Meet Tanya Scott | Pilates Instructor/Studio Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tanya Scott and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tanya, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
It was during the first 6 months of quarantine, and I wanted to be able to continue doing Pilates with my clients, especially during quarantine. It was a dream of mine to set up an outdoor studio in my yard for years. When the studio where I worked had to close down because of Covid restrictions, she sold her apparatus and I bought a Reformer. I had a deck built, covered it with a gazebo, and brought my clients to the backyard studio! A dream come true! Working from home while my daughters were at home for school worked out well.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I own an outdoor Pilates Studio that sits on a deck under a gazebo. The space is surrounded by lush greenery and curtains serve as walls, creating a serene workout environment. I built this space after the gym where I used to work closed down due to Covid restrictions. My studio is unique to Santa Monica and clients love the outdoor experience it provides. It was challenging to create, but it came at the perfect time when people were looking for a safe place to exercise outside of their homes. Thanks to the quarantine, I had a strong client base to start with, and I’ve been able to continuously improve my business while staying true to my passion. Running a successful studio requires a lot of hard work, patience, and attention to detail. I’ve learned to embrace my mistakes and celebrate my victories. I’m grateful to work with amazing people who trust me to help them improve their physical wellness. It’s an honor to be a part of their journey and I find it rewarding to see them progress. My goal is to help you connect with your body, manage stress, and improve your overall health.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Starting in the Sunset Park neighbourhood, (Ocean Park Blvd). we’d have lunch at Cafe Bolivar, and go to the beach at Tower 26, straight down Ocean Park Blvd., for a stroll on the boardwalk where the kids could play at the park. We would shop on Main Street at Buffalo Exchange Thrift Shop and have an espresso and limoncello across the street and enjoy the activity and shopping up and down Main. Head back to 28th and OP for a Japanese dinner at Miyako. and Boba at Bubble Boba next door. I love the coast and hiking. A beautiful workout hike at Temescal and a fascinating and historic hike at Solstice Canyon (parking can be a bitch though and a deciding factor) are my favorite trails. Along the PCH I love to go for a burger, fries, and a coke at The Country Kitchen at Rambla Pacifico and the world-famous Malibu Seafood for fish n’ chips and fried clams. It’s worth the wait in the lineup to sit on the patio and look out at the ocean. The beach up in Malibu at Point Dume is stunning and the drive up to Point Magu is fun (without traffic). Downtown LA (DTLA) and all the museums, Grand Central Market, City Hall, and the shortest cable car train ride in North America is a great day trip as is Olvera Street and Chinatown. And I thought I didn’t get out much lol

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have been fortunate to have Dr. Diedra as a mentor and motivator throughout my Pilates journey. When I began working at the same studio where she had her office, I quickly realized how knowledgeable and supportive she was. As a Physical Therapy Doctor, certified Pilates instructor, and Life Coach, she has been an invaluable resource to me. Daniela Mazal

Website: www.tanyayapilates.squarespace.com

Instagram: tanyaya.pilates

Facebook: Tanya Scott

Image Credits
Go Shiggy Go Photography Jewelyn (client/pilates instructor) Ann Gentry(client) Natasha Marchewka (client) Heidi Dotson (client)