By Alin Hett
Hays Post
Pilates & Strength Studio by Isabelle, also known as P.S. Isabelle, recently opened on the third floor of the Hadley Center. The studio is in what former Hadley Hospital chapel, and stained glass windows remain inside.
Isabelle Braun, NASM certified personal trainer and Balanced Body Mat pilates instructor, said her journey began due to years of back, ankle, knee and hip pain. The pain caused Braun to begin looking for ways to improve her quality of life through fitness.
She said once she found Pilates, her entire body started to feel better and also inspired her to open a studio where others in Hays could experience the benefits pilates offer too.
“I really started getting into fitness and taking more care of myself,” Braun said. “I’ve always kind of had a lot of back pain and ankle and knee and hip pain, so I was really wanting to make my quality of life better through fitness.”
When she began Pilates, she found it enjoyable and different from other workouts she had tried.
“That’s when I decided I wanted to do the certification for mat Pilates,” Braun said.
Braun first earned her NASM personal trainer certification, then completed a Balanced Body mat Pilates certification. She said she has held the Pilates certification for about a year and has taught private, one-on-one classes before deciding to find a space in Hays.
“I really wanted to be able to bring those benefits that I experience to the community,” she said.
Braun also said she hopes to make Pilates approachable for people who might feel intimidated by what they see online.
“I think a lot of people see Pilates on Instagram and think that they can’t do it,” Braun said. “But it’s really a great movement for everybody, every type of person. I just wanted to be able to show the community that they can move regardless of what stage they are in their fitness journey.”
Adaptive classes
Braun said she made sure that her studio does not separate classes by experience level.
Instead, Isabelle offers progressions that can make movements more or less challenging, allowing beginners and experienced participants to take the same class.
Someone who’s never done Pilates and someone who has practiced for years can both join, she said. The level of difficulty can be adjusted to suit the participant.
Braun said classes will range between 50-60 minutes for just $15. Braun also said she offers packages available for purchase of five classes or 10 classes as a bundle.
Braun is trained in classical mat pilates and said she will be teaching traditional principles and "pilates-inspired" movements, which focus on breathing, concentration, control, centering, precision, balanced muscle development, rhythm, whole body movement and relaxation.
Braun said classes will be kept relatively small at a maximum of eight people so she can make sure clients are moving properly and getting the most out class.
Since Braun is also a personal trainer, she said she will be incorporating strength based movements as progressions.
Braun was adamant and said people of all ages are welcome.
“Pilates focuses on mobility and recovery and can help people work on how their bodies move as they get older, " Braun said.
Braun spoke about when she first started her Pilates journey six years ago. She said at first, she was unable to even touch her toes and that her mobility was lacking.
After about one or two months of regular practice, Braun said she began noticing changes in her flexibility and back pain. Now, she typically takes about three classes a week, with one class as her minimum to maintain the newfound mobility.
A hometown business
Braun grew up in Hays and said opening a business in her hometown feels “kind of crazy.”
She had always wanted to own a business, in part because her parents had done so, but she did not expect to stay in the area.
“I can’t believe that I’m a business owner,” Braun said.
Seeing people she already knows come to the studio, along with the community’s support, has made the experience especially rewarding.
“It makes me super happy and just proud of myself and proud of the community,” Braun said. "I’m excited to be able to give back.”
Pilates classes can be booked online through links on the studio’s Facebook pages.
To view the Facebook page, click here.
To view the Instagram page, click here.
A QR code will also be posted below to scan and register for classes. Braun also offers personal training and nutrition coaching online as separate services if interested.
Pilates and Strength studio by Isabelle is at 205 E. Seventh St., Suite 322, inside the Hadley Center.
