The Ridgway Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce Ridgway Pilates as our February 2026 Member of the Month! The Member of the Month program is an ongoing effort by the Chamber to provide residents and visitors information about businesses and organizations in the area and promote the patronage of our local resources and our small, independent companies. RACC recently sat down with owner Erica Young to discuss how an injury led to her following in her family’s footsteps and becoming a Pilates instructor.
1. Please introduce yourself and your business?
Hello! My name is Erica Young, the owner of Ridgway Pilates, located in the beautiful historic Bank Building on Clinton Street. I am a third generation Classical Pilates teacher, lifelong dancer and inquisitive athlete blessed to live in Colorado since 2001and call Ouray County home since 2014. I hold a Master’s Degree in Science Education and was an elementary school teacher for a decade before focusing on movement education.
Our Pilates studio is a community space open to all. We offer Classical Pilates education, host local artists at our free public events, and provide resources for the community’s well being.
2. What made you want to become a Pilates instructor and in turn open a studio in Ridgway?
In 2015, a ski accident left me with a torn ALC, MCL and meniscus leading to a complete surgical rebuild of my knee. The recovery was intense and slow. I wanted to return to the active lifestyle I was accustomed to, but needed more than traditional physical therapy and weight training. I had started practicing Pilates casually in 2010 and loved it, so I was thrilled to find people practicing in Ouray County. Pilates helped me regain my full range of motion, increase my stability, Strength and stamina, and deeper awareness of how my body is supposed to work. I decided to pursue my first Comprehensive Pilates Teacher Certification and opened Ridgway Pilates in 2017 so I could share the work with the community and help people feel the benefits of this incredible discipline. I have been studying Pilates with teachers around the world since then and have grown our studio steadily. We now have three fully certified instructors offering classes and two apprentice teachers completing our rigorous in house teacher training program.
3. What would you say to someone that is just beginning to get into Pilates?
The practice of Pilates, originally called Contrology, is designed to improve breathing, posture, flexibility and strength. Every exercise works the entire body; some are practiced on a mat and others on specialized equipment using springs, bars, poles, sleds, barrels and various gizmos to provide assistance and resistance. The work focuses on moving from the body’s center and as you progress, so does the complexity and challenges of the exercises. Pilates is like martial arts. You start with the foundations, practice them diligently and build from there. This takes time and dedication. It is an investment in your health and well being with lifelong benefits.
Since the practice is unlike any other movement system, private instruction is highly recommended to the correct form, breathing and control and to progress safely on our special equipment. I always recommend researching studios to make sure teachers are highly trained and it feels like a good fit. Pilates is more than an exercise class…it is a full body method focused on core strength, spinal mobility, muscular endurance, alignment through controlled precise movements and you develop a special relationship with your teacher. It is a great idea to try different teachers as each one has something unique to offer. Your teacher will give your homework to help you get the most out of your investment and progress quickly. While it might feel intimidating at first, you will quickly settle in and feel the difference in your body.
4. Why do you think Pilates is an important way of working out?
Pilates can be summarized as three things: Stretch, strength and control. Control is the hardest part as it requires you to use your mind. The practice creates and reinforces neuromuscular connections so that you start to incorporate the patterns into your everyday life. It is great for injury prevention and longevity training. Plus, it is fun. As you get stronger, you get to hang upside down, flip around and experience unexpected relationships with gravity!
The wonderful thing about Pilates is that it meets you wherever you are. You can be young or old, flexible or tight. You can have an existing physical practice or be totally new to moving your body. Elite athletes like NFL players use Pilates to balance out the demands of their sport. We train the entire body to create a uniform development so that we are not overworking one part. We get a lot of mountain enthusiasts in our studio who need balance from the intensity of their sports. Everyone can benefit from the to practice! At Ridgway Pilates, we work hard in the studio so we can play hard in the mountains.
5. What classes are currently running/are there any classes about to start?
Our studio offers classes Monday through Saturday, in private and small group formats. We require a foundational knowledge of the mat and apparatus work before people can join our group classes. We are currently offering the following options to get new students started:
1) Beginners Intensive
Ten small group lessons, Monday/Wednesday 8:30am from March 2-April 1. $350 plus you get a free mat and free open studio pass upon completing the series. A deep dive into the foundations of mat, reformer, wunda chair and cadillac. Limited to three people.
2)New Student Private Lesson Package
Five private lessons in five weeks. The cost is $400 plus you get a free group pass upon completion. Great if you need more individualized attention or are returning from rehabilitation or a break in your movement practice. Start anytime.
3) Studio Membership
Private lessons once, twice, or thrice weekly for four consecutive months. This is our most affordable and most popular option.
Many people choose to work one on one with our teachers while others want a small group experience. Once a student is ready to join groups we have discounted locals pricing so that everyone can benefit from this incredible body of work. If you are interested in learning more about our offerings, we offer complementary consultations. Reach out to us if you are interested. Amelia, Victoria and love sharing this work with others. See you in the studio!
