base // Pilates & Movement
– pump up the base –
Base Pilates & Movement is the brainchild of Stella Cook, Sarah Honer and Adeline Sussman, who offer Pilates and Pilates-based classes out of their studio in downtown Durham. Established in 2018, Base is a celebration of collaboration, not competition: Stella, Sarah, and Adeline came together after owning and operating their own Pilates businesses in Durham and Chapel Hill. Together, they developed both their unique teaching style and their dedicated community following.
Base brings something different to the wellness space—in Durham and beyond. Stella, Sarah and Adeline believe in welcoming anyone and everyone, and they’ve created a space that reflects that philosophy.
It’s the kind of studio where people say enthusiastic hellos to each other at the start of each class, participate in clothing swaps, and join classes that benefit local charities.
To me, the studio feels like a sacred space: a place to push yourself that’s hardcore in a fun way, intense, and soothing at the same time.
From behind the camera, my approach is to illustrate Base’s unique place in Durham’s fitness scene—capturing the moments that set the space apart. My work shows up on Base’s promotions through their social media channels, showing off the studio’s unconventional personality.