SIGNED, SEALED, SAI.
I've been waiting to write this blog for a while now. This entire segment dives into the story behind my name and the vision that shaped my brand, Love, Sai.
Where do I begin… I guess a proper introduction.
Hi everyone! My full name is Ysabella (ee-sa-bell-uh), but most people know me as Ysa (ee-sa). My closest family and friends, however, have always called me Sai (sigh), which comes from another nickname I have, Ysai (ee-sai).
Yeah, I know... it’s a lot. But hey, at least now you’re in on the tea!
Growing up, I had countless nicknames—partly because, let’s be honest, I don’t really look like an Ysabella. Don’t get me wrong, I love my full name! It just sounds so proper, and I feel like I need a few more years to fully grow into it. Secondly, I’m Filipino. If you know the culture, you know everything and everyone gets a nickname—whether it’s needed or not.
The name Ysa and Sai stuck with me the most, and it felt like home. I grew up being very sincere in everything I did. I meant everything I said and took words seriously. That sounds great in theory, but in reality, it made it hard for me to take jokes. I took everything personally. If someone said something sarcastic or teasing, I assumed they meant it. It took me years to realize that not every comment had to be deep and that not every reaction had to be taken to heart.
Every summer in elementary school, my Lola (grandma) would make me write in cursive before I did anything else. It did not matter if I wanted to play or go outside, I had to practice my penmanship first. At the time, I did not think much of it, but looking back, I realize how much it shaped me. It made me appreciate the art of writing and the weight of a signature.
That sincerity and signature is a big part of why I sign off as “Love, Sai".” It is a reminder of who I am, how I was raised, and the kind of presence I want to have in the world. But there is another reason for the name. I do not care for people to know my actual name. It is not about secrecy. It is about pride. Pride is something I am genuinely afraid of because it means I could start believing I can do life without God. If my name becomes too important, if I start caring too much about how people say it or remember it, then I might lose sight of what really matters. I would rather have people be confused about what to call me than give myself the opportunity to put my own name on a pedestal.
Love, Sai was an idea long before I ever saw Bridgerton, but the show definitely made me think about how I wanted to apply it. Seeing the beautifully written letters in the show, sealed and signed with intention, only reinforced that for me. It made me realize that I wanted Love, Sai to carry that same concept into my Pilates studio.
Before Love, Sai became a studio, it was actually a blog. I started writing as a way to express my thoughts and share my love for both Pilates and faith. It was a place where I could be fully myself, without the pressure of making it anything bigger. But over time, it grew. The way I wrote about movement, strength, and purpose started resonating with people. What started as words on a page became something I wanted to bring into real life. Love, Sai turned into more than just a name—it became a space where I could serve others in a way that felt personal and sincere.
I have always been hyper-aware of how dangerous pride can be. It creeps in so easily, sometimes without you even realizing it. The moment I start thinking that my success, my growth, or my work is something I did all on my own, I know I have lost my way. Everything I have is because of God. Every opportunity, every lesson, every person I have been able to help—it all comes back to Him. Love, Sai is my way of keeping that perspective. It is a name that keeps me grounded.
Beyond that, Love, Sai is a reflection of how I want to serve. I do not want to just teach Pilates. I do not want to just help people get stronger. I want them to feel cared for, encouraged, and uplifted. When someone takes a class with me, I do not want them to just remember the workout. I want them to remember how they felt—seen, supported, and capable. That is the kind of impact I want to have, and that is what I hope my business represents.
So I sign everything with Love, Sai, not because my name is important but because what I do with it is. That is what I want to pour into my work and into every person I get to serve.
I hope you guys enjoyed this blog and learned something new about the business. I’m opening on April 7th and I’m so excited to see everyone.
Love, Sai
