Exploring Life & Business with Sara Allegri of Pilates Island Studio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Allegri.

Hi Sara, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Since I can remember, growing up in the Italian Alps in my hometown of Charvensod Aosta, I was very competitive by nature and always wanted to be the best I could be at anything I put my mind to. And this didn’t change when I got into the health and wellness industry. To be the best I would have to study with the best. And since I always had a strong passion for combining knowledge of anatomy with physical activity Pilates turned out to be a good vehicle.

I come from very humble beginnings but always had what I needed to get by. Nevertheless, I always felt like I should help people less fortunate than me. In 2000 I even traveled all the way to the Philippines with a youth group for eight months working as a volunteer in an elementary school in a very poor neighborhood. It opened my heart and eyes to local and international needs around the world.

In 2001 I received my first “how to” Pilates book sent to me by future husband and business partner, Joe. After that, I started looking around for the best schools to implement this passion and expand my knowledge of how the brain works in relation to our physical ability which eventually transformed me into who I am today.

I’m proud to say that I am a Pilates Second Generation Master Mentor, trained by Lolita San Miguel in West Palm Beach, Florida. Lolita was actually trained by Joseph Pilates himself. But there is so much more to what I do now.

After years of teaching Pilates in several gyms and even open fields up and down the Aosta Valley in 2007, we decided to open our own studio. In a few short weeks, we realized that we hit a goldmine and we had something many people wanted and most of all needed. Unfortunately, in 2011 I lost my mother to cancer which left a big hole in my heart and a little over a year later my father.

After eight successful years as Pilates business owners in northern Italy, we decided it was time for a fresh start. A new beginning in a new country, a new culture, a new language and a new business plan in a town where Pilates was unknown. The gamble was worth it. After a very long year of trying to gain people’s trust the word was out.

I had the honor of collaborating with the amazing artists and acrobats of Cirque du Soleil Ovo while on their US tour. I was also contacted by Alabama University’s Gymnastics Team and worked closely with their talented athletes who, hold numerous NCAA National Championship titles.

My insatiable curiosity to fully understand what Joe Pilates had tapped into and left behind, is never-ending. I believe that Joe Pilates had so much more to offer than what he left in writing, so I continued my research and studies with 2nd Generation Teachers trained by Romana Kryzanowska and attended informative workshops with Sonje Mayo.

Pilates is a branch in a tree of “the true science of wellness” and since science is always discovering something new, I too am dedicated to never stop learning about the human body. Consequently, I started attending various seminars in Buenos Aires, Germany, Chicago and eventually Malaga Spain where I met Rael Izacowitz, known for founding the BASI technique which takes a more scientific approach to Pilates. This fed my curiosity to learn more about how connective tissues worked in the body and their important role in executing exercises.

Now, thanks to John Sharkey and Gil Hedley a much larger door has opened. They introduced me to the discovery of our inner space and Biotensegrity: an emerging field of scientific understanding of how bodies work based on the insight that we are primarily tensegrity structures where the bones float in a network of soft tissue under balanced tension.

This is a huge finding for anyone teaching the essentials of mind and body work through Pilates and will open doors to endless discoveries. But I have to admit, I really came to life and pure enlightenment while attending courses with NEURO-REHAB and Z-HEALTH University. They expanded my knowledge on how the brain works and influences all physical ability like no other. What a discovery.

I’m all about “discovery”, especially discovering ways to help others. One of our greatest motivations that keeps us going are the people we work with, and there is nothing more satisfying than helping people experience the true benefits of our Pilates.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Losing my mother was probably the hardest thing I had to face. I think it didn’t just shake the foundation of everything I believe in but it destroyed it. I believe that there is never a smooth road for a journey worth taking. I gave birth to three kids and I screamed three times: Never again! But when I held them in my arms for the first time I swore they were the most beautiful things I ever created. There is always a struggle before a victory.

We had issues getting the word out the first year here in Austin primarily because Austin is a yogi town. But after our gig with Cirque du Soleil and local athletes people started raising eyebrows and coming around. Now we’re good. Very good.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
PILATES ISLAND STUDIO in Cedar Park is a Pilates Center dedicated to the benefits of this wonderful discipline and much more. At Pilates Island Studio you will be working with qualified instructors with over 15 years of experience from running a successful Pilates Studio which began in Northern Italy.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

We have a strong passion for combining Pilates with our knowledge of human anatomy and neuroscience. We continue attending courses with Gil Hedley, NEURO-REHAB and Z-HEALTH to expand our knowledge on how the brain works and influences our muscle control and ability.

At Pilates Island Studio the instructors provide you with the individual attention you need to make sure you are performing all of your exercises properly.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
We offer a free week trial on all mat classes.

Pricing:

• CLASS PASS 10 sessions $150
• REFORMER PASS 10 sessions $270
• 30 Minute Private $45
• 60 Minute Private $75
• MAT CLASS Drop-In $25

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.pilatesisland.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaraAllegriPilatesPersonalTrainer