I am writing this review as both a health care provider and a client of Leah Paperno. Leah rocks! I…read morecouldn't have asked for a better pilates instructor. I've been doing privates with Leah for a few months now and have noticed many positive changes in my body. My hamstring muscles (biceps femoris, intermembronosis and intertendonosis) tend to be tight, my groin muscles (gracilis) tend to be tight (and weak) and my abs (rectus abdominus, obliques) tend to be weak. Thanks to Leah's observations, we have explored both stretching out these bad boys and making them stronger. My body awareness has increased dramatically under Leah's instruction and I feel my body both open up and become stronger. Everyone should be so lucky to have a wonderful pilates teacher like Leah! The nitty gritty: Cash or check, park in the lot that shares with Mariposa Bakery and get there on time to make the most of your sessions with Leah! Find Leah here: http://leahpaperno.wordpress.com/

A welcoming, organized, fully equipped studio in a lovely space, with a darling chocolate lab…read moreon-site (as in labrador retriever, not a laboratory for making chocolate :) But the best thing about this studio is Alyssa Conn. Her in-depth knowledge of anatomy, exercise physiology, orthopedics, bodywork, and movement is tremendously helpful if you're dealing with pain, injury, or asymmetry. What's even better is that she explains things to me very clearly and patiently, which is important because I want to understand the underlying causes of my frequent injuries and how to treat and prevent them.

I tell everyone who will listen about how amazing Tonya is! Aspire Pilates Center lets me live in a…read morestronger body with less pain, helps me live in community, and does beautiful things for the community. I cannot speak highly enough of this place and this team. Tonya is magical!!

I originally went to Aspire with a dance injury and was so excited when the studio opened in…read moreOakland. All these years later, I owe so much of my regular health and energy to my regular Pilates practice. I have fibromyalgia, and this has quieted my pain far more than prescription medication, acupuncture, chiropractics, and massage combined. This studio not only soothes and strengthens my body but also calms me on stressful days and is a safe place to go on days like the 2024 election. I've shown many friends the magic here and want everyone to get to experience this.

Over my twenty year tenure as a Core Cat client, the studio has adapted my various needs with a…read moredeep knowledge of biomechanics. As I age, I am really appreciating Kelly's grasp of how the body ages and responds to trauma. The one-on-one classes guarantee that the experience is perfectly tailored to me, and there is always the perfect prop at hand--in an appealing shape and color! The studio is light and beautiful, with many design elements upon which to rest the eyes and soothe the soul. Each time, I feel as though I have gone on a mini-vacation retreat. Couture experience.

Victoria is a great Pilates teacher! Like seriously!!!!…read more Her studio is conveniently located between Jack London and Alameda near the freeway with ample parking. Her studio is bright and airy and has all of the Pilates equipment you could want. She assesses your capabilities, listens to your goals and tailors a training program to accomplish them. If you want a session to kick your butt, no problem. If you want a session to be a bit more restorative, you got it! She makes wonderful modifications to accommodate injuries new and old even unexpected injuries acquired the day before your session. Afterwards, there's a lovely fountain just outside the window for you to sit and reflect on your hard work and and mentally prepare to get put to work during your next session! Whether you are new to Pilates or are a seasoned practitioner, Victoria has the skills and desire to help expand your practice!

Hazel is an amazing instructor and the sweetest! I've done pilates at other studios for a few…read moreyears, but I truly appreciate how Hazel pays attention to every detail. After just a month of working with her, my chronic low back pain is improving, and my alignment is so much better. Highly recommend!

I have worked with Tiffany on and off for a couple years, and in the last 8 months have gotten a…read moreregular schedule going. I have chronic low back and sciatic pain, which is what initially brought me to pilates. I now see Tiffany 1 or 2 times a week, and can really see the improvements in my strength. Tiffany is a truly excellent teacher and makes me feel so comfortable and safe in learning and trying new things. She offers wonderful encouragement and her hands on approach really helps me understand where to focus during each exercise. While classical pilates is full of subtly, I can always tell that I've had a serious workout after my lessons. In the past, I have gone to the more typical gym-style pilates classes, and while those of course have their benefits in cost and ease of access, the safety and precision that are offered in lessons with Tiffany are unparalleled.

I have been seeing Tiffany for lessons for about 10 weeks, and looking back, I am amazed at how far…read moreI've come already. It's surprising because the lessons themselves are not as excruciating as I imagined they might be. She has sneakily increased the intensity of my workouts each week so that I am working with twice the resistance I started at, but due to my increased strength, I've barely noticed. What I have noticed is the complete absence of my chronic low back pain, as well as a significant reduction in the little twinges of pain here and there from regular activities like looking over my shoulder to parallel park. It turns out my muscles were weak, which is why I was always in pain! Stronger muscles (especially core)= Much less pain! I recommend Tiffany especially to people who don't already have an exercise routine or who are intimidated by fitness-y types and gym vibes. She is down to earth and accepts her students where they are at, guiding with gentle encouragement and often hilarious prompts! Her cute, clean studio is conveniently located and I've never had an issue with street parking outside. She also happens to make a line of all natural body products that are super-pure and ethically sourced, called Be Real Body.

Been struggling with chronic pain on my left side--hip, QL, shoulder. Chiropractic has provided…read morerelief, 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!

Valerie is awesome! I tried a Loo Movement class because I wanted to work on improving my posture…read moreand 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!

Tam is great! You can tell this is not her first rodeo. Her class is challenging, engaging and…read morefunny- "[directive], thank you, dears" "great job, loves!" Looking forward to taking another one of her classes soon!

Great studio, they offer reformer and mat Pilates. Haven't tried the reformer but the Mat Pilates…read morewith Elizabeth is great! Would recommend to anyone who is interested. The studio is super cute, calming, and clean. There is street parking and close to Bart if you're taking public transit.

Keely is the best. I've been working with her once a week for about a year, and I can't recommend…read moreher enough. She's extremely knowledgeable and skilled at adapting workouts on the spot to meet my needs while still challenging me to improve. I've noticed consistent progress in my strength, body awareness, and overall fitness. I have a history of ankle sprains which used to make me nervous about working out, but Keely completely takes that anxiety away. She creates a safe, supportive environment where I can focus on getting stronger without worrying about re-injury. She also has an incredible ability to identify the root of any soreness or discomfort I might be feeling and recommend targeted exercises or stretches that actually make a difference. It's like magic. Except it's not. It's Keely's skills, expertise, and depth of knowledge. Relatedly, Keely is passionate about educating her clients on how their bodies work. I've learned so much about different exercises and muscle groups from her. Beyond her technical expertise, Keely has a bubbly and compassionate personality. I genuinely have fun talking to her during our sessions. She's attentive and truly cares about her clients' progress and well-being. Working with her has been one of the best investments I've made for my health, and I look forward to our sessions each week.

I'm not the type of person that naturally loves working out but Keely makes me look forward to it…read more She's discerning, inquisitive, kind and funny and knows everything there is to know about the human form. Like I said, my natural opposition to all things physical has sadly prevented my brain from absorbing much of this knowledge permanently but she is undeniably patient with me as she has to repeat what a Bulgarian split squat is for the hundredth time. Thank you for never giving up on me! I started working out with Keely before my wedding in 2021, when my biggest concern was feeling confident in a midriff-exposing dress. Looking back on that time, Keely was truly comforting and helped me recognize and celebrate my strength. I kept going back to work out with her because she helped me understand that working out can be...dare I say it...fun. In addition to the fun, i wanted to maintain healthy ways of managing pain. I struggle with neck pain, tension headaches and migraines. Keely has helped me manage the pain by building and maintaining back strength. She's also imparted a wealth of techniques related to breathing and stretching exercises, which have helped me to get out of my neck in my daily routine. Without her I'd most likely be crying in fetal. Recently after a new diagnosis of TOS, Keely did her own research to offer the right exercise plan to not exacerbate any issues. Her dedication and individualized care for her clients is unmatched. Keely has an incredible ability to make you feel comfortable, confident, and cared for. I look forward to every session and feel lucky to work out with her every week. Much love, Keely!