I'm so excited that Internal Fire Pilates is close to where I'm moving in San Rafael. This studio is a true gem in Marin. What makes it stand out immediately is that they teach classic Pilates, which is surprisingly hard to find these days. So many studios have moved toward trendier, watered down versions of Pilates, but Internal Fire stays true to the original method and you can absolutely feel the difference in the quality of the workout. Another thing that really impressed me is the equipment. They have top of the line apparatus that you just don't see in many of the other Pilates studios around Marin. Everything is beautifully maintained, professional grade, and clearly chosen with serious Pilates practice in mind. It makes the entire experience feel elevated and authentic. The instructors are incredibly knowledgeable, attentive to form, and clearly deeply trained in the classical method. The studio itself is welcoming, calm, and thoughtfully designed. You leave feeling stronger, aligned, and energized. If you care about true classical Pilates and excellent equipment, this is absolutely the place to go. I'm genuinely thrilled it will be my new neighborhood studio when I move to San Rafael. read more

This is a very classical Pilates studio with the original style Pilates equipment. Sessions are more formal and classical.

My favorite Pilates studio in Marin! Love these instructors. Highly recommend! It's a very welcoming and nonjudgmental atmosphere. They meet you where you're at. read more

This studio has an atmosphere of kindness, competence and healing. I want to write, in particular this morning, about Mariette who teaches on Saturday mornings. She is a master at paying close attention to posture in all the movements, having me go slowly enough that I find the individual muscles that we are strengthening and stretching. Sharon, and all of the other instructors - Marianne, Talia, Fernanda, Jayne, Jane - are also superb. Highly recommend. read more

Jackson is a fantastic instructor. He really helps you to focus on what is taking place in your body while giving fantastic instruction and guidance on the movement task at hand. Times well and deliberate, one can deepen their movement practice Co, SJ!!! read more

Bright, serene space. The trainer, Jackson, was excellent. Friendly and highly skilled. His verbal cuing and imagery was spot on. This location is pretty convenient for me and with the free, easy parking, I'll be back! I appreciated the fact that the group class size was a max of 5, but I wish there were more group classes offered on the schedule. read more

Hands down the best Pilates instruction I have ever found, in over 20 years of doing Pilates. The owner Sharon really knows her stuff and has trained many other instructors. Whether you want help addressing an injury, relieving back pain, or just want to stabilize and strengthen, this is the best studio! read more

Teachers are great - - they give you lots of attention and tips, even in group classes which are small. I have tried a number of Pilates studios and highly recommend Internal Fire Pilates! read more

Absolutely incredible Pilates studio and owner -- classically trained with a lovely approach and vibe, great classes too! Highly recommend!

Not just LIKE it.....LOVED my private lessons with Jackson. Highly recommend being under his careful tutelage. Signed up for classes now and looked forward to incorporating Pilates into my life. With much gratitude. read more

I Have been going to Internal Fire for over 8 years and could not imagine doing Pilates anywhere else .. outstanding teachers especially Jacckson makes this my number one go to work out .. read more

Incredible instructors an so much depth and richness in each class. I end up feeling 10X better after taking class here, whether it's virtual or in-person. I am so grateful that the studio offers virtual sessions and classes during this time. Thank you Internal Fire Pilates!!!! read more

This is an amazing studio. Good people who are sterling coaches! Patient and knowledgeable. Sharon has cured me and made me ache but NEVER hurt me. In the end I am vastly improved and very grateful. You will not find better instructors and more positive people anywhere!! And I feel better! yaaay.... (Don't take on too many people Sharon-- save space for me!) read more

Internal Fire Pilates is a studio where you can comfortably take classes with a variety of Master teachers. The professionalism, skill and kindness from everyone, especially owner Sharon Gallagher-Rivera, is inspiring. read more

This is a wonderful studio with all the latest equipment. Danielle Williams is an outstanding teacher, skilled, kind, professional, and above all, inspiring. The studio is conveniently located and there is always plenty of parking. read more

Kym is an amazing instructor and takes a genuine interest in your well being. She is extremely knowledgeable, classical in her approach and patient as I learn new techniques, while also pushing me to reach my potential. I highly recommend booking a session with her. read more

We have done Pilates at several studios around the country and frequently attend a very high quality one near our home (out of state). We decided to give Internal Fire a go, after a horrible experience at another "studio" down the street last year. Sharon Gallagher-Rivera is without a doubt one of the best, if not the best, Pilates instructors I have ever had. She really knows her stuff and is super friendly and patient. What a resource, I wish we were in the area more often so that we could come here all the time. Thanks Sharon! read more

I'm so glad I joined this studio! Ive been a long time away from any physical training other than lots of walking! So I was a little intimidated to walk into a Pilates studio. Not only is Sharon amazing as a teacher, every one of the teachers there are great. I love how non judgmental it feels and how each teacher gives detailed attention. read more

The instructors at IFP are amazing and truly knowledgeable, and you have choices about whether you want an intense workout or restorative session. Either way it relieves stress. These Pilates sessions allow me to stay healthy and strong and maintain good mind/body balance even during very difficult times like COVID-19! Sharon is among the most talented Pilates instructors I've ever met and she has worked hard to pull together a dynamite team of instructors. I love being part of this studio! read more

I started seeing Sharon, the founder, two-plus years ago when I was in such pain from a back and hip injury that I could barely walk. I was walking and even jogging again within weeks. Today, after steady weekly lessons with Sharon and three of the other instructors she has carefully vetted and brought in to her studio, I am stronger and more joyful in my body than ever in my life. I can do things requiring a level of strength and flexibility that I didn't think would ever be mine again. She and her co-teachers are superbly trained, careful, experienced, and warmly supportive. I have seen folks of all ages and physical ability levels in that studio, from teens to elders, and heavy-set or partly disabled, to athletes and dancers. Truly: they're the best. Such love and respect for Sharon, Kerry, Fernanda, Lise and the Internal Fire studio! read more

Sharon is a fantastic pilates instructor! She has helped me so much in correcting my posture, building general strength and developing a deep understanding of the body. I cannot recommend her more. read more

I have taken pilates from Sharon now for about 2 years. I myself am a pilates instructor, and I am very picky about who I take pilates from. Sharon can see my body's imbalances and works in ways and gives me corrections to help these imbalances. I've taken classes from her, and now I take a duet from her once a week. Sharon is always patient as she challenges me to my full range of potential. She has a talent for creating a flow of exercises. She also brings the exercises to a deeper level so you get more from them. And even though Sharon teaches many pilates teachers, her expertise is great for the average joe as well, as she will break down the exercises so you can get the fundamentals of what she's trying to impart to you. Her energy is both calming and grounding, and this is what I find brings it all together for me. read more

As someone who has been in the Pilates industry for over 12 years I think of myself as somewhat discerning when it comes to studios and instructors. I came across Internal Fire Pilates 2 years ago when I was visiting Mill Valley and looking for a classically trained instructor and was blown away by both the caliber of instructors and the warmth of the studio - which is a testament to the studio owner, Sharon Gallagher-Rivera. Having now moved from NYC, I am so grateful to have a studio with such knowledgable and dedicated instructors, that I can now call my Pilates home! read more

Sharon is the best of the best. Whether you're a beginner, an expert, a trainer, or an athlete, Sharon can provide instruction and attention that is right for you. Pilates as an exercise is great, but to gain a deeper understanding of the movement you must seek out and find people who have the education and experience to teach as well as the communication skills and enthusiasm to make it fun to learn. If you can get into one of her classes, or if she can fit you into her schedule for private training, you should consider yourself very lucky! So far I have been lucky for five years. read more

I highly recommend Sharon as a pilates teacher! She has an immense knowledge of the body and is an intuitive healer. Her cues are some of the best out there, and her pilates classes are always challenging and deep with a focus on proper use of breath and alignment. I always learn so much when I take classes from Sharon, and I walk away feeling like I got exactly what I needed. read more

Sharon is a true teacher's teacher, yet I think people at all levels of physical activity would benefit from her classes. She has the master's ability to hone in on the essence of a problem and communicate clearly and simply. Just as importantly, she brings an empathetic, constructive approach to every single lesson. Sharon's vast background of movement knowledge and professional dance experience is a great boon to anyone who's trying to learn more themselves or simply trying to improve or change a specific pattern. She also understands the joy of movement and the importance of challenging oneself, that thing that lets both the student and the teacher bring (and take away) a lot more than 'just' Pilates to the Pilates lesson. I always come away from a class or a private session feeling like I understand better why things are working the way they are and what I need to do to get to my next goals. Just having launched a studio in Mill Valley - the aptly named Internal Fire Pilates - Sharon deserves to have it be a destination studio for all dedicated students of fitness. read more

Far and away the best pilates in marin. Technical and thoughtful!

Sharon is amazing! I'm a beginner at Pilates, running is what I love to do, but as you know it wears your body down. Sharon helps me keep my body healthy, somedays I come in and my body needs core work and strengthening what is weak and other days I need relief. She can do both extremely well. Not only is she a phenomenal teacher, she is a non-stop student to stay on top of the latest. With Sharon you'll actually learn a lot about your body, you won't regret it. read more

THE best Pilates studio around. There are lots of places to take Pilates, (and I've tried many of them), but Sharon is the only instructor that is super smart about how the body works, pushes and encourages to maximize workouts, and has the patience to a saint. If you want to work with the very best.go to Internal Fire Pilates. read more

I highly recommend IFP. The instructors are all excellent. It is a fantastic way to build strength and flexibility, and prevent pain. I started going to IFP when I was having difficult, recurring back issues. IFP got me moving again, and I have gradually progressed in full body strength and mobility, and have had no backsliding or major flareups. By working out with a variety of outstanding instructors, you get the benefit of different styles and approaches (and pricing), but they all follow the owner/ 20 year Pilates master teacher's (Sharon) basic principles: challenge the client with a full hour of supported, carefully monitored, deep core exercise, while keep it safe within the client's abilities. They are a super nice group, and the studio is super clean and conveniently located with parking in Mill Valley. I got my wife (who has no pain and is super strong) to start going to IFP too, and she loves it. She works out there at least once a week and stays very challenged! Five stars for IFP and my saviors there (Sharon, Lise, Shana, Mariette, Courtney). read more

Sharon knows her stuff! She understands the body and skeletal muscular disorders. I've been going to her since 2006 @ Cafe of Life and honestly was injured with no hope of regaining my strength. Finally when I began seeing Sharon - she worked slowly and methodically until I gained full movement back. read more

I have been taking classes from Sharon for years now and she is one of my favorite instructors. Her workouts are challenging for the body and the mind as she stretches me to find new ways to move in a integrated, centered manner. As a Pilates and Gyrotonic instructor myself, I choose to take classes from her as she knows her anatomy from the inside out and how to take the movement to the next level. She has also helped me with rehabilitation and her attention to detail and ability to decipher where the problem lies is extremely helpful and revealing. Along with her knowledge and her superb teaching style she is also a super sweet person. I highly recommend her! read more

Sharon really knows what's she's doing. Her different approach motivates her students to keep going and going. In addition, her unique teaching style and techniques deliver her promises of healing and integration of Pilates in our daily life. Now, everything just seems lighter and easier. read more

I have known Sharon Gallagher-Rivera, owner of IFP, for a few years now but it wasn't until a few months ago that I signed up for a series of private classes at IFP. I have now had about 16 classes from either Sharon or one of the other instructors. I have been delighted to be amongst such wisdom-filled instructors. They are enormously versed in how our bodies work mechanically. Their knowledge base coupled with highly developed skills of observation and their ability to translate what they observe into optimal physiological function, is exactly what I need. My initial reason to do pilates was to build up my strength for a series of difficult hikes I have planned for this summer. I thought that strength would lend to better endurance. What I love is that my strength is far better, and my endurance is off the charts better. I am gaining consciousness in how I breathe which is helping everything; and a shoulder injury is well on it's way to recovery. After an hour pilates session I feel great. The work is hard but guided and I trust this process which for me, is about developing my core strength for a healthy rest of my life. An added bonus is that I have shaved 7 minutes off two training hikes I do on a regular basis. I'll be 60 this year. And I want to hike all the monroes in Scotland. Gimping out on the next 20 years is not an option for me. Many thanks to Sharon for her steadfast path, her delightful manner and her commitment to classical Pilates training. ~ Liz Wise, Tiburon, CA read more

Fernanda Repsold is absolutely a gifted, caring and focused teacher. She has helped me to have my body move in ways that I was never able to achieve in other classes. She has great energy and is so supportive! I highly recommend taking a class with her! read more

I agree with the other reviewers here that Sharon, the owner, designer, and inspiration of Internal Fire Pilates, is absolutely incredible, but because of that, her schedule may be full. Therefore, I recommend Internal Fire Pilates, as well as two other instructors I've enjoyed the privilege of working with, Valerie and Lise. When I walk into this studio, I feel I am coming home. I know I am in good and caring hands. Sharon is incredibly astute and if she is not available, will match you to who is right for you. Internal Fire Pilates is not about "exercise". It is about responding to who you are, as you are, that day. There is no formula, no "one size fits all", rigid routine. The instructors balance their training, skill and knowledge with intuitive and listening skills. If you want a whole experience of loving care that allows you to know yourself in new, expanded and whole-hearted ways, come here. read more

Feeling so grateful right now for Kerry O'Keefe at Internal Fire Pilates. My high schooler has struggled with foot/ankle/leg pain since 4th grade -- she has extremely flat feet and has injured her feet and ankles numerous times. We've spent years taking her to podiatrists and physical therapists, but nothing has made much of a difference. Finally, a friend suggested we try Pilates, and recommended Internal Fire. Within a few weeks she was markedly better, and six months later, she is walking like a different person -- no limping, no pain. We can't say enough good things about Kerry. She is always enthusiastic -- obvious she likes her job -- and sincerely encouraging. From the get-go, my daughter -- who was hesitant about trying Pilates -- has felt very comfortable with her. She has a warm manner and explains everything she does well, so that it makes sense. So my daughter looks forward to her sessions, and is much better for them. Very thankful! read more