Studio Qila founder Bridget O’Carroll talks about why she created a Native-owned digital fitness platform.

Im an Exercise PhysiologistHeres Why You Shouldnt Worry About Cortisol Spikes When You Do HIIT Workouts.

Why do you move?

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For years, OCarroll moonlighted as an instructor at boutique fitness studios likesolidcorewhile working a full-time job at Uber.

The week the pandemic hit the U.S., OCarroll was scheduled to teach her debutSLT class.

Just like that:Studio Qila, the first Native-owned digital fitness platform, was born.

image of a person doing a low lunge yoga pose in a pink sports bra and matching leggings on their blue yoga mat in the middle of their living room, learning the best yoga poses for your zodiac sign

founder of Studio Qila

The word Qila means spirit in the languageAlutiiq: an Alaska Native language spoken in western and southwestern Alaska.

Studio Qila came out of me reconnecting with my Alaska Native background, says OCarroll.

I am trying to build representation for Native people in the wellness space.

A young black woman doing post-run stretches in the park on the road amidst green grass and trees.

Growing up, OCarroll felt deeply in touch with her Native Alaskan heritage.

Year after year, she attended intergenerational camps designed to help indigenous people connect in a community setting.

I would learn about beading.

woman sweating in the gym

Wed make moccasins and masks.

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Eventually, it got to the point where I felt like I really wanted to re-embrace that.

Happy woman dancing and listening to music near a green empty wall outdoor in the city.

2020 in particular was an awakening in so many ways, especially with theBlack Lives Mattermovement.

At Studio Qila, our method is centered around pushing through discomfort so you can create change.

I am trying to build representation for Native people in the wellness space.

Tara Davis-Woodhall of Team United States celebrates with husband Hunter Woodhall after winning the gold medal in the Women’s Long Jump Final on day thirteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 08, 2024 in Paris, France.

Bridget OCarroll, founder of Studio Qila

The spirit portion of Studio Qila is also hugely important to OCarroll.

It pushes you out of your comfort zone.

And so much of that is a mental challenge.

Healthy female training in the gym, performing a hip thrust.

Her style is characterized by repetitive, tiny moves thattarget muscles you didnt even know existed.

Her approach feels holisticand maybe thats something so many of us are missing in our workouts right now.

Maybe we need to know that movement can meanmore.More than a good sweat.

More than an individual experience.

More than an agnostic pursuit.

Well+Good readers can try their first Studio Qila class for free.

Use code WELLANDGOOD at checkout.

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