Clementine Heath
Nestled in the heart of West Hollywood, Evoken Pilates & Wellness Studio celebrates its one year anniversary this month with family, celebrity friends, members and colleagues.
Founded by German born, UK raised model and actress Janina Washington, this Los Angeles transplant has much to celebrate. Since moving to Los Angeles in 2010 to expand her acting and modeling pursuits, Janina Washington’s life has been a rollercoaster of challenges, but this month she’s celebrating what is truly a milestone. Having been forced to close her first pilates studio, which opened only briefly in LA in 2020, right as the unavoidable Covid wave tragically upended many businesses. Washington never imagined she’d now be celebrating with a new and improved studio, in a fabulous new location, and she couldn’t be more proud.
Evoken is a beautifully designed pilates and wellness studio that sets itself apart in this fast paced industry. An eco-conscious community where wellness meets luxury offering a unique holistic experience, Evoken has raised the bar in the pilates experience. It’s not just the serene and calming decor of nudes and beiges, or the feeling of privacy you get in reformer classes that don’t allow for more than ten people per class. Unlike the many LA studios that pack twenty people or more in a class, Evoken provides a boutique fitness experience that exemplifies what holistic wellness is all about – honoring a philosophy deeply rooted in encouraging clients to embrace a mindfulness approach when working out. From the carefully selected instructors, to the ever growing Evoken community, and most importantly the founder of Evoken, Janina Washington, the experience you receive from the moment you arrive at the studio is nothing short of exceptional.
Pilates is a powerful practice to alchemize the body. Combining a full-body workout that involves strengthening and lengthening muscles while improving flexibility, core strength and posture. It requires a deep focus of mind and breath and body awareness that, when done correctly, unblocks powerful transformations aligning your mind, body and soul. Practicing pilates, like yoga, becomes a sacred experience for most. It’s one that Washington knows too well, “I was inspired to launch Evoken because of my own personal journey with Pilates. Initially, I wasn’t someone who enjoyed working out, but when I found Pilates, it completely transformed not only my body but also my mindset. When the opportunity arose to take over a boutique studio and open my own, I knew I wanted to create a space where people could experience that same transformation.” Washington’s vision took flight with her diving head first into this new project with blood, sweat and arduous hours. Over the past year, much to her delight, her vision has grown beyond just the fitness aspects and she is finally taking a moment to enjoy her own success, celebrating its first anniversary this month. Evoken has evolved into a full-spectrum wellness space and Washington is beaming. “We now not only offer pilates and yoga but also provide a deeper focus on recovery, mental health, and community through our monthly breathwork and sound bath events, and our new totally private wellness suite. It’s been incredible to watch this vision take shape and expand,” she gushes.
As a sanctuary for mind and body transformation, Washington’s holistic approach has advanced the overall wellness experience for her clients in impactful ways. Unlike other health spas where you have to share en-mass with its members, Evoken’s new Wellness Suite is an opportunity for clients to focus privately on their meditation, breathwork, de-stressing and overall healing, without distractions. For many who don’t feel like they have the time or patience for such experiences, Washington and her team of highly-skilled instructors and health practitioners are leading by example, quite effortlessly, just how possible it is to be more mindful of mental health management in the 21st Century.
Washington is very intentional with every aspect of Evoken. “Our studio is designed to be a sanctuary, and our clients often tell us it’s one of the most beautiful spaces they’ve ever been in. But beyond aesthetics, our team is truly exceptional. Every instructor is dedicated to delivering a personalized, high-quality experience and workout. Everyone leaves feeling better – challenged – but never defeated. We have various classes to accommodate different styles, and levels, or just how you’re feeling on that day.” Evoken is truly a gem for those wanting the full benefit of total body workouts, without having to battle through large numbers of people filling the workout space, fighting for a prime position. She has carefully curated her West Hollywood location to specifically evoke all the elements to harmonize the mind, body and soul transformation experience.
“Hearing clients talk about how they feel the moment they walk in and how much better they feel when they leave has given us the confidence to keep evolving,” Washington adds. The studio’s team of instructors, along with Washington, offer a variety of classes from beginner to advanced, and no matter the level, you are guaranteed a highly enjoyable albeit challenging workout that will leave your body feeling all the feels, in the best possible way. “It’s never a boot camp! Even in challenging, high energy classes, you will still get moments of relaxation and connecting with your breath. We’re big on form and Mind-Body-Spirit connection,” she emphasizes.
For hard-core pilates enthusiasts you can’t ask for a better experience at Evoken. Washington has not missed a single detail in how she has thoughtfully designed her space and the classes available. And for anyone curious to give pilates a try, Evoken is an ideal place to start your wellness journey as you are guaranteed quality attention during your classes in the least intimidating space to try pilates in Los Angeles.
With Evoken celebrating its one year anniversary this month, Washington reflects on this landmark occasion humbly. It has been a tremendous journey of highs and lows over the years but one thing is certain, her dedication and vision for what Evoken can and will be – its growth to other cities, even internationally, is not far off the list now. Washington reflects, “One of the most memorable milestones was hitting over 11,000 five-star reviews in such a short period of time. It was a powerful reminder that we’re creating something special here, something that resonates deeply with our clients. The feedback we get is so heartfelt—people talk about how the space has become a sanctuary for them, a place where they feel safe, supported, and part of a community. Hearing that kind of feedback is the ultimate success because it means we’re making a real impact in people’s lives, and that’s what we set out to do.”
With new additions to classes and special events regularly being added, Evoken’s community is growing fast. Janina Washington’s vision is finally a reality and her West Hollywood location is just the beginning.
For more information about monthly/new member specials and class schedules visit:
IG: @evoken.co