The Loft - Past, Present & Future

The Loft was created from a place of healing. An oasis where everyone entering it would immediately feel tension dissipating. A place where transformation is possible in a safe, caring, educated and supportive environment. 

At first it was just me (Myriam) and then there were two and went on to grow with nine instructors and three front desk assistants. We offered Yoga, Pilates for scoliosis, pre-post natal, and just for men classes. We introduced contemporary dance for adults, belly dancing, Feldenkrais, ELDOA, Gyrotonic, and explored other disciplines through our extensif workshop series: Yamuna Body Rolling, Massage therapy for couples, breath and nervous system regulation. 

For almost 4 years, The Loft Gallery was created and lived in harmony with The Loft Pilates Studio. I believe art in all forms is the creation of the soul and reaches us deep within. Imagine yourself doing a movement class surrounded by art, the feeling of newness every four month when a new artist showcased. The art opening nights were incredible, some interactive, with plenty of food and refreshments.   

The Loft got busy and vibrant. It grew and had to be relocated four times since its creation 22 years ago. The Loft Academy, a teacher training course facilitating Pilates based certifications, gave voices to critical and creative teachers that are still until today very successful as instructors.

As I aged and The Loft took more space, it became a business venture that took it all, my personal life and my health. But who would I be if I didn’t follow what I preached. I believe health and well being is not limited to your fitness level and dietary needs. Your immune system is rooted into our hormonal and nervous systems. It’s linked to our mental health and how we process trauma/stress. Add on our energetic being and spirituality and voila, a complex recipe for well being unique to each one of us. 

So in 2018, The Loft evolved into a health clinic. The movement therapy/coaching portion is much smaller, as the space is now shared with chiropractors, RMTs, and a naturopathic doctor who share the same view on wellbeing and how it’s achieved. In retrospect, this was a very good business decision, as The Loft (and I) would have never survived COVID19 should it had stayed the way it was. 

The Loft is now moving into its digital era, a phase that has proven to be more challenging, as I believe in one way technology is of great help, yet, in another way is the essence of many of the issues I help my clients with. I personally do not like spending time in front of a computer and I have never sat so much since The Loft’s creation. As much as I'd like to offer online group classes, I’m still unsure on how much I want to commit to online courses while maintaining harmony with my beliefs. I can assure you that I have dreams for a new Loft that will combine my passion for nature, art, and movement to facilitate wellbeing.