Jacquie Otcasek, former owner of the successful Mahan Gallery in the Short North Arts District, has a new career. After a girls’ trip to a Pilates studio while visiting Los Angeles, Otcasek fell in love with the exercise. Upon returning home to Columbus, she felt this was what she was meant to do. Recently she opened her 1900 square foot, bright and contemporary studio, Body Pure Pilates in the Gahanna area.
Otcasek and her team of certified instructors offer “a range of exercise options for men and women of all ages and fitness levels, from Classic Pilates to TRX, Xtend Barre, and Gyrokinesis” seven days a week, with regularly scheduled classes. They are also open by appointment. They will have a Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday, November 12, 2011 from 12-3pm co-hosted by legendary supermodel, author, and Pilates enthusiast, Paulina Porizkova. All are welcome.
I recently spoke with Jacquie about her career change to a Pilates instructor and her new studio.
Anne: You mention on your website that you found out about Pilates by chance, how?
Jacquie: I was in Los Angeles two summers ago. My sister-in-law, Colleen, and my mother-in-law, Paulina, were in town as well. Colleen is a resident of LA and Paulina was in town while her husband was recording a new album. We went to a Pilates studio for something fun to do together. I had always been a workout junkie. I’ve always loved bootcamps, spinning, anything that beat me up. Nothing was better then waking up so sore I couldn’t walk.
So I was hesitant…Pilates was calm and centering. Something that was foreign to me. But after my first session, I was permanently hooked. Pilates quiets the chaos in my head and lets me focus. I feel strong and centered. It’s a feeling I take with me throughout the day. I came home to Columbus…. and it’s as if a light bulb went on in my head. I knew that this is what I was meant to pursue. I was burnt out with running an art gallery. The hours I had to work interfered with my job as mom to my two sons. It was time for a big change. I went with my intuition and committed full time to my training. I met amazing trainers on the way who inspired me to open a studio. Its corny but I’m happier then I’ve ever been. Fancy that!
A: What made you like the exercise so much?
J: Pilates is different then anything I have ever tried. When I first started, I was in it only for the muscle strength and toning. I wanted to be in great shape. After a couple sessions under my belt, what I found more satisfying is the meditation I get when I’m working out. Pilates is a difficult exercise that requires a lot of concentration. I get to mentally check out of my day to day worry and chaos (the kids, the bills, the dog, the house, the blah blah blah) for one hour and focus solely on my body, my muscles, how to move them more effectively. I get a fix when I can do an exercise that I couldn’t the month before. It feels good to be strong. It’s also fun to see my body transform. I’ve always had terrible posture. Pilates has fixed that issue for me.
A: How did you become classically trained and who did you study with?
J: I went around Columbus and tried every studio and tried every instructor. I learned a lot about what I liked and disliked in those months. After much trial and error, I decided to study for my certification with Power Pilates. I found it to be the best fit for me. I found a mentor in trainer Frankie Clancy. She was the one that truly lit the fire inside me to pursue Pilates as a career. She made me believe I could do it. She is a great motivator and she leads by example and I love that. She was the first person I asked to join me when opening Body Pure Pilates. I think when you’re starting a new career, it’s essential to find a mentor you trust.
A: How did you find your co-instructors?
J: The studio is lead by our two master Power Pilates trainers…Frankie Clancy and Mary Willis. They have over 25 years experience. Long story short…those two gals are the real deal. Nobody stronger, nobody kinder, I can’t say enough great things about those women. Along with Frankie, Mary and myself, I’m grateful to have Power Pilates instructors, Monique Dorsey and Heather Ciarico, on board as trainers. I met all four gals through my journey. They each bring something exciting to the table. Different personalities, different approaches, different energies, but all positive. We are a group of very different people that share the exact same passion…Pilates. It bonds us together. The smartest thing my dad taught me was in business – always be smart enough to know to hire people that are smarter then you. I think I’ve done that.
A: Will Pilates help one lose weight?
J: Absolutely. But more then just dropping weight, it transforms your body from the inside out. You’re longer, leaner and stronger for sure. Pilates gives you the core strength to carry your body appropriately. You’re also calmer, more centered, more in tune with yourself. That’s my favorite result. Pilates is known to keep you younger longer. Its definitely true. I got my mom hooked around the same time I did – she’s almost 60 and she looks nowhere near her age. Her body is amazing and her head is on straight. You can’t ask for better then that!
A: How did you find your new studio space?
J: The location is a perfect spot for my team. Collectively, we have clients who live all around Columbus. With our move to the new studio, we didn’t want to lose any clients by moving too far away. We wanted to be centrally located. The studio is a 20 minute or less drive for almost everyone. As an owner, I wanted to open a studio in a brand new space…so I could customize the studio perfectly for Pilates. It was important to create a private, bright and calm destination. I believe that we have the best studio in Columbus…but I realize I’m a bit bias!
A: What is your vision for the studio?
J: My vision is for the studio to have good vibes. It’s as simple as that. I want people to walk in and feel the good energy hug them.
A: What is your favorite Pilates move?
J: Hmmm…my favorite is probably the teaser. It’s a tough one. I used to shake, wobble and fall on my side when attempting it at first. With a lot of hard work…I can now hold the position and push myself further with different ad ins. Its a simple accomplishment I know. It feels good to be stronger then a couple months ago. It’s nice to know I can always get better. When you hit your peak, you can only go down. I want to keep movin’ on up.
Join Body Pure Pilates for their Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday, November 12, 2011 from 12-3pm.
Body Pure Pilates is located at 200 W. Johnstown Rd., Columbus, OH 43230. Contact them by phone: (614) 475-8455. Like them on Facebook. Photos used in this story were provided by Body Pure Pilates.