Corridos and Pilates: How a Latina-led space widens access
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Sisters Daysi Lozano (left) and Genesis Garcia (right) at a recent Mamacitas del Mat class. Photos: Courtesy of Mamacitas del Mat
Banda and corridos pulse through Mamacitas del Mat, a Pilates series in San Antonio blending movement and culture to make the practice feel more inclusive.
Why it matters: Pilates has widely recognized health benefits, but high costs and marketing that sells it as a luxury fitness experience can be barriers for some.
Zoom in: Sisters Daysi Lozano and Genesis Garcia launched Mamacitas del Mat in September after experiencing how isolating traditional Pilates classes can feel.
- During one session they attended, they befriended a woman who didn't speak English and stepped in as translators as she struggled to navigate the class.
What they're saying: "Shared cultural references help people feel seen and at home," Lozano tells Axios. "When the music, language, and energy reflect who you are, the experience becomes more personal and empowering."
The big picture: National fitness experts say Pilates' association with boutique studios and luxury branding has shaped who feels welcome in those spaces.
- Locally, monthly Pilates studio memberships can cost up to $360, depending on how many classes are included. Single classes are usually around $30.
- "High price points, intimidating studio aesthetics, lack of language access, and narrow marketing imagery all quietly signal, 'This isn't for you,'" Araceli De Leon, a content and education manager at the American Council on Exercise, tells Axios.
Case in point: Criticism of Pilates' image has played out on TikTok, where a local content creator lost her job after suggesting classes should have a weight limit, and Pilates instructor Raven Ross apologized after likening classes to luxury brands.
Between the lines: De Leon says Latinas in particular often view exercise as "indulgent" when weighed against the multigenerational caregiving responsibilities many carry.
- "Making Pilates accessible in community-centered, culturally familiar spaces helps reframe movement as something supportive rather than indulgent," she says.
The bottom line: "Accessibility isn't about lowering standards, it's about widening the doorway," De Leon tells Axios.
What's next: The group's next event, Mamacitas and Mamalonas, is happening Saturday. It includes a live grupo concert, shopping and, of course, Pilates.
- Tickets are $50, though past classes have cost about $20.
- Instruction is in English, with Spanish translation available.