LightSpace Pilates & Wellness

I highly recommend this studio. Beth is fantastic! She has worked with me several times, and as a result, I have more energy and feel amazing. The environment in the studio is very relaxing, and the staff is warm and welcoming. Whatever your health/​wellness/​fitness needs are, LightSpace will tailor a program to accommodate you. A wonderful experience all around!

I’ve been taking classes from the instructors at LightSpace Pilates & Wellness for about 4 years. I followed them here from another studio. I take their mat and cardio classes regularly and love the small class sizes and personalized attention. All of the instructors make the experience fun and enjoyable. I always look forward to their classes! I recently started taking private sessions with Annie, and even though it’s only been 6 weeks, I already notice a positive change in the way my body works and feels. Going into the private sessions, I never realized just how much unnecessary tension I carry all over my body. That tension has made it harder for me to do some of the things I love, like running. I’ve had a chronic IT Band injury for the last 15+ years from running, and my doctors always told me that I would likely have to live with it. Annie thinks differently and seems determined to alleviate my IT band tightness for good. I’m certainly on the right track to wellness. Not only am I get stronger and learning how to work out more efficiently, Pilates has helped me in the most unexpected ways. It’s even improved my playing and technique as a musician –who would have thought? The instructors here truly care about the progress of each and everyone of their clients. I am constantly recommending LightSpace Pilates & Wellness to my friends!

I can’t believe I waited so long to get into Pilates. I followed these wonderful ladies from their previous studio and couldn’t be happier in their new home. They are beyond knowledgeable in physiology and its relation to one’s overall well-​being. I’ve seen Allison, Beth, Lisa and am currently doing group reformer with Annie. Kelli just completed her training and from observation is very passionate about Pilates. They have a great team of dedicated instructors. My body and mind feels renewed after every class. If only I could go more often!

I followed Allison here from another Pilates studio. I previously tried yoga, physical therapy and saw multiple doctors and nothing has helped with my neck and back pain more than Allison.
I arrive to my session after a day hunched in front of the computer, and I leave taller, energized, and pain free.
I am almost reluctant to write this review for selfish reasons, because other people also know how amazing she is so her schedule is already pretty full, but it would be bad karma not to spread the word. This place and Allison are amazing.

I have been practicing Pilates with Beth Milligan for about 1.5 years and have nothing but great things to say. I initially started Pilates because I was having knee pain that after over a year in and out of physical therapy wouldn’t get better. After just a few sessions of Pilates, I was in less pain and felt like I was moving better as a whole. I was over-​joyed after being told by a doctor that I would probably just have that pain forever.
Beth does a great job reading my body and then tailoring the exercises to address tension points that are interfering with smooth movement. Sometimes I don’t even realize I have tension in a certain part of my body but after we work through it, I realize how much better I can move. She uses various techniques from her knowledge of Pilates and Qigong that really focuses on the energy flow throughout the body.
My one regret — I wish I had started Pilates sooner. The thing that held me back was concern that I wouldn’t get it or know how to engage the right muscles (as it’s very different than just jumping on the treadmill). But Beth has been a wonderful instructor and gives great cues that help you understand what to do. I am also amazed at how sore I feel the next day for how little some of the movements we do are. Anyone who says it’s not a good workout and you won’t get stronger, must be doing it wrong.
Beyond the instructor and how my body feels — it’s such a pleasant experience going to the studio. It is a relaxing space that feels spa-​like when you walk in with the dimmed lights and candles. It feels like a space for healing and wellness — very different than other studios I’ve been to where there are mirrors everywhere and bright lights.
Would highly recommend Beth and the studio — check it out!

I LOVE this studio. As soon as you walk in you feel calm and and centered. I love exercising here, and I normally hate exercise! The staff is warm, fun and inviting. They make beginners feel comfortable and help every client to step outside their comfort zone and challenge themselves. But you never, ever feel pressured to over-​extend yourself. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a relaxing, fun and supportive environment.

Take it from someone who hasn’t ever exercised on a regular basis UNTIL I found Pilates! Or should i say LISA! After taking group reformer lessons off and on for a few years, I thought I would try private lessons to see if it would make a difference. I signed up with Lisa and it is truly amazing how her attention to what would seem to be a minor adjustment could truly impact the overall effectiveness of Pilates. It will change your life!

It’s been almost a year since I first tried Pilates and I have been hooked ever since. After trying many different forms of exercise over the years, I can honestly say that I have never felt so strong, fit and comfortable in my skin than since I began Pilates. It is much more than exercise but It has made a huge difference in how I move, think about moving, and overall how I feel on a day to day basis. I just feel taller and leaner since I started. Truthfully I had no idea what I was in for when I signed up for my first session with Lisa but it’s been a game changer. I feel so lucky to have worked with her in both private sessions and group classes. Her knowledge of Pilates is beyond impressive, coupled with such thoughtfulness and a great sense of humor. Every session I am always amazed by the new tricks she has up her sleeve to keep me constantly growing stronger, engaged and continually challenged. The hour flies by and I always feel like a new person when I leave, having worked hard, learned and laughed a ton.
I’m beyond excited to see Lisa and all the amazing instructors at LightSpace in their new home. It is so calming, friendly, convenient… just a beautiful studio that makes each session so relaxing and enjoyable!

I’ve been practicing Pilates with Allison Ward as my private instructor for 2 years. Before that I had almost come to accept chronic back pain as an inevitable part of motherhood and schlepping around 3 little kids. I am mostly pain free today and in the rare cases when my back is bothering again, Allison is able to help me ‘fix’ this pretty easily. Allison is so much more than just an awesome Pilates instructor. She is able to read my body and release any energy blockade spot-​on either by specifically working on those areas with the right Pilates exercise and breathing technique or by applying qigong techniques. The Lightspace Studio is such a great and welcoming place with absolutely gifted instructors. The name definitely suits the experience. It’s my oasis in an often hectic daily life.

I am incredibly grateful to have not only found Pilates to help with my back pain and overall stiffness, but I also get to work with an incredibly knowledgeable and caring instructor, Allison Ward. I have been doing Pilates for 4 years and working with Allison is such a privilege. I feel a 100% taller, stronger and lighter after each Pilates session!
LightSpace has a wonderful atmosphere that is both welcoming and relaxing. All of the instructors are warm and kind and my stress melts away the moment I walk in the door. Plus they are located in a convenient location for train access and easy street parking. What more could you ask for?

After having back problems, scoliosis, endless trips to the doctor, constant prescriptions and pointless physical therapy visits that didn’t offer any permanent solutions, I decided that I needed to try something else. My weekly sessions with Allison have changed all that. I am pain free for years now and so much more. Doing Pilates at LightSpace rounds me out.
Allison creates workouts for me based on how I’m feeling that day– a little stiff from sitting at my desk all day, a little weak or needed an extra boost of confidence, or if I just need to take it easy and reset a little.
This beautiful space filled with supportive teachers and clients sets my week straight. There’s not a time that I don’t leave my sessions feeling happy, refreshed, and strong.

There hasn’t been another form of exercise that has come CLOSE to making me feel as good as Pilates does. You know that term, «runner’s high»? I totally get «Pilates high».
Needless to say, I’m in love with Pilates. Usher in newly open LightSpace!
The Studio:
Talk about a comforting and welcoming atmosphere! LightSpace is truly the perfect name. From the moment you step foot in the studio, it seriously feels like all your stress from the day just lifts right off of you. You can’t help but feel a sense of calm and happiness walking in.
Full disclosure: I remember feeling nervous and a bit intimidated when I went to my very first Pilates session 5 years ago at a different studio. Nope, not here. This is definite plus for those newer to Pilates or this location.
It’s pretty good sized space. It’s roomy. It feels kinda big, but the set up still makes it feel intimate. Different sessions and classes can be going on at the same time, but it never feels crowded nor does your session ever feel drowned out.
Instructors:
I mainly do Duet sessions with Allison, who has been my instructor for the past few years, and she is hands down, the best instructor out there. Her knowledge of body mechanics and movement amaze me, and if you go into the session sore, or with some kinks that need to be worked out, not only does she find exercises to fix the issues, she’s more than happy to explain how the exercises are addressing the issue.
Allison is a riot and totally makes your Pilates session challenging and super fun at the same time. Plus, you get your learn on! What more can you ask for?
All of the instructors are very knowledgeable, down-​to-​earth, friendly people. Plus, they will work with you to accommodate your schedule for privates/​duets.
I’m excited to see how this studio grows. It looks promising that they’re making this into a holistic wellness center too.
TL;DR version: It’s a great space, with fantastic instructors, in a convenient location! Street parking on Lincoln, but there’s free parking on Diversey (west) and on Racine.