Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Mayer.
Hi Vanessa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story really begins with my back. I was diagnosed with scoliosis when I was younger, and for years I lived with the discomfort and imbalance it caused. Then, in 2004, I discovered Pilates — and it completely changed everything. For the first time, I felt relief, strength, and alignment in my body. Pilates taught me how to move with awareness, how to support my spine, and how to rebuild strength from the inside out. It truly changed the way I live and move.
That experience inspired me to dive deeper, and by 2012, I began teaching. Helping others experience that same transformation became my passion. I saw firsthand how movement could heal not just the body, but also the mind and spirit.
In 2020, I opened my own studio in La Jolla, which began as a small space offering private and semi-private sessions. My goal was to create a calm, supportive environment where clients could receive individualized attention and feel cared for. Over time, the studio grew, and we expanded into small group classes that use all of the Pilates apparatuses — the Reformer, Cadillac, Wunda Chair, and Ladder Barrel. Even as we’ve grown, I’ve been intentional about keeping classes small, so every person still gets that private feel and personalized support that defines Amara Cor.
My journey as a mom also played a huge role in how I teach. After having two boys and going through two C-sections, Pilates once again became my therapy — helping me rebuild my core, posture, and confidence. That experience led me to become pre- and postnatal certified, so I could help other women through the same journey of recovery and empowerment.
For me, Pilates isn’t just exercise — it’s a holistic practice that strengthens the body, calms the mind, and reconnects you to yourself. When I created Amara Cor, I wanted it to be more than a Pilates studio — a space for connection, community, and transformation. Today, it’s evolving into a wellness collective, continuing to grow with that same heart-led purpose: helping people feel stronger, more balanced, and more connected to themselves through movement and heart.
Alongside Amara Cor, I’m also the co-founder of Yoga Pilates Travel, which I started in 2015 with my business partner Jennifer Tipton — who’s also a mom and a fellow entrepreneur. Together, we’ve led retreats in some of the most beautiful places around the world — Costa Rica, Hawaii, Belize, Bermuda, Alaska, Banff, Sedona, and Aruba, to name a few. The only year we had to pause was during 2020, but we came back stronger than ever. Yoga Pilates Travel has been such a gift — it combines everything I love: movement, travel, culture, and connection. It’s our passion project that continues to thrive alongside our other businesses and families.
Both Amara Cor and Yoga Pilates Travel are reflections of what I believe in — community, movement, and heart-led living. My goal has always been to create spaces, both local and global, where people can move, heal, connect, and come home to themselves.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a perfectly smooth road — but I’ve learned that the challenges are where the real growth happens. When I first started teaching, I was fortunate to connect with clients right away and build genuine relationships. I taught group classes all over San Diego, which gave me the chance to work with so many different people and body types. At the same time, I immersed myself in workshops and continuing education to deepen my understanding of Pilates and refine my teaching style.
Some of my biggest hurdles came with balancing my career and motherhood. I had two babies and went through two C-sections, which meant I had to slow down, step back, and focus on healing. That wasn’t easy for someone who’s always been active and hands-on, but it taught me patience, grace, and the importance of listening to my body. My clients were so understanding during those times, and I’ll always be grateful for their loyalty and support — it reminded me that this work is about so much more than movement; it’s about community, trust, and connection.
Then came 2020, when everything changed. During the pandemic, the studio I was teaching at closed, and I suddenly found myself at a crossroads. Rather than waiting for things to “go back to normal,” I decided to take a leap of faith and open my own studio in La Jolla that May. It was a huge risk — none of us knew what the future would look like — but my clients showed up, and by the end of that year, my business had tripled. That moment really affirmed my belief that when you lead with heart and stay true to your purpose, good things follow, even in uncertain times.
In 2025 I took another big step by expanding Amara Cor to include, small group classes. I wanted to create a format that introduced clients to all the Pilates apparatuses — the mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Wunda Chair, and Ladder Barrel — in a circuit-style setting while still maintaining that personal, private-session feel. One of the challenges along the way has been finding the right instructors — people who truly align with the studio’s values of heart, connection, and excellence — to help build this vision and community with me. Another challenge was shifting the studio’s image from being known mainly for private and semi-private sessions to now offering group classes. Marketing that transition took time and creativity, but we’ve persevered and grown stronger because of it.
Every challenge — from motherhood to business pivots — has taught me something valuable. I’ve learned that growth often comes from discomfort, and that community and heart will always be at the center of everything I do.
We’ve been impressed with Amara Cor, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Amara Cor is a heart-led Pilates and wellness studio in La Jolla, California, dedicated to creating a space where people feel supported, connected, and empowered through movement. We specialize in Pilates in its entirety — offering private, semi-private, and small group classes that blend classical foundations with modern, evolved techniques. In 2025, we expanded to include small group circuit-style classes that incorporate all of the Pilates apparatuses — the Reformer, Cadillac, Wunda Chair, and Ladder Barrel — while keeping class sizes small so every client still gets that personalized, private feel.
What sets Amara Cor apart is our atmosphere and approach. From the moment you walk in, the energy is calm, intentional, and uplifting. We’re known for our attention to detail, heart-centered instruction, and inclusive community where every body — regardless of age, shape, or experience — feels welcome.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of how Amara Cor embodies its name — which means “eternal heart.” It represents compassion, strength, and authenticity. The studio’s aesthetic and philosophy mirror the essence of coastal living: grounded, elegant, and soulfully connected. At the end of the day, we’re more than a Pilates studio — we’re a community that helps people feel stronger, more balanced, and more connected to themselves, inside and out.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
My family is my greatest source of happiness. Watching my two boys grow, learn, and develop their own personalities has been the most incredible journey. Raising them with my husband has brought so much joy and perspective to my life — they remind me every day to slow down, laugh, and be present.
Another thing that truly makes me happy is the connection I have with my clients. I work with people from all walks of life — from teenagers to clients in their 80s and 90s — and it’s such an honor to watch them grow stronger, more confident, and more in tune with their bodies. Seeing that progress and being part of their transformation fills me with gratitude. Especially with our new small group classes, there’s something so beautiful about watching people come together, support each other, and get stronger side by side. That sense of community lights up my heart.
Outside the studio, I’m happiest outdoors — hiking, running, rollerblading, or spending time at the beach with my boys. We’re an active family, and I love being in nature as much as possible. And honestly, some of my favorite moments are the simple ones — watching sports with my husband and kids, cheering for our favorite basketball teams, and just being together. Those are the moments that keep me grounded and grateful.
Pricing:
- Founding Members, Amara Ascend membership(unlimited classes) $150/month
- 2 week trial, new students for only $44
- 3 Privates Sessions for the price of 2 for $190, new clients only
Contact Info:
- Website: https://amaracor.com
- Instagram: @amaracorpilates
- Facebook: Amara Cor
Image Credits
Paige Flinn, instagram @Paige_flinn
