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Meet Vanessa Ursini of Pilates by Ness in Highlands

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Ursini.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Vanessa. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
In 2012 I was 23 years old living in downtown Denver as a recent college graduate from Metro State University. I was working at two restaurants to be able to survive the downtown lifestyle while still trying to decide what it was I wanted to do with my business management degree. I felt lost in my wants and desires and as much as I love working in restaurants, I was growing tired of the service industry. At that point, I had also decided I needed to live a healthier lifestyle and start exercising more. As a low income graduate I decided to look at Living Social for any type of exercise class deals that I could afford, which is how I came to know about Firehaus Pilates. A very affordable three class intro pack caught my eye and I had always wanted to try Pilates. Long story short the owner, Rachel Algra, taught the class and was enamored by the entire experience. It was so much more than I had anticipated and it left me feeling energized, happy, and strong, Needless to say I was hooked and attending classes five to six times a week. After about a year or so of classes, Rachel mentioned that I should look into the comprehensive training program that she had taken. I was so surprised that I hadn’t thought of this sooner and I signed up immediately. The training was so much more challenging than I could have ever imagined and I was working three jobs at the time to be able to pay for it but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I became certified by Polestar Pilates in 2014 and have been teaching since late 2013. Firehouse Pilates was my home away from home for five years and was nothing short of amazing. It was at Firehaus where I decided that mentoring for Polestar Pilates should be my next endeavor which has given me such fulfillment. Each year I have the pleasure of helping train aspiring pilates practitioners side by side with some of the best educators and mentors this state has to offer.

In 2018 I was starting to toy with the idea of opening my own studio focusing on private, one on one sessions specializing in rehabilitation, pregnancy, and trauma-related injuries. I was very unsure of myself at first but with the help and support of family and friends, I decided it was time to make Pilates by Ness a reality. Unfortunately, my dream was postponed due to an unfortunate event in July of 2018. On a beautiful Wednesday morning my life was changed forever. I was walking my dog along the Platte River Trail and was attacked by a homeless man who tried to take my life. I won’t go into much detail as it was quite gruesome but it changed the priorities in my life tenfold. Instead of worrying about the success or failure of my upcoming business venture I was worried about how much it would hurt to get out of bed in the morning. I received an incredible amount of support from family, friends, coworkers, and even strangers. All of this support brought me back to life in ways I can’t put into words. So after about three months of recovery, physical and mental, I purchased my own equipment, signed a lease with my good friend and acupuncturist Carrie, and began my Pilates by Ness! It felt so wonderful to get back to teaching and to start something all on my own. I have some wonderful clients, old and new, who make it so easy to go to work everyday. I spend my days teaching awareness, creating pain free environments, helping clients understand functional movement patterns, and simply having fun with them. One of my favorite client types is pregnant women, it’s such a beautiful process to be a part of. I have the opportunity to gain the trust of this woman as she embarks on one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of her life. It is also exciting for me because no two pregnancies are the same giving me such a fun challenge of how to adapt to each woman’s experience.

I have been in business since October of last year and am continuing to grow my client base and experience what it’s like to be a small business owner in the city of Denver. My passion for learning never grows weary and my clients make my job so fulfilling. I am so grateful that I have found Pilates and I expect it to be a part of my life forever.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
For the most part it has been a smooth road but I think the biggest challenge was after my attack I was stuck in my house for three months therefore I lost a number of clients. Also, trying to explain to clients that pilates doesn’t necessarily work like magic…you may not be healed in one session. It takes dedication not only during session but also in their daily life, as a client you must be willing to assess and change things about your daily routine. The beautiful thing about pilates is after a few sessions I can guarantee you will notice a difference in the way you feel.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Pilates by Ness – what should we know?
At Pilates by Ness I specialize in rehab, pregnancy, and trauma related injuries. I have seen clients with countless types of injuries; disc herniations, scoliosis, knee and hip replacements, neurological disorders, diastasis recti, arthritis, etc. I love the challenge and learning experience of these types of ailments and it is so fulfilling to free my clients of pain. I also think it’s pertinent that my clients know WHY we are doing specific movements so that they understand the benefit and how they can apply it to functional activities in their lives.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
First and foremost, my husband Billie has been nothing but a supporter from the very beginning. Allowing me to practice and use him as my guinea pig to this day. My brother not only helped me build EVERYTHING in my studio, he also helped me create my beautiful website of which I am incredibly proud. The previous owner of Firehaus Pilates, Rachel Algra has been my mentor and friend throughout my entire career, spending countless hours with me during my training, helping me so much after my attack and supporting me with opening my own space. Misty Woodden is the educator for the Polestar Comprehensive and one of my best friends, her patience, knowledge and teaching ability will always inspire me. She is also one of the best travel buddies and hiking partners a girl could ask for! Dannielle Holder is another gem in my life who nominated me to become a mentor for Polestar, she is a friend and mentor for life. Her infectious laugh, ability to answer literally every question I’ve ever had and thirst for knowledge is awe-inspiring. Carrie Senderhauf, my acupuncturist and dear friend whom I share space with. She was so understanding and patient with me after my attack and made sure I was fully ready to move in and start my business. She is also one of the most kind and knowledgeable acupuncturists in the world, I can’t recommend her services enough. My Polestar family has supported me in countless ways, my sweet mother is my rock and my best friend, and last but very not least all of my clients who have been with me through thick and thin. I can’t thank everyone enough, I wouldn’t be anywhere near where I am today without these amazing people in my life.

Pricing:

  • Intro Pack 3 Sessions: $150
  • Single Private Session: $70
  • 5 Pack Private Sessions: $325
  • 10 Pack Private Sessions: $600

Contact Info:

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