

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karlene Linxweiler.
Karlene, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have been teaching in the fitness world for almost 15 years now. I began teaching fitness classes when I was 18 years old in college, and at the time was the only Pilates instructor at my school. While I majored in Secondary Education, and went on to be a full time high school teacher for 9 years in southern New Hampshire, my real passion was always helping people feel good physically.
Over the last decade, I was a trainer out of the University of New Hampshire, as well as running my own small business where I trained people in person and online. It wasn’t until 5 years ago that I discovered yoga and aerial in my life. I found that many of my clients were struggling with dieting and extreme workouts, and not truly happy. It was my goal to create a place for people where they would actually enjoy their workouts – a place where they’d look forward to coming to, and feel a sense of community and fun. Yoga and Aerial create a mind-body-spirit connection for people that is liberating. I found when I taught aerial yoga, my clients were laughing, smiling, and seeing results. This wasn’t just another workout to “get through,” or that felt like a punishment.
The name “Kama” comes from a Sanskrit word (ancient language commonly used in yogic texts) that roughly translates to “enjoyment through physically doing something.” This “KAMA” at our studio is the practice of aerial, yoga, dance, Pilates, and Barre,
Flash forward to today- the Kama Fitness studio has grown from a home based studio, to a rental space in a dance studio, to its own location in the beautiful millyard of Manchester, New Hampshire. We have a community of women (and even some men!) who find the beauty that is possible in their movement on the ground or in the air. The amazing part of aerial yoga is that literally ANY BODY can do it – whether you are a former dancer or gymnast, or someone who’s never stepped foot in a pair of sneakers – aerial makes poses accessible for all. The silk fabric can be used to increase flexibility, challenge your body by taking poses off the ground, and creates a sense of freedom and levity. It’s amazing to watch women learn to climb the aerial split silks for the first time, or invert (go upside down) and see the look of pure joy on their faces. It is incredibly empowering. We feel we have created a safe, non-competitive environment for our students to find their own strength and community that is focused on a healthy body image and lifestyle.
In addition to our large variety of classes – including pre-natal Pilates and Barre with Baby for new mothers – we offer an online subscription channel for students to access outside of the studio to remember skills taught in class, and conditioning moves they can do from home on our KamaFitTV.com channel.
Has it been a smooth road?
Owning a small business as a single female can have its unique challenges. In addition, we are the one of the first aerial yoga studios in the state, and offer a unique array of classes that can’t be found anywhere. One of the biggest struggles in the aerial and yoga industry today is getting qualified instructors and having access to an accredited certification program for instructors to be trained under.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Kama Fitness has become a place for women to feel empowered and safe. We pride ourselves in having a positive, encouraging, and qualified team of instructors that offer a welcoming environment where you can have fun and get a great workout. The studio has truly become a community for its members.
We are the only studio in the state currently offering the variety of classed that we do – aerial yoga, aerial Pilates, aerial Barre, and Aerial Dance, as well as Adult Dance classes, conditioning classes, Pilates reformer and Pilates Cadillac, as well as Barre classes.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
New England needs fitness centers that offer specialized fitness programs that fit people’s unique lifestyles and abilities. Owning a small business is a challenging experience, that isn’t without its rewards. I would recommend starting out in small space where you can steadily grow your community, then expand accordingly.
Pricing:
- First Class Special – Only $20/first class
- We offer class packages in 5, 10 20, and Monthly Unlimited passes.
- Private Group and Individual lessons also available
Contact Info:
- Address: 55 South Commercial Street
Manchester, NH 03101 - Website: www.KamaFitnessNH.com
- Phone: 6037023737
- Email: Karlene@KamaFitnessNH.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamafitness/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KamaFitness/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/kama-fitness-manchester
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9IWb4zCHvQSgFFmns39gCg/feed
Image Credit:
Kyle Hoffman Photography
Michelle A. Doherty Photography
Karlene Linxweiler
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.