Life and Work with Jamie Ward

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Ward.

Jamie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started the Pilates method like many others, as a dancer looking for a solution to an injury. While dancing in college, I injured my hip and one of my dance instructors recommended the Pilates method to help heal my injury. Knowing very little at that time about Pilates, I decided to try it hoping for the best. The results were nothing short of amazing. After graduating with a dance degree, I was exploring my career options and realized how much I really loved the Pilates method and wanted it to be a part of my life. Shortly thereafter, I enrolled in a two-year Pilates training program that consisted of pre and post-natal as well as pre and post-rehab training under the supervision of a Physical Therapist. After completing my training program, I started my career by teaching at small gyms and fitness studios. While a great start the experience for the client left a lot to be desired. It really pushed me to imagine how I might create something better for my clients. It was with these thoughts that the idea of a Pilates-specific, boutique studio would be born. Unlike regular gyms or fitness clubs, my studio would be an environment free from distractions. The atmosphere would invite you to leave your worries at the door, turning your focus inward to breathing and mindful movements. This vision would eventually become The Pilates Loft in Lone Tree, CO. It has been an amazing 15 years helping my clients learn the benefits of the Pilates method through a truly unique experience.

Has it been a smooth road?
Starting a new business is exciting and scary all at the same time. There are always bumps in the road but that’s part of the process, right! Pushing yourself outside your comfort zone is what makes you and your business grow and be successful. I think questioning your path, your strategies and what’s next is what helps keep from being stagnant. Being a new business and new to the Lone Tree area provided and extra challenge. We needed to build a client base right away. Remember, I started this business before social media was really something most people had heard of or were using. In the beginning, we relied on more traditional print advertising methods such as the yellow pages, local magazines and newspapers.

Additionally, we held open houses and even used the sign twirling people who stand on the corners. It took a lot longer to get the word out and see the returns of your advertising dollars back then. An early struggle that is still something I continue to evaluate today is pricing and our value proposition. To take that a step further, it’s really understanding your competitive advantage in the marketplace. In the early years, there was not nearly as much competition as there is today. I think it’s understanding what you do well and how you differ from what everyone else is doing. It’s very important to find your voice and promote it in a way that makes sense to the client.

Today, I am extremely lucky to have many great clients, some of who have been with me since the very beginning. Most people come to me by word of mouth and referrals. It’s interesting I am reading a book called Contagious and it speaks to how important word of mouth is even the social media environment we have today. That in no way means that we are not always trying to stay fresh. Both in terms of encouraging existing clients to engage with us more frequently or generating new business. In short, how can we share our experience with more people more often. My advice to a young woman would be to understand who you are first. Once you know that you can discover what makes you unique. Speaking to that is going to create your own voice. Realizing your voice won’t attract everyone and that’s okay. The goal is to attract those who are in alignment with what you are saying. Don’t worry about everyone else as you want to work with and be around those who like what you have to say.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Pilates Loft – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
The Pilates Loft is a boutique Pilates studio specializing in movement exercises. We offer small group classes, 2-4 people and private one on one training. These smaller intimate classes foster a very supportive family feeling that many of our folks are looking for. We offer a full line of Pilates specific studio equipment from the best brands in the industry. I still speak with people all the time who think Pilates is nothing more than floor-based exercises and aren’t even aware of the various apparatus like Pilates Reformer that started it all. One of the things I am most proud of is my number of years of experience and depth of knowledge. I often get new people who have done Pilates elsewhere, even for a period of years, who will tell me after their first session that level of instruction is much higher than anything they have experienced before. They will even joke and say, “I am not sure I was even doing Pilates before.” It’s knowing that type of experience is out there and being able to speak to it. It is very important that new clients learn the Pilates method correctly the first time. I require all new students to have introductory private sessions to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses.

For those that have never done Pilates before this often includes an additional 4-5 private sessions. I really have a passion for introducing new people to the Pilates method. Getting them started on their journey and helping them understand how it can help them in their life is very fulfilling. We limit class size to 2-4 people is to ensure our clients are getting proper instruction. The exercises or movements as we call them are very specific. Add to this the fact that many clients are dealing with injuries or limitations and you have the potential where one can do more harm than good. Large class sizes just don’t allow for the type of supervision required to practice Pilates properly. The Pilates Loft strives every day to make sure that our clients are getting the most out of their time with us. From the design of the studio that encourages them to detach and focus on their health & wellness goals to the quality of instruction provided. The Pilates Loft has a standard of teaching that meets our clients where they are while allowing them to progress in a safe environment.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve benefited from using?
One thing that is very interesting about Pilates is how fractured the industry is. Joseph Pilates the inventor of the method never trademarked the name. A court actually declared that very thing in 2000 by stating Pilates, like yoga and karate, is an exercise method and not a trademark. This has a huge effect on the brands, products and companies that associate themselves with the industry. It’s important to understand this when evaluating any resource or provider. One particular organization I really like is PMA (Pilates Method Alliance). It’s a trade group for Pilates instructors that among other things is elevating the industry by creating minimum levels of standards. In addition, they have a lot of great current on ongoing education resources. Pilates Style magazine is a great print piece that I share with my clients at the studio. Always has lots of fresh ideas about the industry and the method specifically. Balanced body a juggernaut in terms of equipment and training is another great resource for all things Pilates.

Pricing:

• New Client Offers of $30.00 for first Private session & $75.00 for first month of unlimited Small Group Sessions
• Private sessions are $65.00 each session or a pack of 10 Private Sessions for $550.
• Small Group Sessions are $40.00 each, or a pack of 5 for $160, or a pack of 10 for $300.
• Best Ongoing Offer- Monthly Auto Pay of $200 monthly for unlimited Small Group Sessions

Contact Info:

• Address: The Pilates Loft 9898 Rosemont, Suite #201 Lone Tree, CO 80124
• Website: www.thepilatesloft.com
• Phone: 303-471-8656
• Email: info@thepilatesloft.com or jamie@thepilatesloft.com
• Instagram: pilatesloftlonetree

Image Credit:
Paul Maynard

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