FAQs

What is Authentic Pilates?
What does Studio Body Logic offer?
How do I get started?
Does Studio Body Logic teach Pilates on the apparatus (equipment) or in group mat classes?
Which is better?
Tell me more about mat classes…
Can I drop in to take Mat class?
Tell me more about private and semi-private apparatus instruction…
Can I drop into a semi-private Apparatus session?
What Authentic Pilates apparatus does your studio have?
What will Pilates classes do for me physically?
Does “engaging the mind” mean Pilates is like yoga – do I have to do meditations?
How long will it take to see results?
Will doing Pilates make me sore?
What kind of certification do your instructors have?
What classes can I take if I’m pregnant?
What classes can I take if I’m currently injured?
Is there a membership fee?
What do I wear and bring to class?

What is Authentic Pilates?

Imagine an exercise program that you look forward to, that engages you, and that leaves you refreshed and alert with a feeling of physical and mental well-being. Authentic Pilates (pronounced puh-LAH-teez), a system of body conditioning, will do all this…and more. This exercise system, developed in the 1920s by the legendary physical trainer, Joseph H. Pilates, is focused on improving flexibility and strength throughout the body without building bulk. Authentic Pilates at Studio Body Logic is not just exercise, however. It is a series of controlled movements engaging your body and mind, performed on specifically designed exercise apparatus and supervised by extensively trained teachers.

Founded by Karen Garcia in 1996, Studio Body Logic was the first Authentic Pilates studio in Northern Virginia. Come study and learn the authentic work within SBL’s warm and friendly environment. You will get a workout! Top.

What does Studio Body Logic offer?

Since 1996, Studio Body Logic’s main focus has been Pilates! We offer five levels of Pilates group mat classes, private and semi-private classes, as well as our popular Introduction to Apparatus classes using all the Authentic Pilates apparatus. Our goal for over fifteen years is to teach you what we know best – Pilates. We also offer a number of Evolved Stretch classes and individual personal training taught by highly trained and experienced instructors whose main teaching focus are these classes. We feel these classes offer a good addition to a student’s fitness program. Please see the Mat Class section for detailed information on these classes. Additionally SBL offers challenging and enjoyable workshops for our students on a range of fitness and health related topics such as Fitball, Barre Body, and Pilates and Pregnancy. Please see the Workshops section for detailed information on our workshops. Top.

How do I get started?

Time is an issue for all of us, but finding time for your own health is important. SBL mat classes work around four-month “semesters,” which run in the spring, summer, fall and winter. Class sizes are limited, and early registration is encouraged to make sure you can get the time slot and class you want. Private and semi-private (small group apparatus classes (up to a “quad” of four students) run on a continually open basis. To optimize your Authentic Pilates experience, we encourage new students to call the studio and talk about their own situations. It certainly isn’t mandatory, but it is ideal to schedule at least one private session with one of our instructors. This is especially important if you have a particular concern you would like to address, such as back pain, or have an athletic hobby, like golf, and would like to understand how Pilates can work for you. During this one-on-one time your instructor can help you map out the perfect program for your schedule, budget, and personal needs. That might include a mix of mat classes and private or small group apparatus sessions. But just taking a weekly beginning mat class will certainly give you an excellent feel for this unique way of exercising your mind and body. Each month Studio Body Logic also offers an “Introduction To Apparatus” class that is a cost-effective way to experience the ingenious equipment that is at the heart of Authentic Pilates. Top.

Does Studio Body Logic teach Pilates on the apparatus (equipment) or in group mat classes?

Both. Originally Pilates exercises were taught on what is called in the Pilates world ”apparatus,” (including the iconic bed-frame looking platform called a Reformer) and mat exercises. Today, we offer mat classes, and private or small group apparatus classes for our students. But with or without apparatus, Authentic Pilates always focuses on developing breath awareness and control of the body’s deep “core,” especially the spine and abdominals. Instructors always teach a carefully sequenced series of controlled movements that get progressively more challenging as their students learn to correctly stretch, strengthen, and stabilize their cores. Top.

Which is better?

Both mat and private classes use the same Authentic Pilates principles. It’s a matter of personal preference, schedule and finances. If you have neck and/or back concerns, mat work may not be appropriate and we encourage you to begin with private sessions where an instructor can work with you one-on-one using the Pilates apparatus. Once you have had an evaluation lesson, the instructor can guide you to your next step at Studio Body Logic. Top.

Tell me more about mat classes…

·Mat work is the core of the Pilates Method.
·There are over 45 mat classes offered between the two locations throughout the week, at different levels: Beginning, Beginning/Intermediate, Intermediate, Intermediate/Advanced, and Advanced. Students sign up for one specific day and time per week. Students sign up for full sessions; there are four sessions per year.
·We do not accept new students after the fourth week of a session unless they have previous Authentic Pilates experience.
·We start booking mat class sessions about four weeks before the beginning of the session.
·Discounts are given for students taking multiple classes and Private students.
·Mat classes are limited to 12 students (class sizes typically range from 8 – 12
students).
SBL has a liberal make-up policy; if you need to miss your mat class you may make it up in any other class at either studio during the same session. Please check with the office for updated information regarding make-ups and please note you may not carry your make-ups into another session. Top.

Can I drop in to take Mat class?

There are several reasons why we do not allow individuals to drop in to our Mat classes.
1. Students are safer and make better progress if they commit to a full semester of class. Students who have made the investment for a full semester are more likely to make exercise a priority in their schedule, and feel better as a result!
2. It is disruptive to the students who take the class consistently. When individuals drop in, they typically require more of the instructor’s attention because they have not been performing Authentic Pilates with the flow and precision that we teach at SBL. This is unfair to our dedicated students and places an extra burden on the instructor to keep the drop-in student safe and on pace.
3. It is difficult for us to manage class size. When students register for classes
each semester, we close off registration when classes are full to avoid overcrowded mat classes. Any extra spaces in mat classes are made available to enrolled students who need to make up a missed class. We must give priority to our registered students. Top.

Tell me more about private and semi-private apparatus instruction…

Private instruction is one instructor to one student: semi private is one instructor and usually two or three students. These classes use the various Pilates apparatus and the semi-private classes have the same students working together on a regular schedule with the same instructor. We work to form groups with individuals who are able to work at a similar level, so that students can progress consistently. We do not believe in reformer classes or leveled group classes, as one piece of apparatus or certain leveled apparatus classes do not fit all students. At Studio Body Logic you are placed into an appropriate small group (2-3 students) and will use the various apparatus necessary (not just a reformer) for you to continually progress throughout the system. Private and semi-private sessions are scheduled weekdays between 7am and 8pm and Saturdays until 1pm. Because we have a low turnover in our private and semi-private sessions, we may have a waiting list for those appointments. Daytime sessions open up more quickly than evening or weekend sessions. If you are interested in semi-private instruction, you do not have to find partners before you call us. Our office staff will work to find partners for you. Top.

Can I drop into a semi-private Apparatus session?

SBL office staff and faculty take time to match students together with regard to their Pilates level and exercise background, so the group can progress together. We cannot allow students to drop in for semi-private apparatus lessons, as this is disruptive to the other students who come regularly for instruction. Current apparatus students may join an appropriate apparatus lesson when they have to miss their regular session. Top.

What Authentic Pilates apparatus does your studio have?

Each studio is fully equipped with the following Gratz and Peak apparatus:
· Reformers
· Cadillacs and Towers
· Hi Chairs, Wunda Chairs, Armchair
· High Ladder Barrels, Spine Correctors, Baby Barrels
· Magic Circles
· Pedi Poles
· Foot Correctors
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What will Pilates classes do for me physically?

Unlike exercise programs which put the emphasis on mindlessly building the body only on the surface, Authentic Pilates streamlines the body, leaving practitioners with a longer, leaner, “Pilates look” that is both distinctive and pleasing. Good looks aside, Authentic Pilates gives students a defense against the natural aging process, in which weakening cores lead to poor posture, impeded breathing, and general feelings of pain and fatigue. Top.

Does “engaging the mind” mean Pilates is like yoga – do I have to do meditations?

No. The mental effort in Authentic Pilates’ mind-body connection is solely devoted to teaching how the mind can control the body’s muscles to work correctly, with breathing to help support the movement. Instructors often use mental images to help students understand what a movement should feel like – telling students to imagine “sliding down a fireman’s pole” when lowering themselves to the mat, for example. But there are no chants, mantras, candle-lit breathing periods, or other meditation techniques associated with Yoga. There is also no music in mat or apparatus sessions. Top.

How long will it take to see results?

Joseph Pilates had a famous saying: “In 10 sessions, you will feel the difference. In 20, you will see the difference. And in 30, you’ll be on your way to having a whole new body.” Many Studio Body Logic students can attest to this wisdom. But the fact is that every person is unique. Bodies are different, schedules are different, and budgets are different. The more consistent you are in taking classes, the more your body will change and be challenged by the work. We recommend taking class twice a week for optimal results, but any time you spend training in Authentic Pilates will be time well spent. Top.

Will doing Pilates make me sore?

Any new activity can make some people temporarily sore but no student is ever, encouraged to “work through” pain. As taught at SBL, in Authentic Pilates, movement that causes pain is the body telling the mind something is wrong. Our SBL instructors have dedicated many hundreds of hours learning how to modify all the Pilates exercises, apparatus and mat, to accommodate differences in physiques and capabilities, and everyone is constantly monitored carefully to make sure there is no strain or stress as students move. Feeling challenged is good, but anything that hurts will be changed for that student, or eliminated from the session if modifications can’t solve the problem (a rare occurrence). With our small mat classes and apparatus work we gear the work to the students before us according to Joseph Pilates’ philosophy. Top.

What kind of certification do your instructors have?

All Authentic Pilates instructors at Studio Body Logic have completed a Comprehensive Certification with Power Pilates or The Pilates Guild.  They complete a demanding program consisting of over 800 hours of study, practice, apprentice teaching, and four levels of testing. This comprehensive study trains instructors at Studio Body Logic on all Pilates Apparatus and levels of Mat along with injury modifications and anatomical study. Our instructors are among the most competent in the field and have been providing a warm and supportive environment for our students since 1996.

Our Instructors and apprentices at Studio Body Logic are currently trained through Power Pilates, based in New York City. Studio Body Logic is a Participating Training Center for Power Pilates and offers Mat Certification and Continuing Education for the Pilates Community as well as apprentice hours for apprentices. Instructors certified with Power Pilates are in a program designed by second generation Power Pilates and Master instructor, Bob Likens, (who trained and ran the apprentice program for Romana Kryzanowska/The Pilates Guild), and Director and co-owner of Power Pilates, Susan Moran, who was originally certified by Romana Kryzanowska. Together with Dr. Howard Sichel, founder and chairman of Power Pilates, these three highly skilled individuals lead the training team of Power Pilates. “Power Pilates is the only leading Pilates education program that emerged not from an equipment manufacturer but from a knowledge of the method, a passion for the art, and a recognition of its core value in rehabilitating pain sufferers and advancing the fitness goals of its practitioners.”

Romana Kryzanowska – The Pilates Guild
Instructors certified with The Pilates Guild, originally based in New York City, were personally trained and certified under Joseph H. Pilates protégé, Master teacher, Romana Kryzanowska, in New York City and are considered second generation instructors in the method. Miss Kryzanowska is now semi-retired and based in Arlington, Texas. All instructors must complete a specific number of workshops and recertification seminars to retain their Pilates certifications and employment at Studio Body Logic. Additionally, Studio Body Logic offers ongoing guest instructor workshops and faculty workouts to further each SBL instructor’s knowledge. Top.

What classes can I take if I’m pregnant?

If you are new to Pilates, we respectfully request that you consider a different workout program until after your pregnancy ends. Even women who are active and have no health issues will find Pilates to be challenging, as it works deep abdominal muscles that many other fitness programs don’t reach. Given the changes that will naturally occur in your abdominal muscles during pregnancy, we believe that this is not the appropriate time to begin a core strength program as demanding as Pilates. After you have delivered your baby and have received clearance from your physician to resume an exercise program, we will be delighted to begin working with you. Pilates is wonderful for helping you to get back in shape after delivery! If you are an existing student who has been working with us for at least three months, we will be happy to discuss with you how to safely and effectively continue your Pilates training, if in consultation with your physician(s), you and your physician deem your continued participation in Pilates to be safe for you and your unborn child. Please do not hesitate to speak with your instructor(s) about your Pilates training and any pregnancy-related modifications. Top.

What classes can i take if I’m currently injured?

Whether you are a new or existing student, we will be happy to discuss with you how to safely and effectively begin or continue your Pilates training while dealing with a neck or back injury. Our goal is to allow you to safely build strength in the parts of your body that are working well while the injured areas heal. Because Pilates builds core strength and increases flexibility, it is often used to help alleviate the symptoms that accompany neck and back problems. It is essential, however, that students who have an injury proceed with great care to avoid reinjuring themselves or aggravating an existing condition. Top.

Is there a membership fee?

No. You pay for your mat classes by the semester and your apparatus sessions may be paid weekly when you are at the studio or you may set up an account at the studio and we can debit your account. Discounts are offered for multiple classes. Top.

What Do I wear and bring to class?

Comfort and ease of movement are most important. Leotards, tights, biking shorts, cotton tank top, sweats are all acceptable, but athletic shoes are not necessary.

Please note: socks are necessary for all private and mat classes at SBL. SBL provides everything you need for your private session and/or mat class. Top.