
What is Pilates?
Pilates is a systematically-designed form of whole body conditioning created over 80 years ago by Joseph H. Pilates, fitness pioneer. Pilates’ method combined his studies of eastern and western philosophies of health: boxing, yoga, Tai Chi, Zen meditation, martial arts, gymnastics, diving, and body building. He designed over 500 exercises that strive to build strength and flexibility, restore muscular balance, improve body alignment and posture, and release tension. Every action is initiated and sustained from one’s “powerhouse.” The “powerhouse” or “core” includes the abdominals, gluteals, hips, inner thighs, and lower back muscles. Engaging and working from one’s center with every action, in addition to working with control, concentration, breath, precision, and flow are what Joseph Pilates called his “principles” for practicing Pilates. Joseph Pilates would often say, “One rep done well is better than several reps performed poorly.”
Why practice Pilates?
Pilates is the perfect complement to your current exercise program. Do you strength train? Swim? Spin? Run? Yoga? Pilates mat? Golf? Tennis? Even if you are not currently active and are new to fitness, Pilates is a great method to get you going on the right track as it is total body conditioning that is low impact and works with keeping the body aligned. Pilates is for anyone, from competitive athletes to people who need to rehabilitate their bodies in a safe format. As Joseph Pilates said, “Anybody can do it. You can be young and athletic or old and crippled. It doesn’t matter.”
Pilates Class Descriptions
PILATES 101
A fun way to learn the basics of Pilates on the apparatus. Appropriate for both the Pilates beginner or a mat-class devotee. Each class meets once a week using the classic Pilates apparatus called the Reformer.
PILATES JUMP CLASS
The Pilates Jump Board is a safe way to increase the heart-rate without impact to the joints and gain all the benefits of rebounding, including increasing bone mass, boosting lymphatic drainage and immune function, improving digestion, improving balance (stimulating the vestibular apparatus in the inner ear), increasing endurance improving muscle tone, and supporting the thyroid and adrenals.
TWEEN PILATES
For tweens and teens, Pilates can be the perfect balance of challenge and body awareness; improving core strength, flexibility and posture.
GROUP REFORMER CLASS
Take your workout to the next level! The Reformer utilizes spring resistance instead of weights to gain core strength, develop muscle control and increase flexibility while providing a total body workout.
The Studio
The Studio
The Pilates Studio at the Northgate location allows members the ability to train with Gratz, the original manufacturer of Pilates equipment. Based out of New York City, Gratz has been crafting Joseph Pilates’ unique design since 1929. Members will have the opportunity to experience the Universal Reformer, Wunda chair, Cadillac, Ladder Barrel and Spine Corrector.
Meet Our Pilates Instructors
The Pilates Instructors
Our certified Pilates instructors have completed rigorous 600+ hour comprehensive training to attain the highest credentials in the industry. Collectively we are trained in the Classical Pilates method style.
Helen Bates-Green
Helen Bates-Green
Certified Pilates Instructor
Feel good movement is Helen’s passion along with tarot cards, essential oils, and Dungeons and Dragons. A nerd at heart, sessions with Helen might include a spirited lecture on the anatomy of the hip or a TED Talk on the latest in the world of artisanal dice making. Either way, she’ll make sure that you laugh, move, and feel great the whole time.
Helen's love affair with movement started just about as soon as she could walk, but her fate was sealed when she took her first dance class at age 6. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from the University of Michigan she immediately started teaching as much as she could. In 2012 she decided to combine her knowledge of dance with her growing passion as a "professional anatomy nerd" to create her own barre method which she taught as Power Barre classes at the Ann Arbor YMCA. Once in Seattle, she became a founding instructor at Bohemian Studios in 2015. After years of practicing pilates as a student, Helen added STOTT Pilates to her teaching repertoire in 2018, immediately diving deep into specialized postural assessment and functional movement courses.
In addition to her barre certification and her Stott Pilates training, Helen has studied the Gyrotonic Expansion System and Myofascial-Release Techniques. She lives in north Seattle with her husband and two house rabbits; she'll probably show you pictures.
Helen can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling 206-522-9400.
Maren Sorensen
Maren Sorensen
Classical Pilates Instructor
Maren believes that Pilates can be life-changing. Once devoted to cardio and weight training only, she discovered that Pilates posed new challenges both physically and mentally and the combination of the three created an optimum wellness plan. Maren has been practicing and teaching ever since.
Maren can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling 206-522-9400.
Private Pilates Training
Private Pilates Training
As a member, you will enjoy competitive pricing and excellent service. Our instructors are available by appointment only. For more information on beginning Pilates instruction, please contact the Pilates Director, Helen Bates-Green at 206.522.9400 ext. 281.
- Private Sessions
$60
A one-on-one 55-minute class with a certified instructor focused on building an individualized program utilizing any of the spring-loaded equipment, taking into consideration your abilities, goals, limitations and any injuries.
- Semi-Private Sessions
$37.50 per person
A class of 2 members who are at or near the same level in experience and goals.
- Trio/Quad Sessions
$30per person
A class of 3-4 members who have similar goals and skills.
To schedule a session, please contact Pilates Director, Helen Bates-Green at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.or 206.522.9400 ext. 281.
Useful Information for Pilates Practitioners
Useful Information For Both Current and New Pilates Practitioners
- Center
Center is where you work from. Each and every exercise in Pilates initiates from your core; the center and foundation of your body. Joseph Pilates often called this area the "powerhouse," and it includes the abdominals, lower back muscles, and buttocks. The periphery of the body is simply an extension of your "powerhouse." Work from your center and you will tone and firm the periphery of your body.
- Concentration
Concentration is the key to maximize your workout; you must be completely present during your session. It is your mind that connects your body to the movements. Pay attention to all of your movements as you are performing them and concentrate on improving your form by focusing on every detail of the exercises. The more focus and mindful attention that you bring to your workout, the more effective and stronger you will become.
- Control
In Pilates, slow and steady wins the race. Control, rather than intensity or repetition, is key to performing the exercises correctly. All movements should be performed with precision - to gain the maximum benefits.
- Precision
Precision is essential because every exercise in the Pilates method has a purpose and a goal. Joseph Pilates used to say "honor every movement." Most of the exercises in Pilates are low repetition, thus you must focus on doing a few precise repetitions rather than many with poor control and form. One exercise executed the right way is better than doing several exercises performed poorly!
- Breath
Breath is essential to the Pilates method. Proper breathing oxygenates your blood, increases your circulation, allows greater flexibility, deepens the work of your abdominals, and brings a sense of ease to your movement. Always breathe deeply and fully, inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth.
- Flow
Flow or the fluidity of motion, is something that really sets Pilates apart from other forms of exercise. There are no static, jerky, or fragmented movements in the Pilates method. Each exercise should have a smooth, graceful, effortless quality. In the beginning, flow is not expected, as it is more important to learn proper technique. However, as you progress and become stronger, flow will keep the exercises integrated with your center as you perform each individual exercise and transition from one exercise to the next. Seamless and fluid transitions thread the exercises together so that your body is constantly working, even in between the exercises.
How to get started?
All private and group training sessions are by appointment. All sessions are 55 minutes in length unless otherwise noted. All cancellations require 24 hours notice and must be directly given to your instructor via email or phone messages. All appointments canceled with less than 24 hours notice will be charged for the full session.
Be sure to:
- Wear comfortable clothes, not baggy
- Bare feet or clean socks
To schedule a session, please contact Pilates Director, Helen Bates-Green at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..