Breath & Balance Pilates: Finding Balance in Chilliwack
When Sasha moved to Chilliwack from Langley in 2019, she noticed something missing.
At the time, there were no dedicated Pilates studios in town. While there was a teacher offering mat classes out of her home, the Pilates method itself hadn’t yet found a true studio presence in the community. Sasha saw both a need and an opportunity — and Breath & Balance Pilates was born.
“I saw that it was something the community really needed,” she says. “I was happy to be able to introduce the community of Chilliwack to the Pilates method.”
Today, Breath & Balance Pilates has become a welcoming space in downtown Chilliwack where movement is intentional, personal, and grounded in long-term wellbeing.
A Classical Approach to Pilates
Pilates can look very different depending on where you go, but Sasha’s studio is rooted in something specific: Classical Pilates.
“I teach Classical Pilates, which tries to remain true to the method as Joseph Pilates himself taught it,” she explains.
Classes at Breath & Balance make use of a variety of traditional Pilates equipment and are intentionally kept small. This allows Sasha to focus on precision, proper movement, and individual attention — something that can easily be lost in larger group fitness settings.
Most importantly, the studio’s philosophy isn’t about appearances.
“My studio is not about looking a certain way,” Sasha says. “It’s about healthy, sustainable movement and meeting our bodies where they are.”
Why Breath and Balance Matter
The name Breath & Balance isn’t accidental — it reflects both the physical and mental foundations of Sasha’s teaching.
Joseph Pilates famously said, “Breathing is the first act of life, and the last. Our very life depends on it.” Breathwork is often the first thing Sasha teaches new students, because of how deeply it impacts movement and body awareness.
Balance, meanwhile, has a dual meaning.
Yes, physical balance is an important skill — and one we tend to lose as we age. But Sasha also speaks to balance in a broader sense: balance in life, and balance in how we view and treat our own bodies.
A Different Way of Moving
For those new to Pilates, Sasha encourages people to come in with an open mind.
“Pilates is not like any other movement modality,” she says. “You can’t walk into a Pilates studio and compare it to other activities you may participate in. It’s a completely different way of moving.”
That difference is part of what makes it so powerful — even if it takes a little time to adjust.
Pilates Is for Everyone
From teenagers to seniors, Breath & Balance Pilates welcomes a wide range of people with different goals and abilities.
Some students use Pilates to complement other fitness routines like weightlifting. Others are recovering from surgeries such as knee replacements. The common thread is a desire to move — and live — better.
“My focus in the studio is to use the Pilates method to help each individual person,” Sasha says.
Supported by Community Futures South Fraser
A key part of that support has come from Community Futures South Fraser.
“They have been amazing,” Sasha says. “I honestly would not have been able to even open the studio without their assistance and support.”
Beyond helping her get started, Community Futures has continued to walk alongside her during the first year and a half of business ownership.
“They truly mean it when they say they’ll be with you every step of the way,” she says. “They genuinely want to help small businesses succeed.”
During a particularly stressful period about a year ago, Sasha reached out for help.
“They met with me immediately and helped me figure out what was causing me to feel overwhelmed,” she recalls. “They helped me take manageable action steps, and made me feel like even though I’m running a business on my own, I wasn’t actually alone.”
Building Community in Downtown Chilliwack
Being located in downtown Chilliwack has shaped Breath & Balance in meaningful ways.
“There really is a sense of community here,” Sasha says. “I’ve tried hard to carry that feeling into the studio and create a sense of community among our members.”
That welcoming atmosphere is especially important for newcomers.
For Anyone Nervous About Starting
If you’re curious about Pilates but hesitant to walk through the door, Sasha has a simple message:
“We were all nervous the first time.”
Trying something new can feel intimidating, especially when there’s a perception that you need to be “good” at Pilates to begin. But every single person in the studio — instructors included — started somewhere.
To help ease that first step, Breath & Balance offers beginner-specific options, including one-on-one sessions or beginner-only group classes, so no one feels out of place.
“Everyone is at the same starting point together,” Sasha says.
And sometimes, that’s exactly where real balance begins.
