The Onyx Story
Our journey began in 2020 when Margaret Virden and Lacy Arant came together to create The Onyx Method. Recognizing a demand for low-impact, alignment-based functional movement, we set out to celebrate real women and real bodies. We invite you to join us on the mat, just as you are.
In 2021, Kristy McKinney joined our team, infusing our classes with her infectious energy. Learn more about our owners and instructors below!
Why the Onyx Stone?
“Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it.”
This quote by Michelangelo powerfully impacted us and perfectly encompasses the impact we hope to have on our clients. We strive to help you discover through movement what is already inside of you.
We love that The Bible mentions Onyx, referring to it as a valuable and precious stone over and over again, in Genesis, Exodus, Job, and Ezekiel... One of our favorite references in Ezekiel, “You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: carnelian, chrysolite and emerald, topaz, onyx and jasper, lapis lazuli, turquoise and beryl.
This describes how we feel about each one of you...precious. You are a precious and valuable individual, no matter your fitness age, level, ability, situation, or condition. While we don’t believe the stone itself has these energy qualities, this mythical belief below does embody a part of who we are and what we want to accomplish here.
“Black Onyx absorbs and transforms negative energy, and helps to prevent the drain of personal energy. Black Onyx aids the development of emotional and physical strength and stamina, especially when support is needed during times of stress.”
We hope that you will feel this each and every time you join us live or on demand through The Onyx Method.
We hope you’ll show up for yourself, find a strength you’ve never known and lean into growth: in mind, body, and community!
Owners
Margaret Virden
Margaret, originally from Montgomery, AL, fell in love with Pilates in college, taking classes all four years until she graduated and moved to D.C. She tried many different workout classes during her four years in D.C., but Reformer Pilates always remained her favorite. On weekends she began traveling to New York City to train at Pilates Academy International under world renowned instructors and educators. Margret is now a master instructor on all Pilates apparatuses. She eventually returned to the South to work in Starkville, MS, as a Pilates instructor and would go on to create Accelerate with Lacy Arant, former owner of Midtown Pilates. Because Margaret is passionate about helping individuals transform their relationship with exercise and healthy living to find balance in life, she has now opened Provision Studio in Homewood, AL and The Onyx Method online.
Kristy McKinney
Kristy’s love for people, movement, and fitness are the driving forces behind her being a leader in the health and wellness industry. She has over 15 years of experience as a group exercise & Pilates instructor. She is a Pilates Academy International Pilates Master Instructor, leading education and trainings for aspiring Pilates instructors. She is a Gait Guru and specializes in feet - all the way from foot pain & weakness, to you gait! She has many years of experience teaching various strength training methods to all kinds of age groups and fitness levels (MS, Osteoporosis, Scoliosis) and give great modifications!
Instructors
Kate Kaiser
Kate, a Certified Yoga Teacher, has completed (2) 200-hour trainings in Vinyasa and Physical Therapy based LYT Yoga and has been practicing yoga for over 20 years, teaching for over 5. Kate began instruction in Vinyasa Flow and has evolved to solely teaching the LYT Method. She has seen dramatic changes in her clients in a short amount of time and is wholeheartedly encouraged and motivated by the power of moving in smarter and safer ways! Kate has experience teaching in studios, corporate settings, gyms and private homes and has taught many levels of yogis! Some of her most challenging yet rewarding work is teaching Division 1 Athletes at The University of Kentucky who play: soccer, basketball, softball, baseball, tennis, golf and track & field. Kate lives in Lexington, KY with her husband, their three children and dog Lego.
Lacy Arant
Lacy is a founder of the Onyx Method and is a passionate functional movement instructor certified through Pilates Academy International. After experiencing reformer pilates while recovering from a back injury in 2009, she fell madly in love with a method that was intense, without requiring high impact. She founded Midtown Pilates in Starkville, MS and now lives in Madison, MS with her husband and two children!
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