Creating a studio with HEART
When you step into a Pilates studio, what do you feel? Is it merely a place to exercise, or is it a warm, welcoming community that embraces you like family? Tash Barnard, the passionate BASI Pilates instructor behind South Africa's Tash B Studio, has masterfully crafted a studio that resonates with warmth and heart.
Tash is honored to say that she was trained and certified by Master trainer Rael Isacowitz in 2001. She began her journey as a BASI teacher in 2000, fueled by a passion not only for Pilates but also for people and community. "It's always been about community over competition," she affirms with a warm smile. Located inside her church, Linc church, alongside a CrossFit gym and Wonderland coffee shop, Tash B Studio in South Africa radiates a sense of belonging and unity.
"Early in my Pilates career, I was inspired by my first Pilates teacher Kristi Cooper and Studio Owner Annmaree Munk who I worked for in Hong Kong. Then in 2007 I created my own studio and soon after fell pregnant," Tash reflects. “Falling pregnant so soon made me realise that I was born for something greater than myself and that my purpose was bigger than I had originally thought. I had a vision to set a high standard of excellence in the Pilates industry in South Africa. My studio was the first Pilates studio in Ballito, where we live which is affectionately known as the "promised land" among locals. I designed my studio to become a beacon of quality and continuity in South Africa,” said Tash. Over the years many Pilates instructors in the area have been BASI trained and mentored by Tash herself and have been influenced by her unique approach to teaching. With a dedicated team of six BASI-trained instructors, Tash's studio prioritises quality over quantity in her teaching team, ensuring clients always receive exceptional care and attention. “I always get such a heartwarming feeling when a client finally realises that they are enough, that they accept and love and trust their bodies. It fuels me to do more of what I love,” said Tash.
"We are all about continuity of care," Tash affirms. Weekly team meetings foster a strong sense of connection and collaboration, celebrating client breakthroughs and aligning on collective goals. "We focus on showing up over profit," she adds, reflecting her philosophy of people over profit.
This ethos extends beyond the studio walls through various outreach projects that Tash and her team passionately support. "Buckets of Hope" provides non-perishable food to combat poverty in the community, while "The Red Movement" offers essential support to women in need during their menstrual period by providing education and menstrual cups for women who don’t have access to sanitary products. Additionally, the studio also recently helped a friend of Tash’s in rebuilding her life after the loss of her husband, so she could continue her work in educating on women’s health. All this highlights the profound impact of Tash's commitment to her community.
Tash adapted during COVID by offering online Pilates mat sessions, which to this day still attracts participants from around the globe. "People from the Netherlands, whom we've never met in person, continuously show up," she marvels. Tash's influence extends to her teaching the BASI method in countries like Dubai, South Korea, Turkey, London, Singapore, and most recently China, uniting people from diverse backgrounds under a common goal.
Despite language barriers during international courses, Tash remains undeterred, focusing on delivering the core essence of the BASI method. "It's about helping them remember why they embarked on this journey in the first place," she explains.
Tash's humility shines through when she acknowledges the collective effort that has shaped her studio's success. "It's not just about me, it's about our entire community," she states. Grateful for the unwavering support of her husband and fellow instructors, Tash emphasises the importance of open communication and mutual respect within her community.
During challenging times, such as the recent looting and floods that affected their community, Tash and her team demonstrated their unwavering commitment to serving others. "We always stick together – we rally for our people," Tash asserts, recalling how they supported affected baristas by delivering food parcels during the crisis.
As the saying goes, "Show me your friends, and I'll show you your future." Tash Barnard's story is a testament to the power of community, compassion, and perseverance and how Pilates was at the heart of it all. Through her dedication to Pilates and people, especially in the diverse and vibrant context of South Africa, Tash continues to inspire and uplift her community, proving that true success lies in serving others with honour and respect.
Creating a welcoming space is one thing, creating a family and connected community through Pilates is another and Tash exudes this in all she says and does. And her Pilates practice benefits greatly because of that.
Tash Barnard, a passionate pilates instructor and business leader, discovered her love for Pilates in 2000 through BASI. As a Principal instructor and faculty member for BASI, she teaches globally and is a proud ambassador of this pure pilates form. Her studio, Tash B Pilates, celebrates 17 years and aims to promote both physical and inner wellness.