Can you please tell us a bit about yourself personally?
My name is Emma Raser. My husband and I just had our first child last month! Our daughter Charlotte is just over 1 month old and we’re loving all of the newborn cuddles during this special time.
Where do you live in Greenwich and what do you love about Greenwich and your neighborhood?
I live in Old Greenwich. After exploring many towns across the East Coast to decide where we wanted to start our family, we determined there are very few places as special as Old Greenwich. We love the village feel, the walkability, access to Tod’s Point, and the family feel. We moved here from NYC in the fall of 2024.
Please tell us about Red Barn Pilates and what makes it unique?
Red Barn Pilates is a private Pilates studio in Old Greenwich that gets its name from the studio’s Red Barn structure. The exposed wooden beams, wood burning stove, and cardio plus Pilates equipment make it a serene escape and the ideal setting to get in a workout that makes your mind and body feel refreshed and strong.
Why Pilates over other types of exercise? Especially for Moms?
I’m a firm believer that any type of movement that makes you feel good is the best movement for you. That said, I love Pilates for myself and for Moms because the method’s emphasis on deep core strengthening and alignment supports Moms in any stage of motherhood, from prenatal, to getting your strength back post-partum, to carrying your growing toddler everywhere and feeling that one hip slowly losing its strength. Additionally, the focus on breath and moving with intention that Pilates inspires leaves me feeling mentally my best, which is something we all need while navigating motherhood.
How did you come to start Red Barn Pilates? What is your professional background?
While I work full time in marketing – though currently enjoying maternity leave – my love for movement turned into various part-time jobs in the fitness industry of the years. Since 2019 I’ve worked and taught at various studios in the city, including Flywheel, Solidcore, and others. In 2024 I realized I much prefer 1:1 coaching and wanted to start something on my own, so I completed my recertification in Reformer and Mat Pilates and started offering private sessions out of my home. I also received my certification in Pre and Post-Natal fitness in January of this year so that I could be more informed during my pregnancy journey and share that with my expecting and post-partum clients. It wasn’t until recently that the studio above our garage was retrofitted into a fitness space and Red Barn Pilates was born!
What are some of the biggest challenges women in particular face when it comes to feeling strong?
In my experience and in hearing from clients, a lot of women define ‘strong’ as a past version of themselves (often pre-children) or an unrealistic vision of being physically fit. It is easy for us to correlate strength with a certain body type, which can make it hard to feel strong and confident. I believe that feeling strong is more important than looking strong. We should honor our bodies in every season of life and I’ve found that when myself and my clients commit to finding time to move in a way that makes us feel good rather than focusing on things like how we look, time spent exercising, or counting calories, we feel our strongest selves.
Top 5 things a busy Mom could do to incorporate a bit of pilates into their day to day.
- Schedule it in! Maybe you wake up 20 mins early to fit in some movement or you book a class/session after school drop-off. But finding that window that works best for you and keeping that routine helps.
- Stay in your pajamas! I prefer to do my own Pilates sessions first thing in the morning. For me, rolling out of bed, making coffee, and hopping on the mat or reformer is the quickest way for me to get it done. That said, if a good workout set motivates you, lay it out the night before!
- Book a weekly class ahead of time and consider it your treat to yourself – it will quickly become something to look forward to each week and want to make time for.
- 5 minutes of movement is still movement that makes you feel good. Don’t stress about always finding time for a 30+ minute workout. Once you learn a few Pilates moves that you like, you can squeeze in 5 mins of core, arms, or legs anytime at home to give you that extra boost of feel-good energy.
- Love walking or running? Adding in 5-10 mins of Pilates before or after a stroller walk or a run is a great way to fit in some low-impact strength. Some moves might even look fun enough for your kid/s to join in on!
Committing to working out can be hard for busy Moms. Any tips?
Practice flexible discipline. Picking a time each week that works best for you to workout and sticking to it helps to build a routine that easily fits into your lifestyle. We also know things come up so give yourself grace when your workout time needs to shift or you miss it every now and then. Working out is meant to enhance our lives, physically and mentally, but missing a workout here and there should not be something we stress about.
How do you balance being a Mom and business owner?
As a new mom, I’m navigating many changes, including figuring out how to schedule clients and market my business between naps & feedings. I always go back to practicing flexible discipline and prioritizing what is most important. For example, I know the early hours of the day are my best shot at fitting in some movement or working on my website so I try and wake up before the morning feeding session to get done what I need to. But if I need the extra hour of sleep or if my daughter wakes up earlier than expected, I don’t look at it as lost time, but rather energy I give where it is needed the most.
I also focus on my why – which is my daughter! I want her to grow up watching me spend time pouring energy into what I love, which is moving my body and helping others do the same. That is my motivator on the busiest days and when balance feels impossible.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve gotten from another parent?
I often hear parents say, ‘enjoy the newborn stage before things get crazy!’, which honestly made me apprehensive about the next couple of years. Most recently though, a close mom friend told me to enjoy every stage of your child’s life as each one is just as amazing as the last or what’s to come.
What do you like to do to relax/have fun for yourself and as a family?
I love walking around Old Greenwich with my family and our dog! Getting outside daily, even in this cold weather, helps give me perspective and reminds me what is most important on days where the to-do lists feel overwhelming. Lately I’ve been loving hikes in Mianus River Park.
Anything else you’d like to share?
In addition to Pilates, I love to run! I have a treadmill in the studio and love incorporating power walks or sprints in between my Pilates sequences. I call these sessions the Run Method and they always give me a good endorphin boost. I hope to share this format with any client who feels comfortable with adding some cardio to their Pilates routine.
Learn more about Red Barn Pilates.
We love to support local businesses. What are your fave places when you are in Greenwich to:
Grab coffee: Sweet Pea’s
Workout: A run or walk around Tod’s Point
Go on a date night: Dinner at JuJu or a movie night at Townsend Greenwich
Go out for a girls night: I’m more of a girls afternoon person! I love a walk around Binney Park and then grabbing coffee and a treat at Birch in Old Greenwich.
Go out to dinner as a family: Kotobuki in Stamford for sushi night.
Get your hair done: Charme & Cheveaux Salon
Get your nails done: Pretty Nails Old Greenwich or Posh Spa
Have fun as a family: Taking a family walk to play fetch with our dog or finding a new hike to try.
