I think I am a Pilates convert…read more We were recently in Madrid for several weeks on vacation and I was unable to find a gym that would let us join without having a Spanish bank account - ridiculous. So I decided to seek out Pilates classes to get a little more exposure. I spent a fair amount of time looking at different places near Barrio Salamanca where we were staying and ultimately came upon Pilates Zentro online. Natalia runs her own studio which is elegant and clean. And I thought her prices were very reasonable. Two things in particular stood out for me. The first is that Natalia is a great teacher with a great eye. I'm by no means super sporty, but over the years I've done some personal training, yoga and some Pilates classes. I think you just get a sense when someone can really see your body and how to help. Natalia is one of those people. As someone with a history of back problems, I felt that I was in good and knowledgeable hands. The second and more surprising thing is more personal. Because I was so enthusiastic, my husband decided to try it as well. He's not a gym/exercise person so I won't say that he loved Pilates, (he used to run quite a bit) but he did like Natalia and felt that he had learned a lot. Within 2 classes, even I could notice that he was walking taller and looked stronger and thinner. He was thinking about his body in new ways. Natalia does speak English. And when she didn't know a word she was deftly able to find a way to communicate what I needed to do. She is a certified by the woman who inherited the studio from Pilates himself. (I must confess that I don't fully get all of the various schools of Pilates, but what Natalia teaches is the "original" form.) If you're in Madrid and looking for Pilates classes, I'd highly recommend trying out her studio.

If you are looking for a Pilates instructor or physical therapist in Madrid, Pilates Zentro is the…read moreplace to go! I spent a year working in Madrid and developed severe back pain about half way through. Pilates sessions helped me in the past so I looked for online reviews of instructors in Madrid. After reading the other Yelp review I contacted the studio. Natalia responded quickly and I was able to schedule several sessions soon after. Natalia's studio is really a hidden gem in Madrid. It's a fully equipped Pilates studio with all the equipment and space for mat classes. It's in a charming area with nice shops and a great organic food store across the street. I only took private sessions, but I know she offers other options. However, the studio is also a physical therapy clinic as well. I know there are others that work there that speak English, but I only worked with Natalia. I honestly can't say enough wonderful things about Natalia. She explains everything clearly (in English or Spanish, if you prefer) and has a great personality. She is able to tailor each session to your needs. Natalia is also a fully qualified physical therapist and she does massage therapy. When my back was really bad we did more physical therapy based exercises and massage. This helped me immensely and I was able to continue my job without taking time off. I have seen many physical therapists in the US over the years and can say that Natalia's knowledge and expertise is extraordinary. I was very sad when my time in Madrid came to end knowing that I won't be able to continue my sessions at Pilates Zentro. However, whenever I am in Spain I look forward to working with Natalia again!