When Sōma Pilates first opened its doors in Ottawa’s west end, founder Shima Taheri had a simple goal: create a space where movement felt empowering and personal.
What began as a single studio built from passion has quickly grown into one of the city’s most recognizable reformer Pilates brands.
Now, just a few years after launching, Sōma is celebrating another milestone with the opening of its third location in Orléans.
For Shima, the studio’s growth reflects something deeper than the popularity of Pilates itself.
“I think what people are really responding to is the community we’ve built at Sōma,” she explains. “Coming here isn’t just a workout. It’s a space where people feel seen, supported, and encouraged.”
That sense of belonging has become one of the studio’s defining qualities. Clients arrive for the reformer classes but often stay for the environment that surrounds them. Instructors learn names, celebrate progress, and create an atmosphere that blends discipline with encouragement.
“We genuinely care about every single person who walks through our doors,” Shima says. “Watching our clients grow stronger, more confident, and more connected to themselves is what it’s all about.”
From the beginning, that philosophy shaped what the Sōma experience would be.
“The Sōma experience is rooted in authenticity,” she says. “People can feel the difference between something built from passion versus something that’s just following a trend.”
Each instructor shares that same commitment. Classes combine classical Pilates principles with contemporary movement, with an emphasis on meeting clients where they are.
Whether someone is stepping onto a reformer for the first time or returning as a longtime member, the focus remains the same: purposeful movement in a welcoming environment.
As Sōma has expanded, maintaining that feeling has remained a priority.
“Growth was always part of the vision,” Shima says. “But never at the expense of what makes Sōma special.”
Many clients are surprised to learn the studio isn’t backed by a large corporate fitness group. Behind the brand is a small team that has grown alongside the community it serves.
Each location is designed to feel like a natural extension of the original studio. The aesthetic remains soft and modern, while the atmosphere stays warm and personal.
The journey hasn’t been without challenges.
Shortly after opening the first studio, and the birth of her first baby, Shima discovered a clause in the lease allowing the landlord to terminate the agreement with just 60 days’ notice. Within seven months of opening, she had to find a new location, renovate it, and move the studio without interrupting classes.
“It was extremely stressful,” she recalls. “But it ended up being a blessing. We found a bigger and better location.”
The experience reinforced the importance of the community that had formed around the studio.
With two successful locations now operating, expanding east felt like the natural next step.
“We’ve had so much demand from that side of the city,” Shima says. “Orléans aligned perfectly with our goal of making Sōma more accessible to our community.”
The new studio also carries a bit of history. Shima had originally viewed the space the previous year but lost it to another tenant. When the opportunity came around again, it felt like a full-circle moment.
While each Sōma location develops its own energy, certain elements remain constant.
“The experience, our instructors, the level of care, and the feeling you get when you walk into the space,” Shima says. “That’s always the priority.”
As the studio continues to grow, Shima is also preparing for another personal milestone: welcoming her second child.
Looking ahead, she defines success simply.
“If we can continue to build a strong community, create meaningful experiences for our clients, and stay true to our values,” she says, “then that’s success.”
At Sōma, Pilates has always been about more than movement. It’s about helping people reconnect with themselves, and with each other.
