More than the Movement with Arabella

Meet Arabella, a third degree black belt and Solis Movement member with nearly 790 classes. Discover her journey with hot Pilates, Sculpt and the Solis community in Toronto.

More Than a Movement: Meet Arabella

790 classes in and counting. Meet Arabella, a third-degree black belt, early riser and familiar face in the Solis community.

At Solis Movement, movement has always been about more than what happens during a workout. It’s about the strength you build, the people beside you and the energy you carry with you when you leave the studio.

More Than a Movement is a series dedicated to the people who make Solis what it is: the community.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

My name is Arabella. I was born here in Canada, I’m a third-degree black belt in martial arts, and I’m currently at approximately 790 classes at Solis.

How did you first discover Solis Movement?

A former friend mentioned that one of her coworkers was going to this hot Pilates studio about 10 or 15 minutes away from me. I asked what it was called and she said, “Solis.”

Of course, I immediately did my investigative work. I went on Google, read the reviews and decided I was going to try it. I had never done Pilates before — let alone hot Pilates or hot yoga so it was completely new to me.

Do you remember your first Solis class?

Very clearly.

My first class was at Solis Etobicoke while the studio was still going through renovations. I remember walking in and thinking, “Where do I go?” I basically just followed everyone else up the stairs.

My first class was with Cassandra. I went into it thinking, “I know I’m fit. Let’s see what I can do.”

Ten minutes later, I was in pain.

There were so many abs and sit-ups. I remember thinking, “I thought I was fit!” That first class showed me how much I could still work on my endurance and strength.

And clearly, I came back.

Nearly 790 classes later, what’s your favourite Solis class?

That’s like asking me to choose my favourite child.

They’re all good, but personally, I love Sculpt. I love that there’s an element of instructor’s choice. You never really know if the focus is going to be triceps, abs, glutes or something completely different.

I couldn’t choose a favourite instructor because they all find their own amazing ways to torture us for 45 minutes in a 90 degree room.

For me, though, Sculpt is definitely the class.

How has your relationship with movement changed since joining Solis?

Before Solis, I was going through the motions. I wasn’t really thinking about which muscles I was working or how my form impacted a movement.

At Solis, the instructors are constantly teaching you the why behind what you’re doing. If we’re doing a glute bridge, for example, they’re explaining where your feet should be, how your body should be aligned and how to properly engage your glutes and abs.

I wasn’t doing that before. My form wasn’t great.

Now, I’m much more conscious of how my body is moving, which muscles I’m engaging and what each movement is actually doing for me.

What keeps you coming back to Solis?

The energy.

I could be having the worst day at work, but the minute I walk into Solis, I feel welcomed. I feel like I’m part of a family.

Before Solis, I never really liked group fitness classes. I always worried people would look at me or judge me. At Solis, it’s completely different. Everyone encourages you the instructors and even the person working out next to you.

It’s positive. It’s warm. It’s welcoming.

It really is a community.

What does being “strong” mean to you now?

I used to think being strong was purely physical.

Now I understand how much mental and emotional strength goes into movement, too. There are moments during a workout when you have to rely on your mindset to keep going.

Strength is physical, but it’s also the mental strength you build and bring into everything else you do.

Early morning or evening class?

Early morning. Hands down.

Coffee or matcha?

I love a good matcha, but I’m a coffee girl through and through. Coffee got me through college.

Reformer or Sun Room?

Sun Room. Every class style.

Is there a class that always keeps you guessing?

Joe’s.

I remember one 6 AM class when he put on the board that all we needed was a band. Everyone looked at each other like, “What kind of witchcraft is he going to make us do today?”

So I’d definitely say Joe’s.

How many alarms do you set before a 6 AM?

Sometimes I forget to set my alarm, but thankfully I have a very good internal clock.

Somehow I’ll wake myself up at 4 or 4:30 AM, pull myself out of bed and get ready.

When you want to show up, you find a way.