This woman is the best! I have been doing private sessions with Veronique for the most part of a year at the studio she taught in before she opened Soulful. I have never in my life seen results like I got working with her. I have worked with other Pilates instructors and never got the attention or knowledge that I get from her. She is so aware, and so good at explaining, that I just get it. Someone else posted Veronique as a "guru" and I think that word fits perfectly! read more

Soulful Pilates - Pilates Near Me - San Mateo, California

I've been doing my Pilates at Ellie Herman since I began 6 years ago - it's a wonderful place with wonderful people, and I have never had any reason to stray . . . until EHS-trained Pilates guru Véronique Thoma opened Soulful Pilates just a stone's throw from my place. I strolled over for a reformer class today and was lucky enough to get a private class (because the studio *just* opened about a week ago and the classes have not yet filled up). I doubt one will be able to draw on that kind of luck for long. Véronique is a skillful and thoughtful instructor, and it was a pleasure having her put me through my paces on the reformer. As for the studio (a sunny corner one block of Haight street that has been home to an Auntie Pasta [remember that place??], a web design firm, and most recently, an architectural office) it's been beautifully renovated. It's bright, clean, well organized, and all the equipment is brand-spanking new. Soulful Pilates gest 4 stars for awesomeness, and a one-star bonus for being so close to my house. read more

Veronique is a fantastic instructor. She listens to the areas that you want to focus on, and keeps the workouts interesting and appropriately challenging. I've practiced pilates at several studios over 15+ years, and Veronique is my favorite instructor by far. She keeps me fit, focused, and energized, and she is lovely to work with. Although she recently moved from SF to San Mateo, I followed her for the great workouts! read more

As another reviewer wrote, Jen is an amazing instructor who is funny, smart and sassy enough to distract you from your burning, aching muscles. Veronique, the owner, is super, too. Diana is another great instructor who has her own dance company. Each of these instructors really know what they're doing, they care a lot about their clients, and the small space is kept immaculately clean. Each of the classes are fun, engaging and addictive, and the clientele is mostly local, laid back and friendly! This is a non-competitive, fun studio and I feel grateful to have them here in our neighborhood. My only petty little complaint is that I'd love a big "family" membership package or a bigger discount for, say 30 classes? - to "reward" my spouse and I for all the classes we each take here! Didn't I say that my complaint was petty? I did. So be it. But the truth is that it's not like we'd go anywhere else, since we both love it so much here at Soulful. read more

Veronique has been my personal Pilates instructor for 2 years. She trained me through my first pregnancy - all the way to the last weeks - and then whipped me back into shape after the birth. To show you how awesome and unique she is: I recently moved across the bay to Oakland and thus my sad goodbye to weekly sessions with Veronique. I made a special trip back to the city for a session when she first opened and was not disappointed. The space is lovely, the equipment top-notch. I will be making every effort to come back as often as possible. I've continued classes at a new place in Oakland. The only problem is that I seriously miss Veronique's ability to push me on to the next level. Even when I was just starting again from pregnancy, she was always able to spot my strengths and challenge my weaknesses, giving me the confidence to continue practicing. And the results? People are always amazed that I've been able to flatten out my stomach after having a 10-lb baby. I tell them it was Veronique's instruction that led the way. Give her a try! You will not regret it. read more

Amazing studio with one of the top instructors in the business. Veronique can work with all bodies and is an expert in alignment and with building and maintaining core strength. She is also kind, professional and attentive to her clients. I highly recommend her studio. read more

I had been watching and waiting for Soulful Pilates to open ever since I'd seen the small sign in the window announcing it was coming! I couldn't be more thrilled, as the Haight has needed a great Pilates studio for a long time! And now it's open! I initially signed up with a friend for a "semi-private instruction" series, which is 3 classes with a friend/partner. It's been a great way to get to know the equipment, my skill level, and the instructor, Veronique. As someone who has taken Pilates off and on for over 10 years, I am totally impressed with Veronique. She is warm, knowledgeable, and patient. I love that she seamlessly adjusts the workout to my skill level. I will now begin taking regular classes there, which are still quite small, due to them just opening, but I'm certain will fill up as the word spreads! read more

I am lucky enough to have this beautiful little studio right in my neighborhood. Jen is an amazing instructor, she's funny enough to distract you from your burn as well. I have been intimidated by Pilates for a long time, but she really helped to demystify it. Really wish I could afford more than once a week! My only complaint is that they do not offer more classes. read more

I really love this studio. Johnathan's classes are my favorite, the atmosphere is so great - and you work at the level you're at. I really appreciate his demeanor and would highly recommend trying one of his classes! read more

Unfortunately, I suffered a displaced wrist fracture in Veronique's class, and I think she didn't protect my safety! She had us stand on the "chair" without handles to grasp, and told us to balance on one leg. Nearly instantly I fell to the floor and suffered a displaced wrist fracture. She knew my skill level, and with only 4 people in the class she should been careful to provide me with handles for balance! I was out of work for 5 weeks, and 10 months later, I still have wrist pain and stiffness. Veronique called to check on me after my fall to see how I was, but then seemed to avoid me, reluctantly refunded my money for the remaining sessions, and only contacted her insurance company many months later when I threatened to write a Yelp review. Since neither she nor her insurance company has been helpful, I've decided to post this review now. read more

I've been doing pilates for over 10 years and using multiple studios across the country and world, and this is one of the best pilates studios I've been in - clean - good instructors, small classes, great equipment, and attention to detail. I took 2 classes here this past week, and enjoyed them both. They push you just hard enough, where you feel great and just a bit sore. Great variety and the studio feels calming and well run. read more

This neighborhood Pilates studio won't be the best kept secret for long. I have anxiously awaited it's doors to open the since the day I noticed that the architecture office had vacated this the beautiful space, and in the window, a small sign announcing a Pilates studio coming soon. I was thrilled. Each time I walked by, my anticipation grew. I was impressed the moment I walked in. I immediately signed up for the (affordable) introductory private sessions, and was thrilled after my first session with Veronique. I was impressed with her patience and friendliness, her teaching techniques, and her passion for her work. She is also very good about adjusting and customizing sessions, and classes around your needs. The studio is spotless. Beautiful. Cozy. I have been doing Pilates off and on for years, and felt like I was home. Soulful Pilates is a very long overdue, fresh gem in the neighborhood, and I look forward to watching it grow. read more

Have been going to this studio since it opened about 5 years ago. I like the diversity of classes and all the teachers. The teachers seem very interested and dedicated to their clients. I especially like Chelsea's 7 am Tuesday morning Barre class. Chelsea has great energy and passion for her work which she channels into a fun and sweaty class - it's great to start the day off with! I also enjoy the company of the other people who work out there - supportive energy, a mix of ages and none of the competitive bitchy vibe I have felt in other studios. Would highly endorse Soulful Pilates! read more

I experienced my first private pilates session with Diana and I loved it. The machines were fun and the studio was very nice with lots of natural light. Her calm, attentive teaching style was a very good match for me and we were able to address more than I expected. I left feeling refreshed and more balanced in my neck and hips. It was also quite easy to travel to - I used public transit. read more

I've been coming to this studio for a couple of years now and its been a terrific experience. My core strength is greatly improved and I'm much more in tune with my body. Sticking with private sessions 3 times of week is perfect to keep me flexible and in good condition. Highly recommend Veronique, and the other instructors in the studio who all have their own slightly different approach. read more

QUIET RAVE. I'm not a "pilates girl." I had taken a few mat classes and one series of machine classes a few years ago and found it okay. I decided to give this a shake as it is in my hood. A friend and I did a few semi-privates together as a way to check out the instructor, Veronique. Here's what I found: my previous instructors didn't know what they were doing // Veronique does I don't know what I'm capable of //Veronique does I thought pilates was repetitive and dull //Veronique is precise, and mixes up everything up complexly so that your brain and body are interested/involved. She ensures you have the technique down correctly. She keeps the workout juicy. other instructors were chatterboxy which I find distracting // Veronique's style is calm, focused, precise and warm -- saying enough but not too much With a good instructor there is a lot more to explore here than I previously understood. I'm not bored; I'm stimulated, and I feel I'm beginning a course in SPIDERWOMAN BALLET. I am now signed up for group classes. I find this a quiet, restorative workout, that is also teaching me how to kick butt. With an instructor as knowledgeable and gentle-strong as Veronique, I could see myself committing to Pilates for years. So this is a RAVE for excellence and A QUIET rave because that is how I feel after class...peaceful-strong-quiet. read more

This is a nice studio, but has some issues. Both Diana and Jen are great instructors and are fun, personable, and professional. After reading Yelp reviews I signed up to take private lessons with Veronique but my experience was disappointing- Veronique came across somewhat cold, rigid, and not very customer friendly. Our lessons started late but finished on time and she thought nothing of interrupting the lesson 2-3 times to answer the phone (hello, heard of voice mail?). I would think that the owner of the business would be much friendlier to her customers. Also, when there are two classes going on at once it is really difficult to hear your instructor- it's a cramped space and can get very loud with so many people. read more

I am here to highly recommend Diana Broker. I have tried out a few other pilates instructors, and so far I consider her the best. She's great for privates. She's patient, explains well, is gentle. It's a nice pleasant studio and even though it's in the Haight, parking hasn't been impossible at least if you're able to take classes anytime before 6pm. I can't comment about parking after that since I've never been there at that hour. If you're able to and especially if you're a beginner, try and take advantage of the studio special for 3 privates for new students and make sure to ask for Diana. She's a warm person and very experienced at teaching. read more