Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Noda.
Hi Anna, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Florecer really started from my own experience with Pilates and wanting to create something that I felt was missing.
I’m a first-generation Latina, born and raised in Nashville, and I have Cuban and Mexican roots. When I found Pilates, I really fell in love with it. I loved how it made me feel stronger, but also how intentional the movement was. As I got more into it and eventually became certified to teach, I started thinking more about the kind of space I wanted to create.
I didn’t always feel like I saw myself represented in the Pilates and wellness world. Sometimes Pilates can also feel a little intimidating or exclusive, whether that’s because of the cost, the environment, or just not feeling like you belong there. I kept thinking, “What would it look like if I created a space where people actually felt welcomed and comfortable being themselves?”
That’s really where Florecer came from.
“Florecer” means “to bloom” in Spanish, and I loved that because it felt like so much more than just a Pilates name. I wanted Florecer to be about growing, becoming stronger, trying new things, and creating a community where people can come as they are.
I started really small. I was working, going to school, and figuring everything out at the same time, so Florecer has definitely been something I’ve built little by little. I started teaching classes and then began creating different events and collaborations around Nashville. I’ve loved being able to bring in things that feel like me too—Latino music, culture, local businesses, coffee, food, wellness, and just making movement feel fun.
One of my favorite things about building Florecer has been realizing that it can be bigger than just Pilates. I want to be able to use this space to support other people, small businesses, different causes, and my community. Even with some of the events I’ve done, I’ve been able to partner with other women and businesses and find ways to give back, which is something I really want to continue doing.
I’m still very much in the beginning stages, and I’m learning as I go. I think that’s actually a big part of why the name Florecer means so much to me. I’m building this while I’m also growing myself.
I think at the end of the day, I’m creating the space that I wish I had seen more of growing up. And I’m really excited to see where it goes.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not! I think one of the biggest struggles has been trying to build Florecer while also working, going to school, and figuring out my own life at the same time. There have definitely been moments where I’ve questioned whether I’m doing enough or if I’m moving fast enough.
Another challenge has been learning everything that comes with starting something on your own. I’m not just teaching Pilates. I’m also learning the business side, marketing, social media, event planning, networking, budgeting, and figuring out how to make everything work financially. A lot of it has been learning as I go, and sometimes that can feel overwhelming.
I’ve also had to be patient with myself. When you have a vision for something, it’s easy to look at where you want to be and feel like you’re not there yet. I have a much bigger vision for Florecer than what it is right now, and I’ve had to remind myself that starting small doesn’t mean I’m not making progress.
But honestly, I think the challenges have made me care about Florecer even more. They’ve forced me to slow down, learn, ask for help, and remember why I started in the first place. I’m still figuring it out, but I think there’s something really special about building something from the ground up and watching it slowly become what you imagined.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a Pilates instructor and the founder of Florecer Wellness, a community-centered Pilates and wellness brand based in Nashville. I specialize in creating beginner-friendly, intentional movement experiences that feel welcoming rather than intimidating.
What I really love is creating experiences around Pilates, not just teaching a workout. I’ve done themed classes, community events, collaborations with local businesses, and events that bring together movement, music, culture, and wellness. Being able to incorporate my Latina background and the things I genuinely love into what I’m building has been really important to me. I want people to feel like they can see themselves in the space.
I think what sets Florecer apart is that community is at the center of it. I’m not trying to create a space that feels exclusive or like you have to already be “a Pilates person” to belong. I want someone who has never taken a Pilates class before to feel just as comfortable walking into one of my classes as someone who has been doing Pilates for years.
I’m also really proud of the fact that I’ve been able to build this from the ground up while working, going to school, and figuring out the business side along the way. It’s still growing, but I’ve already been able to create collaborations, bring people together, support other small businesses, and use Florecer as a way to give back to causes that are important to me.
I think what I’m most proud of is that Florecer feels like me. It came from wanting to create something I personally felt was missing. My goal is for people to leave a Florecer class feeling stronger, more confident, and maybe even a little more connected to themselves and the people around them.
For me, Florecer is really about creating a space where people can move, connect, and grow.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
A lot of things make me happy, but I think what makes me happiest is feeling connected—to people, to my community, and to the things I’m passionate about.
I love being around the people I care about, finding little things to look forward to, discovering new places, listening to music, and just having moments where I can slow down and enjoy where I am. I’m someone who really appreciates the little things.
I also get a lot of happiness from creating. Whether that’s putting together a Pilates class, coming up with an event idea, supporting another small business, or just bringing an idea I’ve had in my head to life, I love seeing something go from an idea to something real that other people can enjoy.
Seeing people connect through Florecer makes me really happy. There’s something so special about creating a space where people who may have never met before can come together, move, laugh, and feel comfortable being themselves. That’s one of the biggest reasons I keep doing what I’m doing.
I think happiness for me is really about feeling like what I’m doing has meaning, while still being able to enjoy the people, experiences, and little moments along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://florecerwellness.co/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/florecerwellness?stkn=c3Jyc2N5ZTlsZGtu&utm_source=qr
