Marieva Malo, founder of The Way

Tell us a bit about you and your company—how did you get started down this path?

Movement has always been second nature to me. My grandmother ran a ballet school, and my mom was devoted to her morning Jane Fonda routines—so I grew up surrounded by rhythm and discipline. When I discovered Pilates, it felt like choreography in its purest form: presence, breath, and flow. My company, The Way, was born from my own exploration of what makes me feel aligned and at ease. Today, I share that through our private Upper East Side studio and online platform, offering a space for people to move with elegance, strength, and intention.

How do you approach staying healthy and relaxed when you travel by plane?

I keep it simple. I usually avoid eating right before a flight to give my body a rest, but I do prep with magnesium, electrolytes, and vitamin C. I’ll also stretch or move beforehand. Onboard, I’m lucky to be a good sleeper—that’s my best wellness tool in the air. Post-flight, I’ll restore my skin with a Biologique Recherche VIP O₂ mask.

Do you tend to pack any healthy food or snacks for travel?

Always. My fiancé and I are obsessed with crackers, so I’ll usually bring flaxseed crackers and roasted almonds.

Do you have any rituals you use while on a trip to reset and ground yourself in a new place?

Movement. Even just a walk can completely shift how I feel, but I typically use The Way online. I think of the body as our first home—once I move and reconnect with myself, anywhere can feel like home.

Any jet lag strategies?

I can’t say I’ve cracked the code, but I try to give myself grace and adjust gently. Returning from Europe, I actually enjoy the jet lag—I love waking up at 5 a.m. to start the day. And of course, movement is always my go-to reset.

How do you keep up your Pilates practice while traveling?

I adapt. The Way has a travel-friendly series designed for hotel rooms, and I’ll always listen to what my body needs, depending on where I am. My practice complements my lifestyle, never competes with it.

Do you bring any Pilates tools with you when you travel?

I’m a minimalist. A bodyweight workout can do wonders, but I’ll often bring a resistance band—it’s light, versatile, and easy to carry. Lately, I’ve been thinking about creating a true travel pack: the simplest essentials, crafted at the highest quality. Why don’t we have an Hermès resistance band? That would be my dream collaboration. I’d love to make traveling not only easier, but also more elegant.  

Is there anything else you always pack for your beauty/wellness routine?

My non-negotiables are digestive enzymes, magnesium, probiotics, and electrolytes—plus my AG1 travel packs, which I’ve been taking for years. I recently discovered cellfood drops for oxygenating, cleansing and nourishing the body and have been loving them.

What are your favorite quick, equipment-free moves for a hotel room or airport stretch?

A bridge is my holy grail—it supports digestion and lymphatic flow. I love lengthening and twisting through single-leg extensions with obliques, or side-lying sequences with arm reaches. At the airport, I’ll keep it simple with roll-downs, forward bends, and breath work.

What are some of your favorite beauty bring-backs from your travels?

I love getting lost in French pharmacies. The Caudalie detox mask is a favorite, and my French mother-in-law recently introduced me to magnesium capsules that really work magic.

Have your travels influenced your wellness philosophy or the way you teach?

Completely. I’ve learned that less can be more—wellness doesn’t have to be an hour-long workout every day. Some of my best resets have come from being present, moving moderately, and finding joy. That perspective has shaped how I teach: movement is not punishment, it’s a way of showing up more gracefully in our lives.

Is there a place that surprised you with its wellness culture, or where you felt especially balanced and restored?

The beach has always been my place of restoration. Recently, I led a Pilates residency at Esperanza Auberge in Los Cabos, and just a few days by the sea—with sun, movement, nourishing food, and massage—left me completely recharged. Soon, I’ll be returning to Domaine des Étangs in France by the Loire. It’s not the beach, but it’s another destination I treasure for how grounding and joyful it feels.

What are a few of your favorite wellness destinations (and why)?

We recently visited Les Prés d’Eugénie in France, and I felt completely disconnected and at ease there. It reminded me that wellness can truly be created anywhere, but certain places make it effortless. On my radar as well is the newly opened SHA Wellness in Mexico. I’m drawn to the idea of destinations that merge lifestyle, movement, and restoration into one seamless experience. And closer to home, INNESS upstate offers an escape that feels like pure heaven—I’ll be hosting a retreat there in the near future, so it’s one to keep in mind.

Where are you dreaming of going next?

Bhutan, specifically Amankora. There’s something about the way Aman properties embody serenity and timelessness that feels like the ultimate escape. Honestly, any Aman would be a dream—they’ve mastered the art of creating spaces that feel both grounding and transcendent.