The New Year is underway and for many, resolutions are already waning. If the prospect of impersonal big-box health clubs doesn’t inspire you, there is hope.

A plaque that sits in the back of Yin Yang Pilates & Yoga offers one simple word: BELIEVE—which encapsulates the philosophy here. The intimate studio offers Pilates, yoga, and a host of other classes and programs to meet all your health fitness goals and needs. The atmosphere is warm and inviting where staff treats members like friends and family, and nurtures each individual on their personal wellness journey.

Owners Jamie and Avery Vaughn purchased the studio (in business for 13 years) last summer. They are passionate about continuing to offer the premier Pilates and yoga Yin Yang has become known for, while expanding to add even more fitness and wellness offerings.

“Avery and I have corporate jobs, and we were ready to purchase a small business of our own,” says Jaime, who works in management for a pharmaceutical company in Lake Zurich. “When we walked into this studio, we were pleasantly surprised at how warm and inviting it was. It seemed like such a positive place. We could see what it represented in health and fitness and knew this was an experience we wanted to be part of.”

So far, so good. In the past six months, the Vaughn’s have been careful to maintain all of the aspects that clients love about Yin Yang, while getting to know staff and members as they learned the business. With Pilates at the forefront, they quickly understood that the caliber and longevity of its instructors, and many clients who have been with the studio for years, are priceless aspects they don’t take for granted.

Pilates is a method of exercise that emphasizes proper postural alignment, core strength, and muscle balance. Yin Yang offers the STOTT Pilates Method through private, semi-private, and group reformer Pilates classes that book up regularly. With four group reformer machines and two Cadillac reformers, instructors can cater to the individual needs of clients at various price points. TRX is incorporated into some Pilates.

In the group exercise studio behind the Pilates room, Yin Yang offers yoga, Barre, Pilates mat, muscle conditioning, and much more.

“I teach muscle conditioning and fitness with a bit more cardio,” says Avery. As a human resources manager for a nearby biotech company, he is clearly a people person with abundant energy and enthusiasm.

“We offer three different spectrums of fitness here at Yin Yang,” he explains. “Cardio and muscle conditioning for strength and fitness; yoga for mind, body, and total well being; and Pilates, which is great for the whole body, including lengthening and stretching.”

And, the Vaughn’s are currently working on expanding in the same location to double (roughly) the size of Yin Yang. This will allow for more classes, a separate larger Pilates space (including Tower classes), and a larger studio for yoga and group fitness classes.

“We want to be careful about expanding to ensure we maintain the atmosphere here and keep the experience engaging for clients,” says Jaime.

One way they are engaging clients outside of classes is through special events and programs. Yin Yang recently hosted a Turkey Burn and a Pinot and Pilates evening that were both well-attended and fun. Just after the New Year, they kicked off Get Physical in partnership with All Ways Healthy (a neighboring health food store). And they offer gong bath mediations approximately every two months.

“We believe in partnering with other small businesses and giving back,” says Avery. Yin Yang has supported causes such as breast cancer awareness and cystic fibrosis, and will continue to fulfill their corporate and social responsibility and support the community where they live and work.

“A client gave us the BELIEVE plaque,” sums Jamie. “Everyone who comes in here wants to believe in the their health and wellness. For us, it means believing in ourselves by taking on this business. And for our clients, it’s about believing in us.”

Yin Yang Pilates & Yoga is located at 111 S. Rand Road in Lake Zurich, 847-719-1800, yinyangpilates.com.