new to reformer pilates?

Almost anyone! Because it’s low-impact and high-payoff, our instructors can meet you where you are, no matter your age or ability. Both Pilates and Gyrotonic activates less-used muscles and challenges you, in a friendly way, with unfamiliar movements performed in proper alignment.

Our diverse clientele ranges in age from teenager to senior and in fitness level from self-described “couch potato” to triathlete.

We hear you - viewed from afar, the Pilates Reformer or Gyrotonic Tower might look like it time-warped here from the Middle Ages. And it does have sort of a judgmental name. But we promise it’s not a torture device!

Our Reformers have their roots in the original Pilates equipment, which Joseph Pilates made out of hospital beds to rehabilitate wounded soldiers during World War I. Reformer springs give your body both resistance and support. Along with other Pilates equipment like the Cadillac and Wunda Chair, the Reformer gives you feedback for healthy alignment. The Gyrotonic Tower works similarly in that it gives your body the support it needs to grow. The Gyrotonic apparatus was created by Julio Horvath when he was rehabilitating his body post injury.

Your teacher can show you how to adjust the equipment settings, springs and straps. After just a few lessons, you’ll feel confident managing your own equipment settings in a group class.

Yes. And in some super interesting ways. Might you indulge us while we geek out about them?

…OK we’re going to take that as a YES!

Do you know about your vagus nerve? It’s a long, shaggy, meandering nerve (vagus means “wandering” in Latin) that connects your brain, heart and gut together. It’s basically the queen of your parasympathetic nervous system - aka the chill out/rest-and-digest one. You want your vagus nerve to be healthy and strong - aka “high vagal tone.”

Deep breathing, like the kind you do in Pilates and Gyrotonic sessions, turns the vagus nerve on enough that it acts as a brake on your stress response. Plus, both methods helps you develop interoception - the capacity to sense yourself within your body. Learning to recognize and respect your body’s interoceptive signals tends to your vagal tone.

In general, we recommend clients to start with our Intro - 2 Private Sessions before starting group classes. You’ll learn Pilates fundamentals and equipment basics that will help you get more out of your group class work. However, if you have done Pilates apparatus work before, go ahead and jump on in to one of our Small Classes.

We’re happy to answer any specific questions you have via email, text or even an old fashioned phone call! Use the link below or call or text us at 206.547.9616.