pilates, LLC in 2010 when I was in college. While I worked to get my certification, I taught in-home Pilates sessions in the Winchester area at a discounted rate. I was forced to learn quickly, both teaching Pilates and starting/marketing/growing a business. Between classes, I spent hours on the internet and in the library reading articles and books on business. After obtaining my Pilates certification, I began to lease space at the local country club's fitness center. This was all while pursuing a BFA in Theatre and working a part time job teaching dance to children. I enjoyed all three, however, so it didn't feel like work. It was fun, and I was eager and hungry to learn.

When I graduated, I moved to Leesburg and knew it was show time. I continued the in-home sessions in Loudoun County, joined the Chamber of Commerce, attended networking events, joined a BNI, participated in vendor events...you name it. I leased a space inside a physical therapy clinic and there I was able to hold group classes and teach my first reformer sessions.

I met my husband at a BNI meeting. I was a finalist in the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce's Small Business Awards in 2014. I was named one of Leesburg Today's 40 under 40 in 2015. It was going well, until it wasn't. I was exhausted, burned out, and I found myself not enjoying it anymore. 

I have always wanted to be a stay at home mom. When I started this business, it was with the intention of someday being able to create by own schedule so I could stay with my kids but also pursue my passion. So, shortly after my husband and I found out we were expecting our first, we started to renovate our basement into a home studio. It was finished when I was about halfway through the pregnancy and it has been all I had dreamed of. Now, I am entering a new stage, as we are expecting our second child next month. These babies are only little for a little while. Once they are off in school, I will have the whole day to teach, but for now, I want to take them on adventures and soak in all their littleness while I can. (Have you heard Michael Buble's new song, "Forever Now"? TEARS).

With that being said, the immediate future of the studio looks like this: the Monday group class runs through October 7th and will resume on January 6th, 2020. At the moment, I am going to play Private Sessions by ear for next year. I have no idea how life with these 2 little guys is going to be, and if adding more sessions will bring more joy or more chaos. I am now offering online videos and eBooks, as well as Skype sessions, so I can stay in touch and help you while changing diapers and kissing boo boos. If there are other online suggestions you'd like to see, please let me know! I am looking forward to this next chapter and what it will bring!

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