MeghanMcFerranis a fitness entrepreneur, Alo Moves Instructor, professional dancer and creator of Glisten, a dance-inspired sculpt class that serves as a celebration rather than a workout. 

What’s your favorite way to play?
My favorite way to play is an outdoor workout. A hike or a boxing session on the beach.

Tell us about a special female relationship in your life? 

My mom is incredible. Even after having 5 kids, she is so patient, so giving and so kind. When we were younger she would always tell us that we are here on Earth to help someone have a better day, and I try to live by that every day. 

How do you describe yourself in three words? 

Bubbly, fierce, confident.

Daily mantra or personal motto?

Let's get it, let's go!

Any secrets to GLISTEN daily?

Move with joy and in celebration of yourself! Love your ever-changing body as it is today, and whether you are in your pjs or in a cute bright colored set, show up for yourself. You will never regret a Glisten class, I always feel a million times better and more confident for my day post-glistening.

Favorite pilates move?

I love any side lying glute series, we call them side cheeks in Glisten! It's great because you can lay down but still get an incredible workout, I add bala bangles on my ankles sometimes too! 

Favorite pieces of Bala equipment and why?

Bala bars are my absolute favorite! I use them to spice up any ab, arm, leg or cheeks movement in class, and they're so cute too! 

—Meghan McFerran
@meghanmcferran

At a young age Brandon began his career in ballroom dance where he was able to compete, perform and travel the world with various studios and university performance teams. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelors in Family Life and Social Science. It was around this time that he began his own personal journey into the world of Pilates. He was drawn to Pilates because of its cross training capabilities and emphasis on balance in the body. With his background in dance, Brandon approaches his Pilates and instructional training with the idea of developing the core and center balance in the body. He finds Pilates to be the most effective form of exercise for cross training, rehabilitation and overall improvement of physical and mental wellbeing. Three years ago Brandon moved to Los Angeles to pursue his teaching career where he trains at the Alo Wellness Gym and a roster of private clients from his home studio in West Hollywood.
 

What are you thankful for this month?
I’m thankful for my gratitude journal! Lately, a repeated pattern in my journal has been my thankfulness for a clearer vision. It’s so easy to get lost and bored in our day to day life and lose focus on what's really important to us personally. But writing in my gratitude journal has helped me maintain a clear focus on what really matters to me in life and to keep striving towards that.

How do you describe yourself in three words?
Creative + Tenacious + Stubborn :)

Favorite jam/artist/album currently?
My summer jams have been all things disco! My two favorite bands lately have been Poolside and Jungle.

Daily mantra or personal motto?
What you think about, you bring about!

Any secrets for a great sleep?
My go to for a good night sleep is a magnesium supplement to calm down and relax and then turning on white noise to drown out any background disturbances.

Go-to pilates move?
My FAVORITE (and coincidentally all my clients) is to workout lower body. So lunges in multiple variations and angles are a staple in my own training as well as my private clients.

Favorite piece of Bala equipment and why?
My favorite piece of Bala equipment would definitely be the bangles. Addling those bad boys will enhance your workout just that much more and makes for a more fun and challenging workout!

—Brandon Perry
@bppilates

Ruth is the founder of Ruth Pilates Studio, home to a global community of bad b's focused on fun and accessible, at home classes strongly influenced by her background in modern dance, classical pilates, mobility and weight training. Ruth's classes are sweaty, sexy, stretchy and FUN!

How do you describe yourself in three words?
Optimistic, Empowering, Energetic

Do you have a female idol? If so, why.
My female idols are each and every female identifying member of my online studio. They are brave, warm, kind and welcoming. It’s an energetic exchange between us, even through on demand classes. They constantly uplift me and inspire me by showing up for themselves and pressing play.

Daily mantra or personal motto?
“I’M A BAD B!”

Breakdown of your morning routine?
Iced Coffee with chocolate protein powder, a long walk in Glendale with my fiance and my dog Valentino, then class creation for Ruth Pilates Studio!

One secret wellness tip you can share with us?
It’s easier than we make it out to be. Simplicity + PLAY are secret ingredients.

Go-to pilates move?
The Teaser

Favorite piece of Bala equipment?
The Play Mat Plus

—Ruth Bruno
@ruthpilatesstudio

How do you describe yourself in three words?
Ambitious, Confident, Positive

Favorite pre-natal pilates move?

360 Breathing for SURE! You can do it anywhere, anytime and it's insanely effective. Tutorial HERE :)

Go-to post-natal pilates move?
360 Breathing - again, it's a miracle worker. But another just for fun that is amazing too: supine (on the back), alternating toe taps from tabletop with pilates breathing is insanely effective for showing your core lots of love! Place a Bala Pilates ball underneath your tailbone for a bit more of a challenge when you're ready and it works wonders for targeting the deep core and pelvic floor.

Best part of motherhood so far?
Getting to know my baby girls and seeing them interact with each other hands down! I also feel like I'm in a whole new era of my life - one that has given me so much clarity on what is important and what's not, and that's been a huge game changer.

One secret wellness tip you can share with us?
That finding what works for YOU, owning your own bio-individuality and being ok with this changing as you evolve and grow is key!

Go-to snack when you are on-the-go?
Travel almond butter packets and an apple or banana - super simple!!

Favorite piece of Bala pilates equipment?
How can I choose?! I'll narrow it down to two, lol. The play mat because it's SO supportive and cute, too & the ball because it's so fun to level up any movement.

—Alysia (Pope) Ehret
@purelypope

Highlight/best part of owning and teaching at Hot Pilates? 

My community! Helping others achieve their fitness goals is priceless.

Any advice you can share with instructors who are just getting started in their careers? 

Stay committed to learning. The journey never stops.

How do you describe yourself in three words? 

Adventurous, passionate, loving

One secret wellness tip you can share with us? 

Recovery is just as important as the workout!

Go-to snack when you are on-the-go?

I’m not a big snacker, I prefer the full meal lol. BUT if I need something on-the-go I love a smoothie. 

Favorite pilates move? 

Kneeling side-kick series, it’s challenging and works every part of the body.

Favorite piece of Bala pilates equipment? 

The Pilates ball helps me engage my core and glutes for that extra burn 

—Shannon Nadj
@shannonnadj

How do you describe yourself in three words?
Movement, Energy, Creative!

What’s your favorite way to move?
I began practicing yoga about 10 years ago as a family activity with my parents, when I lived back home. While it only was a physical practice, I always felt inside of me like there was something about it that I really enjoyed, and that would keep me always going back to my mat.

Your go-to Bala product + color and why?
I'd have to say the bala bangles - and of course rainbow ones. I wear them for my weight workouts twice a week and there is not a day that goes by that I don’t get a comment about the colors and just how aesthetically pleasing and mood uplifting they are - these bangles make you smile bigger.

Favorite Yoga Pose?
My favorite yoga pose I think could be malasana or garland pose - such a great release for tension in the hips - I think it’s a pose I make sure to include in every class, no matter the intensity or level of it.

How are you celebrating National Yoga Day this year?
I celebrate and honor my practice and this sacred practice every single day of my life - so I think i’m just going to celebrate national yoga day by stepping on my mat and showing up for myself and for you, like I always do

—Annie Movies
@annie.moves

How do you describe yourself in three words?
Funny, assertive, passionate

What’s your favorite way to move? (hiking, strength training, etc)
Pilates of course ;)

Your go-to Bala product + color and why?
2lb Charcoal Bangles for versatility and wardrobe matching

How do you stay motivated?
I use the power of visualization to stay committed instead

Favorite forms of self-care?
Sauna, champagne and silence

Favorite Pilates Move?
Neck pull

—Teneice Bowie, Matte Pilates
@matte.pilates

How do you describe yourself in three words? 
SC: Heart-led, compassionate, and driven!
SB: Grateful, passionate, and communicative

What’s your favorite way to move?
SC: A mix of pilates & strength training workouts!
SB: Pilates, strength training, and long walks in nature!

What are you most excited about Spring?
SC: Spring brings a fresh energy! Almost like a fresh start, spring cleaning, fresh air, and more time outside!
SB: I GET MARRIED, ahhhh what is life?!!!?!!!

Your go-to Bala product + color and why? 
SC: Bala ankle weights in sea!!
SB: My Bala Bars are my best friends! Love how they elevate every workout. The sand color is also v chic.

Current favorite snack?
SC: My protein balls!!
SB: I dream about Siete Churro Chips at all hours of the day

#1 Wellness tip or hack you can’t go a day without?
SC: Journaling!! It helps me return to gratitude & connect to myself!
SB: Start your day with movement that energizes you & leaves you ready to conquer your day!

—FORM's Sami Clarke & Sami Bernstein
@samiclarke
@samiberns
@FORM

How are you celebrating International Women's Day this year?
Hosting a free Zoom class in celebration of all of the inspiring women in my fitness community! 

Who is a female figure that you look up to and why?
My mom. She is also an entrepreneur, and she has taught me how to lead with fearlessness, compassion, and grace. 

What is the most important piece of advice you have been given from a female?
Start even if you don’t know how, and don’t be afraid to get messy along the way. 

How do you describe yourself in three words?
Vibrant, ambitious, creative. 

Your go-to Bala product and why?
Bala Bangles, because they add an extraordinary level of spice to any exercise. I feel naked if I’m not wearing them in class!

Your favorite workout jam?
Don’t Be so Hard on Yourself - Jess Glynne

—Savannah Simon
@sweat.with.sav

How do you describe yourself in three words?
Smart, disciplined, warm.

Your go-to Bala product?
I use the Play Mat (Sand) every single day, whether I’m stretching or taking a class at home. I also love the classic Bangles (Sand) and Bala Bars (Sand) when I’m shadowboxing. I can’t wait to try out to new jump rope as well!

Tell us about your work with ACTIV-ISM?
ACTIV-ISM is an anti-racism wellness company. Our goal at ACTIV-ISM is to educate, empower and uplift marginalized folks and create an ongoing practice of accountability, instruction and exploration for their allies. Founded by myself and Kira West  in 2020, ACTIV-ISM offers a wide variety of resources and programs with the fight for racial justice at the center. Most recently, we wrote a book called “ACTIV-ATING: Your Vocabulary” which is for sale on at activ-ism.com. In "ACTIV-ATING: Your Vocabulary", we breakdown terms and demystify concepts, empowering you to feel a little more knowledgeable and a little more articulate when you have challenging dialogues.

How do you stay motivated?
Planning my day and setting my intentions the night before is the best way for me to get motivated. When I have a great morning, I know I always have a great day, so waking up with a purpose is my go-to to start motivated.

Your Favorite Part of Bala NYC?
The entire space is BEAUTIFUL, but I especially love the chair shaped like a Bala Bangle!

—Taylor Almonte
@ taylorraealmonte

Photo credit: @laceylynnseymourphoto

How do you describe yourself in three words?
Honest, competitive, detail oriented.

What’s your favorite way to play?
My favorite way to play is an outdoor workout. A hike or a boxing session on the beach.

Your go-to Bala product?
The 2LB Bala Bangles in Sand.

How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by mixing up my workout routines so my body doesn’t get used to one routine or a specific set of muscle groups. I also like to challenge myself and take classes that I’m not familiar with or confident in.

Your favorite workout jam?
I love a shuffle playlist across many different genres that keeps me on my toes. Literally! If I’m working out at the end of the day, I prefer a classical artist that calmly winds down the day, both physically and emotionally.

—Maria Sharapova
@mariasharapova