"Usually I have to force myself to exercise but I look forward to going to Pilates classes at ReActive Movement. The instructors are excellent, the environment is attractive and inviting, and the people in the class are friendly and inclusive. The staff is always helpful and responsive to requests and schedule changes. I highly recommend ReActive Movement if you want a good workout in a positive, enjoyable setting." read more

After I posted my original review about the negative experience I'd had, the owner of the studio reached out to me to let me know she had refunded my money for the class. She was very respectful and genuinely wanted to understand the experience that I'd had so that she could try to make it right and also prevent a similar situation in the future. While my prior interaction with a different staff member makes me reluctant to return, I really respect how the owner handled the situation. read more

Great experience. Excellent instructor - good energy and direction. Spotless and calming space. Easy online registration. Easy parking.

Highly recommend the team at Reactive Movement! The style of Pilates (Body Harmonics) practiced at Reactive Movement is gentle and broken into steps so that you can find yourself doing advanced Pilates moves without injuring yourself. The group reformer classes are small, fun, challenging, and get you in shape. Individual training regularly has been an important part of managing my back pain and scoliosis; it also was the best post-physical therapy for my knee replacement, as well as recovery after an abdominal surgery. The staff work well with whatever level of fitness you are in, and are especially good for injuries and other body aches. read more

The entire staff is exceptional! The instructors are skilled, knowledgeable and very helpful. I consistently find myself challenged in every class. Jaclyn is the MVP of the studio! read more

I've been taking private sessions at Reactive for several years and my sessions are always great. The teachers are very knowledgeable and thoughtful in how they tailor my sessions to all the things I have going on so I feel better leaving than when I come in. The studio is easy to book and work with overall and is always clean :) read more

I had back surgery a few years ago. Even with physical therapy after the surgery, I still had pain/discomfort in my back. After working with Holly, I am pain free for the first time in years! Holly is fantastic! She listens to your feedback and makes adjustments to the moves so you can have a pain free but beneficial workout. Her new space is beautiful! read more

I love Reactive Movement! I have been going to classes and doing private sessions with Holly for almost 8 years. I used to struggle with a lot of chronic pain issues, but Holly, who is super knowledgeable is often able to fix me. I always feel seen and heard. The staff is always friendly. The space is great--clean, harmonious and spacious. They have just about any piece of equipment you could ever dream of and more. Struggling with back, knee, shoulder or hip pain? You've come to the right place! Reactive Movement will get you back in fighting shape! read more

Just love it! Finally an exercise section that I actually enjoy! My back stopped hurting, legs and arms got stronger, stomach looks flatter. I am in my early 50s, and find these session very beneficial. The staff is super knowledgeable, everyone is vetted by the owner and Pilates guru - Holly. The class size is small - five spots. I would definitely recommend. read more

They have the VERY NICEST space in Montclair! Always clean, no shoes in the workout area. I was among the first here, working with Holly, for about 5 years. She advised me to seek medical help appropriately, and the instructors here have provided guidance throughout my physical adventures. I generally take classes... they are small and i get plenty of attention if i want it. Over the years I've had a few private sessions... these can be very productive... I'm ready for one now!!!! I can't recommend them enough! read more

Best Ever people and place for Pilates! This is my second year and I couldn't feel better! I've been able to heal my back and sciatica with incredible core strengthening with Holly Wallis! Best Pilates Instructor! The whole team is friendly, knowledgeable and professional. I feel like I'm part of the ReActive Movement's Family! If you have been having joint, back neck or other pain, check out Pilates! It has changed my life, 65 and much, much better now! Jo read more

Great place! Friendly and very knowledgeable staff. I've worked with KaRon on intermittent back pain (gone), posture issues (fixed), and improving balance. KaRon spotted this weakness and we working on it now to prevent future problems. Last year, I suggested that my husband who was in physical therapy for foot pain to try Pilates. He no longer has foot pain and before Shelter in Place was running around Lake Merritt which he hasn't been able to do in years. Both my husband and I are continuing our sessions with KaRon via Zoom. I thought it might be one step above exercising with a YouTube video but KaRon pays close attention and is able to give very clear directions and explanations. The major difference with a studio session is not using some of the specialized equipment but KaRon comes up with creative options to address the same issues. Bottom line, I always feel improvement after a session! read more

If you're looking for a fantastic, clean and friendly pilates studio, look no further. ReActive Movement is a great studio with knowledgeable and super friendly instructors. Jaclyn is AWESOME...she's the secret to keeping my body from being a stiff mess after working at my computer all week. After our sessions, I definitely feel the difference....I'm pretty sure I'm an inch or two taller! So glad that we are able to keep up our sessions by video while the studio is closed. read more

I have been a client of this studio since it opened. I have had other Pilates instructors at other places in the past, but this studio is by far the best. Holly understands the needs of those of us recovering from surgery and physical injuries. My instruction has continued on zoom during the quarantine. Even the quality of zoom instruction is better than other zoom exercise and physical therapy services I have tried. I recommend this studio and all the staff without reservation. read more

Beautiful studio with exceptional instructors. Loved going there in person to take group classes with the owner Holly. Lucky for me during COVID Holly offers online group classes and privates so my well-being is not interrupted. read more

After researching many local Pilates studios and instructors, I made the call to ReActive Movement 2.5 years ago. I was specifically interested in working with KaRon Dishmon, due to her extensive training and experience with spinal stenosis. From day one, KaRon identified and understood what was going on with my body. Both working together in the studio and showing me how to safely and effectively work out on my own, KaRon has helped me build strength and confidence. By maintaining copious, weekly notes about my progress, KaRon keeps my workouts relevant and challenging. Although the studio is beautiful and efficiently laid out, with a large array of well kept equipment, when the quarantine hit, KaRon and ReActive reached out with virtual sessions (group and individual). It felt as if we hadn't skipped a beat. I'm definitely a stronger and happier person because of KaRon and ReActive and I couldn't be more thankful. read more

I've been going to this beautiful studio since it opened, and there have been so many changes since my last review, that I wanted to update. The space is still lovely and calming, the equipment is impressive and extensive, and the instructors are knowledgable, kind, and fun. They have increased the number of reformers so are able to have larger group classes, which is great since it can be challenging to get into the most popular times! Most recently, they quickly pivoted to online classes during shelter-in-place, and although I am eager to get back to the studio and in person classes, they've done a great job with their virtual mat sessions. I'm so glad to be able to continue taking classes there. I cannot recommend them strongly enough. read more

In 2017 I walked into this studio with crippling back pain from years of driving. I was formally diagnosed with severe stenosis between L4 and L5. After some dedicated work, I have reached medication-free pain management through functional movement and strengthening. I wanted to thank Holly and the entire team at Reactive Movement for introducing me to Pilates and Body Harmonics. My core muscles have never been this strong! read more

Always a great experience at Reactive. The space is beautiful, open and bright. The staff are great, welcoming, and extremely knowledgeable. Love the Tuesday evening group class with Abigail. read more

I feel so much better since I started Pilates last July. My knees and back are pain-free and I feel much stronger. Beautiful clean studio, small class sizes and the instructors are nice, friendly and non-judgmental. I highly recommend ReActive. read more

Does this thing go to 11? If I could give Holly 11-plus stars I would. I have struggled with chronic pain and auto-immune pain syndromes since I hurt my back at 19 (25 years ago), and I have been to more physical therapists, osteopaths, orthopedists chiropractors and exercise classes than I can count. However, one thing that stands out is that none of them has been about to both relieve my pain AND engage me in relieving my own pain. You read that right, I CAN RELIEVE MY OWN PAIN! For instance, I have hyper mobility issues, basically my ligaments are lax and my muscles are tight, not a great combo. I've had a very painful foot for two weeks, just excruciating. Like my two middle toes are dislocated, excruciating. After 50 minutes of work with Holly today I was finally, finally able to walk with a normal gait, and rapidly diminishing pain. One of the most painful things about living with chronic pain is the tremendous sense of aloneness one feels when trying to get help, to find a viable way to maintain functioning and to see a future for yourself. Holly has restored my hope that I can live with this wonky body, make it stronger, and shift the life long and injury generated patterns that keep me twisted up, and in pain. So you've taken Pilates, and it helped, but...it was a very mixed experience. Me too. I definitely improved, but there was a limit to how much traditional (or traditional-ish) Pilates could do. I would get going on a a sequence, and then a binding feeling or zinging pain would start. It scared the crap out of me. In my first month of sessions, Holly encouraged me to let her know the moment anything felt binding or painful, or if it trigged fear of injury. I quickly came to trust that Holly would modify the exercise right there and then, and we could proceed. That alone was huge, but that she encouraged me to share my awareness of my body with her, rather than looking at me as if I was an oddball because I could feel things on such a small scale has endeared her to me. Holly's delight and enthusiasm for working with me to strategically relieve my pain and strengthen my body, is priceless. My osteopath remarked that my back muscles have never been as relaxed as they are now. If you are out there trying to figure out if you have the fortitude to take one more chance, on one more more practitioner, go for it. read more

Stepping into ReActive Movement just feels like you are setting the intention for radical self-care. My experience has been with Holly-she is an absolute joy. I trust her implicitly and refer anyone looking for a Pilates studio to her. I also had the opportunity to attend one of the teacher training workshops for the sacroiliac joint. I loved it! I learned so much that I will take with me forever. read more

I feel so lucky I found KaRon and Reactive Movement. At age 50, I had (note past tense) a torn disc in my back. I thought I would forever be known as having a "bad back" and the rest of my life would be limited. KaRon and the staff at RM are so knowledgable at what they do, I not only recovered but also have strengthened my core to a point where I can return to every activity. Pilates, KaRon and RM gave me my life back. Thank you! read more

This lovely little studio is a quiet haven of support, with wonderfully individualized body work or small group instruction. The remote meetings with KaRon have been surprisingly effective, and it seems we have not skipped a beat from the time of our in-person sessions. read more

Reactive Movement, Holly and her Staff KaRon and Melissa are so fabulous. First of all the new studio is beautiful, immaculate and super organized. Secondly - I started my 17 year old daughter here with KaRon before they moved to this new location. Holly made sure that my daughter was with the right instructor as we were looking for specific goals - flexibility specifically. I started going to private sessions myself a couple of months ago. I have never done pilates and now love it! As soon as I get more adept at it, I will begin taking classes. Holly is great business woman in so many ways - smart, so caring of her clients, cutting edge, and highly informed. I will continue to go here and recommend it highly!! read more

I was referred to ReActive Movement for hip pain that would not release with deep massage. I've been working with KaRon Dishmon for over a year, and can't say enough about what an amazing person she is to work with. When you're injured and in pain, or, I'll speak for myself, when I'm injured and in pain, I need to feel safe to start the healing process. I trusted her. She met me where I was ability wise, didn't try and push me - only gave just enough challenge for me to see where I would be going, and always encouraged me. It's a complex injury, and getting back to the level of activity I need, has taken awhile. All this is good though, as I've learned the value of stretching as a way to strengthen and align, and I have a new appreciation for how my muscle groups work together. We've worked out some other old injuries that were not properly rehabbed and had been contributing to my hip injury. I feel like I'm getting a new body with so much improvement in mobility, alignment and strength. I owe it all to KaRon. She's a special teacher. Super knowledgeable, with pointers on alignment focus during the thousand different movements she knows - a stretch for every muscle that needs some attention, and is adaptable with the game plan, based on what's presenting. She is smart, empathetic and funny, so my sessions never drag. Never once have I felt she's taking it easy on me or trying to push me beyond my limits. She really tunes in to what my body needs, and now that I'm strong enough to take classes, I see her tune in to all her students and create an amazing experience for all. I feel so luck to have found such an exceptional partner for my rehab work. I highly recommend her to anyone who is challenged by an injury, wants to learn proper strengthening techniques or needs alignment education, or wants a Pilates class. read more

I've been a client of Holly's for at least 5 or 6 years, and a Pilates student for about 20 years. Holly's wealth of knowledge and ability to apply it to my various physical challenges rehabbing from many surgeries is remarkable. This year through zoom sessions, Holly prepared me for a knee replacement. As a result, my surgeon gave me an A+ at my post op appointment, PT SAYS I am way ahead of schedule, and I am already walking comfortably-even using stairs. All that at only 2 weeks post surgery! Thank you Holly! Just a bit about the studio which is light, spacious, and welcoming. The teachers all know their stuff and have backgrounds that enhance and complement their teaching. Reactive Movement is by far the best designed studio I've ever been in, and until we get back there both the zoom private sessions with Holly and the classes with Holly and her staff are amazing mat workouts!! I'd give 10 stars if I could! read more

My review is specifically for Jaclyn Burleigh. After years of knee pain, then knee replacement, I had lost a lot of strength in my body due to lack of my normal exercise. I decided to get a boost with some private pilates sessions, and feel very fortunate to have found Jaclyn. She clearly thinks about what I need between sessions because each time I go she has a series planned. She's not only helping me build strength, but improves my alignment in a way that's correcting compensations my body made when I was in pain. I'm getting stronger and my posture has improved. I highly recommend Jaclyn. read more

Love the team and the facility at ReActive. I have an old injury that I just have to manage, and I have had better results on gaining strength and staying pain-free with this team than with any PT or trainer I had seen before. Plus, the classes are really enjoyable - I always feel amazing when I'm done. Jumpboard classes with Jaclyn have become my Friday ritual - highly recommend. read more

The whole team at ReActive is awesome. I take regular classes with Jaclyn and Karon and they're both very attentive, but also push you in a kind way. During COVID-19, they quickly adjusted to offer virtual classes and it's been my saving grace during a period where my body is suffering from looking at a screen all day and not being able to go to the studio in-person. Can't wait to get back to the studio, but in the meantime if you're looking for a good virtual exercise experience I can't recommend ReActive enough! read more

I would concur with all previous reviews. I've taken Pilates classes for 20 plus years, and never worked with someone who understood the body and how to make it better as Well as Holly. I haven't worked with her two trainers, but if she approves of them I"m sure they are good. Also the new Studio is beautiful and feels like a treat to visit. read more

Great studio: brand new equipment, clean, great teachers.

I love this studio, the instructors, and pilates! Reactive Movement is a very welcoming and unintimidating place, and I really appreciated that as a new student. I have been a client since 2019, and initially my goal was to resolve some knee and shoulder pain and movement limitation issues resulting from injuries. I started with one on one sessions, and they very quickly and effectively provided relief and rehabilitation. Then as I progressed, I added their classes which I enjoy very much. My strength, balance and symmetry have all improved dramatically. I am in my 50's so I am so grateful that I found pilates at this studio, to add to my hiking and other active pursuits. I feel pilates really helps to keep me flexible and provide the functional fitness I need to do everything else that I love to do. Jaclyn is a sincerely wonderful and thoughtful teacher, who is so knowledgeable and empathetic and I love working with her individually and also her classes. I always feel even in a class environment that the teachers really listen and are responsive to students and their needs and/or limitations as individuals. The studio is beautiful, light filled with high ceilings and quiet even though it is in the heart of Montclair. Just the best! read more

I began working with Holly in January 2015, for arthritis and chronic pain in my right hip. The initial focus was on analyzing and readjusting the compensatory movement patterns I had developed because of this condition, and my years of high level athletic activity as a pitcher and volleyball player. As we moved forward with the therapy, Holly adjusted her approach to both the overall changes in my body and what was specifically going on with me at the time of my appointment. I gained a wider range of movement, became keenly aware of physical and mental patterns that were inhibiting my well-being, and increased my core strength and flexibility. I ended up needing a hip replacement, and at the time of diagnosis, Holly again adjusted her approach and developed new goals. Holly's work with me enhanced my pre-surgery preparedness and post-surgery recovery. The strength, flexibility, and awareness I gained from Holly's work have been a huge asset for me. Holly is personable, attentive, adaptable, and a joy to work with. She genuinely cares. Her positive attitude is infectious. She has helped me in developing a healthy, empowered perspective and approach to my individual situation. She is gently persistent, and pushes me when I need to be pushed. Holly's expertise is clearly demonstrated in her approach to our sessions, and I completely trust her judgment and strategy. I am continuing to work with her on an ongoing basis. I highly recommend Holly; she can help you with specific issues, chronic pain, and overall fitness and well-being. read more

I just completed the Body Harmonics Pilates mat work certification with Holly, and it exceeded my expectations. The course material was excellent! Definitely check out the Body Harmonics program if you are looking for high-quality, science-based Pilates training. I am very much looking forward to continuing with the reformer certification this fall. Holly's knowledge of the body is impressive, and she creates a friendly and supportive environment in which to learn. I highly recommend getting certified through Holly! read more

I highly recommend ReActive Movement. I started seeing Holly just a couple months ago and already I've seen big improvements and have been much less limited by my balky back. I'd never before done Pilates nor realized its benefits. Holly has introduced it to me in a way that's quickly helpful, interesting and even fun. read more

ReActive Movement is a special place for anyone who wants to make changes. Holly has put her heart and soul into the studio. I take the classes and all the instructors are good. I've trained with KaRon for just over one year. She has the ability to assess what I need and challenge me. The workouts are always changing so you need to focus to make sure you get the most out of each session. What I really appreciate is the precise instructions and cues on how and why to do the movements. So much so that when I am working out on my own, I can still hear and remember them...like where to look when I do my crunches or hollowing out your armpits! This place is a good habit to have. If you are dealing with an injury or challenging area of your body...totally worth it. read more

5 starts for ReActive Movement! Continuing education & workshop material is top notch. Holly's level of expertise, knowledge of biomechanics and industry experience really shine through. Your money and time are well spent here. The true icing on the cake is the warm, inviting & inclusive environment that Holly has built. Not to mention the wonderful team she has to support it. Whether you are a fellow pilates instructor looking into a course or a new client looking for a movement experience, look no further! read more

I'm a big fan of pilates, and Holly is a great teacher. I also see her for movement therapy, and her knowledge of how the body works and how we can make adjustments to fix my issues is great. I'm a former dancer, with "ballerina knees" and tight hips and shoulders from my desk job - Holly not only introduces exercises to make my body feel better, she explains the methodology behind each movement, which helps me learn about why body doesn't feel great and how we can fix it! read more

If you are hurting, go to ReActive Movement. Don't give up. This is a safe place with teachers who care and can really help! Its been a year and a half since I hobbled into my first session with Holly. I had pretty much accepted the idea that I was aging quickly and irreversibly and would always hurt. But Holly listened deeply to me from our first session. She had practical explanations and solutions for what was wrong. Each week she met me right where I was, strong or hurting, hopeful or despairing. She was able to introduce and teach sequences that soothed and challenged me. My injuries felt like they were melting away. Her knowledge always astounded me! We worked on a stationary table at first and then moved to different equipment. I felt safe and I started to trust her. I started to feel great. Now I look forward every week to what we will be doing. Eventually I've been able to join a class with Melissa as well. Class is wonderful work, good company, good community. We laugh a lot and get stronger together. Melissa is always quick to taylor the work to our individual needs. She thinks ahead, and knows before we do what will make each exercise just right for each of us. If you are hurting, or even if you just want to feel wonderful, go to ReActive Movement. For me, it has made all the difference! read more