The Pilates Method focuses on building a healthy, injury-free body by encouraging controlled and concentrated movement. It centers the body with breathing awareness while maintaining a dynamic flow (dynamic spinal stabilization).

Do you want better control of your body,
both mentally and physically?
The Method focuses on using the body as a whole, not dividing it into separate parts. It improves strength, flexibility, balance, control and muscular symmetry. The series of rhythmic exercises promote elongated and toned muscle, and are noted for turning the abdominal, lower back and hips into the body's power center. The Pilates Method should be done three times a week for the best results, and is done in two ways. One way is exercise with spring resistant machines. The other is the mat work which is a series of floor exercises designed to use the body's power center or "powerhouse". The routine requires one to perform various exercises with a limited number of repetitions while making a smooth transition from one move into the next.

Pilates has been getting great results for some of the world’s leading athletes and performers — from Martha Graham and George Balanchine in the 1940s to Anthony Hopkins, Cindy Crawford, and Madonna in the new millennium. Pilates is more than just a fitness craze. It’s a proven exercise philosophy dating back to the beginning of this century.

A truly unique approach
Developed by German-born Joseph Pilates, this method uses the abdominal's, lower back, and hips as the body’s “power center” to improve strength, flexibility, posture, balance, and muscular symmetry. By combining a series of controlled movements with spring resistant apparatus’ and mat exercises, a strengthened, toned body without the bulky muscles associated with weight lifting will result.

Much more than a one-size-fits-all workout
One of the biggest benefits of Pilates is that exercises are personalized to each individual and performed either one-on-one or in small, closely supervised groups. Our Pilates instructors must complete extensive training that includes knowledge of basic anatomy and kinesiology and 600 hours of apprenticeship. As a result, they’re uniquely qualified to teach athletes, and performers, as well as injured patients.

What you should look for in Pilates Instructors
Training — We recommend finding an instructor with at least 400 hours of training. All of our instructors have at least 600 hours.
Certification — There are different levels of certification. Some centers certify teachers in one week, or even a weekend. The Pilates Studio® of Los Angeles offers the highest level of certification. Not only do our instructors complete 600 hours for certification, they also adhere to strict testing and examinations. Maintaining these high standards has earned us a reputation as the premier Pilates Training Centers in the country.

The best Pilates in the Country
Our centers are unique because we teach the traditional form of Pilates as it was introduced over 85 years ago. We have preserved its effectiveness and authenticity. Not only do we offer Pilates for rehabilitation and fitness, but Melinda Bryan is also founder and director of one of only three internationally recognized Pilates certification programs. She received her training and certification from the world’s best. Since 1992, our comprehensive program has produced some of today’s finest instructors.