A Beautiful SurpriZe

My passion is helping others look and feel their best!  My first love is to teach. I teach how to move not only more efficiently but with a new found love for your body by connecting physically and mentally.  I am so grateful to be able to offer a space for healing in my hometown of Herriman. I have been in business for 16 years, this is my 17th year of teaching Pilates.  I have always been active as a dancer, cheerleader, and runner. However, it wasn't until I discovered Pilates and The Rossiter System that I was able to truly shape my body and become injury AND pain free.  In fact, The Rossiter System is the only thing (medication, therapies, etc) that has completely erased over 2 decades of migraines.

After years of cheerleading, lifting too heavy in the gym and several whiplash injuries, I suffered vertebral bulges and severe disc pain etc.  My belief in Pilates is rooted deep, because every time I start feeling the aches and pains of past injuries it is because I haven't been practicing what I preach...and I start taking Pilates classes again in my own studio.  ;-). I understand the body well, I have held several certifications and am a constant student by enrolling in continuiing education, well continuosly. Teaching Pilates to me means helping others learn how to move so they can wake up feeling refreshed, get down on the floor and play with their kids, have mental energy to complete work projects and still have endurance at the end of the day for time with their husbands.  I offer modifications so any body in any state can do Pilates. I believe in intuitively teaching one how to move while having the knowledge to support it.  I know what it takes to achieve goals, after each baby I gained and lost 100, 80 and 60lbs respectively. I began my Pilates journey as a personal trainer, after learning Pilates and discovering it's benefits, I teach Pilates 100% of the time.  I believe in the method. I have seen it change lives time and time again. My youngest client is 12 and my eldest is 101! From rehab patients to elite athletes...Pilates is for EVERYbody! By specializing in small group, attention to detail can be given to each client each session ensuring results and a super fun workout amongst other like minded individuals.  I am committed to creating a space where you can become physically, mentally and emotionally joyful.

When I am not teaching nor tending A Beautiful SurpriZe; I love to spend time with my husband, Sepeti and our 3 children; Darius, Grace & Leila.  Being outdoors and soaking up the sun in any capacity is the best pastime for me.  I also love the ocean, any ocean, I'm pretty sure I'm part fish even though I'm not the greatest swimmer.  

I was the awkward adolescent and young adult who struggled with poor body image. I wasn’t a great dancer, even though my mother was a ballerina. I hated exercise. Even the thought of doing the mile run in PE class gave me serious anxiety. A local community college offered group fitness and from there I was hooked. I loved the camaraderie of people exercising together, so I became a personal trainer and yoga instructor in 2000. Since then I taught other formats including step aerobics, strength training, HIIT, sculpting, kickboxing, and Zumba; yet my true love for learning was found in yoga and mat pilates.

When I was introduced to pilates on the reformer, it was love at first sight. The mat exercises I taught for years suddenly made so much more sense. I began to understand the true genius of the Pilates method. My body truly felt transformed, in spite of middle age and after having four children. I left each session feeling energized and refreshed. Finally, a movement practice I could do for the rest of my life!

I love helping students in all stages of experience; it’s so rewarding to witness them feeling and moving better with every session. I’ve loved meeting and working with everyone at the studio; at ABSz, Chantel creates a welcoming, supportive space for our amazing community of students. I hope to meet and work with you soon! 

When I’m not teaching/practicing/preparing for class or running a busy household: I love to read and learn, bullet journal, upcycle furniture, paint/refinish household objects, and practice hand lettering. And watch cheesy 80’s/90’s comedy movies (suggestions are always appreciated!).

I recently moved to Utah but I’m originally from Ohio (Go Buckeyes!). My husband is active duty so we have lived in several states. I work full time as a cyber security engineer but before that I was in the Army for 6 years. In my free time you can find me adventuring somewhere outdoors. I started doing Pilates in hopes of managing my lower back pain and endocrine disorder with a low impact exercise. After a few months I was finally able to stand for more than 30 minutes without back pain and I learned how to breath properly to reduce times when feeling stressed. I was a cheerleader and gymnast for years and have always loved maintaining my flexibility and agility. My flexibility has definitely improved back to the level of when I was younger since regularly practicing Pilates. I enjoy helping people and I hope to help others feel better like Pilates has done for me.

Kara Heugly started her movement journey in the world of competitive gymnastics and dance.  Kara studied Dance Education while at Brigham Young University and has continued to teach dance and acro/tumbling for 30 years. She currently owns an acro/tumbling studio in addition to teaching for other studios around the Salt Lake Valley.  Kara loves movement and helping people find ways to move in their bodies. Pilates movement and principles have been such a gift to her along her journey and she is excited to continue learning, teaching and moving.