A new boutique fitness studio focused on core strength, flexibility and overall wellness is preparing to open its doors in Cornelia.
Kova Pilates, owned by Marisol Cauthen, will hold its official grand opening on Monday, July 13, 2026, introducing a premium Pilates studio designed to offer personalized instruction in small classes.
Cauthen said the studio’s name carries a deeply personal meaning. Kova is inspired by her late mother, Sylvia Shortt, who passed away unexpectedly in 2021. Her mother loved horses, and after dreaming of her riding a horse, Cauthen chose the horse as the studio’s symbol. She said the name “Kova,” meaning steel, reflects the strength and stability she hopes clients develop through Pilates.
For those unfamiliar with Pilates, Cauthen describes it as a low-impact form of exercise that uses specialized reformer machines and resistance to strengthen the body’s core while improving posture, alignment and flexibility. Unlike traditional weight training, Pilates focuses on controlled movements that build strength without placing unnecessary stress on the joints.
Cauthen is completing her Pilates certification through an accelerated training program and said she has already finished the coursework required to begin teaching while completing her final certification this month.
The studio is designed to provide a more intimate experience than a traditional gym. Each class is limited to six participants, allowing instructors to provide hands-on guidance throughout the 50-minute sessions. Classes are offered hourly from 6 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.
Interest in the new business has already exceeded expectations. Before opening its doors, Kova Pilates had already filled its initial membership capacity of 50 members, with another 241 people on the waiting list, according to Cauthen. The studio currently has three instructors, with Cauthen becoming the fourth. Cauthen said she hopes to eventually open a second location to accommodate the growing demand.
Those interested in trying Pilates before committing to a membership can schedule a demonstration class for $45 by appointment. Walk-ins are not available because of the studio’s scheduled class format.
A Habersham County native, Cauthen said opening Kova Pilates is both a business venture and a way to continue her family’s long tradition of investing in the community. Her grandfather, William “Bill” J. Shortt, served as Habersham County’s chief commissioner, was a banking executive and co-founder of Chicopee, and spent much of his career helping bring jobs and economic growth to the area. Her grandmother was a physical education teacher and aerobics instructor who remained committed to an active lifestyle well into her 90s. Cauthen said those family influences inspired her to build Kova Pilates in Habersham County, where she hopes it will be the first of several ways she can give back to the community.
