My husband and I had agreed long ago that I was a lemon. Given a chance for injury or complication, my body would jump at the opportunity from falls to always being in the 5% when a procedure has a 95% success rate. It was getting to the point that my husband and I were afraid someone was going to report him for abuse. After another computing/typing related flare sent me to a neurologist, she suggested physical therapy, but also to start Pilates. An active person who avidly walks and cycles daily, I'd always considered PIlates a luxury exercise, but Reform Your Body Pilates was close, soI thought I would give it a shot. It may have been the single best decision I have made for my health. In the individual assessment Sornam listened attentively to my historical laundry list of maladies (repetitive stress injuries, broken foot, ankle, wrist, breast reduction complications, back/neck problems, pelvic floor collapse, etc.). Where few others had, she saw a bigger picture emerge and began devising a treatment plan. She gently introduced me to the exercises, the equipment, and her approach in a manner that made it accessible to someone who always hated group activities or use of equipment due to lack of coordination. When I began sessions with two other clients, she was and has always been careful to modify exercises for each of us according to our bodies' requirements. Remarkably, with her guidance both in class and outside of class, many of my symptoms across various ailments began to dissipate. I grew stronger and surprisingly to me, less clumsy. In the subsequent years, I went from once a week to twice a week sessions because Sornam has kept me in motion. When I experienced another unrelated series of surgical complications, Sornam nursed me back to a state where I could resume bicycling daily. When I developed a autoimmune disorder that results in chronic pain, (I mentioned I was a lemon, right?), I began running to manage my emotions and avoid opiates. Given the sheer number of potential injuries associated with running, Sornam could never counsel someone like me to pick it up, but when I insisted, she helped me through the repeated beginner's injuries. Twice in five years, when out of town, I have dropped into a different Pilates class. These other instructors took no care to accommodate, nor to recognize the exercises that could easily cause injury even to a healthy body. I could not finish either class. They reminded me of how incredibly fortunate I am to have Sornam. Sornam is an essential part of my continued health plan. I recommend her for any lemon, as well as any other kind of fruit in the bowl. She is in a word, marvelous. read more

I was suffering from a debilitating back issue when I sought out Pilates. Sornam came up as one of the highest rated Pilates instructors in the area and I would soon learn why. She helped me become better aware of my posture, my core, and to carefully strengthen my body to better support itself. Working in a small trio class, I received closer attention and Sornam could correct me if needed. Highly recommend her studio if you are serious about working with a warm, knowledgeable and capable instructor, getting leaner and stronger in a safe way without injuring yourself, &/or if you would just like to maintain a conditioned and flexible body overall. Time/location restrictions (on my part) have prevented me from further sessions with her, but it was one of the best investments I've ever made. She is generous with her knowledge and I am so much better for it. Thank you Sornam! read more

I have been going to Reform You Body Pilates for over a year. Recently I realized that my transformation was really noticeable inside and out! Sornam the instructor is a funny warm and extremely capable teacher. I always leave feeling refreshed, energized and STRONG :) This is my first experience with Pilates, but I feel as if I have found the best place for me. This is something that will change the way you feel and make you strong. I HIGHLY recommend this studio! read more

I recently moved to Berkeley from San Francisco, and had trouble finding a pilates studio, as this is clearly a yoga town. Although I've taken pilates classes over the past 4 years at a couple of different studios in SF, Sornam, who owns and teaches all classes, is the BEST instructor I've ever had. Classes are small and affordable, and she pays great attention to each student. I'm someone who absolutely hates gyms, and has felt intimidated by yoga and some pilates classes. Sornam makes sure to challenge you at the level appropriate for your skills. I'm grateful for finding her in Berkeley, & encourage anyone else reading this, and thinking about trying out this studio, to go for it. Your body will thank you! read more

Sornam is great. I wasn't sure what Pilates would do for me when I started coming to Reform Your Body Pilates, but she put me at ease from the first class. She is able to tailor each class to how I am feeling and what I need to work on, while also pushing me just enough to get results every time. I highly recommend her classes. read more

Sornam is terrific, I can't say enough great things about her and her Pilates practice. I love going to her class, it has such a calming environment yet you get a true workout. This is exactly what I've always wanted out of a Pilates class - a challenging, yet fun, environment. Aside from the typical Pilates floor and reformer workouts, she also has us work with free weights and there is a lot of stretching. I crave doing the foam roller - it is so wonderful! Sornam truly meets her clients at their level. She will customize the workout to you, to your body. She is also very intelligent and thoroughly knowledgable on the mechanics of the human body and what makes it work and what makes it healthy. She goes above and beyond for her clients, and makes the atmosphere challenging yet unintimidating. She is also a good friend, and I am so thankful that I was introduced to her class. read more

Sornam's studio is better than ever, I'm post back surgery and am doing things to get stronger through Pilates and I feel great after each weekly session. Could not recommend her more highly! If you think that you can't do things because of a recent or chronic injury, Sornam will work with you to find a Pilates routine that is tailored to you, and her prices are more than reasonable for such personal care. read more

I took Pllates with Sornam for two years, through a pregnancy and after delivery. It's a wonderful class and she is an excellent instructor. She works with your abilities and contraints and designs individualized workouts that challenge, while leaving you feeling worked-out but never hurt. It's a great class whether you're fit and want to take it up a few notches, or if you're not so fit and want to get started. I cannot recommend her highly enough. read more

Sornam is a great instructor. She provides firm direction without being forceful or pushing too hard. She is funny, motivating and kind.

I was hesitant about starting Pilates in my 80's. Sornam was the perfect teacher. She is well-trained, soft spoken, with a quiet, pleasing personality. She tailors the exercises to the needs and limitations of those in the class, ramping it up slowly, so we're not straining ourselves, but getting the benefits of stretching, deep breathing, balance and weight bearing. The personal attention she gives each person makes it feel like a private class. We share, laugh, work hard, and thoroughly enjoy every session. I highly recommend Sornam and her gentle way of teaching. read more

Sornam is amazing. I have two serious injuries that have caused me chronic pain for the past 20 years. (I have had lower back pain on and off from a compacted disc injury from gymnastics. I also have sciatica, ulnar nerve compression, and neck pain from a ski injury 8 years ago.) For the past seven years the pain has gotten steadily worse to the point where I could not commit to any physical activity with friends because I did not know what I would be capable of doing that day. After 10 months of regular pilates training with Sornam, my pain is completely manageable--and sometimes pain-free--and I can count on my body again. Before going to her I had tried physical therapy, yoga, Bikram, massage, acupuncture, and even surgery. Nothing has worked as well is going to pilates with Sornam. I believe it is the attentive way in which she pays attention to the cues of each person's body, crafting a strengthening regimen individualized to each of her clients. I cannot stress enough what a difference Sornam has made in my life. I am the strongest I have been in seven years. If you suffer from chronic pain or even if you simply want to get in better shape, I highly recommend Sornam!! read more

Sornam is great! She is an expert and is warm and wonderful. I have fibromyalgia and she knows how to work with me slowly to regain my strength. I am so glad she is there for us. Thank you Sornam! read more

Highly recommended! This is a great studio with an amazing instructor. I have been with Joanna (Sornam) for the last 3 years and always look forward to our weekly sessions. Not only is Joanna an incredibly talented and qualified Pilates instructor, but also a caring person and a good friend. read more

I have practiced yoga for over 15 years. My flexibility and balance have always overcompensated for my lack of strength. I tried everything from weight lifting to protein shakes to trainers. It was not until I found Sornam that I re-discovered core strength. I had lost so much strength in the four years after my son was born. Now, I have learned so much from her in only three months of time. My hips, inner abs, and entire body have become stronger through Sornam's ability to focus on my exact needs. She tailors our workouts with a method that let's one focus on breathing while isolating muscles specific to each individual's strength. Sornam's wealth of knowledge about the body continues to amaze me. She has guided me through back pain, a terribly twisted and sprained ankle, and acid reflux issues. I am shocked by the rapid healing and reforming my body has undergone in such a short amount of time. I am able to run trails well again and I am looking forward to returning to yoga with the missing element developed: strength! By far the most exciting part is that I know I will age well with Sornam's guidance. I am so thankful to have found Sornam and Reform Your Body Pilates. read more

nice studio for pilates. nice time working to build my core strength. been here many times since it first opened. it is an easy studio to return to within walking distance. read more