Micki Havard’s Desire

Do you ever wonder “how did they think of that?” Well, I do! It was during MarchMatness 2015 that I came across this week’s guest blogger’s Instagram feed. I quickly realized the online community she had created. Her inspiration was easy to see in pictures and poured out into her story and comments from her followers. One day we jumped on a call together and I could hear Micki’s desire for more in her story and her voice. It’s been over a year since that call and she has been busy! I’ll let her tell you in her own words how her new project was born.

First off I want to say that I absolutely love what I do! I’ve taught Pilates for over 11 years, but at times I find it to be very isolating. I teach a few small groups and private events, but most of my clients are one on one. All that to say, I spend a ton of time by myself creating workouts or with 1 or 2 people throughout the week.

The Pilates Studio Tour Was Born

So at the beginning of 2016, I made a resolution to get to know more people in my industry and to travel more. I had several virtual friends, via Instagram, but not very many Pilates instructors that I interacted with on a regular basis.

So, how am I going to meet other instructors? The idea actually came to me when I was on my birthday and anniversary trip with my husband in Miami. I had been chatting via direct message on Instagram, with a couple of fellow Pilates instructors, including Teri Moore (of Pilates in the Grove)’ and reached out to her to see if I could come by and visit the studios.

When we met, it was like we had known each other forever. It was so nice to be able to put a real face with the virtual face. So I toured the studio, we took some cute pictures and chatted about how we got started in Pilates.  Voilà; The Pilates Studio Tour was born!

As soon as I left the studio, I turned to my husband and said, “That’s what I want to do, visit Pilates studios throughout the country and beyond.”

Since then, I have visited several local studios and studios in other cities. My plan is to visit at least one studio a month, and at least one international studio a year, blog about it and post all the fun pics on my Instagram page- @PilatesStudioTour

Studio tour so far:

• PilatesWay Studio – Panama City, Panama 
• Pilates in the Grove – Miami, FL 
• Studio at St James – Montego Bay, Jamaica 
• Pilates Tonic – Chattanooga, TN
• Body Connection Pilates – Atlanta, GA
• Dreams Las Mareas (on resort studio) – Guanacaste, Costa Rica 
• The Daily at King Plow – Atlanta, GA
• Next up Athens !! Ga…Athens, Ga. 

Want to follow Micki on her next Tour? Or, want to be Micki’s next Tour? Connect with her here in the comments below and follow her on @mickiphit Instagram.

Enjoy the touring Micki. We’ll have to get you to LA, CA soon!

xx~LL