the name
‘Mahi’ holds deep cultural significance: in Sanskrit, it means ‘Earth Goddess,’ symbolizing strength and nature; in Persian and other Eastern languages, it means ‘fish,’ representing life and fluidity; in Hawaiian, ‘Mahi Mahi’ means ‘very strong,’ symbolizing the dolphinfish's strength and agility.
Mahi Pilates embodies all these definitions: the strength and resilience of a god and the power and adaptability with which a fish moves through the water. It is inspired by how fish use their core and spine for effortless motion, like when we harness water's power for movement.
Who We Are
We’re a mother-daughter duo redefining fitness and wellness by blending water’s support with Pilates, creating a method that builds strength, mobility, and lasting relief for all bodies.
Maryam Hendi
Maryam’s fitness career began with teaching water aerobics, where she spent 20 years helping people build strength and confidence in the water. When she started training to teach Pilates—mat work and all apparatuses—she quickly recognized a powerful truth: these movements could reach even more people if adapted to the weightless, buoyant environment of water.
For the next 12 years, Maryam felt an undeniable pull back to the water, envisioning a movement method that fully embraced its fluidity. Driven by her dedication to making exercise accessible and empowering for all, she created what would become Mahi Pilates.
From Land to Water
Roya Paydarfar
Roya has been practicing Pilates for 10 years, introduced to it by her mom as a way to manage lower back pain. Over time, Pilates became a beloved part of her daily routine.
From a young age, Roya remembers hearing about Mahi Pilates. Inspired by the relief and joy she found in Pilates and seeing its positive impact on Mahi Pilates students, Roya applied her design and business skills to bring her mom’s vision to life, beginning with creating the brand. Five years later, she’s dedicated to expanding Mahi’s reach while staying true to its early roots.
Shaping the Vision