When Casey Glassman first began her career, she never imagined she would one day be the owner of Olada, a wellness studio in Carpinteria that blends yoga, reformer Pilates and community connection under one beautifully designed roof.
Her path into wellness wasn’t born from business ambitions but from her work as a licensed mental health therapist — a career she pursued after earning both her Bachelor of Science and Master’s degrees at Cornell University.
“I’ve always believed that mental and physical well-being go hand in hand,” she shared.
While counseling clients, she discovered yoga as a deeply personal tool for balance.
“Yoga helps calm your body, mind and nervous system,” she said. “It’s a practice you can do every day and for your entire life.”
That belief — that movement can be medicine — became the foundation for what Olada is today.
The Vision
The seed for Olada sprouted from Glassman’s dream of creating a space where people could move together, empower one another and connect.
She saw yoga and Pilates not as separate silos of fitness but as complementary approaches to mindful movement.
“Both modalities focus on body and breath awareness,” Glassman explained. “They help people feel grounded, strong and connected.”
Whether a beginner, an intermediate or an advanced practitioner of yoga, Pilates, or both, Olada offers something for everyone. Credit: Olada photo 
For Olada owner Casey Glassman, her Carpinteria yoga and Pilates studio is a culmination of her journey from therapist to teacher and from dream to reality. Credit: Olada photo 
Olada may feel like a spa, but it is a working yoga and Pilates studio. Credit: Olada photo 
As part of the vision of Olada owner Casey Glassman, the Carpinteria yoga and Pilates studio regularly hosts community wellness events. Credit: Olada photo
Inside Olada, at 5010 Seventh St., clients can flow through a vinyasa yoga class in the morning and return for a reformer Pilates session in the afternoon, strengthening their bodies while soothing their minds.
Glassman designed the schedule so that beginners, intermediates and advanced practitioners alike can find something that feels both approachable and inspiring.
Her vision extended beyond movement. The studio includes a flexible space with a movable wall for wellness workshops and community gatherings, as well as a curated retail area that reflects the easy, coastal lifestyle of Carpinteria.
“I always wanted this to be more than just a workout studio,” she said. “It’s a wellness brand and a community hub.”
Spa Feels
One of the first things people notice at Olada is the design.
“We’ve had people walk in and think it’s a spa,” Glassman laughed.
“I always wanted this to be more than just a workout studio. It’s a wellness brand and a community hub.”
Casey Glassman
That’s no accident. A lover of style and aesthetics, she wanted the studio to feel calm, warm and inspiring.
With its light-filled rooms, natural textures, and coastal palette, Olada captures the serenity of its seaside hometown.
Anchored in Community
Living in Carpinteria played a central role in Glassman’s vision.
“We’ve received such a warm welcome,” she said, noting how locals have embraced Olada not just as a place to exercise but as a gathering place.
The studio regularly hosts community wellness events, and Glassman sees that role expanding as Olada continues to grow.
World Influences
Glassman’s own teaching style carries the imprint of her international training. She studied yoga in Bali under the guidance of Meghan Currie, whose creative and fluid approach left a lasting mark.
She also trained in Pilates in Los Angeles, bringing structure and strength into her repertoire.
“My teaching blends strong vinyasa with creative movements and fluid transitions,” she explained.
Yet she’s quick to note that Olada isn’t about one voice.
“All teachers have a unique style and voice, and I encourage students to try different instructors until they find the ones they connect with most,” she noted.
Instructors Team
Olada’s team of instructors is more than skilled — they’re the heart of the studio. Glassman sought out not just experience, but warmth and personality.
“We look for instructors who are welcoming, energetic and aligned with Olada’s vision,” she said.
Each teacher takes the time to get to know students, leading classes that are both challenging and supportive.
Yoga instructor Linda Baffa, who has taught for nearly two decades in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, calls teaching at Olada “a dream come true.”
“As a fellow Carpinterian, I’m so excited for our community to have this space to come together,” she said.
Instructor Eden Williams echoes that sentiment.
“Yoga has brought me so much happiness, and I’m so thankful I get to spread that through my teaching,” she said.
“Not only is it a beautiful studio, but the team and the community of students are one of a kind.”
Looking Ahead
Though Olada is just months old, Glassman already has her sights set on the future. Plans for wellness retreats, guest teacher residencies and specialized workshops that integrate her background in mental health are on the horizon.
“We have big plans and will continue to grow,” she said.
For Glassman, Olada is more than a business. It’s a culmination of her journey from therapist to teacher, from student to studio owner, and from dream to reality.
As she reflects on her new venture, her hope is simple:
“That people walk into Olada and feel at home. That they leave feeling lighter, stronger and more connected — to themselves, to each other and to this beautiful community we call home.”
