There’s something truly special about building a life —and a business— with someone who not only understands you but also shares your vision and values. This month, as we celebrate love, we’re shining a spotlight on couples who combined their skills and dedication to create thriving Pilates studios. United by a commitment to helping others move better, feel stronger and live healthier lives through Pilates, these couples have built spaces that reflect their shared purpose. Their studios are more than just places to work out—they are hubs of community, wellness and growth, shaped by the collaboration and dedication of two people working toward a common goal.
Join us as we explore the inspiring stories of couples who turned their passion into thriving businesses, proving that when love and purpose come together, anything is possible.
LiveMetta Pilates and Yoga, California, USA
LiveMetta Pilates and Yoga, a Merrithew® Licensed Training Center (LTC), was founded by Chris and Ythy Farnsworth in 2018. After leaving their corporate careers behind, they took a bold leap to pursue their dream of building a small business rooted in wellness. The result? LiveMetta—a sanctuary where movement, mindfulness and community come together to inspire transformation and growth. Chris and Ythy had one of their first dates at a yoga class and have been together for 7+ years.
Q: What inspired you to open LiveMetta together?
Ythy: Our inspiration stemmed from a passion for mindful movement and a desire to create a community centered on loving-kindness or "metta." We envisioned a space where individuals could engage in meaningful wellness experiences through Pilates and yoga, fostering physical and mental well-being. Now, in our seventh year and in the process of opening our 10th studio together, it's hard not to look back and be grateful for the many ups and downs we’ve encountered.
Q: How do your strengths complement each other in running the studio?
Chris: Ythy and I bring unique strengths to LiveMetta, shaped by our prior corporate careers. We're both growth-minded but have very different management styles. This balance creates a well-rounded approach
Q: What has been the most rewarding part of owning a studio as a couple?
Ythy: Witnessing the positive impact on our community has been immensely rewarding. Seeing clients embrace mindful movement and experience personal growth reaffirms our mission. With our kids now visiting the studios, we’ve also introduced kids’ yoga classes and special events, creating a welcoming space for the little ones to explore movement.
Q: What values helped shape the identity of your studio?
Chris: Our studio is built upon the principles of love, kindness and movement. We believe treating people with care and maintaining operational excellence naturally fosters a strong community. These values guide everything we do, creating an authentic and welcoming space for all.
Q: What inspired you to choose Merrithew® as a business partner?
Chris: Merrithew's commitment to high-integrity fitness education and quality equipment aligns with our dedication to providing top-tier Pilates instruction. The company’s reputation as leaders in mindful movement made them a natural fit for our studio's needs. Soon after we became studio owners, the first task was to build a robust education program to create the right kind of team with the best-in-class curriculum and student experience. On the equipment side, we see Merrithew as the "gold standard" and believe its products are superior to those of its competitors in the market.
Q: What advice do you have for couples looking to combine their passions and careers?
Ythy: Combining personal passions with a shared professional endeavor can be deeply fulfilling, but it's certainly not without its challenges. Open communication, mutual respect and staying aligned with your core values are key to creating a successful and harmonious partnership.
The Merrithew Mindful Movement Symposium - North America will be held at LiveMetta Pilates and Yoga, Laguna Niguel, from May 1 – 4th, 2025.
Lila Yoga & Pilates, Shenzhen, China
Lila Yoga & Pilates, a Merrithew Host Training Center (HTC), is the brainchild of Lin Chen and Yu Zhang. Yu, a dedicated freelance Pilates instructor, dreamed of creating a space where movement and community could thrive. In 2017, that dream became a reality when the couple opened Lila, bringing their vision of wellness to the heart of their community. Lin and Yu met in 2008 in Beijing and have been together since then.
Q: What inspired you to open a Pilates studio together?
Lin: Before opening the studio, my wife worked as a freelance instructor and aspired to her own space to pursue her passion—this vision led to the creation of Lila. Before 2017, there were no professional Pilates studios in our area, let alone ones with comprehensive equipment. We were the first studio in the area to offer small-group Reformer classes. As for why I decided to co-found Lila with my wife, the reason is simple—I fully support her and strongly believe in the potential of this market.
Q: How did you fall in love with Pilates?
Yu: In the early days of my fitness career, I worked as a yoga instructor and also underwent Pilates training to expand my teaching repertoire to more classes. The turning point came in 2013, after I had my daughter and needed to focus on my postpartum recovery. I was amazed to discover that proper Pilates practice is not just about physical fitness and body sculpting—it can also help relieve pain caused by poor posture. That realization led me to dive deeper into anatomy, systematically study Pilates and learn about prenatal and postnatal care.
Q: How do your strengths complement each other in running the business?
Yu: I focus more on course scheduling, instructor recruitment and training, while my husband handles operations, sales and marketing. Together, we created Lila’s core culture and team values: Love in our hearts, courage to believe, mindfulness, leading by example, speaking candidly and openness to feedback. We are highly aligned in our views and understanding on many critical issues.
Q: What values or goals helped shape the identity of your Pilates studio?
Lin: The word “Lila” originates from Sanskrit, meaning "joyful play." Our philosophy is “Play Joyfully – Go for Fun.” We believe everyone has a little girl named Lila living in their heart, always joyfully playing. Hence, Lila is not just a Pilates studio but a space for play. We hope to create a place where people can find their passion while enjoying themselves. That’s why we incorporate playful elements like mystery boxes, fairy castles and energy card games into our studio.
Q: What inspired you to choose Merrithew as a business partner?
Yu: For our team’s long-term development, we wanted to collaborate with the best Pilates training brand in the world. During our early discussions with the Merrithew team, we were deeply impressed by their professionalism and rigor, which further solidified our decision. A great partnership involves mutual effort, and we are grateful to have met Merrithew at the right time.
Q: What message do you have for other couples looking to combine their passions and careers?
Lin: It’s important to note that every market is different, and people’s experiences will differ. Having said that, starting a business isn’t easy. In the early stages, three essential conditions must be met: the quality of courses, market demand and sales operations. One universal principle we’ve found: strive for excellence, put your heart into doing your best and you will undoubtedly see results.
Chris and Ythy’s journey with LiveMetta and Lin and Yu’s journey with Lila Yoga & Pilates are testaments to the beauty of building something meaningful with the person you love. Their stories inspire couples everywhere to turn shared passions into thriving careers, proving that with love, trust and purpose, anything is possible.
With Merrithew as their trusted education and equipment partner, these couples have elevated their studio offerings, ensuring the highest quality training and support for their teams and clients. Whether you’re a couple dreaming of starting a business or simply looking for inspiration, their journeys remind us that the best ventures are built on shared values, mutual respect and a little bit of playfulness.