SL_HeatherGrutzmacher_People_1_20_Reg4_Dept 1 / 14 / 20 9 : 07 AM Page 1 P E O P L E Growing with the Flow Buddha - Bar owner Heather Grutzmacher nurtures a community devoted to wellness , kindness , and expanding horizons . also provides life coaching and personal de - BY MINDY TORAN velopment classes at the studio . “ Her classes promote positive self - image , self - love , and The Buddha - Bar in Elkins Park is hardly a traditional yoga studio . This believing in yourself . The messages and fact becomes apparent the moment one steps through the door and mantras she shares in class always seem to hears , “ Good morning , darlings . How are we doing today ? ” resonate at the right time . Attending Heather’s This typical greeting falls from the lips of Heather Grutzmacher , owner of the distinctive class is like spending an hour with a friend space , which offers yoga , Pilates , Barre , dance , and a variety of other classes . As hits from who truly cares about you , encourages you , pop artists such as Madonna , Lady Gaga , and Arianna Grande play , Grutzmacher welcomes and accepts you just the way you are . ” her “ tribe ” to the studio for her special blend of practice and perspective . Known for her magnetic personality and infectious enthusiasm , Grutzmacher challenges Making Connections clients to step out of their comfort zones . By doing so , she says , people can heal their Grutzmacher recently began expanding her bodies and grow in their personal and professional endeavors . reach into the corporate world , with the ad - “ I view my classes as a kind of movement therapy , ” says Grutzmacher , who graduated dition of tailored wellness programs designed with a B.F.A . in dance from Temple University . “ I wanted to become a physical therapist to foster a healthier work force and inspire when I was at Temple , but I couldn’t sit still for my classes , so I decided to become a dance personal and professional growth . In May , major . I am grateful that my life as a dancer eventually led me to yoga , which is a form of she introduced the Drop & Gimme Zen cor - movement therapy , and movement is a form of healing . ” porate wellness program at Patient Care Co - ordination , a Philadelphia - based services ‘ A Friend Who Cares ’ provider for individuals with disabilities and Prior to opening the Buddha - Bar ( buddhabar215 . com ) in November 2014 , Grutzmacher older adults , staffed by case managers and gained experience in the fitness industry at the Newtown Athletic Club and AFC Fitness social workers . The goal : to help PCC’s staff locations in Jenkintown and Bala Cynwyd . In the process , she “ learned about all the facets members better serve their clients by taking of running a fitness business from the clubs , but I missed teaching , ” she says . The better care of themselves . opportunity eventually arose at AFC to teach a fusion class combining cardio and strength “ As clinicians , we don’t typically think of training and core exercises , which became a big hit with members . She also provided ourselves , ” says Paul S . Rimar , PCC’s executive private Pilates sessions and facilitated kids ’ programs at the club . director . “ We’re more focused on taking Over time , she saw the corporate fitness model beginning to change , so she decided to care of others . This program incorporates branch out on her own . Fortuitously , she had spent years building a community of people Pilates , yoga , health , and wellness into the who could provide support and encouragement . She had been spending summers at the office environment , and has inspired our Jersey Shore , for example , teaching Barre classes at The Zen Den Yoga Studio in Margate ar staff to focus on their own health and well - B City , N.J . , through which she had developed relationships with many of her clients and the ha - being . It also shows our participants that we businesses they owned . udd take care of our staff as well . ” “ Everything just kind of developed and evolved naturally , ” says Grutzmacher . “ It’s not B e As Grutzmacher’s reach has expanded h like I had a plan and wrote out a list . One of my connections led me to the space in T of into the work force , she has continued to Yorktown Plaza in Elkins Park , which became my studio . I called it the Buddha - Bar esy expand her support system . For example , t because it’s not just a yoga studio . We offer a whole menu of healthcare and lifestyle our she has teamed up with Philadelphia - based choices , including yoga , Pilates , Barre , dance , nutrition counseling , meditation , kids ’ art c h Amrita Yoga & Wellness , with locations in p programs , coaching , and workshops . It’s evolved into a place of healing and a supportive gra Fishtown and the Graduate Hospital area , to hoto community . ” help support her growing community . “ Heather’s positivity is contagious , ” adds Lena Khavinson , a Buddha - Bar client who P SUBURBANLIFEMAGAZINE.COM JANUARY 2020 16 |