On May 6, Pure Pilates of downtown Pensacola and Gulf Breeze will celebrate National Pilates Day by offering all its classes free to help educate people about the health and wellness benefits of Pilates, yoga, TRX, aerial silks and other exercise systems. Owner Susan Clark says that in lieu of class fees, the studio will be collecting donations for the Pensacola Humane Society in conjunction with that organization’s Paws on Palafox 3K walk, which will be held the same day.

Pure Pilates will offer the 45-minute classes from 8 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. The schedule includes Aerial Slings, MOTR, Pilates Equipment, Pilates Mat, TRX, Gyrokinesis, Yogalates and PIYO. Pilates Day classes will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, with preregistration opening on May 1. The classes are complimentary with a donation of money or needed items to the Pensacola Humane Society, whose wish list is posted on the Pure Pilates website.

Pilates Day is an annual, international, community-based event celebrated on the first Saturday of May. "The Pilates Day mission is to foster the public’s appreciation and awareness of the Pilates method through a network of varied, innovative and high- quality grassroots Pilates events that are accessible and affordable to all," Clark says. "This event is open to the public, and all are encouraged to attend and enjoy the celebration. We’ll be offering special discounts on fitness packages and fitness apparel in celebration of Pilates Day."

Pilates Day is a program of the Pilates Method Alliance, and Pilates Day events are produced and hosted by PMA members.

Clark, a Pensacola native, is a PMA-certified Pilates teacher and a Balanced Body master educator. She says Pure Pilates is the largest studio in Northwest Florida that offers the Gyrotonic method.

Pure Pilates is located at 426 S. Palafox St., Pensacola, and 221 Gulf Breeze Pkwy., Gulf Breeze. To see the Pilates Day schedule or the Pensacola Humane Society wish list, visit PurePilatesPensacola.com/pilatesday, or call the studio at 850-607-2772.