Pilates In The Heights — Local services in New York

TLDR: Pilates in the Heights has changed my life by giving me back my life. My mobility was rapidly shrinking and through their incredible knowledge, guidance, and kindness, my body and mobility are mine again.

I started coming to Pilates in the Heights in 2019. After 5 years of working with a rehab doctor for bursitis in my hips and plantar fasciitis, my world was shrinking. My insurance would only cover 2 months of physical therapy once a year, which was never enough. And despite my diligence in doing the exercises I was assigned, what I needed was someone who would help me as my body changed, who could give actual feedback and help me continue to grow.

I was afraid at first to even try pilates. I worried that if this was an exercise focus as opposed to a medical focus, that I wouldn’t “fit in.” But now my big regret is that I didn’t do this years earlier.

I’ve worked with both Ana and Chris, but mostly with Ana. I can say, however, that watching the way Chris works and the way he interacts with me, they’re both awesome. From the first day, Ana was kind to me and focused on what is going on with my specific body. She says that every person’s body is different, so she understands that my build is different from hers or another client, but that doesn’t make me good or bad. We just work with what we have! One of the most meaningful things to me is when Ana has carefully watched me do a specific movement, and then she says with a very satisfied voice that I’ve gotten so strong. She has shown me that my body is worth of gratitude, and she has made me love myself so much more.

I will never stop coming to Pilates in the Heights. I got my world back. We talk about self-care, and it’s not bubble baths or pedicures for me, but it’s me having the expert support to guide me in developing a strong and flexible body, that can do what I need it to do. Climbing stairs, standing, sitting, playing, dancing, and just living, are all the things I can do now without difficulty. I look forward to getting older with the help of Pilates in the Heights because now I know every change in my body will be a challenge we...

This studio is welcoming to people of all ages, all degree of fitness, and all expectations and goals. It offers private or group classes (no more than 4 people in my experience), which allows for individual attention and guidance to each participant. Both instructors (Ana and Chris) take full advantage of this and customize the workout according to each person's bodily idiosyncrasies, abilities, and needs. All the while they gently, but methodically and continually, correct and challenge one to work against any ingrained and unbalanced ways of using one's body. Working in small groups I also noticed that they show extra awareness, care and responsiveness with people complaining of pain or discomfort (even minor ones like a headache). Beyond correction, they challenge one to constantly work towards greater strength, flexibility and body awareness. Ana and Chris (I have been working with both, but more frequently with Chris) keep the sessions challenging and fun by varying the types of exercises and gradually increasing their difficulty in a purposeful and pedagogical manner. They are both very knowledgeable not only about Pilates, but also about human anatomy and muscular physiology, as well as the common ways we wrongly use our bodies in daily life. They teach with method, involvement, and pleasure. After a few months of going to Pilates in the Heights I got rid of a mild, though nagging, back pain caused by too much sitting. Now I can sit for 8 hour straight with no pain at all. I feel that my body got stronger and more flexible and my posture greatly improved (no more slouching). I am also more aware of my body which allows me to correct my posture and gait throughout the day. Situated on the 9th floor, the studio is airy, clean, has great views of the entire downtown area and of the Hudson River, and wonderful light throughout the day. It has a very pleasant, relaxed, friendly, welcoming, and joyful atmosphere that matches Ana and Chris' nature, making one look forward for the next class. Highly...

Ana and Chris are a godsend. For over 30 years I hunched over a desk and a computer, resulting in severe forward head posture and pronounced hunched back. The last four years I have had constant dizziness, almost 24/7, facial and shoulder numbness, headaches, and tripping as I walked. All medical testes showed I was healthy. I became very concerned about not seeing my grandkids grow up. So, my doctor recommended pilates, as it would provide whole body exercise approach, that could lead to healing. Pilates in the Heights was in the hood, a short walk. Within two months my posture improved significantly, to such extent that my dizziness was reduced by almost 70%! The numbness on my face and arm improved by half. There was a bounce in my step, because they taught me to walk again. There was a moment during an exercise when there was silence in my ear. I wept. Its an amazing thing how the mechanics of walking, sitting, standing can affect your health so profoundly. Chris and Ana not just teach, they educate me. My body is stronger, my posture straighter, and my body has gained an awareness of when the posture is off. How great is that? Chris and Ana, you are a blessing, much grateful for your kindness and your presence in my journey to health. ...