A Decade of Flow

Pilates was created as a specialized fitness method in 1923 and has grown steadily into a popular daily practice. Fortunately for the South Central Valley, Flow Studios continues its commitment to making the practice more accessible for enthusiasts, and we congratulate owner Layne Borba on celebrating 10 years this month!

Words by Lifestyle Staff | Photos provided by Flow Studios

Lifestyle: Please tell us a little about yourself and how long you’ve been practicing Pilates.

Layne: I've been teaching Pilates for 12 years, but I've been practicing it for about 15 years. My background is in dance; I grew up dancing at my mother's dance studio. When I went to college, I injured my ankle, which led me to physical therapy and introduced me to equipment-based Pilates. I quickly fell in love with the mind-body connection that Pilates offers and its intensity while remaining low impact. I often tell my clients that Pilates can complement their favorite hobbies or sports, or it can stand on its own as a great workout. After pursuing a professional dance career in Los Angeles, I made the decision to return to the Central Valley and open my own Pilates studio.

Over the last decade, a lot has shifted in my life. When I first opened the studio, I was in my early twenties, fresh out of college and dancing professionally. Now, I am married with two kids, my son is 3 years old and my daughter is 9 months. I love living and working in Visalia; it is such a loving and tight-knit community.

Lifestyle: What inspired you to open Flow Studios?

Layne: I wanted to share the benefits of Pilates and connect with others. Pilates is so beneficial for your body physically, but it also has a mental aspect. You have to learn how to work on breathing, connecting the mind and body. I also love the connections and friendships that are made through the studio. I have been teaching some of my clients consistently for over nine years. You get to know one another very well, and those relationships become a huge part of your lives. I recently had a really scary incident and a traumatic birth with my daughter. We both almost didn't make it. During my recovery so many of my clients were there for me with food, help, phone calls, and prayers. Those relationships mean the world to me and inspired me to continue to heal and return to teaching.

Lifestyle: What motivates you the most to stay healthy and fit?

Layne: My clients and my family motivate me. I take great pride in the responsibility of working with others’ bodies. Different seasons of your life will bring different challenges to staying healthy. I have clients that continue their work after physical therapy with me, or they are working full time, have kids and activities, or are aging and want to stay strong. It inspires me to see their dedication to stay healthy despite life’s challenges. I use my own obstacles as empathy when I work with clients.

Lifestyle: What are the benefits of practicing Pilates, and what can someone expect when signing up for a class?

Layne: Some of the main benefits of Pilates—the ones you will notice first—are a strong core, increased flexibility and range of motion, balanced muscle groups, and less pain. Everyday life including occupations, habits, or activities we participate in will create muscle imbalances that can cause pain or even injuries. Our goal is to correct those with proper exercises and stretching. Pilates done on the equipment can be completely tailored to each client, whether in a class or private setting. We keep our classes at a maximum of four people so we can make sure each client is getting what they need. We also offer private and semi-private lessons.

Lifestyle: As a local Pilates expert, what tips can you give someone on how to develop or deepen their practice?

Layne: If you have never tried a class or private lesson I would highly suggest it. Having a well-trained instructor to guide you, offer tactile cueing and watch your form can make a huge difference in your practice. Also, the guidance on breath and muscle focus is extremely helpful and can take some practice.

Lifestyle: Anything else you’d like to share with us?

Layne: It may seem intimidating to start Pilates, especially if you take a glance at all the equipment and springs. Pilates is truly for every BODY. I have clients that range from early twenties all the way to 90 years old. I have had success working with new moms (both pre- and post-natal with different birthing experiences), those injured from falling off a horse, hair stylists and aestheticians with shoulder and neck pain from working long hours, men wanting to increase their flexibility and core strength, and former athletes and runners who have created muscle imbalances from excessive training. Our studio's approach to training and healing the body is unique. Our focus is making you feel and move better; the toned muscles are a bonus.

Lifestyle: Looking forward to the next decade, what are your goals for Flow Studios, and how do you plan to continue promoting the benefits of Pilates and wellness?

Layne: My goal for Flow Studios is to expand our reach by helping new clients. We recently hired two instructors, Jillian and Katie. Each of us has our own style of teaching which brings a wonderful variety to the studio. It is my hope that by adding more classes and availability to the schedule, we will reach even more clients and teach them the benefits of incorporating Pilates into their wellness routine. We plan to work with local nutritionists and physical therapists to host workshops and trainings that will educate clients on a variety of topics including pelvic floor health, nutrition, and of course, Pilates. We plan to share these exciting upcoming events and updates on social media, so please stay connected with us!