Introducing Mari Chirinashvili, a remarkable individual whose transformative personal journey led her to become the founder of Connect Pilates Studio and the exclusive representative of Polestar education in the GCC. After 19 successful years in a corporate career, Mari faced health challenges that prompted her to seek a more holistic and sustainable approach to life and well-being.
Driven by her own experiences and a deep desire to embrace natural healing methods, Mari made the courageous decision to leave her corporate job behind and embark on a new path as a health and wellness coach. During this transformative phase of her life, she encountered Pilates and experienced its profound impact firsthand.
Through her dedication to personal growth and commitment to helping others, Mari realized the immense potential of Pilates in fostering physical and mental well-being. Inspired by her personal journey to recovery, she channeled her passion into establishing Connect Pilates Studio, a haven where individuals could embark on their own transformative fitness journeys.
Learn more about Mari Chirinashvili and Connect Pilates Studio through our interview below.
What’s the idea behind your company?
Our methods are based on a holistic approach to the human body, mind, and spirit, which is supported by the latest groundbreaking medical research. We aim to bring joy and freedom to everyday life, and we want people to live pain-free, tension-free life regardless of their age. To make a long story short, Dubai-based “Connect Pilates Studio” is the exclusive provider of Polestar Pilates in the GCC. And Polestar Pilates is a benchmark for healthcare professionals and fitness enthusiasts worldwide.
How did you begin your career journey in healthcare? Do you have some advice for beginners?
An advice I would give is please listen to yourself at every stage of your career, whether it is your first job or a new vocation you may find in midlife. After 19 exciting years as a corporate senior executive, due to health issues, I have chosen to seek a more holistic and sustainable approach to life and well-being. I quit a corporate job and shifted my focus towards natural healing methods, becoming a health and wellness coach. It was during this journey to recovery that I discovered Pilates.
What’s the goal of your company?
We believe that physical activity should be a joyful and pain-free experience. We strive to bring the best available education in Pilates to the region to help people move better and live better lives.
How important are employees’ energy levels to the success of your company?
In my opinion, that’s the key to the success of any company. We are the first Pilates studio in Dubai to have developed an in-house teachers team. Our teachers work exclusively in our studio, which saves them time and energy. We design their schedules in a way that allows them to rest and recover well.
How do you plan to motivate your team to go the extra mile?
Working with us means lots of learning! We are the only studio in Dubai that provides constant, free-of-charge internal training for our teachers. They have monthly meetings and mentorship with Polestar Global Vice President and Senior Faculty Member Shelly Power. Our team has all the support and encouragement to grow professionally and personally.
What keeps your company moving forward even during challenges?
We love what we do, and we do what we love! And we practice what we preach: lots of Pilates, which always helps us connect with ourselves to find the best solutions in every situation. We believe in teamwork, and being in the well-being industry, we, of course, believe in doing our job with love.
How do you think technology is leading to changes in businesses? Do you feel it’s helping your company grow?
Technology helps make work easier, faster, and more affordable. One of the ways this is evident in our industry is through online education. Online training is often more cost-effective than in-person training, making education more accessible to a wider range of people.
Do you use innovative ideas to be unique?
Our teachers are Polestar certified, meaning they are leaders in the field of Pilates. We prioritize the well-being of our clients and teachers by using the highest quality essential oils in our space, and we serve infused water with essential oils after each class. Additionally, we have created a library in our space where clients have access to the latest editions of books on wellness, well-being, and healthy movement.
What are the services/solutions or products offered by Your Company as par with the current industry standards? Tell us something about your upcoming products or services.
First, our daily classes on Polestar Reformers or mats focus on sustainable movement to help people to recover from chronic pain, reduce stress and improve mental health. Polestar Pilates is a great getaway from unhealthy fitness routines, professional sports traumas, and injuries. Additionally, it may help a lot to prepare for pregnancy and recover postpartum.
Second, we also bring Polestar education to the GCC and offer Polestar Pilates Teacher Training for the first time in the region. A comprehensive course for instructors is coming in October 2023 and everyone may join. This is a great chance to build an international career that allows us to be economically independent. Polestar graduates are in high demand worldwide, and the profession of Pilates teacher is really meaningful and respected.
Would you like to say anything else to our viewers?
I believe that any person can achieve any goal they set in life. However, it’s essential not to forget our bodies and the connection between mind, spirit, and body. It’s our responsibility to take the best care of our health, and longevity is in our hands. Finding a sustainable and low-impact exercise is the key to health and well-being, and Pilates is the best long-term investment in our health.