Centered Body Pilates

I’ve been going to Centered Body Pilates for a couple years now and love the laid back and friendly environment. The owner Oona runs a tight, organized and tidy studio, staffed with instructors that are just as amazing.
I originally tried Pilates to try and strengthen my knee but it has done so much more. With the help of the amazing staff here I’ve grown stronger, increased my body awareness and found a place that helps me de-​stress after my long days of work. I am on my feet 12 hours, moving and lifting patients and running around which puts a lot of stress on my back and knee. Leslie pays attention to these factors and we work out accordingly. This has made a huge difference with how my body feels after a long stint at work.
I highly recommend this studio. They have something for everyone; classes like mat, springboard and reformer, to private lessons. And the diverse staff makes it easy to find someone you’ll enjoy working out with.

I had an OK lesson here but then became ill and had to cancel a lesson. They did not offer to work around my illness and reschedule, but charged me a disproportionately large amount of money for the one lesson I had out of the three-​lesson package and said I could go to another Pilates studio. I decided I would. I suggest you do the same.

I just had my first session with Sonya and it was awesome! She noticed misalignments in my body right away and made exercises and adjustments to correct them. Sonya was lovely and encouraging and a stickler for form, which I appreciate. I highly recommend Sonya and Centered Body Pilates.

I have been going to Centered Body Pilates for more than 6 years, first on Potrero Hill and then at Dogpatch twice a week for private lessons. As a result, my body is healthier, stronger, and more flexible. If I miss sessions, my body cries for help. Without Oona and her crew working on various parts of my body that was intermittently challenged though accidents or operations over the years, I would not have recovered. Because of their knowledge of body mechanics they have fixed me again and again. Making the first appointment took a while because I did not really know anything about Pilates, but once you have started, it will be difficult to stop. It is good for the body and the soul. And, you could not work with a more dedicated bunch of instructors. Rush over and start feeling better. And you can always check out Dogpatch before or after you sessions!

Every session is different to address what is going on with your body. I have worked with a number of the instructors and they are each very professional and knowledgeable about the mechanics of your body. I can not recommend Centered Body Pilates enough.

I find it amazing that Pilates really will change your body in a good way. I have been going to Centered Body in Potero for two years. The instructors are extremely knowledgeable about the mechanics of your body. Every session is different to address what is going on with your body that day. The aches and pains that I had for years are gone because of Pilates. I can not recommend Centered Body Pilates
enough.

I have been taking Pilates classes with my wife for about five years at the Centered Body studio in Potrero Hill. We take private lessons with Oona. She is a very experienced and capable instructor with knowledge of the body that goes well beyond Pilates. She tailors each session to whatever little ache or pain my wife or I happen to be feeling that week. She is very careful to make sure we get the maximum benefit each week. On top of that, she is a delightful person. The new studio is spacious, clean, light, and has all the up to date equipment. We have also trained under other instructors including Honorine, Sonya, and Allison. They have been excellent as well. No matter who we have, we always feel better at the end of the class and are glad we took the time to come in. I have nothing but praise for this business and they have my highest recommendation.

I’ve been taking «Welness» classes here for several years and loving it. All the instructors are excellent: sensitive, knowledgeable, and patient. Among my current favorites are: Sonya, Honorine, Christina, and Allison.

I feel fortunate to have found this little neighborhood gem. I have attended mostly Springboard classes, and while the workout is different depending on the instructor I found the class to still be a workout and I always leave feeling energized. My core has significantly tightened over the last few months, something that half marathons was not doing for me and for that, Ladies of Centered Body Pilates, I am grateful.
I attend as often as I can, nothing beats the feeling I have when exiting a class from this studio.

I was passing through while visiting family and was looking for a place to continue my Pilates practice. I «googled» a few Pilates studios in the area and came across Centered Body Pilates. I’m glad I did! Sonya delivered one of the best Mat classes I’ve taken in a while. The other staff members I encountered (and the owner) were extremely friendly. Great, intimate studio in a quite location away from the hustle and bustle of downtown SF. Looking forward to visiting again!

This is a great pilates studio. I have taken individual lessons with a few of the instructors and have really enjoyed them. The space is a little on the small side but never feels crowded because there’s never been more than 1 private lesson going on at once when I’ve been there. I’ve never tried the classes but plan to soon!

Thank you Centered Body for keeping me sane while I studied for the bar. During this time, going to Centered Body for private lessons with Julia multiple days per week gave me the energy and motivation to stay fit and positive. I appreciated my instructor’s expertise and variety of exercises I got to do with the equipment. The space itself is lovely and intimate. Centered Body is exactly what I want in a neighborhood pilates studio.

They recently moved the studio — new location is 670 Texas Street.
I’ve taken a mat class and a springboard class. I didn’t really know what a spring board class was — I thought it was a jumpboard class you do on the reformer. In actuality, it’s more like a tower class — except it’s not really a tower. There is a plywood board with different level of hooks you attach leg springs, arm springs and roll down bar to.

Excellent studio, easy parking, nice views while you work out. I have been going to Sarah’s Pregnancy Prenatal classes and doing privates with Sonya. Both are excellent teachers. I can’t say enough about how great pilates feels being pregnant. I feel great after a class. You workout and stretch stomach and side muscles. It makes me feel better than swimming or walking.

My company offers on-​site pilates classes that are taught by the teachers from this studio. We usually have Jamie on Tuesday and Sara on Thursday. Both are excellent teachers. The classes are a total body workout, and I usually feel soreness in muscles I never even knew existed. I’ve been taking pilates classes for almost 6 months, and I definitely feel stronger and more in shape. Others at work have also become avid pilates fans, and my company has extended our classes through the end of the year!

i’ve been going to CB for almost 2yrs and i *love* it. i do private sessions with tamar who is a body/​pilates genius. i’ve learned a ton from her and my pilates chops have improved 100-​fold since starting to work with her.
not only does tamar really know her stuff, she’s funny and kind and great to work out with. i’ve been doing pilates for 4+ years due to some pretty gnarly spine issues and thanks to her, i can now walk so naturally that people actually balk at the idea that i was ever less than balletic (ok, maybe balletic is a stretch, but you get my drift).
the generally chill vibe at CB is also great (mellow, private and very sunny/​airy) and i’ve taken lessons with other staff members who have been very skilled as well. i know i’m always in good hands there and it’s the highlight of my every week.

I’ve been going here for about 4 years and i really enjoy it. I mostly work with Tamar D. because i like the way she pushes me to get to that next level even when i think that i can’t…she really kicks my butt into shape!

Having never been to a true Pilates studio before, I was a little hesitant to commit myself to such a small establishment. I think I was afraid that I would suck and that being in such a small class my weaknesses would be obvious to everyone (classes are usually 6 people or less). After being at it for about 6 months I can definitely vouch for this place. I feel like my core muscles are getting stronger and that I have acquired a greater awareness and control of the muscles in my body. Even my boyfriend has commented on how much tighter my abs and butt have gotten in the past few months! It really will only take 5 classes for you to start feeling the effects and change.
I will agree that classes can be hit or miss depending on your instructor and therefore think that you should try out several people before you make your final decision about this place. I love Tamar and Alisa. Tamar is one of those petite, cute looking women who could walk onto a fitness video and make every exercise look easy. She will work your abs like a drill sergeant for 60 mins with no mercy and still smile at you at the end of class. She’s one of those instructors you love to hate because she makes your muscles ache for days after you leave her class; but after the pain subsides and you realize that your abs are getting stronger you love her for it. Also, despite her often tough workouts she is very flexible about suggesting variations on exercises depending on your skill set/​any physical injuries or muscle tightness you may be experiencing on that day. I always feel a sense of accomplishment when I can get thru one of her classes without stopping for a rest in between exercises. She will work you out but you will thank her for it … because after all. isn’t that what you’re paying for?
Alisa brings a lot of smiles and positive energy to the class. Whether she is asking us to push ourselves, or simply enjoy a well deserved rest in child’s pose, she always does so with a smile and upbeat tone. She is always having us try out new props during class which often challenge us to work out muscles that we would have otherwise not been able to target. Having a class with her feels like hanging out at the gym with a close pal. Afterwards you feel like you got a decent workout, a nice stretch and you feel infected with her positive energy.
I think that one of the things that I most appreciate about Centered Body is that all of the instructors here are very sensitive to each individual student’s strengths as well as physical needs/​weaknesses. They work with you to get you to achieve a higher level of fitness and tone while maintaining an awareness of your body’s limits.
I’m not giving this place 5 stars because I think they could do a better job of offering more evening hours/​variety in classes throughout the week. I also haven’t really tried other studios in SF so I don’t think it’s fair to assign 5 starts without having anything to compare it with. Also, it can be a bit pricey even with the slight discount for buying group classes in bulk.
So… what’s my point? Go there. Try it out. You won’t regret it and you’ll look great in a bikini :)

I’ve been really fortunate to be introduced to Pilates via Centered Body Pilates’ instructors. It’s really made an incredible difference in my life. I highly recommend Oona and her staff. I really have to thank them for helping take my life back from a decade of pain and discomfort.

I started going to Centered Body Pilates about a year ago, when I realized that I was about 15 – 20 lbs overweight and was outgrowing my pants almost as soon as I bought new pairs. At that rate, I was going to be a prime candidate for Type II diabetes! My sister-​in-​law tipped me off to the South Beach Diet, but also stressed the importance of exercise. Unfortunately, I get bored by repetitive workouts, like jogging, treadmill, etc., and knew that I needed both cardio and strength-​building/​toning exercise regimen that would keep me engaged.
Christine’s springboard class at Centered Body Pilates was the perfect answer for me. I am not the most coordinated person nor did I grow up doing much exercise. But she taught me the basics and got me going one step at a time. I started seeing results almost immediately: my legs got much better toned and my waist slimmed down right away. And about 4 months after I started working out with Christine, I had lost about 15 lbs! Most importantly, I was feeling stronger, leaner, and more flexible than I ever had before. Now I maintain (and enjoy!) a regular exercise routine. I can’t recommend Christine’s class enough! So come join me at 8AM on Mondays – while it’s tough at this time in the morning, you will love how it will make you feel (and look!) later!

I love Centered Body Pilates! I’ve taken both privates and classes and they are both great! Oona is an excellent instructor and has made me a lot more aware of body. Tamara is excellent as well. I could totally see the difference after a couple of classes. As a former Bikram’s fanatic… I am now officially a Pilates convert!