I've been doing Pilates with Sara for almost six years now. She just opened her own studio in Silver Lake (that's two words, gang). I had my first lesson there a couple of days ago and it's a terrific space. Sara is a friend of mine, so you might look at this recommenation with a bit of side-eye, but she was my favorite Pilates teacher long before we were friends. (And also, uh, I have a LOT of friends with businesses on yelp that I HAVEN'T reviewed, if you catch my drift, so this is as genuine a response as it gets.) I'd done Pilates with 5 or 6 other instructors over the years, and it was often what I'd call "good enough" Pilates, more of a social session than actual exercise. So I was startled to learn that no, there's usually one specific muscle to trigger, and it's usually not happy to be discovered, and then when you do finally get it working, it boosts the rest of them in a way I didn't know about. Now I do. Ask me about my lats and I will tell you more than you want to know. She's precise, detail-oriented, and she knows the almost-infinite variety of bodies so well it's almost supernatural. But it's not, because she's had a crazy amount of training and experience. Every once in a while she mentions something she's done -- rehabbing acrobats, observations from a cadaver class she took to better understand muscles, some minute gesture she first learned in ballet -- and I realize, again, what a gem she is as an instructor. I'm in the best shape of my life at 54, and that's on her. Generally speaking, I've boosted my weight lifting by about 30% because of her training, and my running has improved quite a bit -- turns out that extension in the lower back and working on hip flexor strength is crucial to keeping that cardio going. read more

I started working with Sara to rehabilitate my foot after an injury. I'd gone in for physical therapy through my health provider only to come out feeling like the therapist wasn't listening to me -- and anyone who's doing that kind of work with you and who doesn't listen? Yeah, no. After injury, it's extra scary to trust someone to help you heal, and I didn't know where to go. I'm infinitely lucky that I found Sara. A couple clients who'd had injuries even worse than mine recommended her, and I took the leap. One of the best decisions I've ever made! She looks at your whole body, not just your injured area. She treats you like a whole person, actively listens, and is so freaking smart. I'm bouncing back better and faster than I had any reason to hope. I leave sessions with her knowing more about how my body works, and that knowledge is going to serve me well for my whole life. She doesn't just help you exercise or rebuild, she educates you and helps you build good habits. She's the kind of instructor who meets you where you are. No judgment, shame or weirdness. She treats your body (and you!) like a full individual worthy of respect, health and healing. Her studio feels safe and warm. And she's super funny, so bonus points for being a dang delight. If you're looking for pilates instruction, Sara's got you. read more

I took Pilates one on one sessions with Sara for two years when she was in the Bay Area. I've tried a few others since she left, they just aren't even close to what I got out of my time with Sara. She has a great teaching style, and she knows the body. She'd constantly tell me what we were doing, and what muscle that exercise was going to strengthen... and she had the tendency to know what I needed from week to week. Sometimes that was encouragement, (she's really good at that,) sometimes it was a tough-love reality check. (She had that one down too.) I got stronger. My posture improved. My lower back stopped hurting. I've never had great balance, yet by the end of my first year, I was doing things that I've never been able to do, even when I was young and fit. (I'm 50+) I had the toughest time on those stand-up paddle boards out in the Bay. I'd bail constantly. Not anymore. I couldn't recommend Sara more. She knows what people need as well as she knows the body. And nothing is boiler plate. My workouts were always different. Sara's a quick study. And she left me in far better shape than when I came to her. Not much more you can ask for. A++ read more

I started having pretty bad lower back pains in 2014 and in early 2015 a friend introduced me to Sara. I decided to do a few private Pilates sessions with her to see if it would help. ... fast forward to late 2017 when Sara moved from San Francisco to LA. I had been doing Pilates with her twice a week for almost 3 years, and not only was my back pain completely gone, I was in the best shape I had ever been. I had much better flexibility, balance and posture than ever before, and was able to do acrobatic tricks I never dreamed to be possible for me. I've gone through several personal trainers and physical therapists, and Sara is in a class of her own. Not only is she immensely good at what she does, but she has a real talent for spotting even tiny mistakes in your posture and technique which is super important. And as someone else mentioned, working out with Sara is just plain fun. You need to have a good sense of humor and tolerance for colorful language, but if that's the kind of company you enjoy, you'll have blast. Mind you, this is not a social occasion, she will work you hard. But you will be laughing through your tears of pain. read more

When I first met Sara, I was considering a cortisone shot in order to help with pain from a bulging disc between my L5-S1. Sara, who also suffered a serious back injury in her twenties, turned out to be the perfect trainer for me. She very quickly recognized my weaknesses and had me working and toning muscles that I didn't even know existed. A few months in and the pain had gone down so much that I was no longer considering the shot. I wish that I had found Sara sooner - physical therapy was a complete waste of money. I wish I could go back in time and spend all of that money on private classes with Sara instead. Sara always pushed me to try a little harder, flex a little farther, stretch a little deeper. But at the same time, she always listened to me and tailored our sessions to how I was feeling that particular day. She was always extremely sensitive to my lower back injury and if ever I felt a twinge, we immediately adjusted. Fortunately/unfortunately, I moved to NYC over the summer. I was so disappointed that I had to stop training with Sara, but luckily she gave me the foundation that I needed to start taking group classes. She taught me to always keep my core tight and foam roll every day. Now, I may not be getting the same amazing workout that I did with Sara, but I'm comfortable in group classes and I'm at least able to keep practicing Pilates and keep working on my core. If I ever have the chance to train with Sara again, I will most definitely be back! read more

I was diagnosed with are rare type of arthritis in my early 20s and, after YEARS of failed medications and physical therapy, I'm happy to report that Sara's work with me has changed my life. Her work has allowed me to function normally, despite fusion in my spine and swelling in my joints. My only regret is that I didn't give Pilates a shot with Sara sooner. I noticed strength returning and more mobility within a matter of a week or two. Having been skeptical after so much failure, this felt like a miracle. Sara's sense of humor and depth of knowledge make her an easy person to recommend to anyone suffering from chronic pain or in need of a healthy lifestyle shift. read more

The Queen of San Francisco Pilates has moved to Silver Lake. I'm not a particularly athletic person: some college sports, several years of yoga classes and a daily hike around the Silver Lake Reservoir. That was about it for me. As I aged my joints became stiffer, my lower back was misbehaving and I felt I needed a change. I needed more of a challenge. I needed to wake up my body. My son was living in San Francisco and he told me of a fantastic regimen called Pilates taught by an outstanding practitioner name of Sara Shay. He has been a client of hers for several years. As luck would have it Ms. Shay was opening a studio in Los Angeles and my son bought me an introductory package of encounters. I've been under her care twice a week for the last nine months. Every muscle and joint in my body has been identified, awakened and assigned to the task nature has intended for it. My posture has improved. My joints are freer. Muscular complaints wait patiently their turn in line for service. I've never felt better in my life. This all works because Sara is a super master of her craft. Not only has she mastered the mechanics of the human body but she delivers this knowledge in the most effective and caring way. She loves her work and she loves her clients. and it shows. read more

I started seeing Sara Shay due to a shoulder injury from pole tricks. I tried an advanced trick but failed to engage my back (because I didn't know how!) and put all of my body weight on my rotator cuffs. After that, my shoulder would hurt every time I would put my arms overhead, especially on a shoulder hyperextension. So Sara helped me do 2 things as part of my rehabilitation: (1) Wake up my lats(!!!) and (2) Strengthen my rotator cuffs. Over 6 months we would do exercises on all of the cool contraptions she has in her studio - The Reformer, Cadillac, Yoga Wheel, Feet Up Trainer and many more! My goal was to be able to get back into Pole and Ballet pain free and she made that happen! The biggest thing that stood out in our privates was her infinite wisdom and that I had her undivided attention every second of the session - to make sure I'm safe and using the right muscles. And plus she has a big heart! She has a humorously gentle way of correcting me that our sessions become so fun!! Even though I'm fully recovered I still make the time to see her - she helps me push my boundaries and correct my form. I'm feeling stronger in Pole and Ballet than ever before! read more

I trained with Sara for over a year, initially for a knee injury but then to improve my strength and flexibility for both dance & aerial (primarily Pole but also Circus tissu). Her extensive knowledge of Pilates, together with her background meant she was able to assess my strengths & weaknesses to tailor a programme that met both my needs & my goals. When making changes to my programme, Sara was always quick to spot when things weren't working & was able offer alternatives. I loved working with Sara. She is very particular about technique but our sessions were always fun & there was often laughter. San Francisco loss has been Los Angeles gain read more

If you have the opportunity to start/continue your Pilates practice with Sara Shay, DO IT!! I originally only intended to take a few private classes with Sara as I had watched a coworker of mine VISIBLY improve her posture (not to mention, avoid potential surgery) thanks to the time she'd spent working with Sara. I wanted to improve my form and learn how to strengthen other muscles to help alleviate ongoing issues I have with my knees. I've now been seeing Sara 2x a week for a year and a half. She is hands down the most talented Pilates teacher I've ever worked with. She's incredibly intuitive, extremely knowledgeable, and strikes just the right balance of supportive and encouraging but also challenging and a little tough at times. I'm always shocked (and delighted) that she consistently teaches me new exercises, stretches and movements, even after so many sessions together. She never has me work through pain, and instead finds alternative positions to achieve the same result. I've gotten so much stronger since working with Sara, but it's happened almost without my realizing it. I always get a great workout with her, but never feel like I've been pushed too far. On top of all of that, she is so much fun to work with. She has a slightly wicked sense of humor, a great big laugh, and an even bigger heart. I will seriously miss her when she leaves us for LA. You guys don't know how lucky you are. Get yourself a session with Sara before everyone else discovers her and her schedule gets booked up completely!! read more

I have worked with Sara for a number of years. She is the BEST. She really understand bodies and is able to individualize sessions according to need. I have gone into a session with back discomfort and left feeling much improved. I have trained in different body works and I am very impressed with Sara's ability to see different physical patterns and work on what an individual needs. Be prepared: working with Sara is fun and demanding. You will be all the better for having done Pilates(or Pole) with Sara! read more