Introducing Nara Maw - Owner of Northland’s Grey Heron Pilates Studio
Meet Nara Maw, Grey Heron Pilates Studio Owner | Northland, New Zealand
What sparked Grey Heron Studios and inspired you to open a Pilates studio in Northland?
Pure determination. Long story short (of a long journey) I found myself on a reformer trying to heal my body, determined, blinders on I was going to get back on my feet and run again.
I was driving over an hour to the reformer sessions, it was incredible to feel the strength and trust come back to my body - the spark ignited a bonfire, the Far North needed this incredible form of exercise so over two years I completed my training creating a fully equipped studio!
What do you love most about creating a wellness space in a small community?
Knowing that every person who walks through the doors of the Grey Heron receives educated professional sessions taught on Merrithew's world leading equipment.
This is so important to me in a world that is currently over saturated with trends and aesthetics, teaching from your trained method should always be the heart centre you drive from, my second greatest love is the people! Or more officially known as the Grey Heron Gals, they are 'the why' for getting up at 5am 5 days a week.
Nara’s Cadillac, Chair & Barrels Studio Space
What continues to fuel your passion for Pilates?
Pilates is endless, it's creative, it's progressive, it's a system in which one exercise leads into the next and when you start moving your body on each piece of equipment building strength it is then you connect to a deeper mind-body connection. I don't believe you can describe the mind-body connection, it is a feeling you discover in your own self practice.
What made you choose your education and equipment package?
I researched and chose STOTT PILATES as they are globally recognized, evidence based movement from rehab through to athletic conditioning and offers in person teacher training that is well rounded. Though contemporary STOTT PILATES maintains the integrity of Joseph Pilate's repertoire and Sharon (New Zealand's teacher trainer) spoke of him throughout the training - he is why Pilates exists and as Instructors with integrity we need to keep coming back to the true form. Grey Heron is fully equipped with Merrithew, this is what I trained on, probably biased but it is the best!
Nara attending Advanced Reformer Course in Christchurch
What is your vision for Grey Heron Pilates Studio in the near future?
To continue to share the love of movement, to support others on building healthy life long relationships with exercise.
And a studio with a higher roof, the Cadillac hasn't reached full potential yet!
Pearls of wisdom - BEING in your OWN Pilates practice is the greatest gift you can give your clients.
I am privileged to introduce Nara Maw, one talented and super successful Pilates studio owner in Northland, New Zealand.
We have asked Nara to share some personal insight into how she has created a meaningful Pilates business which is making a significant difference in the health and well being of her local rural community. Read on for one very inspiring story about an extremely talented, passionate and well respected small business owner in our New Zealand Pilates industry. xx
Grey Heron’s Reformer Studio Space
How would your clients describe their Pilates experience with you?
One client told me her husband had said 'you'd never get up this early to go to work'. Another said on behalf 'we're never leaving you' and probably that I can't count (haha).
Nara’s Total Barre Studio Space
How would you describe your education experience?
Honestly, epic! Beginning with Mat, this was a deep dive to the Pilates world, Breaststroke has never been the same. Reformer in Christchurch at the Welder Centre - everything you needed within the Welder Centre food, coffee, space to chill or chat. Cadillac Chair and Barrels in Auckland at On Form, beautiful studio, like minded women sharing knowledge - women who bring other women up to their level, this is where true power happens! Hawke’s Bay for ISP, this is where everything tied together for me, where the repertoire and apparatuses meet to support and effectively move one's body. Sharon energy is uplifting, she lights up a studio with her personality and keeps your brain engaged with how she delivers the education, this is important on so many levels but the one I will mention is when your doing the training and you've left your family behind, your kids, your dog(s) - Sharon keeps the spark in you going!
Nara attending the Intensive Reformer Course in Christchurch
What advice would you give instructors considering how to balance Pilates with their family and work commitments?
Set your boundaries and stack your day. As Instructors I believe we are givers, we want to help people but we tend to leave ourselves last or some days nothing at all.
Setting clear boundaries around your class/session schedule gives everything else in your life room to move, I stack the classes in the studio so I have blocks of time for my family, for my own practice.
My husband and I have a contracting business, admin work is stacked in the afternoons as I love teaching early (early) morning classes and gives flexibility for family life with after school activities.
Nara outside her home studio in Northland