I had private Pilates classes once a week for 10 years before the shutdown, and now I needed to get back into it. I lucked out finding Lisa Brenner. She is amazing! Our sessions feel very gentle to me, but by the end, I know I've worked out big time! Her awareness of what's going on inside my body is super-empathic---bordering on magical! Everyone I've met at Monarch is very present and welcoming. It's a great place to workout! Just go! You won't be sorry! read more

I would happily take a class from anyone of the instructors at Monarch Pilates. They all share so many traits like attention to detail in your form, care for your growth and professionalism that makes you feel welcome. I love this Studio. read more

Monarch Pilates - Such a clean and relaxing studio - Pilates Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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My teacher Lani is great. She is very professional and kind and has helped me immensely with her high quality care. The receptionist provides a seamless office experience as well! I highly recommend Monarch Pilates. read more

Monarch Pilates is such a wonderful studio! Sandy, the owner, has created a warm, welcoming space with an amazing team of instructors. Everyone is knowledgeable, encouraging, and attentive, and each class feels thoughtfully designed to meet you where you are. The studio is always clean, calm, and inviting, and I leave every session feeling stronger and more centered. Highly recommend Monarch Pilates to anyone in Pleasure Point looking for high-quality instruction and a positive, supportive atmosphere! read more

I sought out Monarch Pilates, as I was searching for a way to complement my Ashtanga Yoga Practice as I age. I know and trust one of the teachers here, the energetic, muscle- maven Megan. Accordingly, I started my Pilates journey at Monarch Pilates. Located in the heart of pleasure point, this bright and spacious studio greets you with an oceanic color scheme and sweet coastal breezes that filter through the abundant windows. The practice areas boast a diverse selection of state - of - the - art equipment. And no matter the time of day, essential oil aromas linger...I suspect the cleaning solutions! New to Pilates, I attended the foundation series with the studio's owner, Sandy Novembre. I cannot recommend this series enough to beginners. An excellent teacher, Sandy caters to diverse learning styles by offering: visual, auditory, and tactile cues. In particular, Sandy offers intuitive but precise hands on adjustments that propel you into a deeper understanding of the Pilates Practice and your body's habitual patterns. Finally Sandy instructs in an articulate but enthusiastic manner. You will end the class feeling taller, calmer, and more anatomically astute. The 50 minute group classes are offered at convenient times and limited to 6 students. read more

I LOVE MONARCH! The studio is really beautiful and the reformers are top of the line. There's a ton of different classes to take and they're offered all throughout the day. Every instructor is so welcoming. If you're looking for a great pilates class in the Santa Cruz area, I highly recommend taking a class from Aubrie, Meg, Cat, or Megan. Honestly, you can't go wrong with any of the amazing instructors. They all have given me great modifications when needed. If you haven't tried reformer pilates, this is your sign! read more

At monarch Pilates I signed up to ultrasound my pelvic floor and abdominal muscles to consciously see inside what I was doing with exercises. As an Osteopathic OB/GYN the viewing of the pelvic floor anatomy in action was absolutely amazing! It truly brought it all together. I'm now able to effectively work out my pelvic floor and transverse abdominal muscles with affirmation that I am doing it correctly and seriously improved! This would be fantastic for all women! I'm especially excited for prenatal and postpartum ( no matter how far out postpartum:) Dr. Julia Burke OB/GYN read more

I have started taking private lessons with Sandy and Laura to strengthen my pelvis and core after I gave birth. I also have MS and my balance and ability to walk were at their worst. From the very first session, I was amazed by the deep knowledge of body mechanics, attention to the slightest detail, and creativity that Monarch's instructors have. After just a few sessions I felt connected to my body in a way I haven't been able to in a long time. I've also taken rolfing sessions with Coko and multiple PT sessions with Amelia. I can't say enough good things about my experience with them. I have been dealing with an autoimmune condition for the last 11 years and I am yet to meet such a dedicated and knowledgeable group of people, all in one place. I am pretty sure that had I met them sooner, I would have a different MS story. read more

I have had the opportunity to work with the majority of the Monarch staff in private Pilates sessions, physical therapy appointments, and now group classes! They are all so caring and wonderful people, and they really take the time to give individual attention and make adjustments and modifications when needed. Their intuition into what is going on with your body is amazing. I wish I could soak up all their knowledge! I have been going to Amelia for PT for over a year and she has been so wonderful. As someone with chronic pain and autoimmune conditions where one day one thing will hurt and the next something else entirely, I can attest that Amelia knows a ton about the body and how to correct imbalances and make you feel better. I think she has worked on almost every part of my body now, and it has been so valuable having her on my care team. I have worked with Jessica G., Laura, and Sandy one on one, and now Sandy has group classes that have been a great addition to my private lessons and PT sessions. The classes give me an opportunity to try a variety of exercises, and the one on one sessions allow for more customized movements and hands-on queuing and feedback to fix imbalances and improve problem areas. I highly recommend this fabulous studio to anyone who is interested in improving their quality of movement. Chronic pain peeps - this is the studio for you! read more

I truly appreciate Sandy and the other instructors who understand my injuries and health issues. My body feels better than I ever when I do Pilates. I want to stay strong and flexible and Monarch Pilates is how I do it! The studio is pristine, fresh and airy! read more

Sandy has created the perfect space to begin healing or to continue transforming your body. Everyone here is amazing. I've worked with Amelia through my back pain and post knee surgery physical therapy. I've consistently taken private reformer classes with Jessica and bene blown away by her knowledge of the body and her attention to mine. Monarch is a magical place and I always leave feeling better than I came! read more

I have had the pleasure to have been working with Sandy for over 15 years. Her ability to pinpoint, correct and positively reinforce all of the important details moves my body from pain and tightness to a smooth, happy flow. It always blows me away when I come in with something unhappy, then leave with it feeling great. And it's all done with joy and humor--no way you can walk out the door after a session feeling anything other than GREAT!! As the business has grown over the years, she has brought in other equally excellent associates that complement her work through Rolfing and physical therapy. Shout-out to Coko and Amelia--both are geniuses! Birds of a feather... The studio is beautiful. If you have mold or chemical sensitivities, you are safe here--I promise that this place is clean as a whistle!! I couldn't recommend Monarch Pilates enough!! read more

I think I started my Monarch Pilates experience in late 2020 working with Amelia Foster who is absolutely terrific with her PT skills. I was recovering from knee surgery and plagued with recurring back problems. Amelia's massage work combined with Pilates workouts did wonders for me. Better than my chiropractor could ever do or any PT instruction I've had in the past. I graduated to a regular Foundations class with Sandy and have never felt better. Thank you Team Monarch. read more

You have to take Aubrie's class!!! I moved not knowing anyone and she was so welcoming!! She's an amazing teacher who guides you through challenging exercises but also making sure you're safe and comfortable! She asks about injuries and is so positive! I feel much more flexible and less back pain after her class!! I look forward to her class every week!! read more

This was my first time going to a reformer Pilates class. I loved it! Friendly instructors and staff, clean/new equipment, small class sizes, flexible schedule options and awesome location. I wish I could afford to go daily! read more

I started working with Sandy many years ago before she created the studio. I loved her grasp (literally!) of my body and what it needed and what it needed to avoid. I had never worked with anyone who had such an in depth knowledge of body mechanics, anatomy, and movement so tailored to my particular oddities. When she first suggested I also see someone she was training, I couldn't imagine not seeing Sandy. But this person also turned out to be marvelous. Since then Sandy has founded a truly one-of-a-kind studio staffed by practitioners who are always updating their knowledge and skills. I work with four of them and each seems essential to my well being and ongoing strengthening. Something I also love is that all the practitioners check in to understand what I'm doing with each of them so as to complement or enhance the benefits of the work I'm doing with each one. I was never a gym person always preferring to do individual activities like walking or snorkeling or swimming. But now in my 7th decade I feel completely blessed that I've finally gotten to experience the intense pleasure of having workouts and sessions with Monarch Studio's exceptional team. read more

I love Monarch Pilaties! My doctor referred me to Monarch Pilaties to address my back injury/pain because of the extremely knowledgeable staff there, and I couldn't be happier! It's so nice to work with people who really "get me" and my body issues. Sandy and her team of Pilaties instructors INCLUDING AN AMAZING physical therapist, are truly experts in what they do. My private sessions are tailored to exactly what I need each time I walk in there. Also, the combination of therapeutic massage plus Pilaties core strengthening has really improved my game. The studio itself is lovely and it's a comfy space whether I'm a class or 1:1 session. I highly recommend Monarch Pilaties to anyone struggling with exercise due to an injury or pain. read more

I often hear athlete friends of mine lament they can't do what they used to or at least not in the way they could do it when they were younger. And most of them have had to give up what they loved their whole lives because their bodies won't allow it. I've come to realize, not only can I still do Pilates, and any other activity I enjoy, but I am growing stronger, not weaker. What if those athletes had done Pilates this whole time, would they still be doing the sport they love? My guess, barring any major injuries that prevent doing said sport, that they would! I thought about how much I use Pilates in my everyday movement. I'm subconsciously aware that I am now always in a neutral spine, weight evenly distributed over my hips, with my thigh bones seated comfortably within the joint, not thrusting forward, or lazing back therefore putting undo pressure on my back. If you have never done Pilates this may not make sense to you... yet, but hopefully an appreciation for a practice that is lifelong and so necessary for your body health will ring true with you. This is the only the second Pilates studio I've gone to consistently and Sandy Novembre is the reason (she was also in the first studio). She has an innate knowledge of the body and is also a stellar teacher to those who work with her in her BEAUTIFUL studio. They are all the BEST at what they do! If you want to feel strong and keep aging at bay, this is what you need. I started 20 years ago and have never looked back. I owe my body strength and health to Pilates and to this studio. Come to Monarch Pilates and be surrounded by knowledge that will take you through life in strength and harmony. read more

Loving the outdoor space during COVID. I've been seeing Sandy for over 15 years and nothing makes my body feel better. Her knowledge of movement and her care with my past injuries make her workouts challenging while staying pain free. Can't say enough good things! read more

Monarch Pilates - Outside work out area - Pilates Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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This is such a welcoming studio! I just started my Pilates journey, and so, came to the studio with absolutely ZERO experience or confidence. Every single staff member I have met has been so kind, patient, and skillful! I looked to Pilates because of tension and compression in my back, weak core, and sore joints. I feel like I am re establishing my relationship with my body. It's a great experience. Every session has left me feeling energized, and with better mobility. If you've hesitated before because Pilates feels intimidating, don't! Come here! Each instructor is super supportive. I'm the person in Zumba class who's invariably facing the wrong direction with every move. If I can do this, EVERYONE CAN!! I've had the pleasure of working with Sandy, Laura, Cat, Megan A, and Lisa. All have been exceptional teachers and have great body intuition. Kat at the front desk is also wonderfully helpful! read more

As someone who has recently come somewhat late in life to Pilates, I was lucky enough to land in the capable hands of Jessica Golomb. Although I'm a newbie, I'm amazed at how far I've progressed in just a few months in terms of building core and muscle strength, balance, stamina, and flexibility under her tutelage. Jessica is extremely knowledgeable and has been able to work through or, when necessary, around some of my age- and joint replacement-related limitations without missing a beat. She is supportive and attentive to my specific needs. She is also an excellent teacher and has taught me a great deal about the body and how to incorporate what I learn from her into my daily life. I can't recommend Jessica and the entire staff at the studio strongly enough. read more

Best Pilates studio in Santa Cruz! They offer a range of classes based on experience and have multiple time options per day. I rotate classes between different teachers and love them all! They are all attentive and make each class hard and enjoyable in their own ways. Highly recommend! read more

Monarch Pilates is the best! All of the instructors are so knowledgeable and great at teaching. The new location is clean and beautiful and the new reformers are amazing read more

Fabulous studio all around! Owner Sandy Novembre is incredibly knowledgeable, warm, funny and kind. She makes you feel comfortable in the classes even if you are an absolute beginner. The well crafted pilates workouts fly by, but you always get a great workout and will leave standing taller with a big smile on your face! read more

I felt welcomed from the first phone conversation. All of my questions were answered and I, in turn, was asked all the right questions. I appreciate the knowledgeable, hands-on coaching from Sandy. It's been a good experience and I feel great after each session. read more

My body has experienced a miraculous transformation in just a few months of working with Sandy and her team. I feel a sense of comfort and freedom of movement that I have not felt in years, the debilitating neck pain that I was starting to experience on a weekly basis is gone, and my mid-back no longer feels like a brick. Sandy is incredibly skilled and seems to have a sixth sense for knowing how to help my body. Her team is wonderful as well, and they all collaborate together - joyfully, I might add - to help each member achieve their goals. read more

Yesterday I was exhausted, both physically and emotionally. After a one hour session of Pilates with a superb instructor, I was energized and emotionally restored. Joe was right -- Marc M. read more

Sandy is exceptional. Her knowledge, insight, and attention to health goals is unrivaled. After a back injury that left me immobilized, working with her felt like working with a physical therapist and personal trainer at the same time. After a couple months, my strength, agility, and flexibility were better than ever. Easy to talk to, great sense of humor, and likes to work hard. I'd recommend anyone to her without hesitation. read more