Long before Natural Pilates became one of the most recognised Pilates brands in Los Angeles, Laura Wilson was simply trying to find her place in a new country.
Today, Natural Pilates operates multiple studios across Los Angeles, New York and most recently Miami. But more than twenty years ago, Laura arrived in the United States from Romania, navigating a new culture, a new city and an unfamiliar industry.
Looking back, she says success wasn't initially about studio growth or expansion plans.
It was about finding community.
"Building a community was very important to me when I was new to the US, to LA and to the Pilates industry," she explained. "The second most important thing was survival - working hard and doing what it took to build my business and be successful."
Those early years would shape much of what Natural Pilates would eventually become.
While many studio brands today are built around growth targets and expansion strategies, Laura spent years focused on creating an environment where clients felt connected, supported and challenged. The growth came later.
More than two decades on, that foundation continues to guide the business.
The Next Chapter
Natural Pilates recently opened its first Miami studio.
The launch represented a significant milestone for the company, becoming its first location outside California and New York.
The move follows years of steady growth
For Laura, finding the right locations has always been less important than finding the right people.
"I believe the key is having the right people in the right places," she says. "That is something I learned by trial and error, but after 20 years in business, I think I almost have it right."
It's a lesson many studio owners can relate to. Behind every successful business is a team capable of delivering a consistent experience while protecting the culture that made the brand successful in the first place.
Ahead of the Curve
Long before strength-focused Pilates became one of the industry's dominant trends, Laura was already teaching an athletic interpretation of the method.
Natural Pilates built its reputation on classes that were challenging, dynamic and physically demanding while remaining grounded in Pilates principles.
Rather than reinventing the repertoire, Laura focused on how movement was programmed and delivered.
"Cutting the choreography into simpler movements and increasing intensity by doing more reps to feel muscle fatigue and increase strength and endurance," she explains.
The approach has become increasingly aligned with what today's consumers are seeking from Pilates, but it wasn't developed in response to market demand.
Instead, it evolved through years of teaching and observing what helped clients feel stronger, move better and remain engaged with their practice.
As Pilates continues to evolve, Laura believes its appeal lies in its ability to deliver meaningful results while remaining accessible to a broad range of people.
Raising the Standard
As the category continues its rapid growth, Laura remains optimistic about the future of Pilates.
"What excites me is that it is a beautiful and efficient method of exercise that improves people's lives," she says.
"For me personally,
I'm addicted and can't live without it. I want others to experience its magic and feel as good as I do after a class."
At the same time, she believes growth must be accompanied by a commitment to quality education.
"My concern is that many Pilates training programs are too short, and sometimes new teachers don't really understand what they are doing, which can sometimes lead to injured clients."
Having spent more than two decades teaching, mentoring and building studios, Laura has watched the industry evolve dramatically.
The pandemic reinforced one lesson in particular as Natural Pilates expanded its digital platform, Natural Pilates TV.
"It can be done anytime and anywhere as long as there is a desire to learn and grow."
For Laura, the continued rise of Pilates isn't surprising. She has spent much of her career witnessing its ability to transform how people move, feel and connect with themselves.
And while Miami represents the next chapter for Natural Pilates, the values that shaped the business remain largely unchanged.
Success was never simply about opening more studios.
It was about building a community people wanted to be part of.
CEO and Founder of Natural Pilates, immigrated to the United States from Romania in 2002 with just $100 and opened her flagship Beverly Hills studio in 2005. She has since grown the brand to six locations across Los Angeles and New York City, alongside a digital fitness platform, proprietary instructor training program and branded product line. With hands-on experience across studio expansion, team development, marketing and operations, Laura has built a business generating $6.5 million in annual revenue. Her extensive training in Pilates, Gyrotonic, yoga, resistance training and Muscle Activation Techniques informs Natural Pilates’ distinctive approach, blending classical repertoire with modern functional anatomy.