The Pilates Shoppe

***drumroll*** Introducing our client with the most classes taken, Christine! Congratulations Christine on over 1,200 classes taken and thank you for being a part of our Pilates Shoppe community for so long. Don’t miss her Pilates story, in her words:

“I started Pilates in 2009 after suffering a herniated disc from kickboxing that required extensive rehab. When I took my first class at the Pilates Shoppe, I couldn’t even hold tabletop position without discomfort. My physical therapist told me that my herniated disc was likely related to a weak core, which surprised me because I considered myself a dedicated exerciser. But as anyone who has tried Pilates and stuck with it will tell you, there is nothing quite like Pilates for developing true core strength.

Over the past 17 years, Pilates has become so much more than a workout for me. During that time, I’ve had ten separate surgeries for various medical reasons, and each one required me to put life, and exercise, on pause, sometimes for weeks and sometimes for months. Every single time, I came back to the Pilates Shoppe. Jen and the PS instructors modified exercises throughout my recovery, helping me rebuild my strength and mobility little by little. I firmly believe Pilates, and the care I received at PS, helped me recover more quickly and return to the active life I love.

But as important as the physical benefits have been, the greatest gift of the Pilates Shoppe has been something I never expected when I walked through the doors in 2009 — FRIENDSHIP.

Other than my husband and children, there are very few people in my life whom I have seen nearly every week of my life for 17 years. The Pilates Shoppe is more than just a studio, it’s a community. We’ve watched our children grow, celebrated milestones, welcomed furry friends and said heartbreaking goodbyes to beloved ones. We’ve supported one another through some of life’s most difficult seasons. Through the loss of both my parents and my cancer journey, the PS community was there for me. And somehow this community was formed all while lying on a reformer with our feet in straps!

Now 17 years later, I still come for the challenging workout and to gain strength and mobility. I started Pilates at age 37, when my body felt a lot younger than it does today! Now my focus is on keeping this 54-year-old body strong through injuries and the changes that come with maturity. I am so grateful that PS is a studio that creates a personalized and adaptable approach to Pilates and it is one that has grown with me through every stage of life. Jen and the team challenge me when I’m strong and they help me rebuild when I’m not. I can’t imagine navigating the last two decades and the years ahead without Pilates and more importantly, the Pilates Shoppe community, being a part of my life.”

Congratulations to our 1,000+ class club member, Sylvia! Here’s her Pilates story: “I had done yoga and Feldenkrais and all sorts of exercises throughout the years. Went to Jack LaLanne studios back in the day. Even tried Jane Fonda aerobics, leg warmers and all. But the moment I tried Pilates I knew this was an exercise routine I could do forever.
I started with Cory Rojo at the Y and followed her to the Pilates Shoppe.
People ask me if this has helped me, I say I can’t even imagine how I would feel if I hadn’t started Pilates.”

This week we’re celebrating Beth, with 1,250 classes and counting! Read on for her inspirational Pilates testimonial:

“In 2016 a close friend convinced me to try my first Pilates class. I was looking for a new fitness routine because I was nursing torn rotator cuffs in both shoulders and pursuing every healing option I could in order to avoid surgery.

I think what initially got me hooked on Pilates was that it was easy to modify the movements that were too difficult & painful for my shoulders but other muscle groups still got a challenging workout. And boy did it hit muscle groups that I had never used before! In the beginning I went to Pilates 2-3 times a week. For the last 5 years I’ve been consistently going 3 times a week.

Over the years, starting as a teenager, I’ve tried a variety of fitness programs from step aerobics and circuit training to free weights, boxing, and running. Pilates has had the greatest staying power and remains the discipline I’ve practiced the longest. With Pilates aside from healing and strengthening my rotator cuffs, I have greatly improved my core strength, flexibility and balance while maintaining overall muscle tone.

What keeps me committed and coming back for more Pilates is the smaller class size and the best instructors who really pay attention to each client’s abilities, helping with modifications as needed. The friends I’ve made in classes keep the laughs going making the time fly by and I don’t find myself watching the clock. I look forward to every class & miss it when I can’t be there. I am so grateful I found Pilates!”

1,070 classes and counting with our amazing 1000+ class club member Debbie! She’s been a 3x per week faithful for over 11 years! Congratulations Debbie:

Her Pilates origin story, in her words: “I absolutely love Pilates. In 2017, after retiring from a 40+ year career, my daughter urged me to try Pilates. Over time three classes a week became a habit, then a lifestyle. Along the way, I gained strength, stamina and wonderful friendships. Best retirement decision ever!”

This week we’re celebrating our 1,000+ class club member Kristina with over 1,100 classes since 2009! Read on for her Pilates origin story: “I can’t remember exactly when I started at the Pilates Shoppe, but Im pretty sure it was well over 15 years ago! I was mainly a runner at the time but had heard people talking about Pilates and I couldn’t wait to try it. That first class was brutal @(having never done anything quite like it before) but I kept on coming back and pretty quickly, I began feeling stronger, leaner and actually taller. Fast forward to today, and I can’t imagine my life without it. I’ve been coming 3 times a week for as long as I can remember and I hope I can continue forever. I miss it so much when I travel or can’t be there. The instructors are all amazing and challenge me in different ways. Also, this little studio in Aliso Viejo attracts the loveliest clientele ~ It makes the classes fly by! Thanks Jen and the Pilates Shoppe!”

Celebrating our 1,000+ class club members: meet Denise, 1,101 classes strong! Read on for her Pilates journey in her words:
“The Pilates Shoppe and the community I have here are everything to me. I began taking classes with Jen in 2015 soon after my MS diagnosis. I was coming to PT with Tim for a frozen shoulder and was in so much pain physically and mentally that I knew I needed to try something new. I truly believe that pilates has saved me in so many ways, it's the only workout I have consistently stuck with that sometimes I feel like it's become an addiction!! I've built strength while also working on my balance and flexibility. There are many studies that show that Pilates is great for cognitive function as well, but to be honest I think it's healthy just giggling with my friends as we struggle through a tough workout. We have so much in common, as many of us are in our mid 50's, and don't even get me started on our menopause journey. We are experts in all things estrogen, protein, fiber and raising adult children. Why do I need Pilates in my life? I would like to say take a class and find out, but I don't want you to take my spot. 😉”

We’re celebrating our long time clients with over 1,000 classes! Starting with Kevin, who today completed his 1,070th class. Incredible! Read on for Kevin’s Pilates Shoppe story, in his own words: “Back in 2013, my daughter, Caitlin, was taking Pilates classes at the studio in preparation for her wedding. She kept telling me I should try it, but I was my sure about it. At the time, I was going to the gym a few days a week and walking a lot. Finally, in the Spring of 2014, I decided to try it. I took a few private lessons with Jen and Cory. I decided to try the classes and because Monday and Friday mornings worked best for me, I signed up for those classes with Jen.

I really liked the classes, especially since Jen mixed up the workouts. I found them challenging and liked the group of people in the classes. I kept up this schedule (every Monday and Friday), for about ten years with the exception of when we were on vacation, or I had business out of town. When Caitlin got licensed, I changed my schedule to Tuesday and Saturday so I could take her classes once a week.

Prior to starting Pilates, I generally had two to three times a year when my back would act up and I would be in pain for two to three days. Since starting Pilates, I have had virtually no issues with my back and the few times I did tweak it, the issue went away in just a few hours - not days. I attribute that the improved core strength that I developed from Pilates.

While I am a bit of a creature of habit, I certainly am glad I gave Pilates a try and added it to my weekly workout routine. I would highly recommend it and the team at the studio to anyone.”

Kevin Pendergest (age 72)

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