Karen Rico – Le Bureau’s client spotlight of the month Embracing Change and Positivity in Seattle

Discover Karen’s inspiring journey from professional athlete to devoted mom, showcasing resilience and positivity during life’s challenges.

I met Karen in 2023 at LA Fitness in Seattle.  She would frequent my weekly yoga and mat Pilates classes I taught there.  Karen stood out to me right away.  She is someone that just exudes inner beauty with her kindness towards others, her contagious smile, and uplifting positive energy.  I always looked forward, and still do, look forward to seeing her in class!

Karen has had a lot of change over the past several years!  I met her in a pivotal time of her life not to mention it had just been Covid where borders were closed and she was obliged to stay in Seattle!    When I met her I learned that she had been a professional Ultimate Freesbie player for Colombia but suffered a knee injury requiring ACL and meniscus repair, and was in route to business school in Canada but was was unable to attend University due to borders being closed at that time.  Karens ability to stay positive and focus on opportunities instead of what could have been is inspiring and uplifting!   Thank you karen for sharing your positive energy and ‘go get em attitude’ with me and everyone you meet!

Karen is now living in Seattle indefinately, as she found love, got married, and became a mom!  She has 3 stepsons and Mille who is almost 2!  When she is not at Le Bureau she enjoys practicing and watching sports, reading and watching true stories, and of corse being a mom!:)

“I met Brooke over three years ago when I was recovering from a knee surgery. Under Brooke’s guidance in both yoga and Pilates, I have grown physically, mentally, and spiritually. She has the unique ability to connect with everyone in the class, to meet each person where they are at, and create a safe space for everyone to meet their potential. Every class I can attend presents me different challenges with an emphasis on breathing, stretching, and the interconnectivity of the entire body to create body and mind harmony and balance. Instead of feeling drained at the end, I always leave feeling refreshed, thinking how to improve and how I can be a better version of myself.” 

-Karen

Overcoming Challenges: Carolyn’s Pilates Journey

Meet Carolyn Higgins, Le Bureau’s client spotlight of the month! I met Carolyn at SAC in 2013; where she would frequent my weekly Pilates mat class. Soon after I left SAC in 2017, Carolyn frequented my workouts in the park and after that she started coming to Le Bureau!   I am so glad she did!  She always enters with a smile, she takes her time, stays curious, and sometimes experiences a good sweat!  She has had some physical obstacles over the past 10 years, most recently a clavicle surgery, but she doesn’t let any of her ‘challenges’ get her down.  Instead, she stays positive, looks on the bright side, and moves on!

When Carolyn is not at Le Bureau, she spends her time as a freelance writer.  Some of her favorite things to do when not in the studio is make art quilts (designed to hang on the wall), learn Italian, cooking, snow sports, and visit art galleries.  Thank you Carolyn for inspiring me to be more positive, curious, and finding the ‘light’ in even the darkest times.

“I love the energy and body awareness my Pilates practice gives me. Building strength is exciting, and the relief I have from years of neck and upper back pain that I thought I’d always have to live with is truly a gift. I believe many years of practice made a big difference in how well I withstood multiple injuries from a car accident a couple of years ago. When my collarbone fracture failed to heal fully, it had to be reconstructed. Brooke tailored our sessions to open the chest and back muscles, rebuilding strength and range of motion. My care team was so impressed! Brooke is a patient and supportive coach who also makes our sessions fun.“

-Carolyn Higgins