Been struggling with chronic pain on my left side--hip, QL, shoulder. Chiropractic has provided relief, but I needed a way to keep my body in alignment between visits. Then I found Valerie Loo, and wow--she's incredible! Instead of just treating the pain, she finds what's out of alignment and teaches me how to correct it using Counter-shapes tailored to my body's unique movement patterns (quirks really). I don't think I've ever worked with a PT who truly understands how everything is connected. One time, my shoulder was hurting, and she had me do a foot exercise--not touching my shoulder at all-- the pain went away. So wild! What she teaches is like self-massage that actually gets to the knot--not just by pressing on it, but by using movements to retrain my body. Now, the pain stays away for days! And when it sneaks back in, I know exactly what to do to reset and feel good again! Valerie doesn't just "hand me the fish" so to speak--she teaches me how to fish, so I can take care of my body (at home) instead of relying on constant treatments. So grateful for this woman and her work. If you've noticed limits in your movement or want to move better while improving your posture and alignment, this is for you. She calls her method "prehab" (preventative rehab)-- it's a game-changer! read more

Loo Movement - Pilates Near Me - Oakland, California

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Valerie is awesome! I tried a Loo Movement class because I wanted to work on improving my posture and spinal mobility. I saw how inflexible my father was as he aged and wanted to avoid the same fate. At first I thought I was just coming to do stretches in a class and I wasn't sure it would stick. But then, I realized I was being taught a modality to move through life, and now I have a whole new appreciation of what Valerie is teaching. Valerie taught me to know what good alignment feels like. Now, I can tune into how my body feels and make adjustments on the fly. I have a new awareness of my spine and how it affects all of my movement. I can turn my head around and see behind me more easily. I stand with more confidence and feel more grounded. It's like my body was craving this... I just needed to listen to it. An unexpected perk of attending class has been the wonderful Loo Movement community! I always enjoy the caring attention Valerie gives in class. Afterwards it feels like I got a massage. The difference is that Valerie taught me to do it myself. This is the best I've felt in my body since I can remember! read more

Over the years and many injuries as a hockey player/hiker/dancer/office desk worker I have learned that the only person who will be able to or truly even know how to fix you is you. No one knows your body better than you, so find the health professionals who will help you to tap into your own body's awareness to get to know and heal yourself. I started seeing Valerie in November for tailbone pain that had already been bothering me for over seven months. I was really discouraged about going to a physical therapist as I had previous experience working with one which ultimately ended up with me pushing through the pain and re-tearing my initial ankle injury. Valerie was completely different than all other PT's I have tried. She really helped me discover how far I could and should push my body. She also helped me to reconnect and listen to my body and where my body should be positioned to have correct alignment, which also has the extra benefit of pain relief for me. Within a couple of months of working with her and putting in the work at home I started to experience moments, then hours, then days of no pain. I am still recovering and working on full and permanent pain relief but know that I would be nowhere without the help of Valerie. I can not recommend anyone more to have on your health care team than her. Additionally, Valerie is a wonderful and uplifting person to be around. read more

I enjoy working with Valerie. She's a unique PT. Her Loo movement approach uses multiple modalities. From my own experience, Loo movement works. I feel a lot of PTs focus on exercises and current or unresolved injuries. I questioned what I would do if the PT sessions no longer became effective. For example, I am given exercises for a particular injury but what if that injury has improved but you need something preventative. Something that most of the time gradually "adds to your back account". I have only worked one on one with Valerie but the sessions work almost instantaneously, and I feel like the issue I came in with gets resolved. My work with her has been incredibly effective. She works on alignment, form, etc. She is a PT who thinks about what you do after you've seen a PT. She's like a post-injury PT. She also looks at the whole you. She always has additional resources if you want them. She explains and educates you on what's going on with your body, goals and plans. She wants you to take charge of your own body. I expect I will get a lot out of her classes as well. Valerie you are awesome. I'm so glad you are part of my treatment team. Thank you. read more

I've been working with Valerie for the past couple months, and she has really helped me to get on a path towards healing my injuries, having better alignment, and having a more attuned relationship with my body. In past year, I decided to increase my exercise program from just walking the dog and hiking on weekends to adding significant cardio and strength training, based on my doctor's recommendation and on reading the book Outlive by Peter Attia. After running regularly for about 4 months, I began to experience hip and knee pain. I know I have some imbalances, and I have an old shoulder injury that bothers me from time to time. So I wanted to consult a physical therapist to learn how to heal the injuries and increase activity safely in the future. I chose Loo Movement because I really liked the approach that Valerie described on her website integrating physical therapy with Pilates, yoga, and mindfulness. I have a lot of experience with meditation and yoga. I have now had several 1:1 sessions with her, where she teaches "counter-shapes" to counteract misalignments or imbalances that she sees in my body, and then I do those at home on nearly a daily basis. I like to do my exercises at night, which helps me wind down, go to bed early, and fall asleep easily. I have also become a regular at her Pilates Reformer classes, which work really well for me in building strength and balance. In just a couple of months, I have noticed big changes: I experience hip and knee pain much less frequently, and my body feels stronger, more capable, and balanced. I'm looking forward to continuing with these practices as I ramp up my running and start to do more strength training. read more

I found and stumbled into Valerie Loo's LooMovement tai-chi/yoga/restorative movement class almost a year ago ... and it's fundamentally transforming my aging body into one that's more stable, mobile and calm. It's been my Sunday church - meditation and care for my physical wellbeing on a weekly basis. LooMovement honors my body. The philosophy is a most-welcomed opposition to "no pain no gain" - more relaxation, more support for my body that wants to stretch, reach, gain durability and inner strength. It's changed my relationship with my body with bringing more recognition, slower and deeper consciousness. I see Valerie for 1:1 sessions as well for attentive and corrective posture development. I love LooMovement and all that Valerie is about! Highly recommend without reservations!! read more

Valerie is a sorceress who has improved my quality of life dramatically since I wrote my original review. I originally sought Valerie's help for right shoulder pain from boxing and pickleball. The true reason for my pain, however, was scoliosis, which I had ignored for decades. By July 2023, my shoulder was pain-free. As I continued to increase my activity, Valerie was always spot on with helping me with whatever other issues emerged. I religiously followed the exercises that she suggested. Rather than a rigid routine, she taught me how to strategically select "a la carte" from my menu of mobility, strength, and core exercises. Today, my shoulder pain is long gone. My mobility is much better: I can raise my arms and stretch without any hitches or weakness. When I look in the mirror, my shoulders are even for the first time in 30 years. I'm down to monthly visits with Valerie (previously weekly, then every other week). Most importantly, I feel empowered to know how to respond to small issues that may come up. It feels good to be so much stronger and to be able to be active again! read more

I stand up straighter after working with Valerie! I like to be active and I was looking for a practitioner who would help me address my issues proactively. When I first came to Valerie, my neck and shoulders were always stiff and I needed to be extra cautious when I moved. She taught me Counter-shapes to open my chest, strengthen my upper back, and help my spine and shoulders be more flexible. Now I'm more relaxed and can move more naturally without being afraid something is going to hurt. I also I love it when my knees don't hurt when I walk down the stairs after our sessions! I come to her Core & Mobility class, and I always feel better afterwards, plus I know that if I need personal attention, I can get it in my 1:1 sessions. Loo Movement is awesome and Valerie is my go-to wellness coach! read more

I've been a long distance runner for many years, and the Loo Movement Yoga and Loo Movement Qigong classes have helped me stay balanced and flexible in between workouts. My schedule is so busy that I don't take the time to stretch and rest. Valerie is a physical therapist and her guidance and expertise have allowed me to recover from my long distance runs in a nurturing way. I feel very relaxed after each class on Sunday mornings that carries into my workweek. I look forward to returning to these classes now. This class is definitely something I will put on repeat. read more

Valerie has been a joy to work with on sports injury prevention. Even though we work on the physical body, I notice the sessions change my emotional body, building resilience and boosting cognitive function throughout the day. Valerie holds space in a very special way, teaching you to listen and respect your body. She draws from her expertise in Yoga Nidra, Reiki, and Qigong, as well as physical therapy and functional movement. I highly recommend booking your session if you want to be your best self on a daily basis. read more

I have been seeing Valerie for the last 2 years. She has helped me so much with a low back/sciatica problem I have had. Without Valerie I'm not sure if I would have gotten as much relief as I have. And for sure I wouldn't have kept my sanity. She not only helped me physically but she was so supportive and great ear to talk to. Valerie is really knowledgeable and being a physical therapist she is someone I really trust with my body. Don't hesitate to see Valerie. You won't regret it! read more

Oh my gosh...much gratitude to Valerie for introducing Loo movement. I was seeking physical therapy for frozen shoulder, and stumbled upon Loo Movement PT. I had been dealing with frozen shoulder for a little over a year, and in just a couple sessions with Valerie I was able to get mobility back. Not only did I get mobility in my shoulder, but I also found a kinship with the Loo movement method. The method not only provided counter-shape exercises for my shoulder, but it showed how to integrate my body's intuition so find a way to return to its natural balance. This may sound a bit woo-woo, so let me explain. I've learned through Valerie's instruction that our body has an intuition that knows where it feels and works at its best. When there is an injury or misalignment, we need to work at bringing our body back to its grounded, balanced physical place. It's not merely doing physical therapy for repair, but also allowing our body's intuition to share in the process of alignment, strength and balance. Basically, after each counter-shape exercise, we must stop and let our body feel itself so it remembers this is where we are to be. As we continue this Loo method, it becomes natural and the body and mind works more cohesively. This is both on-going and preventative physical therapy; Loo movement ensures that the physical and intuitive body works together always. To me this is the key to unlock health and wellness. Thank you Valerie! read more

Valerie is an excellent guide, teacher and coach for yoga, Pilates, functional movement, and general body strength. Her instructions and mastery of teaching how to optimize your body are so good, she might be even better over video training sessions. She is very attentive, a great listener and clearly wants to help me reach my goals. I've done many types of classes and worked with other types of trainers- she is top among them all. read more

I absolutely love this studio and cannot believe I didn't find it earlier. I went for the past 9 months and just moved away from East Bay and still have not found a studio quite like this one. I first started coming because my physical therapist recommended that if I really want to target the source of my inflamed IT bands and prevent future pains I need to target my scoliosis and strengthen my core-- so she recommended pilates. I've taken classes with Celina and Emily and they have different approaches. I would say, if you want your abs to be attacked and thinking "oh my gosh.. is this soreness ever going away?!" then Celina is the instructor you want. She is so funny throughout class and although she is putting your abs through a lot, it's such a good feeling afterwards. I have to say her class was rough but motivated me to keep at it. When I first came to stable core, I had an initial private lesson with Emily, then took her group classes and then had more private lessons. Emily is awesome, period. (But probably biased because I've spent lots of time with her during private lessons!) i felt like she took a lot of time to really understand my limitations and tried different approaches to strengthen my core and to try and target the different tensions, pains, muscle imbalances caused by my scoliosis. I've gone to the chiropractor for a number of years for back pain and really this studio has done more for me in 9 months. The people who go to this studio are also wonderful, I think I was always the youngest one there... But anyways this place rocks and I'm still trying to find a studio that is comparable. Valerie is so on top of all the scheduling, and replies to emails quickly. I hope to move back to the area after grad school and come back! Recommend to anyone interested in pilates or with some sort of pains they are trying to alleviate! read more

I was recommended to Valerie by my chiropractor and I'm so glad! It has been a lifesaver. I started working as an RN and had horrible back and leg pain, I was worried I would have to quit my job after trying acupuncture, massage, and all sorts of other therapies and none of them really helped me. I felt like I was going to be in pain the rest of my life until I started going to Valerie. Now I don't even go to massages anymore and barely ever have to see my chiropractor. I really trust Valerie with my body because of her Physical Therapy experience and she is constantly updating her skills with new training. Since going to stable core I am now pain free 99% of the time. She is able to hone in on my trouble areas and give me exercises to fix the imbalances that caused the pain. She also really listens and pays attention to what you have to say so you get personalized training to avoid injury. Now I am taking group classes there as well and am feeling so much better that I signed up for a triathlon, something I never thought I'd be able to do a year ago. It feels really good to have a PT/ Pilates studio that you can trust to help fix your injuries and get stronger so you can function at 100% I feel human again and now I can do the activities I want to do because whatever may happen, I have the skills thanks to Valerie to troubleshoot the problem and get stronger read more

I've been taking private sessions with valerie and they've been making a noticeable difference after just 2 sessions with my core strength and some long standing back pain. I've tried everything going on 4 years to get rid of back and SI joint pain post pregnancy. My PT and orthopedist recommended pilates PT and through yelp I found Valerie. She is A PT by training (worked 8 yrs at kaiser) and incorporates pilates into her PT to build core strength, improve posture and reduce pain in my case. She is smart, hands on and focused on wellness. In my first session she immediately noticed posture imbalances and muscle weakness that I haven't been able to solve. With a few exercises she got those muscles firing i havent been able to through months of PT and I already feel stronger. Pain is not all gone but I feel like I finally have some positive steps forward. Thanks also to amazing massage therapist patty haladay, and PT Natasha at sports and orthopedic leaders. 5 stars for them too. read more

I cannot recommend Loo Movement strongly enough. I started working with Valerie Loo, the founder of Loo Movement, almost three years ago when I began having persistent lower back pain and wanted to prevent it from happening in the future. Valerie was able to show me some techniques, exercises, and stretches to help alleviate the lower back pain quickly, but more importantly, she worked with me to strengthen my core and eliminate my lower back pain in the long term. Since then, she's led me on a journey to better alignment, posture, exercise form, strength, and overall health. I genuinely look forward to the sessions and I always leave feeling like I've made an investment in my health. Valerie is a truly gifted teacher. She really tailors the session to what I need that day based on specific goals I have, my energy level, and her spot-on intuitions. Sessions usually involve core work, some stretching, some alignment/posture maneuvers, and some work on the equipment, all with an emphasis on noticing the sensations and the changes during the session. Valerie incorporates movement practices from an impressive breadth of disciplines: physical therapy, yoga, Pilates, traditional exercise, and alternative manual therapies, among others. And by the end of each session, I've gained some new skills. Valerie shows me exercises and techniques and makes sure that I can practice them at home. Her work is a two-way street: she shows you movements in the studio and you work on them between sessions, feeling empowered in your body and during your physical activities. I also apply a lot of the concepts from sessions in my daily life. I'm so grateful for all of her insights! She's helping me improve my health and my relationship with my body. read more

Stable Core in the Dimond is a total gem. I love coming here to get my butt kicked by Yaira on a regular basis. The instructors are warm and welcoming. The springboard classes are small (4 students max) and effective. Parking is easy, abundant, and free. I almost don't want to publish this and suddenly have the classes get too crowded! But Valerie runs a great studio and it shouldn't be kept a secret...so here I am Yelping about it. Come by to see and feel your body change for the better. I've been attending since May '09 and I will continue on at Stable Core for as long as I can! read more

I have been working with Valerie Loo for almost 6 months now and I am SO grateful to have found her, I highly recommend Loo Movement! I've been struggling with a variety of aches and pains, but have been particularly plagued with neck issues. Valerie has been a transformational force in helping me better deal with these challenges through stretches and exercises that are focused on alignment in my spine. It's really important to Valerie to address the root cause of pain and so in addition to real relief, I generally feel more empowered and educated about how to take care of my body for the long haul. Her presence, enthusiasm, and energy are grounding and really instill so much trust as a healer. I honestly cannot say enough about how knowledgeable and passionate she is about supporting her clients and I have benefitted so much from my sessions with her. You will not regret working with Valerie if you are looking to form a more harmonious and holistic relationship with your body. read more

I've struggled with back issues for a long time, and things went downhill after a back injury. My Dr sent me to Pilates and it's made a massive difference in my quality of life. Yaira is awesome, really mindful, great at keeping track of students injuries and offering modifications. It helps that classes remain pretty small. I've taken bigger mat classes and not gotten the same effects. This has changed my daily life, improved my posture, drastically reduced the chronic pain I used to experience, and helped me to be more active and healthy again. I cannot possibly recommend Yaira's class too highly. read more

I love this place! I'm a novice- never done pilates before and now I can't get enough! The place is great- lots of parking, very clean and the instructors are knowledgeable, patient and very friendly. So glad it is in my neighborhood! read more

Wow, what can I say about Loo Movement with Valerie....SO MUCH! I have been working with Valerie for two years now and she has completely changed my relationship to my body. I am a professional dog walker and had a horse riding accident 8 years ago. I tried for years to manage my pain and exercise on my own without proper professional guidance. When the pain began to become worse and I found myself having to give up more activities that I loved doing, I found Valerie and feel I was gifted an angel. Valerie is incredibly intuitive and picks up on the subtle positions and alignment of your body. She knows exactly how to help you not just in a physical way but also in an educational, and spiritual way. Valerie has helped me with how to understand my body/brain connection and what it is my body needs in order to find better alignment so that I can have more pain free and productive days. Valerie most importantly has taught me how to listen to my body, something I am not sure I ever really knew how to do. I don't know what I would have done if Valerie had not entered my life. So much of the fitness and health community focuses on workouts and stretches that are harder, faster, and more movement, which for some of us is the exact opposite of what our body needs. Valerie has helped me understand what my problem areas are, what I can do about it, and when I need to be kind to myself and not push it. I truly feel I have a well educated understanding of my body and the tools to guide me away from pain and towards better alignment. I am so glad I began going to Valerie as I know the knowledge she has bestowed on me will continue to help me for years to come. I highly recommend Valerie to anyone who has chronic physical pain and needs the proper tools to help manage it. read more

A year ago, after completing 12 sessions with my physical therapist for sciatica and occasional knee pain, I mentioned my interest in core strengthening through pilates. She recommended Valerie Loo of Stable Core Pilates and am I glad she did! I've worked privately with Valerie for nearly a year and I can confidently say that my sciatica and knee pain rarely interfere with my quality of life. Thanks, Valerie, for continuing to provide me with the "tools" that allow me to live practically pain free to enjoy an active life with my young grandkids! Your credentials as a physical therapist and pilates instructor make you the expert I needed! (Did I mention that your tools allowed me to comfortably complete challenging hikes last year at Machu Picchu, Easter Island the Galapagos Islands and the Nakasendo Trail in Japan?) Thank you!! read more

stable core is so close to my work, it would almost be a crime not to try them out! i emailed them about classes, and it seems that they are intent on creating intimate classes with great teachers. valerie was responsive and professional. i signed up for a level 1 pilates classes with lila, and i loved it! she was so sweet and welcoming, and even when i was doing ridiculous things with my limbs (not necessarily on purpose - a common thing for me in pilates), she handled me (and my issues) with ease and kindness. the class was small (3 people, including myself), which made for an extremely personalized class. as someone with some joint issues, i wholly appreciated it... and i felt great afterwards! prices were relatively standard for pilates ($20ish/session), and times were convenient. i wish i could go all the time, but this nonprofiteer needs to be a little more frugal. nevertheless, five solid stars for lila and stable core - i hope to see you again soon! read more

I've had neck, shoulder, back, hip, hamstring, knee, ankle, and foot pain for years. I've been to multiple PT's, massage therapists, chiropractors, yoga classes, a personal trainer, and an acupuncturist. I got very little relief from the majority of them. Another friend of mine had back problems and recommended Valerie at Stable Core, so I thought I'd give it a try. She is amazing at seeing all the minute details and helping to adjust my postures and give me exercises that help strengthen the right areas without overdoing it and causing more harm. Don't misunderstand - this is not a quick, instant fix. It's a process of development. And sometimes we try something, learn that it's too much, and have a little set-back. But this is long-term pain that takes a while to undo. Valerie is great at keeping me moving forward and really solving the cause of the pain. read more

I've worked with Valerie Loo for many years at Stable Core Pilates, and now she's created Loo Movement. Her approach has taught me to move with more awareness. I apply this knowledge to all my movements whether it's walking, toothbrushing, cooking, or exercising. Everything was painful before I had integrated all the bodywork I've done with Valerie. With her background in physical therapy and Pilates, she's able to teach me what healthier movement feels like. I highly recommend her. read more

I love Pilates with Celina. I have taken her class once a week for a year now. I am pleasantly surprised with how strong I have gotten. I plan my schedule around this class. She is a genius and a pleasure to work with. :) I am impressed with how she varies all the workouts. They are challenging yet just the right amount of everything. Great synergy with classmates as well. read more

I had been going to Emily for Pilates. Her classes are small and she is an attentive instructor. Yesterday, though, she charged me for a class that I couldn't attend due to illness. When I asked her about this as she hadn't been clear about her payment policy, she didn't answer my email. I guess I am out the money. Not great customer service. She also has outdated payment methods. She only accepts cash or check and insists on getting the cash up front, even asking you to drive the payment in prior to class. If you need more flexibility, clarity on pricing or even understanding when you don't feel well and have to miss a class, this is not the place for you. I will be going elsewhere. read more

Let me start by saying this: I have been to countless physical therapists, feldenkrais practitioners, acupuncturists, personal trainers, pilates instructors, etc etc... and Valerie exceeds any and all of these. First - Valerie the Healer I initially came to Valerie (owner of Stable Core Pilates) for back and wrist pain from repetitive use and from having had a baby. Valerie is amazing. I have had about 11 visits thus far with Valerie. She is able to very quickly diagnose problem areas that I may not have even been aware of. Valerie takes the time to both strengthen my body while identifying minor changes that complete improve my body mechanics. She comes with a complete toolbox of skills - physical therapy background, massage therapy experience and training, pilates certification - and a wonderful ability to offer patience and calm to my harried life. If I miss several weeks with Valerie, I notice the difference right away. Working with her has not only diminished my pain, but has also resulted in improving my own workouts as well as my everyday posture. And how lucky do I feel to finally be working with someone who thoroughly understands the mechanics of physical therapy while at the same time specializing in an exercise methodology that is near and dear to my heart - pilates?!?! Every time I leave Valerie I feel taller, stronger and - most importantly - less pain. I can totally see the progress and feel the changes when I am just out living my regular life. If there was a way to give Valerie (the owner of Stable Core Pilates) six stars, I would. Second - The Payment and Scheduling Process Valerie is such a breath of fresh air. She makes up for my own disorganization. I typically submit my receipts to my PPO plan for reimbursement and use funds out of my FSA for additional coverage. In submitting receipts for out-of-network coverage, I usually find that I have to remind practitioners for paperwork Not with Valerie - she is so organized and on top of things. Valerie is always one step ahead of me. She sends me receipts in a timely manner (sometimes even the same day). Scheduling is also super easy with Valerie. She is incredibly well organized and on top of things. Enough said. Finally - The Location I find Stable Core Pilates to be very easy to get to in a charming part of Oakland. It is right off of the 580 (which makes for an easy commute and comes with free parking next door. I usually make a morning of it - I head to Stable Core Pilates, then to the grocery store (Farmer Joes) and then treat myself to a Peet's and La Farine. It is an up and coming neighborhood without all the fuss of parking difficulties. Overall, I am so grateful to others for telling me about Stable Core Pilates and cannot rave enough about my improvement and experience. read more

I had lessons here with Valerie after having a slow recovery from a tibial plateau (knee) fracture/ surgery. She was really great at describing the exercises and was very encouraging. She also managed to give me just the right amount of challenge so that I felt tired when I left, but also invigorated. In addition to her Pilates training, she has a Physical Therapy background, so was really able to gently guide me into the practice. After a few sessions, I was able to go home and show my husband my slowly re-emerging 4-pack of abs. I just had my second knee surgery to remove the plates and screws put in during the first, but as soon as I can, I will be enrolling in a class at Stable Core. A great neighborhood spot, beautiful space. (while in the neighborhood you can also grab some coffee at Peets or if you want to balance out your work-out with some sin-- get some amazing pastries at La Farine around the corner.) I can't wait to make this place part of my routine! read more

How does a woman in her 50's get her groove on again, by learning how to connect to her body again. After sitting at a desk for years, gaining weight and finding myself in pain most of the time, I finally decided to give pilates a try. Yaira is the best instructor I could have ever asked for, she's gentle, compassionate about my pain and very mindful about my moves. The class is small, so if feels like you have a private instructor. If people who haven't moved much the last decade are interested in living life again, consider starting pilates. Great 2010 New Year's resolution, get up off the couch. read more

Love, love, LOVE that they've opened up here. I just came back from my first class; it was great. Group classes are limited to four people; we got to use mat and reformer. Yaira is a wonderful teacher. I'm looking forward to signing up for another series (package of 4 or 8 classes at $22/each, otherwise drop-in is $25). So worth it! read more

I have been seeing Valerie Loo since Fall of 2012, for alignment primarily. I have spinal stenosis, arthritis, and lymphedema as well. She offers an excellent holistic approach for increasing body awareness and movement. Her ability to hone in on what will be best for me each session is incredible. She is a physical therapist and pilates trainer, but has notched up her practice to another level with Loo Movement, a deeper, more intense level of body movement awareness. read more

I went to Valerie 6 months after a kidney transplant as the doctor's said it was fine to start excercising. After such an invasive surgery my core needed to be built back up. She showed me things that I didn't know how to do by just laying there! It was an eye opener as to how much needed strength my core had lost. Besides being very patient and professional, she was fun to be around also. Thanks to Valerie, she gave me the start of a new life (literally) read more

I've been working with Valerie Loo for over a year now and I am so grateful to have found her. I have had four or five Pilates instructors in the past and there is no comparison. She's a physical therapist, so she knows how to assess what my body needs and decide what is safe and appropriate. I have had numerous joint replacement surgeries and many physical therapists, but none has been as skilled as Valerie. She has taught me to use my breath, and has helped me to find deep muscles that I didn't even know I had. She is great at creating a balanced workout for me. I love working with Valerie and can't recommend her highly enough. I feel like a different person after working with her. read more

I have been working with Valerie for several years. Initially we worked on an issue with my shoulders/ribs that wasn't resolving with traditional PT. But once that issue improved, we've worked together regularly to keep me healthy and moving well. Working with Valerie, I have become much more intuitive about how my body is aligned and what adjustments and work I can do to keep my body most efficient and effective. Loo Movement isn't for everyone. It's a very proactive approach to health and wellness that calls for active participation and learning. But if you're up for it, it's magic. read more

Valerie takes a holistic approach to movement and alignment training. Her approach is grounded in physical therapy and Pilates techniques, but her primary goal is to awaken your body's own self-awareness. She does this by helping you to make full use of your internal sixth sense, the system of proprioceptors that tells you about your body's position and movement. Over the years her unique approach has helped me address a variety of issues (with my neck, shoulders, back, hips, and ankles); she has tackled each of these issues in a way that has been tailored to my own individual situation and needs. Every time I leave one of our sessions I feel that I'm better aligned and moving more freely, and others have remarked on my improved gait and posture and on the progress I have made. At this point I don't know what I'd do without her! read more

Valerie's helped me transform my relationship with my body. No one wants to be in pain or feel the negative effects of poor alignment--through the personal work that I've done with Valerie, I understand my unique body dynamics and feel empowered to take care of myself. She's a very thorough practitioner who takes a holistic approach that integrates multiple philosophies. She's a physical therapist and Pilates instructor, and also trains sensory awareness. I repeatedly come back to her and always feel better when I leave her studio. Of the numerous physical therapy practitioners I've tried over the past 5 years, Valerie's the best. read more

Post rollover car accident....I yelped for help, recovering. Stable Core Pilates has put me back on a health track. Don't think getting older will happen to you? I thought so too, until I was taught otherwise...what had been old age symptoms in hyperdrive (pain in neck, shoulders, head, back, etc, etc) is becoming more managable! Many thanks to SCP. read more

Valerie ROCKS! This is a person who is truly passionate about what they do. I have taken many pilates classes, but Valerie is very careful that you are doing the movements the right way to help improve your body, not injure it. And besides all that, she is also committed to the Dimond District! Thank You Valerie! read more