Kinh is an amazing Pilates instructor who is a mindful practitioner of the body and has a…read morefundamental understanding of anatomy and physiology. Moreover, with her kind personality, warm spirit & sharp wit she is a delight to be around! I am immensely grateful to have found such a talent right here in our little city of Sonoma! Over a decade ago, I became attracted to Pilates upon learning of the 'Pilates Promise' as referenced by Joseph Pilates. Since then, I've been fortunate enough to have had several talented Pilates instructors but none have been as well rounded as Kinh! In our sessions, Kinh has a laser focus and observes and adjusts the multitude of micro-articulations required in a single exercise. We quickly transition from one exercise sequence to the next switching from the various apparatus of Cadillac, Reformer and Chair etc. In addition to Pilates, Kinh has helped me to grow in my yoga practice too, which has been an incredible added bonus! Our private Pilates sessions are tailored to the evolving needs of my body on a given day. Our workouts are rigorous and build strength yet also promote healing and defend against my low back issues. When I leave a session I feel light, refreshed & balanced. For me, I'm living my best life when I have Pilates in it and sharing time with such a wonderful person as Kinh makes my sessions twice as great!

I was looking to find a new workout to incorporate with my running. I had always heard of people…read moredoing Pilates, however had never tried it out for myself. I looked into the mat and Pilates machine classes (reformer, chair, etc.), but felt that a private lesson would be a good first step to ensure that I have the correct form, movements, etc. I was never athletic growing up - I was a dancer for a few years, but then gave that up. Finding the right sport / exercise other than running has always been a challenge for me. Well my first private lesson was so worthwhile that it has led to weekly privates with Kinh. In my first meeting with Kinh, I knew we would get along and be on the same page. When I work out I like to understand what my muscles are doing, and what I should be feeling - Kinh explains the Pilates methodology as well as each movement. Pilates is a full body workout and I love how I feel after each lesson. I work muscles that I didn't even know about as well as areas of my body that I want to improve (ex: inner legs). I have been working with Kinh for a few months now and have noticed a difference in my overall strength as well as my body in the mirror. I can be hard on myself in terms of my body not understanding a movement or being able to accomplish the first time around. However, Kinh brings me to reality regarding the moves being really challenging and that I will be able to conquer it. Let me tell you it is the greatest feeling to finally be able to do something that 1) never thought I could and 2) wasn't able to do a few lessons prior. I absolutely recommend privates with Kinh - she is honestly awesome!

Cara is a rockstar! She is able to help everyone from the super fit to me - an uncoordinated…read morenon-exerciser. Cara has a gift for teaching her clients how their bodies work and how we can make (small and large) adjustments to our posture and movement to feel SO MUCH better. Cara is also a ray of sunshine. Always fun to talk to and super supportive and encouraging. When she says "you got this," I really feel like I do!

I have been working with Cara for over 3 months now and I could not be happier with my experience!…read more I have been having shoulder pain for the past 3 years, the result of working at a desk, over mousing, along with perhaps some old injuries. Over the past 3 years of shoulder pain I have tried physical therapy, acupuncture, and massage. I have been to numerous doctors and health care practitioners. Everyone was focused solely on my shoulder area. I knew that the problem was more systemic than that, but couldn't seem to find anyone who would have that conversation with me. When I started working with Cara she quickly identified that I was in therapeutic mode, vs. strengthening mode, which felt really right! Others had me doing weights which seems only to aggravate the problem. Our work together feels slow and steady, as I build up a gentle strength and awareness about how I am using my body. She immediately agreed with me about the systemic nature of my pain. She could see how tension in different parts of my body was all related, and is exploring that together with me. It became clear to me that I have been over using some muscles, not just my shoulder, but my legs, too! And under-utilizing some of the largest muscles in my body! Cara is super knowledgeable and if an exercise isn't feeling or working right, she quickly has an adjustment or alternative that works better for my body. She is helping me build a mind/muscle connection so I can better control which muscles I use for different activities. Cara is professional, punctual, organized and super fun! I highly recommend her.

Another 5-star review for Jessica…read more I have been working with Jessica over many months and have made steady progress in pain reduction through core strengthening and mobility exercises. She is an exceptionally observant instructor who takes the time to understand the unique muscular dynamics of each client.

I was a huge huge yoga enthusiast. I was super active with yoga and running, until I got a knee…read moreinjury that stopped me from running and yoga. I had to end up going to physical therapy for my knee. My therapist suggested trying Pilates. She said Pilates is an excellent way to help build my strength back up and would be perfect for my particular injury. So I listened to her and decided to find a Pilates instructor close to me with great reviews. I happened upon True Pilates. From the reviews in Yelp that I read about Jessica, they all stated that: - she is very cognizant and attentive to injuries - all clients felt she was integral in their rehab journey - extremely knowledgable about the body / muscular & skeletal structure - super friendly - professional - PATIENT I have found Jessica to be all these things and more. She is truly passionate about what she does and that passion carries through to taking continuous education with Pilates, Yoga, anything she can to help better understand the workings of the body and mind in order to help her clients. I have been working with Jessica for almost a year now and I simply adore her. I can honestly say, Pilates is the one workout that I have never been bored doing. Every time I come in for our weekly session, she has something new, unique and different planned that is just for me. Or, she will ask if there is something that I want to work on, and she gives me an incredible workout. She does this with all of her clients. The next client that comes in after me, gets a completely different workout. This is keen attention to client needs. She also checks in with me before every session to see how I am feeling, so she meets her clients where they are. She knows when to pull back on the reins and when to challenge you. When I first came to Jessica, I was a mess. I was so used to yoga, we had to completely retrain my muscle memory, while working on my injury. She has been the MOST patient instructor, so concerned with my injury and always checking in with me on how I am doing. Jessica, has taken her experience from past injuries as a dancer, and has used her knowledge from her own journey of healing through Pilates and physical therapy, to really understand what her clients need. I can say, after working with Jessica, my knee, hamstring and vmo, are much stronger and I continue to get stronger and my confidence is back. I am slowly working up to trying to run and move a bit more now and that is due to Jessica and I am grateful for this progress. I just wish I could clone her for more time!

Patty is not your typical Pilates instructor. She's not interested in giving you rock-hard abs or a…read moreworkout you'll regret for three days. Instead, she's more like an incredibly skilled and perceptive car mechanic: she looks at how you move, and what might be stuck or twisted or imbalanced, and then goes about fixing it, with the help of exercises on the reformer or the mat or other machines. She's got many years of experience in bodywork, rehab, and physical therapy, and she's seen the fitness crazes come and go, and you'll be surprised at how different--and better--your body feels after an hour. This approach is not for everyone, but if you're like me and have old injuries or funky joints, it's great to have someone who really listens and doesn't just jam you into the same cookie-cutter approach. Her studio is bright and super convenient to both 24th Street and public transportation, and Patty herself is a delightful person to spend time with. Give her a try!

I've done private lessons with a few different Pilates teachers, and Patty is by far the best…read more Patty is a former dancer, teacher of anatomy, and massage therapist (for 30 years). Probably due to her background in movement, bodywork, and teaching, she is able to see patterns and coach me in ways that really work for me. In the past, I injured my shoulder with a different Pilates teacher and had no fun (this other teacher had been pretty negative) with another Pilates instructor. With Patty, I've never been injured and it's always been fun. Patty works at her Pilates office in Noe Valley 4-5 days a week. She used to teach Pilates to rehab patients at St. Francis Hospital, in the department of Sports and Dance Medicine. I think she works one day a week in a Pilates studio in Palo Alto. Patty's primary interest is in functional movement of Pilates. Her areas of specialty include children with Asperger's, rehabilitation, and post-natal moms. A couple of things I really like about Patty are her ability to identify patterns that her clients need to work on and her tendency to "go with the energy" (which, in this case, means to make the work-outs enjoyable, push her clients, and tune into what exercises her clients like and need).

Bright studio, friendly ommunity atmosphere. Skilled trainers will customize specifically for your…read moreneeds. Lots of laughter

I have started taking classes with Aylin on Thursday nights and they are so awesome! The class is a…read moregentle Pilates class and it's the perfect fit for me. Aylin is a great teacher. She gives really clear instructions and helps you get into the right position if need be. Also, the studio is very clean and warm.

Virginia is one of the best teachers I've ever had. She is very knowledgeable and always does her…read morebest, bringing her positive vibe to our class. She is very accepting of the variety of fitness levels of her students and does a great job of meeting us where we are and encouraging us by keeping it fun. I highly recommend her.

I highly recommend Pilates training with Virginia. She tailors the pacing and intensity of my…read moreworkouts to complement my progress and mobility issues. Virginia is very knowledgeable, and builds my confidence, especially in the face of osteoporosis. Give it a try!

They really know what they're doing here. Really individual attention even in group classes. Highly…read morerecommend

My oldest child is 17. I start there because it's been about 17 years since I did any real core…read morework. After my first birth, I was told I had diastasis recti--abdominal separation--so severe that if I was lying on the floor, the only way up was to roll onto all fours and push myself upright. The prescribed core exercises were boring, solitary, and uninspiring. A PT suggested Pilates. When I found the Pilates School SF online, I booked a consultation immediately. From the moment I walked in, I felt seen, heard, and completely at ease. I received accurate information about strengthening a core with abdominal separation--and, for the first time, a clear path forward that made sense. Ray--the studio owner--is deeply knowledgeable and has earned her confidence and reputation as an exceptional Classical Pilates instructor. The studio's school model is innovative, ensuring both quality instruction and affordable access to a therapeutic system that's long been out of reach for many. I love the Pilates School SF. As they've transitioned into the school model there have been booking hiccups--but every issue has been resolved swiftly and with transparency--I feel at home there. After a year and a half at the school, with the support of incredible instructors--especially Ray and Angella--I can sit up!

Hiring Kristi has been one of the best decisions I've made all year. I was tired of feeling bad for…read morenot going on a run or working out, and I knew if I was going to ever start working out, I'd need to make it as convenient as possible for myself. Kristi has been coming over to my house once a week for the past six months and I've never in my life felt stronger or more confident. This summer, I wore a tank top (without a sweater over it) for the first time in my adult life. Not only that, it was a cropped tank top!! I've also had to get new jeans, since my old ones are too big now. Kristi has gone above and beyond in helping me build this newfound confidence. She's also offered dietary tips here and there that have been completely game-changing. She's an incredible cheerleader, coach, and advisor. I feel so lucky to have found her, and highly recommend her to anyone interested in hiring a personal trainer.

Kristi has been such a steady, positive presence in my life. We've been working out together…read moreconsistently for over seven months now, and she's thoughtful, encouraging, and deeply knowledgeable about the body. I had never done consistent weight training before, and as a woman entering my 40s, it felt important to start. I initially came to her while dealing with a foot injury, and after my surgery she's helped me rebuild strength safely and effectively. I trust her completely and couldn't recommend her more highly.