Health & Fitness

New Boutique Wellness Yoga Studio Opens In Hillsborough

John Balle, owner of Balle Private Personal Training Studios, is opening Studio Uma with an emphasis on women's health and wellness.

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — John Balle, Hillsborough resident and owner of Balle Private Personal Training Studios, is expanding to open his second fitness studio in his hometown of Hillsborough.

Studio Uma - a Balle' Collection, which recently held a soft opening at 1 Jill Court, building 16, suite 28, in Hillsborough, focuses on women's health and fitness.

"It's actually a boutique wellness studio where we're doing yoga, we're doing aerobics classes, we're doing Pilates, we're doing meditation classes. We'll have masseuses and stretching services available," said Balle to Patch. "It will just be a little bit of a different, higher-end service that caters more to health and wellness... Men are welcome 100 percent but our main emphasis and focus is women's health and wellness facility."

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Balle opened his first business Balle Private Personal Training Studios about 8 years ago and always had plans of expanding. When the studio space next door became available it was perfect. Even the interior fit Balle's vision with hardwood floors and floor-to-ceiling mirrors.

Balle's hope is Studio Uma will be something that will give back to the community.

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"There's not a lot of yoga studios and wellness studios in town, so we figured it was the perfect niche for us to really go into that," said Balle. "We can really bring something fresh and new into the community."

The studio's name is an homage to his late mother who died in February.

"My relationship with her was dynamic. She was the center of my universe and just one of the most important people in my life, my hero, my idol, everything," said Balle.

Wanting to open the studio for his mother, Balle searched for the perfect name.

Balle said he was trying to come up with some strong names that empowered women and happened to come across Uma. In Sanskrit, Uma's origin means tranquility.

"This name represents strength, serenity, and a woman who possesses inner peace. Uma is a strong name associated with resilience, balance, and a calm demeanor. And I was like, 'Oh, wow, that is perfect for what we're trying to achieve here'," said Balle.

Studio Uma offers a variety of classes including Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, Gentle Yoga, Stretches, Yoga Strength Conditioning, Pilates, Aerobics, and more. Instructors include Kelly Crouthamel, Deanna Eberly, and Andrea Mazzarese.

"I've lived in Hillsborough for the last 20 years, and I just really have embraced the community. I've loved it since I've been here, and I just want to continue to be a part of the fabric of the community and to keep giving back," said Balle.

Studio Uma is holding its grand opening on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. They are open as of now with classes free until the grand opening.

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