Studio Nine offering Pilates, yoga in Orange

By DOMENIC POLI

Staff Writer

Published: 04-13-2023 11:16 AM

ORANGE — Pilates is a type of mind-body exercise developed in the 1920s by a German physical trainer. Modern posture-based yoga is rooted in practices originating in Ancient India. And now you can find both under one roof at 7 East Main St.

Marley Aldrich opened Studio Nine on March 13, offering on-site group and private sessions to paying customers.

“Things are going good,” Aldrich said. “I have clients signing up for classes and I also have private sessions so people can work on their specific goals.”

Joseph Pilates invented the exercise that now bears his name in the early 20th century. It was originally called contrology and is now practiced around the world, especially in Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom.

“I fell in love with Pilates, and I ended up getting certified through Breathe Education, which is based out of Australia,” said Aldrich, 23. “I bought myself a reformer (a traditional piece of Pilates equipment) and I got certified through Breathe online. And then I was driving past this space and I saw that it was for lease and I was like, ‘Alright, let’s do it.’”

She explained certification took six months and her courses were held from 10 to 11 p.m., due to the time difference in Australia.

Aldrich is also a dance instructor in Orange and Hadley, and her mother, Jennifer, teaches yoga in the 650-square-foot East Main Street space.

“I’ve been dancing since I was 3, and a lot of strength and conditioning comes from warming up in dance,” the younger Aldrich said. “I’ve been taking my mom’s yoga classes for years, so I have a fitness background.”

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Aldrich lives in Athol, where she grew up, and graduated from Athol High School in 2018. Having been born on Sept. 9, 1999, she named her business after her lucky number.

People can book classes and pay online at pilates-yoga.online. Aldrich also accepts cash payments in person. She maintains Facebook, Instagram and TikTok accounts, and there is a QR code on the front door that links to the company’s website.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.

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