I had gone from dancing 20 hours a week in college to sitting 40 hours a week at my desk and at the ripe age of 25, and needed something to keep me active. Agile Monkey welcomed me with open arms. I was nervous about getting back into fitness as I had never formally done pilates and dance had taken its toll on my feet. Kathy answered when I called and listened to all my concerns. She was warm, welcoming and both put me at ease and made me excited to come in. I felt like she truly cared (which is way more than I can say for every doctor that nagged me to lose weight). She told me that she looked forward to meeting me and I could tell she meant it. I had my intro with Dixie and in that short hour my mind was opened to all the ways my body was not aligned and causing me pain. She never made me feel like anything was wrong with my body and relayed her experience to my own. She was funny, enthusiastic and had a great energy! I left the studio and told everyone I knew how incredible she was! That was May 2018 and I've been going back ever since. I have to also recommend Irina. Her classes have been instrumental in my progress. She has an amazing fun energy that motivates me and keeps me coming back for more. Her early morning centering class has consistently been one of the highlights of my week. I can't recommend her enough! All the instructors I've worked with have been wonderful in listening to my concerns and encouraging me to have confidence in my body and know when something doesn't feel right. I truly feel welcome and safe at Agile Monkey! Also love that the studio doesn't use single use disinfecting wipes and opts for reusable cloths and cleaner. Love that the boutique carries high quality items from brands that do good and are women and or family owned. Big plus! Tl;dr: Would go again and again! Would recommend to everyone at any age, at any level. Studio that cares! All around positive experience! read more

Well, not only have I stuck with Pilates, I've gone from once to twice a week, and for the past few years three times a week (me, the non-exerciser)! The wide variety of equipment challenges my body in different ways, and the instructors are very fluent in all the types of equipment they have at Agile Monkey. I'll be 71 next month and in terms of strength, balance, flexibility, range of motion, I'm in the best shape of my life. Plus, it does wonders for my disposition. Not to sound cheesy but Pilates at Agile Monkey has been a life change for me. read more

I went here while I was remodeling my home in San Francisco. Absolutely loved it.....

I would give them six stars, 10 stars if I could. The studio is so kind and warm and welcoming. I actually have been shopping here for years just to buy clothes. They have a current and comfortable array of beyond yoga, prana, and a couple of other brands. I finally asked them to give me their introductory spiel. And I decided to give Pilates a try. Full body workout. Qualified and professional instructors. I feel absolutely safe, comfortably challenged, and also in my element. There are lots of young people there. And there are also people older than me that are moving with such grace and flexibility. I want to be like that. I'm nearing 62 and have to begin somewhere and it's here. Love this place and the people. read more

Agile Monkey is an amazing place - full of great instruction, supportive community, and uplifting environment! I've finally found an exercise and a place I love to come to every week, 2 years and counting, see you in an hour for my next class! :) read more

I am an instructor at The Agile Monkey and like other Pilates enthusiasts I take classes there as well. I need to send a shout out of appreciation for my fellow teachers. I take Reformer classes with Arwen and Jeannette. Arwen is fabulous ! the flow of her classes moves from one exercise to the next with such seamless ease. Her cues are so visual and down to earth plus very personalized. No one explains things like she does. She sees nature and the world and is able to help you feel the exercise deeper with these images. The classes build and have focus that leads and prepares you to the more challenging exercises to come. I have injuries and my share of aches and pains like anyone almost 60. My body always feels better after class, I feel more ease and flexibility and stronger my inner Wonder Woman awakened. Jeannette is an equally spectacular teacher with her own special qualities. Her creativity and broad knowledge of her craft always makes class inspiring and challenging. She has a knack to make you work really hard without it being unattainable. I always learn something new in her classes she is always exposing the classes to different things. it's never boring, but at the same time she builds on exercise we have learned so we can grow further. As you can tell I admire and love working with my fellow teachers I feel blessed to work with sooooo many amazing teachers and human beings. Karen read more

My pilates journey started at this studio in 2009. Years later, I trained and became Balanced Body certified at this studio and I also taught pilates here. I am now back to being a very happy client. Best place to get quality instruction by some amazing teachers is at the "Monkey House". If you are serious about your movement experience, this is the place for you. Only respectful, professionals work here. read more

My experience taking Pilates classes with instructor, Lucy Navabpour at Agile Monkey has been amazingly wonderful! She's warm, funny, professional and extremely knowledgeable. The newly expanded studio is a welcoming and relaxing space to be in. Pilates is gentle and yet, VERY effective! It only took a couple classes to see and feel a distinct difference in my body. Each class routine is different and increasingly challenging. All the movements are modifiable to accommodate varying levels of ability. They offer a wide range of classes...from private, semi-private to group...mat, spring board and Reformer (I heart this contraption! Respect the Springs!). Lucy's attention to detail in correct form, safety and how to get the most out of each class has been so helpful in my becoming stronger and more flexible. Long standing injuries, postural issues and aches and pains are resolving. I can feel my stomach muscles again!!! Wooo Hooo!!! I've gone from a size 18 to a size 14 in the last four months. I have a growing confidence in my body and it's ability to relearn how to move through life. It's changed my life/body/spirit...and I highly recommend read more

Agile Monkey is an amazing, nurturing environment completely focused on it's clients. The instructors there are all amazing but all individuals, you are bound to find someone you enjoy working with and who helps you grow in Pilates in the way that's best for you. On top of that, this studio is a teacher training facility (on some weekends) so there is a constant focus on continuing education PLUS a trickle of new instructors every year. Because of this, you can always find a teacher in your budget for private sessions or take advantage of their group classes. The front desk is an awesome group of ladies who really know the staff and do a lot of pilates themselves (one is even an instructor). They are dedicated to finding each client's right fit for their goals and schedule, absolutely ask their advice if you don't know where to start. Personally I love the group classes but I wouldn't have loved them as much without first starting one-on-one in private sessions. I got the luxury of trying many of the instructors and I have to say, they're all great. They got me "ready" for the group classes and made the classes less intimidating even though the pace may be faster. Check this studio out and find your inner Monkey! read more

I love Agile Monkey so much! The space is beautiful and welcoming. Every single member of the staff is kind and friendly, regardless of your fitness level. I've worked with several teachers, all of whom are extremely knowledgeable - the workouts are both fun and challenging. Best of all, after a few months, I can feel and see the changes in my body. I'm getting stronger with each session. All the stars! read more

I love Agile Monkey! The staff is amazing to work with all the way from the front desk to the classes. The studio is always spotless. Very important to me! Always greeted with a smile at the entrance and then the amazing classes. I have been doing Pilates over 2 years and am enjoying the variety of different options for classes that Agile offers. They also offer great specials to meet every budget. I am especially fond of the group springboard classes which are typically not available at many studios. Thanks to the amazing expansion Lisa has done, there is plenty of room to accommodate larger groups. Lucy Navabpour has been very helpful in pointing out much needed corrections to help facilitate better form. But everyone at this studio shows great dedication to their practice. I highly recommend this studio to anyone who does Pilates and at any level. read more

I had no idea what Pilates was, but had walked in to find out. The staff was so friendly I decided to try it. They had amazing intro session deals so I decided to give it a try and could not have expected to love it the way I do. Now - more than 3 years later - I go every week because it helps keep my back strong and is my one moment of self-care in a week. I strongly recommend trying Pilates! You don't have to be skinny or flexible (I'm not!). This will make you STRONG! read more

I love doing Pilates at Agile Monkey. The reason I choose to go to Agile Monkey instead of other Pilates studios is because of its utmost professionalism - from the tremendously knowledgeable instructors to the overall studio ambiance - which easily sets Agile Monkey far apart from the rest. Each one of the instructors has an incredibly extensive education about the human body. They use a lot of anatomical cues full of rich imagery, which, at times encourages movement without knowing it, and definitely promotes a deep and rewarding movement experience. The studio is beautiful and immaculate. It's upstairs location makes it a private setting full of light, with inviting equipment and a very professional layout. I have taken classes at Agile Monkey for about a year now, happily making the drive from Monterey, and always find a bit of personal challenge and joy in each class or private session. read more

I'm one of those guys who always thought pilates was like yoga--probably really good for you but too shooshy for guys. But I tried it, and that stuff is hard, yo! I mean like, burning-abs hard. Like, I'm-crying-a-like-a-little-girl hard. Like if-I-can-do-what-these-trainers-can-do-then-I'm-a-man hard. Hell, even the stretching left me sore. But what's so cool about it is that it's all completely personalized for your own body and what kind of lifestyle you wanna live. And afterwards, you're all relaxed and glowy and letting out big sighs of stretchiness. Okay, so: the space is awesome. It's one big room, but it's super comfy, with a surprising amount of mat space and three or four reformers (these are crazy torture-looking contraptions that give you an even awesomer workout!) And the trainers know their stuff. So if you're in Santa Cruz, and you're into Pilates, this place is i the place. read more

Dixie and Katie are amazing teaches! I have no prior experience with Pilates, but these teaches make me feel confidant executing all these new moves. They give you hands on attention, and have an excellent way of describing what to do and why we do it. read more

Agile Monkey has changed how I feel about my body. After years of complaining about lower back problems and the aches and pains of aging, I finally decided to do something about it--I dove into pilates. I began with an introductory session with Karen Christiansen. It didn't take long for me to commit. I've never taken any kind of exercise classes before and, in class, spend a fair amount of time feeling like an uncoordinated weakling. BUT, that's good! With the support of teachers, I'm getting stronger, feeling leaner and more in control of my body. That's what matters. While I can't attest to being pain-free (I'm not sure that's a realistic goal considering I'm 57 with bulging disks and a funky left hip), I can honestly say I feel better than I have in years. All the teachers I've worked with have been wonderful...Karen Christiansen, Jeanette Northingham, Barb Imhoff and Avra Pirkle. Each are more than happy (and highly capable) of modifying the exercises to accommodate my body issues. AND, the front desk staff are friendly and warm. The only downside is it's not free. But how much is well-being and a good relationship with your body worth? I'd say -- a lot! All in all, I recommend Agile Monkey without reservation. And, I'll take this opportunity to send all my teachers a heart-felt thank you for their expertise, patience and encouragement. It is making a real difference in my life. Oh, and your ready-smiles are a welcome bonus. Never too many of those. In gratitude, Cathy read more

I have to hop on the 5-star rating bandwagon here because Agile Monkey completely deserves all 5 stars. What sets this studio apart from others is that the instructors have been vetted by Lisa, the owner, who is an incredibly experienced and skilled teacher. She closely observes every tiny movement and then makes corrections so that you're doing the exercises and movements in precisely the right way. Her level of training is such that nothing escapes notice and this attention to detail is carried throughout the studio. I have taken classes with Lisa, Dixie and Lucy and each time I came away feeling like I had an incredible workout that strengthened my core, arms, and legs and increased flexibility. After seeing other people teach pilates classes in a less detailed manner I have come to realize how Agile Monkey is one of a kind. read more

Well let me paint the picture for you by saying I knew nothing of Pilates but had heard rave reviews of the results...I am a cardio junky and was slightly doubtful that I would get fabulous results. The moment I stepped into Agile Monkey I felt the relaxed atmosphere and was put at ease. Arwen, my instructor, was so friendly and encouraging that I knew I was in for a fun workout. Everything about the workout was different from my prior workouts, and wow was that for the better.... I could only do about ten crunches instead of two hundred, yet the results far surpassed any workout I have ever done. I feel stretched and toned after every workout and find myself walking tall as my posture has improved ten fold. Pilates is sculpting my body in those hard to get areas I have been trying to workout for years. I am now a complete Pilates convert. I highly recommend Agile Monkey and the best body sculptor ever Arwen. read more

Agile Monkey Pilates Studio changed my life! Without it I would be unable to continue living my active lifestyle and live pain free. The instructors are supremely knowledgeable and provide excellent instruction. They can work with anyone from seasoned athletes to those with postural imbalances, (most of us), and those of us who just want to continue our level of activity without pain. Pilates is gentle and kind to the body and yet VERY effective and strengthening. People walk out of here a different person, it's wonderful to see and experience. On top of that there is a clothing boutique in the front of the store with excellent active wear brands such as prAna, Beyond Yoga, and NUX. A downtown Santa Cruz shopping experience wouldn't be complete without stopping in the studio to find new sweat gear. read more

Lisa and the trainers at Agile Monkey are amazing. I have a ruptured disc caused by imbalances in my skeletal and muscular systems. I went to several practitioners and doctors trying to find a solution for my pain. Lisa was the most helpful of all. I highly recommend her and anyone who has been trained by her. read more

I am a beginner Pilates student and feel welcome, supported, and challenged at Agile Monkey. I am so glad to have found it. I recommend it with no reservations! read more

I have been going to Agile Monkey for over a year. Sussi Rowntree has been my primary teachers. She is one of the best teachers I have ever had in any context. She is professional and caring. I have always felt that she has really thought about me as an individual and has really thought about what I need at each class. She is an inspiring teacher. I couldn't recommend her highly enough. read more

I've participated in many exercise modalities including pilates and Agile Monkey is great. I take classes from Karen who is an inspiring teacher. She manages to make you do challenging twists and turns with your body but you still want to come back for more. I have taken classes from other instructors too - all good. Lisa, the owner, provides courteous, professional customer service. The ambience of the studio is soothing and peaceful. I highly recommend Agile Monkey. read more

Agile Monkey is THE absolute best. Private classes with Amy and Katie are fabulous. They are completely in tune with my abilities and goals, and after just 2 or 3 classes, I experienced improved core strength and decreased shoulder pain. Every time, I walk out the door, I feel like I've had a $100 massage. It really is blissful and relaxing :) The entire staff is very welcoming and friendly. I highly recommend Agile Monkey without any reservation. Group class sizes are small, too, which provides for a nice personal experience. read more

Agile Monkey is a fabulous resource for anyone looking to get in shape, stay in shape, gain strength, rehab an injury, improve your fitness or start fitness. The instructors here have an incredible wealth of education in motion, body mechanics, fitness, injury rehabilataition, and special issues like scoliosis. I have been seeing Avra who has been wonderful in helping with a recent back injury. The studio is super clean and welcoming. I would strongly encourage anyone new to Pilates or an experienced student to give Agile Monke a try. read more