Edith Bourne describes her new fitness studio in Hurricane as an "island of fitness in the ocean of stress."
Her Isla Bonita Fitness Studio, which opened recently at 3544 Teays Valley Road (across from Hurricane City Park and behind the Ace Hardware store), is a place where, under one roof, people can reduce stress through a number of fitness courses, including cardio fitness, Zumba, yoga, "Isla body toning," belly dancing and ballroom dancing, to name just a few.
And Bourne, who is a native of Peru, is open to starting classes in other fitness disciplines, if enough people show an interest and there are instructors for them.
"The studio is open to anyone who wants a class. Other instructors can come in," Bourne said.
Isla Bonita, which means "beautiful island," is designed to be a refuge for not only getting fit but also for socializing. And memberships are not required.
"Once you pass through that door, you're in a different world," Bourne said.
Bourne is well known in the area as a Zumba instructor. As a native of Latin America, she brings her cultural background in "Latin rhythm fitness," which is the basis of Zumba, to Isla Bonita Fitness Studio.
"I have taught Zumba for five years in Teays Valley, Cross Lanes and in Charleston. It's based on Latin music. For people who like dancing, it's a good workout," she said.
At Isla Bonita, Zumba is offered at several levels, including Zumba Gold for beginners and senior citizens and "Zumbatomic," a program designed for children.
Visitors to Isla Bonita Fitness can also take part in ballroom dancing, belly dance basics, belly dance fitness, "Boot Camp" and "Combat Cardio." And in April, the studio will begin offering TRX Suspension Training, which combines cardio and strength training using resistance bands.
Bourne also plans to begin offering a personal training program in April or earlier.
In keeping with the refuge from stress theme, licensed massage therapist Pam Ooten offers Massage By Pam in a separate room inside Isla Bonita. Bourne said Massage By Pam is offered by appointment only. Call 304-437-3155.
Growing up in Peru, Bourne became involved in fitness through her father, who was a sports trainer and owned a gym.
"When I was 17 I started working with my dad," she said.
By working with her father, she learned about a range of fitness regimens, including weight lifting, aerobics and even karate. Against that backdrop, she discovered her true calling.
"I enjoy motivating people to work out."
Bourne's Isla Bonita Fitness Studio offers an attractive venue for classes. It features a large, open area for Zumba and other classes, a waiting area with a flat-screen television, private massage room, office and restroom.
By April, she plans to have a retail store where apparel, beverages, snacks, as well as books and magazines related to fitness, will be available.
She is also making her studio available for party rentals, such as children's birthday parties. Bourne can even arrange to have Zumba-themed children's birthday parties.
Visitors can also stop in at Unique Physique, which shares space with Isla Bonita. Unique Physique has Slender You Toning Beds and a Red Light Rejuvenation bed.
For more information about Isla Bonita Fitness Studio, call 304-397-6571 or 304-881-7564 (cell). The e-mail address is edithbourne@islabonitafirnessstudio.com.
A website, www.islabonita fitnessstudio.com, is under construction.