Sanchez Street Studios

I just had a very uncomfortable experience with one of the yoga instructors, Letitia. I dropped by to inquire about her Friday 6:15 yoga class and asked if I could use my Unilocal voucher. She insisted that I couldn’t, even though the fine print does not list any exceptions.
Her words to me exactly: «no, that’s not accepted because this is my livelihood and you probably make more money than me. I have to rent this studio. I could offer the first class free.»
I found it offensive that she judged me, stereotyped me, and assumed anything about me. Furthermore, what does my salary have to do with using a promotion to try out the studio?
I then double checked and asked, «so could I try out the first class for free?» And Letitia said, «if you insist.»
I’ve never received a message more loud and clear that I am not wanted here. Seems like this place doesn’t care about attracting new students at all. I’ll keep looking for a welcoming and inclusive yoga studio to go to.

this review applies to working with hannah and nadia in private sessions. both instructors have proved wonderfully challenging (a difficult combination) in giving a great workout tailored to your body and fitness goals. i highly recommend seeing either one for a private pilates session.

Bad knees, creaky back, hips that tilt and a love of dance. What could I do?
Pilates! I have been going to the Sanchez Street Studios for a year now and feel so much better! The instructors are very knowledgeable, supportive and fun. I never hurt myself and I am able to challenge myself in all the classes. Each instructor brings her own experience into the studio and you can easily find the class that is perfect for you. So far, I have enjoyed all the instructors, the mat class, springboard, and ball classes.
It’s a neighborhood studio so all students feel welcome and comfortable. Thank you Sanchez Street Studios!

I’ve been taking mat classes at Sanchez Street Studios for several years and recently added springboard. It’s an amazing place. The instructors are kind, enthusiastic, and extremely well trained. I’m constantly in awe of what they know about the human body as well as what my body needs! I’ve participated in many types of exercise in the past, and this is by far the most professional experience I’ve had. I can’t say enough good things about these guys. They keep me on my feet and pain free!

Older crowd (40+); small classes; super friendly teachers (Carol). Unfortunately, we did not find the classes remotely challenging. Oh well…

I love this studio! Carole is an excellent instructor, and she seems very kind and professional. The mixed mat is for all levels of fitness, the intermediate mat class a bit more challenging. Both are guaranteed to give you a good stretch and strengthen those muscles. Parking has always been easy on Saturday mornings. The classroom is clean and well-​equipped. Great rates for classes and I hope to go back soon!

Amazing, lovely studio with wonderful instructors. By far the best pilates classes I’ve ever taken. The instructors are all very knowledgeable and friendly, the keep the class fun but professional and push you just the right amount. Wish I still lived in the area so I could go!

Sanchez Street Studios is an excellent, supportive, welcoming place to get your Pilates on. Reviewing their instructor training program will reveal how very seriously they take the work. I love that students of all ages and sizes do Pilates together here. Carol is clever and thoughtful and keeps it fun with light humor. I am always ready when she asks for requests since others may not make any so I tend to get what I want.
When I started going to this neighborhood studio, I didn’t anticipate that it would help me feel more a part of my own neighborhood. Now I’m waving and smiling to the other students I see on the street any time!
Edited to add: If you show up for class and nobody else does, you will get a private lesson instead, which is stupendous. This can be like winning the lottery, as happened to me tonight.

Update ⁴⁄₁₀ — In January I started taking reformer classes with Alisa (in addition to Mat classes with Carol) and I’m happy to say that I’m back in my skinny jeans! Sanchez Street continues to be a great place to get fit and have fun.

I really wanted to love this studio — it is a super cute little neighborhoody space. I am not a pilates expert, I have only gone to about 4 pilates classes but I found the class I went to was incredibly easy. The class I went to was a mixed levels mat class and I feel like I barely got a workout. I actually shocked that it is possible to have an hour of pilates without getting an ab workout. The private classes or advanced classes might be better but from my limited experience, I wouldn’t recommend the mat classes if you are in it for a good workout.

I went to Sanchez Street Studios 8 years ago with back problems from lugging around a cute but ridiculously huge baby (10lb 4 oz at birth). Not only have my back problems disappeared but I am in better shape at 51 than I was as a teenager or a woman in my 20’s. The personalized attention you get in matt, ball or spring classes equals the private sessions, and the level of humor and professionalism is a winning combo. You could say that I am addicted to these classes and have moved my office to within a block so I can get to my classes on time! As a working mom of two, I think this is the best time and money that I spend investing in my health and energy and fitness. Carol Le Maitre is beyond amazing and the other highly experienced trainers/​teachers, like Alisa, Bonnie and Evangeline are fabulous as well.

Got spinal problems? This is the place. It is also the place for you lucky folks who do not need to do rehab pilates but want to get in shape while having fun. But as someone who has taken private lessons from Carol to stave off surgery for more than five years, I am in awe of her skill, intuition, patience, sense of humor, and terrific management style. I love it when my surgeons tell me: «You are not supposed to be this good,» knowing that it comes from the work I do here. The studio runs as smooth as a stream, the other trainers are terrific, the décor is soothing, the spirit of everyone working there is great. If you need rehabilitation pilates, try Carol or Sharon. Sanchez Street Studios is the best!

I have been lucky enough to be coming to this pilates studio for the last five years. You feel like you’re at home when you are at Sanchez. Carol, the owner, is sweet, down to earth, and has an amazing staff of trainers! I have worked out with at least five trainers from this studio. All equally amazing, challenging, but all so different. The trainer I have been with the longest, Alisa, is amazing. Hilarious, adorable, and great at what she does. Also, if you can make it out to a class on Wednesday afternoon, you should take, «Let Bonnie kick your butt» mat class. No joke, you will be sore for a few days… in a good way.
I come here about 2 – 3 a week and I feel like its a time where I get together with other folks, do a bit of gossiping, a lot of stretching and a ton of core work. What more could a girl ask for.
It’s all about Sanchez Street Studio. Check it out for yourself and you won’t be disappointed… but you will become oddly flexible. :)

Carol, the owner, is one of the top Pilates trainers in the city. As someone with a two-​level spine fusion, she has helped me in more ways than I can count here. When I came to Carol, I was walking with a turned-​out gait, severely pitched forward at the hips, and in a world of pain. Today, I walk and exercise without pain. She’s funny, compassionate and helps you feel immediately at home. I’ve also tried the mat and springboard classes and her other trainers are spot-​on. The studio itself is bright, sunny and colorful — a real treat for an exercise facility.

I am a huge fan of Sanchez Street Studios. I have been taking pilates classes with Bonnie — I followed her there from my gym at work where she taught previously. The studio is pleasant and clean, there is plenty of well-​maintained equipment, and parking is not an issue. I like the small, intimate feel of this studio compared to larger, noisier gyms. I also appreciate that there are instructional cds available from the studio founder, Carol LeMaitre, which help me keep up my pilates practice in between sessions.

I had SO MUCH fun here today! I took Carol, the owner’s Ball/​Mat class and had a great workout while smiling and feeling like a big kid on a hippity hop:)
I just started doing Pilates and love it. I dance in an all female salsa group with Bonnie, one of the instructors, and before our rehearsals, she leads a pilates warm-​up. Since I enjoy those, I decided to take a few privates with her at Sanchez Street Studios since it’s right in my ‘hood. And now I’m hooked!
Though you’re not grape-​vining like Jane Fonda, roundhouse kicking like Taebo or sweating like in Bikram Yoga, it’s a different workout and very challenging. The isolated muscle work is foreign to me since I realize I’m not using those muscles that I could be using or «engaging». I have chronic back pain too and since I started doing pilates, it’s gotten better. Plus, it’s helped with my posture and dancing. It’s true, you will feel taller.
The SSS instructors, I’ve observed, provide very clear instructions and pay attention to the specific needs of each student. Bonnie was great for privates and Alisa is super sweet for intro.
Getting a good workout and enjoying myself is an essential combo to help keep me motivated. After bouncing on the ball to music today, I felt so good and happy that I treated myself to an ice-​cream cone! Don’t worry, no guilt because I’ll be back for more classes:)
btw, when you arrive at a group class, you just give your name and I guess they have a system that they check later to see if you’ve paid. FYI, the office is upstairs.

I have been taking one-​on-​one classes with owner, Carol LeMaitre, and I AM a foot taller. I am an exercise-​phobe, but I hate to miss my Pilates at this cheerful studio. It doesn’t even feel like exercise! Carol is a patient, fun teacher who pushes as hard as she should and makes the hour fly. She is very careful with injuries — I had a frozen shoulder and I always felt better after my work outs with her. Parking is sometimes a challenge, but Alice’s restaurant is next door so you can get Chinese food when you’re done! What more could you want?

Really friendly people over there. I’m taking the Pilates intro-​series with Alisa. She is a great instructor, and an adorable person. I love each class and they make me feel so good! Prices are reasonable too.
They offer both Pilates and Yoga.

Small but nice studio. I took medium/​advanced mat classes there for a while until my work schedule changed for the worse. Knowledgeable, friendly instructors. Popular mat classes fill up quickly and then it’s uncomfortably tight. I really don’t like exercising in such an ‘intimate’ environment. Crowd there seems nice enough but cliquish.

I’ve been taking Pilates here since 1999. Cozy little Noe valley studio, with large room for mat classes downstairs, and all the equipment for privates upstairs. Much more affordable than some other studios in the city. Carol, the owner, is super nice, and is one of the instructors. She used to live upstairs and you’d hear her boys running around upstairs, but she moved to another neighborhood and converted the upstairs into a studio, to expand. There are tons of different instructors and classes to choose from — I recommend trying out a few to find your favorites. I happen to be taking a weekly Springboard class Monday nights with Janine, and I always leave class feeling about a foot taller. How can you go wrong with that?