Katrina and Laurie began working at The Pilates Studio in 2001. At this time it was known as Momentum the Pilates Center. Katrina had just moved from New York where she completed the certification program at the Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies and upon her arrival began training to teach Pilates. Laurie Johnson was studying to be a Yoga Instructor and initially began her work at Momentum the Pilates Center as an office assistant.
In 2005, Momentum the Pilates Center was purchased and the name was changed to The Pilates Center of Western Massachusetts. By this time Laurie earned her certification from the Stillpoint School of Massage Therapy as well as her Pilates Mat and Apparatus teacher certifications. Katrina continued her education by completing the Polestar Pilates rehabilitation program.
Fast forward to 2011…Katrina and Laurie purchase the Hadley location of The Pilates Center of Western Massachusetts and change its name to The Pilates Studio. Now their collaborative process continues not just as co-workers but business partners and the community created at The Pilates Studio continues to grow and prosper as a place where people come to exercise, make friends, and have fun.
Smiles & Success: Client Reviews That Say It All:
started Pilates last year in recovery from a herniated disc and sciatica, upon recommendation from a number of people including my sports medicine doc. Wow, what a life changing event--and I don't mean the back injury. I've had low-grade back pain for ~30 years since starting martial arts practice in my 20's, and my back is now better than it's been since before then! Katrina has helped me really understand how my body works and moves, and I quickly got back to my routines in dance, rock climbing, splitting wood, etc.--and general embracing of my physical life--even better than in the past. My regular workouts on the Pilates apparatus at the Hadley studio are a fixture in my life, and occasional series of independent sessions with Katrina help me on my path toward continued improvement in feeling good and moving strong and free.
And one more thing: the studio is so wonderfully laid out and managed, with such attention to detail, that it's a pleasure just be there. I feel very taken care of!
Bobby D.
I've been coming to the Pilates Studio for several years. Initially I did mostly mat classes, but more recently I've been participating in small groups, or in Pilates for Riders, or doing independent sessions. I feel that my posture has improved about 200%: standing up straight and not slumping have become the norm for me. I also feel like my sense of balance and my overall fitness--particularly core strength--are way better. Everyone is extremely helpful and knowledgeable. They listen to what you want to work on, to what physical issues or limitations you might have, etc., and work with you, pushing you enough to help you improve but not so much that you risk injury or making issues worse.
If I had more than two thumbs I'd put them all up; but I'll settle for giving them five stars!
Sean R.
Someone just asked me "what keeps you coming to Pilates?" Honestly? RESULTS! No matter what kind of week I've had or how bad my body feels before I come to Pilates, I leave feeling stronger, pain-free and balanced. As I walk out, I literally feel GREAT and believe me, that causes a ripple effect in the Universe :) Just ask my coworkers or the guys at Dunkin' Donuts that hand me my iced coffee through the drive thru and say: "Pilates this morning?" What I have found helpful to motivate me to come back is to book my classes through the phone app one week in advance. If you struggle with self-care guilt, as I sometimes do, just enter it into your calendar as "Meeting with Laurie" or "Weekly meeting with Kay." Only you will know but the Universe will thank you.
Susan D.
