By Mary-Justine Lanyon
It was 24 years ago that Lauren Harris opened her Lake Arrowhead Pilates studio. She had discovered Pilates as a panacea for a dance injury she had suffered and wanted to offer the program to the mountain community.
For those not familiar with the practice, it was developed in the early 20th century by German physical trainer Joseph Pilates. Rather than being a cardiovascular workout, Pilates focuses on strength and flexibility.
Melissa Post works with client Gloria Wolen, who is doing a side reach on the Pilates Cadillac reformer. (Photo by Mary-Justine Lanyon)
Gloria Loring was her first client, Harris said. “Gloria was taking tap lessons to perform in The Music Man. She saw a Pilates reformer all wrapped up in plastic and wanted to try it.”
Shortly after that, Harris spoke at a Soroptimists event and hauled a reformer to what was then the Hilton, now the Lake Arrowhead Resort.
“Gloria Wolen was sitting in the front, listening intently. Then she booked classes with me on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10 a.m.,” Harris said.
To this day, Wolen can be found at Lake Arrowhead Pilates, now located at 402 South Grass Valley Road.
Lauren Harris founded Lake Arrowhead Pilates 24 years ago. (Photo: Lake Arrowhead Pilates)
What has changed is ownership of the business.
Harris had considered selling it in 2021 but had not “found the right fit,” she said. “I had to find someone who knows the heart of this place, who will treat everyone as an individual.”
She found that person in Melissa Post, who was working at Lake Arrowhead Pilates and became the new owner as of Oct. 1, 2023.
“It was bittersweet for me,” Harris said, “but I’m happy it’s in good hands.”
Harris is still involved, working with several private clients who have specialized programs two or three days a week. “It’s nice to still be involved a bit,” she said.
As for Post, she has been a health and fitness professional for more than 20 years. She owned and operated a personal training studio in Rancho Cucamonga for 17 years, selling it in 2020.
Like Harris, Post is a BASI (Body Arts and Science International) certified instructor. “Pilates came naturally to me,” Post said, adding that she can apply much of her personal training to Pilates.
She was working with Harris, shadowing her, for two days a week, taking on private clients. “I had no intention of buying the studio,” Post said. But when Harris said she was going to put it up for sale, Post’s reaction was, “Let’s talk.”
When you do Pilates, Post said, “you’ll get what your body needs. No one feels left behind or intimidated. Everyone feels included.”
Some clients prefer to have private classes while others participate in group sessions. Perhaps the best way to begin, Post advises, is to start with a private class and then segue into a group one.
In the individual class flow, the instructors customize Pilates to each person’s needs. Some participants may be recovering from injury or surgery, like a hip replacement. In the group class flow, all participants do the same routine. It is all done under the watchful eyes of the instructors, who are quick to make small adjustments that make all the difference in the effects of the routine.
Typically, Post said, they will have a maximum of six people in a class. “That allows us to make adjustments, cater to each person. We watch them closely.”
Long-time clients like Wolen will have individual programs but they are refreshed and changed every few months.
“I’ve been refreshing Gloria’s program,” Post said, “and she has been so receptive. You can get stale doing the same thing.
“Our bodies are always changing,” she added. “You have to train your body for the ‘season’ it’s in. That’s the beautiful thing about Pilates – you can constantly change your program to what your body needs. It’s an endless education.”
Wolen, speaking as she worked out on the Pilates Cadillac reformer, said it’s true: She works her life around Pilates. And, although she began her journey with Harris, she is very pleased Post is now at the helm of Lake Arrowhead Pilates.
Melissa Post with her husband, Mike; son, Isaiah; and daughter, Georgina. (Photo courtesy Melissa Post)
“Melissa is professional, smart, a great business women,” Wolen said. “She has made little changes you didn’t notice until you realized it was different. She is so great!”
One thing that pleases Wolen is that all the instructors have the same BASI training. “They know what to look for. I didn’t realize I was doing some things incorrectly until they corrected me.
“You need someone looking at you. They really notice.” Wolen said Post noticed that she was rolling back a bit while doing a side reach on the Pilates Cadillac; she took a video and showed it to her. Even a small inaccuracy like that can affect the effectiveness of the program.
Currently at Lake Arrowhead Pilates, there are several students in training, who are going through the BASI program.
They also offer sessions in a Sunlighten infrared sauna. Post said these treatments are good for relief of inflammation, joint pain relief, can balance hormones and help build immunity.
The reaction from the studio’s clients, Post said, has been, “Thank God the business is carrying on.” And, she added, they are grateful a local resident was able to purchase it.
The studio, located underneath the dental office at the corner of Grass Valley Road and Clubhouse Drive, is open six days a week (closed on Sunday). For more information, call (909) 336-9900 or visit www.lakearrowheadpilates.com.
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