Meet Kari Dees | Co-Owner of ToLife! Yoga and Pilates (Pilates, Kettlebells, and Stretch Therapy Teacher)

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kari Dees and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kari, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I attribute my success as a studio owner and teacher to my passion for what I do. Myself, my mother (who is my business partner), and all of our teachers truly care about our clients’ health and well-being. We are passionate about helping people get stronger and healthier, physically and mentally. We have high standards and stick to our principles, because we believe whole-heartedly in our methodology and technique. We’ve seen first-hand what Pilates and Yoga can do for people and it is life-changing.

Pilates, specifically, changed my life in more ways than one. I was a dancer from the ages of 3 to 25. I majored in dance in college, and went on to become a professional dancer after. Unfortunately, I struggled with many injuries. After multiple surgeries and years of physical therapy, I was forced to retire and get a desk job, but I always felt something was missing from my life.

I was first introduced to Pilates by one of my childhood ballet teachers. In the search to find a form of exercise that did not hurt my joints, I found Pilates again as an adult. After my many surgeries, Pilates was the first form of exercise that I could do that didn’t hurt. The technique and apparatus allowed me to strengthen my body, without irritating my chronic injuries. It was literally life-changing and I knew immediately that I wanted to become a Pilates teacher and give this gift to others!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business partner, Marilyn Hildebrandt, and I opened ToLife! Yoga and Pilates in 2017. Prior to that, we had both been working full-time in corporate America, while also teaching Yoga and Pilates at night and on the weekends. We did that for 6 years before opening our own studio. We wanted to gain experience, find the perfect location, and take the time to really plan what our business would look like.

It’s kind of hard to believe that we’ve already been in business for 5 years! We did close our studio for a couple of months in 2020, but were able to keep our clients engaged and active by offering virtual classes and sessions via Zoom. Once we felt it was safe to re-open, we started with private sessions, then added small group classes, and slowly allowed more people in the classes as time went on.

I mentioned that Marilyn and I spent a long time looking for the perfect location…well, we found it. We are located in the beautiful and unique Tannery Row building in historic downtown Buford. We have extremely high ceilings, tons of windows, and many different rooms. Because of this, we’ve been able to keep the class sizes small in order to keep people socially distanced, while still offering multiple classes at a time. We even gained new clients during the pandemic, because they felt more comfortable coming to our boutique studio than they did going to a large gym.

We get most of our business from Google searches and referrals. Many people who come to our studio say that the pictures they saw online and our Google reviews were the deciding factor that made them book a class. We also offer many modalities, so there is something for everyone at our studio. Besides offering group classes and private sessions in Pilates and Yoga, we also offer Kettlebells and Cardio classes, Stretch Therapy, Prenatal Yoga, Aerial Yoga, Children’s Yoga, Therapeutic Yoga, and Mommy/Baby Yoga. I believe that you are only as good of a teacher as you are a student. So, all of our teachers continue to learn and grow by doing continuing education with the finest teacher trainers in the industry.

Our purpose is to inspire our clients and give them the tools to live their best lives. We aspire to guide our clients on a journey of self-discovery, healing and transformation, resulting in a greater overall well-being. Our first priority as teachers is to ensure that our clients are getting a work-out that is appropriate for them, taking into consideration any injuries or ailments, they’re fitness level, age, etc. Even in our group classes, we pride ourselves in our commitment to giving each client personal attention to ensure their safety. I believe that this is one of the things that really sets us apart from larger gyms or studios. We will not sacrifice the quality of instruction to allow for large groups, as we feel that would diminish our value to our clients. Our studio is a boutique experience with an inviting atmosphere, and caring teachers. I’m very proud of this and hope that everyone who visits sees it as well!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Being that I am a small business owner and one of only 5 teachers at our studio, I don’t go out much these days. When my husband and I do go out we stay pretty close to home. Fortunately, historic downtown Buford has some great little spots! Cork It is a cute little wine bar that I love for a pre-dinner drink or a girls’ night. Aqua Terra Bistro is my favorite local restaurant. They have delicious gourmet food, but it isn’t so fancy that you can’t wear jeans. I’ve never had a bad meal there and I’ve been going there since it opened over 20 years ago! If you want to listen to some music and maybe dance, 37 Main is a great bar with live music. Our favorite place to be in the Summer is on our boat on Lake Lanier, so we usually take people out on the lake and then to Fish Tales Lakeside Grille for dinner!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to thank my parents for always pushing me to follow my dreams, showing me what it means to have an unparalleled work ethic, and instilling the confidence in me that I could literally do anything I put my mind to.

I’d also like to recognize my childhood dance teachers Donna Frick and Carol Walker, who helped build my confidence, character, and skill as a dancer and teacher.

Thank you to Kim Bergonzi for giving me my very first job as a Pilates teacher at her beautiful studio, Studio Lotus Forsyth. I wouldn’t be the Pilates teacher that I am without first-rate training from the brilliant Shari Berkowitz, Davidson Reed, and Anne Brendle. I’d especially like to thank Cheryl Cole for being my mentor and Pilates teacher for the last decade.

And none of this would be possible without the support of my husband, Adam Dees. He didn’t blink an eye when I said that I wanted to quit my cushy day job to start my own business.

Website: www.tolifeyogaandpilates.com

Instagram: @tolifeyogaandpilates_

Linkedin: ToLife! Yoga and Pilates

Facebook: @tolifeyogaandpilates

Yelp: ToLife! Yoga and Pilates

Image Credits
Julie Perdue Jaya Lord Kari Dees