After working side by side for more than a decade, wellness gurus Guada Bas, Holly Benge, and Bethany Pettigrew decided to join forces and open their own fitness center. In early May, the trio officially transitioned from colleagues to business partners and celebrated the grand opening of their new venture, Studio509.
Located at 509 Valley Street in the former home of Bodies in Motion where they’d previously collaborated, Bas says Studio509 is carrying forward the principles former owner Rolin San Juan established while adding their own touches. San Juan, who continues to teach at the newly-opened studio, created Niyolates, which Bas describes as a movement-based class that incorporates elements of dance and aims to improve coordination, strength, balance, flexibility and the mind/body connection.
“There’s so much room for self-expression,” says Bas, who danced professionally for a dozen years with the The Philippine Ballet Theatre as their principal dancer. “It can be very smooth or you crank it up and get your heart rate up. It appeals to all levels. Maybe you’ve never danced in your life or you’re a professional dancer, either way, it all comes together.”
The studio also specializes in the Gyrotonic® method. Bas, Benge, Pettigrew, San Juan, and fellow instructor Doug Krueger are all certified in this form of exercise which is rooted in yoga, Tai Chi, and dance. Appropriate for all levels, the method allows the joints to move through a natural range of motion without jarring or compression. Private and semi-private training is available by appointment and instructors tailor programs to meet each individual’s needs and goals.
“If you’re familiar with Pilates machines, this takes it to another level. There’s a lot more movement. It allows you to open your body in all directions. It’s about strengthening as you expand,” Bas says.
Vertical Barre classes, using free standing barres to help build overall strength and symmetry in the body, are offered each week as well. The challenging class is designed to open the joints and increase clients’ range of motion.
Being able to offer dance opportunities to clients of all ages is an important component for Bas and Pettigrew, who holds an M.S. degree in dance and Physical Education from Indiana University and has performed on Broadway in CATS. The dancing duo is thrilled to continue their Step2gether dance classes, in which they work with kids and teens on building muscular endurance, flexibility and coordination.
An Easy & Exciting Start
Thus far feedback from the community has been extremely positive.
“It’s going really well,” Bas says. “It’s been a nice, smooth transition and it’s been fun. Everything is falling into place very organically. Working together at Bodies in Motion, we had our ideas and dreams of how we wanted to see the business emerge. Ten years of ideas have been realized.”
Not bound by membership fees or dues, clients can take a single class or purchase packages. Newcomers are welcome to drop in and take advantage of grand opening specials that feature free group classes through May 31.
Bas adds that she and fellow entrepreneurs are thrilled to have established their business in this “wonderful community.”
“Everyone is into wellness and being healthy but it’s not so much about how you look as it is about how strong you are and the functionality of your body — being fit for your life rather than for aesthetics,” she says. “Everyone is very supportive of each other. We feel very blessed to have such a great client base.”
For more information, visit Studio509’s website, call 973-275-0509 or email bethany@studio509fitness.com.
Enjoy our photo gallery below; click on any photo to begin. All photos credit Studio 509.
This feature is part of an ongoing wellness series. If you have a health or wellness business you’d like to see covered by The Village Green, contact us at villagegreennj@gmail.com
