Karen Casino is one of those Berkeley people you feel so fortunate to meet. She's a New Yorker turned hippie slash pilates instructor who works primarily with women who have recently given birth. Her pilates studio is a lovely and warm little outpost in her backyard, which has one of the largest and most vibrant succulent gardens I've ever seen. Going to her classes is rewarding on so many levels. She really knows the postnatal body and works with you individually and as a class to strengthen your core and start building muscle again. She also has a friendly aura that makes you feel right at home in a class of complete strangers. In any given class she drops words of wisdom on body alignment, essential oils, healthy hippie food, succulents, communes, etcetera. I feel lucky to have found Karen at a time when I needed to reawaken my body after pregnancy. There's no one else I'd rather do kegels with! read more

EDIT: I just realized there's a ton of filtered reviews for Karen but I can't figure out why those are filtered and these are unfiltered. They all match my experience with Karen. Prenatal yoga classes are nice but they don't really cut if for me. There are tons of them but there are only two prenatal pilates options in the East Bay. Why is this? It's amazing how much Karen can get done in just a one-hour class. Her experience and understanding of the pre- and post-partum body is so comforting for a first-time mom like myself. I especially appreciate her advice about other physical activities I am continuing throughout my pregnancy so I can stay active but also safe. My pelvic floor gets a workout in addition to other muscle groups that I'll need for labor and delivery. I've stopped fretting about diastasis recti (separated ab muscles) because she has shown me how to prevent it and she knows how to help me get it back together after I give birth. I consider myself a bit of a jock and I want to continue being a jock after I give birth. Karen really should charge more, given what I get in exchange in terms of her mastery of anatomy and attention to my body. I'm going to spring for privates because that's how much I love her. I haven't gone for any of her bodywork (massage) yet but I'm pretty sure I will as I get near the end of this pregnancy. Karen Casino is the best-kept and most affordable prenatal secret in the Bay Area. read more

Karen is a wonderful teacher who fully understands the pre-and post-partum body. Being pregnant for the first time, Karen always had good suggestions to relieve pain, was open to alter exercises in order to make them more comfortable and appropriate to my level. She also was open to spread her knowledge and experience by offering to teach our husbands some message techniques to alleviate pain and discomfort. read more

Long story short: Go to Karen's classes, and for $350 you can deal with a degrading /condescending instructor with questionable exercises. (Or you can see a post-natal/pelvic floor physical therapist--a PT is probably a better use of your resources. Hell, your insurance might even cover part of a PT visit). I saw Karen for her prenatal core class at the recommendation of a friend (who had twins and stated the post-natal class helped her heal her abdominal muscles). However, I was extremely disappointed with the quality of Karen's material, her skills in instruction/"bedside manner" and the cost to value ratio of her classes. Quality of her material: Karen's material and methods do not appear to have research or scientific backing. I did not notice any difference in how I felt after completing her core exercises. Karen told us to do perineal massage (which has not been shown to actually help with tearing, no longer recommend as routine care for pregnant women). This may personal preference, but I found her exercise classes to be extremely boring--a mix of core and some Pilates. (In contrast, I continued to do Orangetheory classes until my 35th week of pregnancy, even slowed down and with modifications felt I got real health benefits from Orangetheory). Skills in instruction/"bedside manner": Karen comes across as really arrogant and she doesn't appear to listen to concerns very often. Worst transgression: Karen told me that I "have to get a doula if you have a hospital birth. Doctors won't do what's best for you and the baby, they'll do what's convenient for themselves." Ok, I get that a lot of hippies don't like the medical establishment, but it wasn't really Karen's business where or how I decided to give birth and she nevertheless inserted her strong biased opinion. She's not a medical professional and it's really concerning she felt the need to school me on my birth plan. (F$&@ that, it's really annoying). Karen insisted we sing along during one certain exercise, in a childish and silly manner. I felt this was extremely degrading. Pregnant women already get treated so rudely and infantalized in general, it was dispiriting to endure this during a prenatal class. Lastly, I voiced some concerns after the first class, Karen brushed me off, said it'll work out then changed nothing. As far as instruction, Karen simply doesn't explain things very well. Cost to value ratio: Karen charged me $350 for 10 Saturday morning classes. The first class was okay, she went over some anatomy and introduced us to the main core exercises. Then every class after was the same core plus a bit of Pilates. But weak sauce lame Pilates. For $350 I could go see a PT (who'd probably be much more pleasant and knowledgeable) and still have some left over for a good Baby Ergo. I ended up only going to 5/10 classes because I just couldn't stand the boring and degrading classes. Such a waste of money. I could've gotten a much better stroller for that kinda scratch! read more

I found Karen's flyer about postpartum exercise classes at my pediatrician's office after I had my second baby. She is helping me repair all the damage to my innards and outards after my pregnancy through core-strengthening exercises. And in a beautiful garden studio with a wonderful personal style. Best of all, I can bring my baby and interact with him while I "work out." She has a sitter / baby holder for when he gets fussy. She also does soothing, helpful body work. Highly recommended for postpartum moms who are not "boot camp" types. read more

Karen is wonderful! After being told I need surgery for my abdominal separation, I began to see Karen for physical therapy private sessions. She is kind, caring, and I'm already feeling a difference after 3 sessions. I even commute in from SF-- her rates are very reasonable and she came so highly recommended from various sources. She does prego work too. I wish I would have known about her months ago! read more

Karen's pilates sessions have helped me tremendously after the birth of my first baby. She is a lovely person and I've enjoyed my time with her so much. I recommend her to anyone who's looking to repair separated abdominal muscles after pregnancy and to anyone who's pregnant! I wish I had gone to her pregnancy workout classes! read more

About 4 years ago I started taking group and private Pilates mat classes with Karen Casino. I had never before experienced the benefits of Pilates but thought I would give it a try. Prior to that time I had severe back problems for over 25 years due to Scoliosis in my upper back as well as a car accident which caused permanent injuries to my lower back and my knees. For over 25 years I would consistently have severe back attacks that would result in my being bedridden for several days, at least once or twice a year. Since I started taking Karen's Pilates classes I have never had another back attack and have never been bedridden due to back or knee problems. In the past year, because of my multiple injuries, I decided to drop the group classes and concentrate on the private classes. As a result Karen is able to focus my exercises on my personal injuries. This has resulted in giving me renewed vigor, greater balance and more strength in my knees and my back. I think Karen is a great teacher and has a wealth of knowledge about how to treat any kind of injury. She is always expanding her knowledge, taking classes and learning new techniques that enhance her ability to help me and her other clients. I highly recommend her for people who have any kind of physical injuries that need regular attention. I would never go to anyone else. Chandra read more

After years of looking for a fitness program, I found Karen. Her mat class really works for me. I have done group classes, along with a private class weekly, and it really has helped my flexibility, strength and balance. I've never been a fan of yoga, Pilates has always worked better for me. I'm into my fifth year of working with Karen, and it's one of the best "good habits" I have developed for myself. She is patient, always mindful of keeping me safe, and the hour just flies by. I finally have a workout regime I look forward to going to, and hate to miss. read more

Karen is amazing, she helped me more than the chiropractor, acupuncturist, massage therapist. After a year of spasming muscles she released the muscle in 3 sessions. She taught me exercises that keep me aligned and I no longer have one leg longer than the other. I asked her at one point what she thought of a modern medical approach to my problem and with out delay or pessimism she said more knowledge is power. After 2 MRI's I have now found that I have bursitis in my hip, that issue had my piraformis and illiopsoas in spasm. Once Karen released the muscle spasms the orthopedic Dr was able to isolate the hip joint issue. Many thanks to Karen and a five star recommendation! read more

For many years, I've benefited greatly from Karen's Ortho-Bionomy and massage skills, in particular with respect to my ongoing back problems. Recently, I've begun an individual exercise program with Karen, focusing on core strengthening and flexibility. Here, too, Karen's personal attention and knowledge promise to be very valuable to me. I highly recommend her. read more

If you haven't tried out Karen you are missing something. Karen is excellent in helping you get your post partum body back again. She conducts a new mothers excercise classes where the mother can bring the baby. The workout focuses on developing your core muscles and releasing all the tension that your body carries. Since the classes are small, Karen gives you very individualized attention and helps you work through each exercise. The babysitter is right in the room so that if need be you can tend to the baby. Check out her website for more. You will not be disappointed. read more

I second everything the previous reviewers said! I found Karen through a recommendation from my sister, and she has been wonderful. She is very knowledgeable about the kind of stresses pregnancy puts your body through, and how to re-strengthen those areas. She has a very gentle and warm personal style, and this is this is very nurturing and helpful when you are trying to recover your "old" body, after a pregnancy. It's also great to be able to bring your baby, and the sitter is very warm and caring with the babies as well. read more

Karen's great! Fixed my neck problems (when Kaiser's physical therapists couldn't). Now working on general conditioning and improving my overall well-being. I always look forward to a session with Karen - my body is grateful for the therapy! Karen's exercises and stretches have really made me feel better and stronger. I highly recommend Karen. read more