Living well with Lisa Palmer

This month is all about the power of being a women.

March celebrates International Women’s Day, celebrating women that inspire other women and women who create a community to support one another.

It is always so wonderful to be surrounded by a community of powerfully inspired women, especially in the world of health and fitness.

I met Lisa many years ago when I moved back to South Africa and it was so great to see an internationally accredited and internationally moving studio.

The one thing besides her natural talent of teaching and knowledge was her warmth and absolute love for life, her furry animals and her daughter Jess.  Her new studio in Sea Point, Cape Town is her new project and I can’t wait to get there and visit.

Lisa is the founder of The Movement Lab and was the first STOTT PILATES instructor trainer and  licensed training centre in South Africa.  She has been an integral part of the Merrithew Health & Fitness team since 2004 and has travelled abroad and studied extensively in Toronto, London and Spain to share her knowledge with the South African market.

Here is what Living Well means to her……

Living well means……..

Being happy and healthy and to have special people in our lives to share that with.

I can’t start my morning without……

Cuddles with my family (human & furry) and then my coffee

What brings you the most joy?

My daughter, Jess; my animals, my friends, my business, good food (and wine), swimming in the sea, lying on the beach with a great book and travelling to unique places.

Current mantra that I live by……..

Treat everyone the same, with love & kindness, and always remembering that we are all going through our own individual journeys that may involve pain. So tread lightly and with care.

I stay inspired by always………

Challenging myself and my boundaries, to think “out the box”.  My daughter Jess has been a huge source of inspiration in so many ways.

I fell in love with fitness……..

Because of the way it makes me feel, movement makes me happy and positive.  It keeps me strong mentally and physically.  I also want to be mobile and have the freedom to move freely and pain free for as long as possible.

My favourite pilates move (at the moment)…..

I am loving the 30cm stability ball and the gentle movements that encourage mobilisation of the spine and hips (specifically the fascial release movements that ZEN*GA facilitates)

Wellness spots I love in Cape Town………

There is a Thai massage place next door to our studio in Sea Point that I love for a quick de-stress stretch, the wellness retreat at Babylonstoren is on my bucket list for when I had the time to recharge and relax.

My current favourite exercise wear……..

Nulu and Fit Clothing, both local brands make use of incredible fabrics and the fit is perfect.

What advice would you give any young business owner?

Believe in yourself, if you have something good to offer it will work.  Don’t be afraid to make changes in your life.  You can make anything happen, be passionate about your work and hard work pays off.

This article was written by Donah Rosser and originally  appeared here