Alento Studio came to be after Covid times when I heard a studio was to become available and I couldn’t not take it! But what to call a studio???? After many, many ideas I decided on Alento. Here’s why…
While I was shopping for Reformers, I wondered why one model was named ‘Allegro’, in music and dance allegro means fast, although Pilates is usually known to be slow and controlled. Lento is the phrase for slow, so that was added to my long list of ideas. Then when looking for creative adjectives to pair with Lento, Alento popped up and this is what it means:
alento: to breathe
(Portuguese verb) to move air in and out of the lungs
Pilates is all about the breath work, there is an impact on the exercises and body when the breathing pattern is changed, Jo Pilates was an advocate for proper breathing, saying breathing is the foundation of all life. “Above all, learn how to breathe correctly.” JP
alento: to encourage
(Spanish verb) to give support, confidence or hope (to someone).
Encouragement is huge part of any exercise training program, it is a base ingredient to all skilful coaching. Encouragement helps people to show up and push themselves the extra distance to make strong improvements. “In ten sessions you’ll feel the difference, in 20 you’ll see the difference and in 30 you’ll have a new body.” JP
alento: to flow
(Italian river) to move steadily & continuously (in a current or stream).
Flow is an integral part of Pilates, each movement should flow, each exercises should flow one to the next, your mind and body should flow in sync, your blood will flow providing vital energy to your muscles.. “Fluidity, grace, and ease are goals applied to all exercises. The energy of an exercise connects all body parts and flows through the body in an even way.”
Breathe – Encourage – Flow
Sounds good to me!