Simply Abu Dhabi XXVIII

What support team do you rely on? I have a great support team within my family. My husband has been there for me guiding me through the many obstacles of starting a new business and I would have never been able to do this without him. My parents have been a huge support, too, in both my personal and professional life. My friend Michelle has helped me build the Studio – everything from designing the logo and website to recruiting. She still helps me as part of the Studio’s management team. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? Even though it may be tough and not the easiest route, stay true to yourself and forge your own path. This has been so essential in forming the Studio, and we are really looking forward to creating a unique community here in Abu Dhabi. What keeps you moving forward in your job every day? It’s the feeling I get when a client calls me and tells me how much of a difference we have made in their lives and how helpful their visits to the Studio has been. That just makes all the hard work worth it. How do you think your space differs from others out there? I think our space differs in many ways. Our décor which is very simplistic and minimal, with inspirational quotes painted on all of the walls. The goal is to let the clients feel comfortable and at ease when entering, and to help them relate to the quotes. What has been your greatest challenge so far? I think one of the challenges has been trying to find the right balance of classes based on our clientele. When we first opened we focusedmore onmorning classes to cater tomothers who would come after dropping off their children, but we slowly realised that most of our clients were working women who were looking for something after work. So we are working on finding the right balance and having something for everyone. What are you most proud of in your work? I am proud that I was able to build a start-up business from scratch, and I hope that I will be able to grow it into something that will benefit the community. What are the key benefits of yoga and pilates, in your opinion and experience? In my opinion yoga is a great way to centre and focus yourself physically and mentally, and it can also be a way of strengthening and toning your body. Most people here mistake yoga with mediation, and that is why we are also working on awareness in the community. Pilates has various different benefits. In my opinion one of the best ones is improving posture and strengthening muscles that are not usually targeted with traditional workouts. Especially if you have a desk job and are hunched over a computer all day – both yoga and pilates allow you to open up your body and prevent stiffness and muscle pain. What excited you most about creating the Studio? I was excited about creating the Studio because it would give me a platform to share all these practices that helped me improve my day-to-day life. Also, I was excited about having my own business, which would allow me to continue my career on my own terms to be able to give me more time with my daughter. What advice would you give to someone who has never done yoga? I would tell them to at least give a shot and try a few handful of different classes. Yoga is so diverse and there is something for everyone. What type of yoga do you favour most? Currently my favourite type is aerial yoga. It’s a different take on the traditional practice, using a hammock hanging from the ceiling. It is a great way of releasing pain and tension by hanging in different positions! Where would you like to go in the world where you haven’t already visited? I would love to visit South Africa and Latin America.