Member News
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Balanced Birch Studio Celebrates 5 Magical Years in North Amherst's Mill District
North Amherst, MA — Balanced Birch Studio is celebrating five magical years of movement, growth, and community in North Amherst’s Mill District.
Founded by Mary Ellen Liacos, the studio was born from a desire to create a career that mirrors both creativity and rigor. After a professional dance career, Liacos discovered a deep love for teaching while working in public schools. That passion found lasting direction through Classical Pilates and GYROTONIC®, which provided the tools and language to support a lifelong practice of movement education.
When the pandemic brought Liacos to Western Massachusetts, the opportunity to open Balanced Birch Studio soon followed. What began as a small, intentional offering—virtual sessions and classes held in the Beacon Apartments “Zen Den,” a meditation space just large enough for a few mats—quickly evolved. Within months, the studio grew into a fully equipped Classical Pilates apparatus space.
Initially led solely by its founder, Balanced Birch has since expanded into a thriving Teacher Training Center for Classical Pilates USA™, with a knowledgeable team of instructors and a group of promising apprentices. In November 2026, the studio reached a major milestone, doubling its space within the Mill District. This expansion has allowed for increased group class offerings and a wider range of community events.
Today, in addition to BBS’ private session offerings in Classical Pilates and GYROTONIC® Exercise, the studio offers Pilates mat, GYROKINESIS®, and Pilates Tower classes, bringing the dynamic resistance and feedback of apparatus work—particularly the Cadillac—into a group setting. All sessions include thoughtful verbal cueing, demonstration, and hands-on adjustments designed to support alignment, deepen body awareness, and help clients access movement safely and effectively.
The expansion also introduced a dedicated treatment room, now home to two practitioners: Tidal Flow Bodymechanics, offering craniosacral therapy, and Efficiency Physio, offering physical therapy.
Balanced Birch Studio continues to cultivate a mindful, supportive, and engaged community. Clients, instructors, and apprentices grow together through a shared commitment to movement and learning.
To mark this milestone, Balanced Birch Studio is excited to host an Open House Weekend on October 2nd and 3rd. The celebration will culminate in an evening gathering under the stars in the Mill District’s new tented space at 134 Cowls Road, featuring music, dancing, wine, raffle items and delicious offerings from local favorites Provisions, 3 Amigos and Carefree Cakery and more! The studio warmly invites the community to join in celebrating, moving together, and stepping into the next chapter.
Looking ahead, the studio aims to further serve its community by helping individuals feel stronger, more confident, and more at home in their bodies. Balanced Birch remains committed to being a welcoming and inclusive space while expanding its community offerings of workshops, educational lectures with wellness practitioners and collaborations with local businesses and creative gatherings.
About Balanced Birch Studio
Balanced Birch Studio is a Classical Pilates and GYROTONIC® Exercise studio located in North Amherst’s Mill District. The studio offers private sessions, group classes, teacher training, and wellness services, all rooted in intentional movement, clear instruction, and individualized support.
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Under the Same Sky: Celebrating 5 Years Strong Together
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