Pilates Studio Now Offers More Classes, Equipment

Pilates O Ka La owner/instructor Chelsea Peck  ANTHONY CONSILLIO PHOTOS

Pilates O Ka La owner/instructor Chelsea Peck
ANTHONY CONSILLIO PHOTOS

When Chelsea Peck took some time off last year, it prompted her to contemplate what was next in her life.

One thing was clear: Peck wanted to expand her studio, Pilates O Ka La, as a way to make the practice available to more people. This past summer, she realized that dream and opened a second space at 3144A Monsarrat Ave., right next to the original.

“I decided to go for it, and it has been incredibly challenging to do it all by myself, but it’s going really well,” Peck says.

Peck discovered Pilates when she was working in the film industry in Los Angeles. Her daily Pilates workout quickly became her favorite part of the day and she soon left film to pursue the practice full time.

Interior of Pilates O Ka La

Interior of Pilates O Ka La

Since opening Pilates O Ka La in 2014, Peck has strived to provide classes for all levels of Pilates students, no matter what you are looking for, whether it be a sweat-inducing workout or more a healing type of movement. With the recent expansion, Pilates O Ka La now is stocked with some new equipment and also features mat classes.

Not only is the new space a physical growth, but it also represents a way for Peck to, as she puts it, “expand the Pilates community.”

“Group classes are fun to teach, and they’re really fun to just kind of build some community … you don’t get that from the one-on-one sessions,” she says.

Instructor Kellie Franks guides Ariuna Polishuk during a recent Group Mixed Equipment Class

Instructor Kellie Franks guides Ariuna Polishuk during a recent Group Mixed Equipment Class

“And another reason is cost. It’s expensive here in Hawaii and not everyone can afford private Pilates sessions, and I want to make it more available to people. That’s a big drive of mine.”

As another way to expand the Pilates community, Peck also has started offering teacher-training classes. The classes, which graduated their first cohort recently, offer full certification in all Pilates equipment, specialties and levels.

Peck always has been an active person — going to the gym, hiking, swimming, surfing and practicing yoga were all things that predated her introduction to Pilates. But when she discovered Pilates, she found that it was the best workout she’d ever had.

“I have done everything that’s out there, and this has really been the thing that has shown me the best results,” she says.

Peck does a pull-up as instructor Mikum Webster assists

Peck does a pull-up as instructor Mikum Webster assists

“It’s a lot of different exercises all jam packed into one workout,” she explains. “It’s a lot of variety, so you are going to get a lot more of your muscles working, and some muscles that you didn’t even know you had.”

The expansion and the additional classes are not all that’s new for Peck. She also now can be found teaching classes at The Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club on the penthouse lanai (the next one is at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 15). In the coming months, she also aims to begin offering acu-yoga, which combines acupuncture with yoga, and Pilates retreats.

“It has not been easy at all — this has been the hardest thing that I have ever done,” Peck admits of the recent expansion. “But I am doing what I love, and this has been a complete dream come true.”

For more information, call 772-3172 or visit pilatesokala.com.