The Cypress Center, which has been located in the 970 Monument building since its founding in 2000, relocated to the Atrium Building, 860 Via de la Paz, Suite B1, the end of August. The business employs six physical therapists, six Pilates instructors, two receptionists, an acupuncturist and a chiropractor.
Although the space (2,375 square feet) is about the same size, owner Samantha Wood said that the Atrium owners allowed her greater flexibility in building out the space.
The result is a light, airy, open exercise room, with windows on two sides. Wood has added a fourth treatment room, which allows space for acupuncturist Christina Koehler (who has Saturday hours) and chiropractor George Billauer, who has worked with players from the U.S. Soccer team, Chivas, Galaxy and the Dodgers, plus two champion boxers, the Klitschko brothers.
“It’s such a nice building,” Wood said. “The elevator and air conditioning work, and the bathrooms are clean.” She cited the continually rising rents on Monument, and the inability to design a space to her specifications, as reasons for moving to a new location.
Wood has plans to offer classes that include back care for seniors and yoga. Additionally, she wants to add small group reformer Pilates classes (five or less students). “A typical private class on a reformer is $80,” she said. “With a group class, the price could go down $25 to $30.”
Wood’s physical therapists treat a variety of orthopedic conditions, including neck or back pain, and a variety of injuries, such as shoulder, tennis elbow, ankle, knee injuries, plus osteoporosis and arthritis, and balancing and posture problems. They also help patients rehabilitate following orthopedic surgeries.
Wood began her physical therapy career in the athletic training room at the USC, while working towards her degree in exercise physiology. “I enjoyed working with injured athletes [football, volleyball and track] and helping them return to sports.”
After college, Wood worked for two years as a fitness instructor for the Golden Door Spa on Cunard cruise ships before returning to school at Western University, where she received a master’s degree in physical therapy. She then worked for the sports medicine complex at America West Arena and was a physical therapist for the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Coyotes, Phoenix Mercury and Arizona Rattlers.
In 2001, Wood became partners with Michelle Lande at the Cyprus Center while also returning to USC to earn her master’s degree in business, which she completed in 2004. She began her Pilates studies in 2001 with Rael Isacowitz and created an advanced education course, “Pilates for Injuries & Pathologies,” which she teaches at Pilates studios and conferences around the world.
Visit: thecypresscenter.com or call (310) 573-9553. All clients receive an hour free parking with validation.
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