We had the good fortune of connecting with Shawna Beardsley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shawna, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
It has always been a dream of mine to open my own pilates studio. A studio with my vision and my personal touch. With my first studio I had bought an already established business so the transition was easy. Starting from the ground up was a whole new world. I had no idea what I was doing but I used my resources, like, the Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce and they helped me along every step of the way.

I wanted to create a space in Tucson that was unlike any other. A space that was forward thinking and modern and chic. I wanted to create a space that people wanted to come back to again and again.

Starting my own business would also be a huge investment for my family and give my husband the ability to leave a job he didn’t enjoy. It was a sacrifice and a risk that we were willing to take for our own freedom and happiness.

There are so many layers- fears and dreams all mixed together but ultimately I knew that I would regret not trying.

What should our readers know about your business?
In Balance Pilates is the first of many in Tucson- we were the first Club Pilates in Tucson and now disenfranchised, we are the first multilevel group reformer studio in Tucson, we were the first large group reformer classes in Tucson.

My sister, Allison Beardsley, is the founder of Club Pilates (we married brothers). Our mother in law, Mary, opened the first Club Pilates in Tucson in 2013. After Allison sold the Club Pilates franchise, Mary separated and that’s how In Balance Pilates was born! To make a long story short, I took ownership of IBP in 2018.

At that time, having 8 reformers in a studio was considered a large class and now at our new Oro Valley location we have 12 reformers!

A couple of years ago I decided to move to multilevel group classes because the leveling system felt limiting for my instructors and clients. Everyone had a different idea of how Level 1 should look, etc. That’s how our multilevel group classes came to be. I think with this style of teaching if gives choice to clients and promotes autonomy and self governance. We believe in empowering people through movement and teaching fearless movement. Having choices and options gives the power back to the client. Every class and every exercise can progress from a (level 1) foundation and build with layers or progressions.

All of these changes have had their own challenges. Change always stirs up many feelings but ultimately our goal is to empower people through the pilates method. Our clients come to learn what the different springs on the reformer mean so they can customize their workout. They learn the progressions and modifications for each exercise so that they can advocate for themselves.

People will surprise you if you give them choice and a little freedom to make mistakes. We aren’t the type of pilates studio that micromanages every movement, we don’t correct immediately or helicopter around each client. Sometimes giving people a little bit of space to figure it out is the best way to promote motor learning.

What pilates means to be, besides the best full body workout, pilates taps you into your flow state, you get in the zone or almost trance like. You know, where you put down your phone for 50 minutes, you forget about the outside world and you connect with your breath and your body and your movement. You practice these exercises and you get good that them, to the point where it becomes almost effortless and you just lose yourself in the moment. It’s almost a spiritual experience. But you steal from that flow state when you overthink things. I always tell me clients that “if anything I say today doesn’t make sense to just ignore me and move and have fun”.

It’s taken me almost 8 years to articulate that well. I can’t tap into flow at the gym because I’m scrolling my phone between reps. You need the set and setting to be just right and I think that’s what we’ve created with In Balance Pilates. We leave you crazing more!

Growth and change happen when you push into the discomfort. I do a lot of reflecting on myself, I listen to podcasts and read/listen to books, therapy. It’s never easy but it’s necessary to push through to the next level. I recognize my privilege to be able to have these opportunities. I have only gratitude at the end of the day.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend is coming into town then we are going downtown! I love the vibe and the art in downtown Tucson! We start and end at Elliot’s on Congress, always. We dance, drink and eat all up and down 4th avenue and congress street.

I’m assuming this is in Fall/ Winter so that we can go to the Desert Museum and watch the raptor flight and take a drive through Gates Pass!

Then we go up to Mount Lemon and look out at Windy Point and get some fudge in Ski Valley.

For the rest of the time we’re on the lazy river at Star Pass because even in the winters in Tucson, we swim!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have a village of people who stand with me that support me- firstly, my husband Matt, I couldn’t have done any of this without his patience and perseverance. He helped create the studio from the paint to the floors and assembly of the reformers. He spent everyday in there for 2 months working to get us open by September 1st.

Next, my children, Audrey age 5 and Lucy age 4. My girls drive my passion to be the best mom and role model. They love coming to the studio to watch me workout or help me clean. They are my motivation to be a better person because they are watching my every move.

My parents! Timm and Shirley Mains- I don’t know who I would be without them. They have found the right balance of giving me freedom to make mistakes and always having my back and catching me when I fall. Plus they are amazing grandparents and are the glue to our family.

I also want to thank my IBP team- without them this expansion wouldn’t be possible. Having a team that has your back and supports you is vital. Along with our amazing clients and community. None of this would be possible without a community of people who have loved and supported us for almost 10 years!

People come into our lives for a season, a reason or a lifetime and I am grateful to everyone who has been involved with In Balance Pilates. It is truly a privilege and an honor to work with so many amazing people. Thank you!

Website: inbalancepilatestucson.com

Instagram: @inbalancepilatestucson

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawna-beardsley-622476250/

Twitter: @inbalancepilatestucson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inbalancepilatestucson/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/in-balance-pilates-oro-valley-oro-valley?osq=Yoga

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.