It's been a busy few weeks for Nancy Corrales, new owner of on 5215 in York Blvd.
On Nov. 22, Corrales heard through a mutual friend that Anatomy owners Jeff and Amy Cole would be moving on from the business.
Having a fitness background of her own--Corrales worked at Heartbeat House in Atwater Vilage--she decided to send the Cole's a message through Facebook, inquiring about their plans for the gym.
"I figured that I had nothing to lose," she said. "Four hours later, they responded to my message. It's been so quick."
Less than a month after he first communication with the Coles, Corrales sat at a desk inside Anatomy, readying for the studio's grand re-opening scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 7.
New Classes, Lower Prices
Through only under the Coles ownership for a few years, Anatomy had built a strong reputation in Highland Park, Corrales said.
"A lot of people were very sad that this place might be closing," she said.
However, she also heard that many of Anatomy's customers found the studio's prices prohibitive.
Corrales said she'll reducing the prices of all drop-in exercise classes from $17 to $14; yoga classes will be offered for $10.
"One woman had emailed me to say that she wanted to take Yoga in Highland Park, but was driving all the way to Silver Lake to take yoga classes because of the price."
Some things about Anatomy won't be changing, Corrales said. Jeff Cole will remain on staff to teach a few classes, as will many of the other trainers who had established relationships with clients at the studio.
Corrales said she'll also strive to maintain the warm, welcoming and non-threatening gym atmosphere that the Coles had created.
Zumbo and Pilates classes will remain on the docket, while new classes like Bollywood Dance and 'Yoga Booty Ballet' will be added.
Corrales said she also plans to offer a six week beginners ballet class, which will be taught by Catherine Round of C. Round's Downtown Ballet Works.
"I've dropped in to a few ballet classes and they're all very confusing with a teacher giving instructions in French," Corrales said. "This class is going to start from the very beginning, so students can go through the process of learning together."
Getting to Know the Neighborhood
A lifelong resident of Los Feliz--Corrales attended Marshall High and King Middle Schools--Anatomy's new owners said she's still familiarizing herself with Highland Park.
"I love it here, when you walk down the street people are so nice and friendly," she said. "Everybody seems to know everybody else, and I want to make that part of how the business runs."
Corrales said she'll be offering Anatomy as a studio space on Second Saturday Gallery Nights and offering reduced price dance classes for Highland Park's population of senior citizens.
She's also committed to offering community service opportunities through the studio, she said.
During Anatomy's grand opening, for example, clients will be able to enter a raffle for free classes by donating a canned good.
Corrales said she's also planning to coordinate group volunteer outings to the L.A. Mission Downtown.
"Fitness is about bringing your life into balance," Corrales said. "Fitness, family, service to your community are all part of that--I think it would be nice if people could bring all those things into balance at Anatomy."
