White Cloud Pilates celebrates 20 years in Cleveland Heights

Troy McCarty, owner of White Cloud, and Raudel Napoles, general manager, stand beside a Pilates reformer.

Troy McCarty, local resident and owner of White Cloud Studio (WCS), is celebrating more than 20 years in the Cedar Fairmount neighborhood of Cleveland Heights. McCarty began teaching Pilates in 1989, drawing on his professional dance career and his own Pilates training. Since then, he has grown his original Lakewood studio and opened studios in Cleveland Heights and Chagrin Falls. He has 14 coaches and an active teacher training program.

White Cloud Studios boasts a wide range of equipment to accommodate an increasing number of Pilates devotees. WCS has spread Pilates not only throughout Greater Cleveland, but also in Canada, Cuba, Portugal, Italy, England and China by way of McCarty-trained coaches. McCarty named the studio for “the big white clouds in the sky and the way they float so gracefully.”

Many of White Cloud’s clients use Pilates as an alternative to physical therapy. Rose Metzger, a Cleveland Clinic endocrinologist, began Pilates as a last-ditch effort to ease persistent low back pain. “I was a bit apprehensive about Pilates in the beginning, she said. “I wasn't sure I would like the reformers [exercise equipment], and didn't want to be limited by having to use them.”

But Metzger put her worry aside, took three introductory classes, followed up with a group class and hasn’t stopped since. “I was surprised at what a complete, whole-body workout I was getting. Classes were tiring, and left me sore all over, but in a really good way. It took a bit of time, but within a few months I started to realize that my back pain was almost gone.”

Each studio prides itself on the staff’s professionalism, ability and accessibility. All White Cloud coaches have had Balanced Body® Pilates training and have apprenticed with McCarty for six months. McCarty ensures that clients receive individualized attention. Raudel Napoles, general manager, adds zest and humor to each workout.

"Raudel keeps me coming back to White Cloud,” said Chastity Embrescia. “He has a fun personality and his class is a great, tough workout. You feel welcomed and cared about, but they also know how to push you to do your best. It's hard work, but fun at the same time and you see results from each workout."

Other White Cloud enthusiasts include local college and professional athletes, ballet dancers, and the United Arab Emirates royal family. Most clients visit the studio more than once a week for group classes or for private instruction to complement their other exercise activities.

McCarty has added Saturday morning group classes, as well as new workshops: Pilates Logic and Provoking Motion. He recently produced educational videos, “Pilates Anytime” and “Pilates Fusion,” which will soon be available online for teachers. The December launch of an improved website makes enrolling in classes even easier.

The Cleveland Heights White Cloud studio is located at 2460 Fairmount Blvd. For more information, call 216-221-9998 or go to www.whitecloudstudios.com.

Erin Hobey

Erin Hobey is a client at White Cloud and a writer living in Shaker Heights.

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Volume 7, Issue 1, Posted 2:27 PM, 01.02.2014