LiveMetta Newport Beach ( left ), a new Pilates studio owned by Chris and Ythy Farnsworth ( above , from left )

The local studio launched in 2022 , two years after the owners left their prominent careers behind in favor of living their fitness dreams — just in time to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic . But now , the family-owned business operates six yoga and Pilates studios throughout Orange County and Long Beach , including one in Laguna Beach that opened last year .

Serving as a second home to its members , the Newport studio is a place to unwind and build community . Farnsworth shares what to expect during a LiveMetta workout and why Pilates is great for those of any fitness level .

NEWPORT BEACH MAGAZINE : HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH PILATES ? YTHY FARNSWORTH : LiveMetta is actually a second career for both of us . Chris left his career as a litigation attorney and I left a career in health care to team up to chase our small

business dreams . … When the Pilates studio where Chris trained to recover from a serious accident — he fractured multiple vertebrae and ruptured discs in his thoracic spine — came up for sale , it seemed like the perfect opportunity to make a life change . … Our overarching mission to spread loving kindness , or metta , is what keeps us excited each and every day .

NBM : WHEN AND WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO OPEN A STUDIO IN NEWPORT BEACH ? YF : We entered Newport Beach by taking over a Pilates studio that had been here for several years , Core Reform Pilates . With wonderful existing clients and a fantastic team of instructors , it ’ s been a wonderful transition for us . We rebranded to LiveMetta Pilates in September 2022 and we ’ ve grown a lot since then by updating our studio and placing a focus on creating … [ a ] home away from home for each of our clients that walk through our doors .

NBM : WHAT CLASSES DO YOU OFFER AT THE NEWPORT BEACH STUDIO ? YF : We offer a complimentary reformer orientation class for anyone new to Pilates and then …

a progression of classes , from easier to harder : Reformer Foundation , Reformer +, Reformer Sculpt and Reformer Power . We also offer a fun , cardio-infused class called Cardio Core , which includes interval jumping on reformer cardio trampolines . Our classes are taught by the best of the best Pilates instructors . We also offer a robust Pilates education program … [ with a Stott Pilates curriculum ], often referred to as the Ivy League of Pilates education due to its attention to detail and deep foundation in functional anatomy .

NBM : WHAT ARE THE MAIN DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PILATES AND YOGA ? YF : Yoga and Pilates are both popular mind-body practices , but they differ in their origins , principles and focuses . … Pilates was developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates , initially as a form of rehabilitation and strengthening for injured soldiers during World War II . It has evolved into a modern practice for everyone that focuses on building core strength , stability and muscular endurance through controlled movements and precise alignments . It … emphasizes a mind-body connection to improve posture and … body awareness .

NBM : WHAT SHOULD A FIRST-TIMER EXPECT FROM ONE OF YOUR CLASSES ? YF : All students — first-timer or not — should expect to enter each of our beautiful light-filled studios to be greeted with warmth , love and kindness . We pride ourselves in ensuring that our offerings are inclusive of everyone in every shape , color or mindset that may be joining us in . One of our team members will immediately support you as you find what offerings will best fit your life , goals and schedule .

FROM LEFT : KYLIE BURKHOUSE ; VINCE TRUPSIN

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