Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Long
Hi Mary, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
If you had told me 20 years ago that I’d end up having a career in Pilates, I would have probably laughed, but also been curious and excited at the same time! I studied liberal arts for both my undergraduate (history) and my Masters (theology) degrees, and obtained a job in religious education right out of school.
When I moved back home to Texas after a few years of work and a year spent traveling abroad, I decided to pursue a different direction, working in healthcare management at a pediatric home health agency. It was inspiring to see how the therapists made a difference in the lives of the children they served.
Somewhere along the way, I had gotten into Pilates, a mind-body exercise system, and found it had completely transformed my body awareness and not only built my strength and confidence, but also helped me find a deep joy in movement. After being a Pilates student for a few years, I thought, why not?, and signed up for Pilates teacher training. Being the type to make any excuse to travel, I found a great Pilates studio in Costa Rica, and completed the bulk of my training there (and got in a little surfing on the side!).
I didn’t know exactly where the training would lead, but decided to try out a part-time teaching role on top of my regular job. I absolutely loved it, and after a few years, I took the leap to full-time Pilates instruction. I found it to be incredibly rewarding, and loved helping people find more joy and purpose in movement.
Over that period of time, I started dreaming of running Pilates retreats—they would combine my love of travel with Pilates & movement, and facilitate life-changing & healing experiences for those who attended. Anyone who has started a business knows the excitement and nervousness of completing a business plan, filing paperwork, and obtaining a license. The LLC for Soma Lux came through in early March, and I started planning the first retreat. The universe, however, had other plans. Businesses, travel, and almost everything else shut down with the onset of the Covid 19 pandemic. No retreats would be happening any time soon.
Time to pivot! With some encouragement and help from colleagues and friends, I opened the Soma Lux Pilates studio in June 2020 inside a chiropractic clinic. That studio has now grown to a blossoming community in the southwest Austin/Dripping Springs area, offering private and semi-private sessions, as well as small group sessions and workshops. The original vision of Pilates & movement retreats is still on the horizon, and I hope to be offering both local experiences and travel opportunities as early as next year.
Our community at Soma Lux isn’t just about Pilates — it’s about finding joy in movement and wellness. The more I learn, the more I want to keep learning, and sharing that joy with others.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Starting a business during the pandemic wasn’t an easy road. I don’t think any of us knew how long it would go on. It’s probably better that I didn’t know! Even though service-based businesses were more restricted during Covid, it was those services (in our case, fitness, movement, and wellness) that were so desperately needed! Despite the challenges of this time period, I’m so grateful for it, and feel stronger for it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Soma Lux Pilates is a boutique Pilates studio in the southwest Austin/Dripping Springs area.
Pilates is a mind-body exercise system that uses specialized equipment, and focuses on building strength, balance, coordination, flow, and breathwork. It is an exercise methodology that is appropriate for almost anyone as it can be tailored to unique needs and goals.
Soma Lux gives clients of all ages and abilities a welcoming, accessible, fun, and educational environment in which to move and learn. We offer private, semi-private, and small group Pilates sessions, both in the studio and virtually. We’re obsessed with learning, and thus offer education opportunities for our clients as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.somaluxpilates.com
- Instagram: @somaluxpilates
