Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Escobedo.
Stephanie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My background has always been in dance; I began taking dance lessons at age 4. Moving my body was a ritual, I could never sit still, I always wanted to dance. After getting my Bachelor of Fine Arts in teaching dance from Columbia, I was looking for other mediums to teach movement and that’s when I discovered group fitness. I’ve been teaching group fitness classes around Chicago since 2009 with women’s fitness being my speciality. I try to blend the worlds between dance and fitness to create a class centered around balance, stability, strength and flexibility. It’s so rewarding to be able to inspire people to push themselves and feel the body-mind-spirit benefits from exercise.
My husband and I, founded Through the Body in June of 2016. We wanted to create a fitness studio that reflected our passions; fitness and rock music. We wanted to create an atmosphere that was centered around community, centered around welcoming the fitness rebels who want a safe space to be themselves and take risks. We offer dance cardio classes to inspire your inner dancer and rock star strength training classes to inspire your inner rocker.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Owning your own business is hard! There are definitely challenges you’re going to face and bumps in the road, but the thing you have to remind yourself is the why. Why did you go after your dreams in the first place? Keep your mind focused on why you do this and don’t let anything make you question yourself. Having a support system or people to talk to when you’re stressed or facing an issue is always helpful! I also try to spend time meditating; having a clear head helps you focus on what’s important.
Please tell us about Through the Body Dance & Fitness.
Through the Body is your one stop shop when it comes to boutique group fitness classes. We offer cardio dance classes so, you can sweat while you’re having a good time focusing on choreography. We offer various types of strength training classes as well as our restorative class, Yogalates. Everything is centered around our passion for staying active and our passion for music. Each class has a carefully crafted playlist. If you like New Wave, take Yogalates. If you love Glam Rock come to Asset Medicine or Hellz F’n Bellez.
The class we are most known for, is Hellz F’n Bellez, our 60-minute strength training class that is centered around using the kettle bell. This class is one of our signature classes that you’ll only find at Through the Body. The best part? While you’re working hard in this class, you’re going to hear only the best Glam Rock and 80’s hair metal tunes. Hell F’n Bellez targets your entire body and you get your cardio with short cardio bursts. It’s one of my favorite cause it makes everyone feel like a badass. You should leave every class feeling like the strongest, most badass version of yourself.
Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
This is such an amazing time to be a woman! We are pushing the barriers and proving that women can do anything! I don’t think there are any opportunities women are well positioned for; we can do anything we want, we are well positioned for anything. As long as you have a dream and a desire to do it… it’s possible!
Pricing:
- Monthly Unlimited Membership $99
- First Class Offer $10
- Private Lesson with Stephanie $85
Contact Info:
- Address: 1819 W Grand Ave Suite 2o1
Chicago, IL 60622 - Website: Throughthebody.com
- Phone: (773)630-5883
- Email: Info@throughthebody.com
- Instagram: @throughthebody
- Facebook: facebook.com/throughthebody
Image Credit:
Idalia Cardona, Alexander Derrick
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