After a summer of frustrating construction and permitting delays that pushed back its debut, Swet Studio, located at 480 Tremont Street at Castle Square, introduced itself with flair and flourish on Saturday, October 3 in a grand opening featuring dance-inspired exercise demonstrations, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, tasty, healthful appetizers and a fashion show set to driving DJ beats. Swet owner and fitness guru Silviya Mihaylova reported attendance of over 150 people throughout the all-day event, which offered free classes during the day and dance performances, the fashion show and ribbon-cutting between 6:00 and 8:00 PM. "Our grand opening event and the fashion show generated a fantastic turnout. We had a bunch of new sign-ups, and I could not be happier with the day," Mihaylova said via e-mail.
The LGBT-friendly fitness facility, which offers novel, out-of-the-box exercise classes, activities and equipment, had its soft opening in September. Jessie Zimmerer, legislative director and South End liaison for state senator Sonia Chang-Diaz, stood in for Chang-Diaz who recently had a baby, mingling with guests and offering remarks at the ribbon cutting. Zimmerer called Swet "an inspiring new business with a cool idea and a great space."
Free lessons ran through the daytime hours with Mihaylova's fellow Bulgarians, renowned ballroom dancers Kalin Mitov and Martina Kostova Daly instructing same-sex and opposite-sex couples; BollyX, a fitness program inspired by Bollywood dance; Mojo Transformation, a more intense "bootcamp" style regimen and anti-gravity, which involves acrobatic moves using a silk hammock. Anti-gravity instructor Jennifer demonstrated her astonishing grace in vertical, horizontal and upside-down moves on an aqua silk hammock. Guests of all ages enjoyed swinging on the hammock, and an adventurous little blonde-haired girl charmed attendees as she swung on the hammock and dance-pole and slid across the floor with her proud dad.
After 6:00 PM, the studio took on a nightlife feel with pumping music, appetizers and an open wine bar, with anti-gravity instructor Jennifer making maneuvers such as handstands and upside down splits seem effortless. The fashion show showcased athletic garb from Plammie Activewear, Legit and Heyday Footwear, all of which had merchandise on hand for guests to view and purchase. At 7:30, guests were directed outside for the ribbon-cutting, after which Mihaylova and some of her staff posed for photos on a red carpet.
Mihaylova's approach to helping clients get in shape and remain committed to their fitness is to provide equipment and exercise activities that mimic normal life activities, such as replacing dumbbells with sandbags for weight training, and that are engaging so that people want to stick to the program. Even the décor reflects Mihaylova's inclusive and supportive perspective, with affirmations such as "Do it because they said you couldn't", "Do your best: no more, no less","Focus on health, not on weight" and "Strive for progress, not perfection" inscribed above the mirrored walls. Explaining Swet's array of exotic and innovative exercise offerings, Mihaylova commented via e-mail, "The whole concept of Swet Studio has always been that working out should be fun. It is about getting fit and staying social. Rather than going to the gym alone, we have built a studio place where people can connect, make friends, and share in the experience. The dance and fitness classes are unique."
Swet Studio, 480 Tremont Street. For further information, please visit www.swetstudio.com or call 617/670-0631.