As an NYC transplant to Calgary, Janis Isaman knows a thing or two about Big City style, fitness and fashion. Owner and Movement Specialist at My Body Couture, a movement studio that has a tailor-made approach to health and wellness, Janis makes business personal. Primarily personal-training, My Body Couture is an appointment-only studio with an emphasis on a personalized approach to getting healthy and achieving your goals.
We met Janis in her heritage space on 17th Avenue’s iconic Devenish building and took a stroll with her along the autumnal streets of the Avenue to find out about the couture side of fitness.
What brought My Body Couture to 17th Avenue?
I used to work in Manhattan and I had a movement studio in my living room. When I moved to Calgary, my vision was a ‘My Body City Apartment’. The heritage element of The Devenish was exactly what I was looking for and I knew the minute I entered the building that I had found “it”. Once the lease was signed, I learned that the building was originally designed and used as an apartment!
It was meant to be, then. So why was 17th Avenue your destination of choice for a Health & Wellness business?
17th Avenue has the perfect mix of newness, history, luxury and eclectic. With such a variety of shops and restaurants, I felt confident that my clients would enjoy spending time in the Devenish Building and take advantage of the other amenities on the Avenue. For some, My Body Couture is a destination stop from neighborhoods such as Aspen or Eagle Ridge and for others, 17th Avenue is proximate to their office or home, so it’s been a benefit to own a business that’s literally the energetic and geographic heart of the city.
You’ve described the Avenue as the energetic heart of the city – what’s your favourite part about being on 17th?
On a professional level, coming to work in the Devenish where I have developed relationships with other energetic entrepreneurs such as Danielle Hadden of Danielle’s, and Dr. Jackie Fairbourn of Mount Royal Health Center.
On a personal level, finding something new to eat, drink or buy every time I’m in the mood to explore!
When you’re on 17th, where do you like to grab a bite?
I love to sit on the sidewalk seats at Clive Burger or Analog and people watch to accompany a tasty vegetarian burger or fantastic Americano. I dream about the pizza at Una Pizza + Wine but try to restrain myself.
Do you have a favourite 17th fashion couture spot?
I love love love love Danielle’s in the Devenish Building – Danielle, Linda and Amber have helped me fill in the blanks in my wardrobe so I have casual but upscale functional work apparel to live my brand. I have vacationed in Mexico twice this year and love popping in to Swimco to try on the latest Vix suits.
Where else might we spot you on the avenue?
- Ordering takeout coffee from Cafe Beano
- Hanging out with Tom King of Thomas King & Associates for a coffee inside or outside the office
- Scouring Steeling Home for décor for the My Body Couture studio or my home
- On Dr Tanya Kelloway`s acupuncture bed at the Mount Royal Health Centre
- At my home (adjacent to 17th), whipping up recipes from The Coup`s cookbook
- Riding my bike along Avenue with my three year old, en route to Hotel Arts
- Enjoying a glass of cava at Brava Bistro
- Browsing magazines at Daily Globe News Shop
- Picking up gift items at Rubaiyat
- Browsing champagne at Wine Inkorporated
- At the bar at Model Milk, drinking a mescal concoction
