Client Testimonials

Had I not had the good fortune to meet Karen Carlson 15 years ago, when I was in my late 50’s, I know without question, that I would not feel as well or have as functional a body as I have today. When I began Pilates training with Karen, my neck and shoulders hurt much of the time; today, I rarely have that problem and it’s because my body has learned to relax, to come into alignment and to get those shoulders down! Each visit continues to feel like a time of learning, both intellectually and physically. Karen Carlson is a fabulous diagnostician and teacher.

In the world of body work, so much depends on the practitioner: her knowledge, her skill, her intuition, her ability to impart what she knows, and, above all, the quality of her attention. By all these measures, Karen Carlson is as good as it gets. She probably has more refined knowledge of the body’s skeletal and muscular structure than most doctors, can locate the source of dysfunction, devise exercises to alleviate the strain and retrain the neurological pathways, and explain in images as well as technical terms exactly what she has devised, and why. She does nothing by rote, as each person’s situation is uniquely individual, and so is her approach.

I am in my 70s, have lousy posture and a writer’s too-many-hours at the desk. Without the individual instruction, focused attention and movement practice I have had from Karen, I would probably be no more mobile than a wrought-iron lawn dog. But as it is, I am doing fine; in fact, she has taught me how to move to maximize my body’s strength and rely on its structure. And I should add that my husband, who has worked with Karen for 15 years or more, is entirely free of the severe back pain that brought him to her door.

Karen Carlson trained with some of the seminal Pilates masters years before most people knew the discipline existed. Her keen understanding of human anatomy and her extensive background in movement provide a powerful basis for her training technique. The chronic back pain I had when I began working with Karen years ago has long since dissipated and what I have gained in terms of posture and balance is profound.

Karen Carlson is by far one of the outstanding teachers of Pilates in the U.S. Her understanding and knowledge of the body is way beyond that of the traditional Pilates teacher. Karen’s work as a performer and dance teacher gave her additional knowledge of the moving body. As a dancer and teacher myself, I have valued and continue to benefit from Karen’s many skills.

In many ways, Karen has been my bodies’ best friend for over 10 years. Her understanding of kinetics and anatomical function never ceases to amaze me. With this knowledge she has guided me through periods of peak performance, as well as severe injuries and the aging process. It’s hard to imagine what my physical health would be like without her vast expertise.

Karen is a unique force in the body work field. She’s an incredible healer, a passionate teacher and trainer, and a tireless student of the body, always expanding the frontiers of what is known.

I came to Karen for help with severe chronic back pain. Under her care and direction, the pain was eliminated and I learned to move and use my body in better ways. I’ve now been pain-free for over ten years.

Our long-term friendship developed around our mutual interests. I’m a neuroscientist – someone who studies how the brain works and teaches medical students. During the sessions with Karen, I peppered her with questions about her methods, trying to fit her insights into my knowledge of the brain. She, in turn, asked me about the nervous system, trying to broaden and deepen her own understanding of body work methods.

Karen has a probing, inquisitive mind that drives her to understand the workings of the body at a scientific level. She has profound and holistic understanding of the workings of the body. Over the years, I’ve watched Karen develop her training program. Selflessly, she’s worked to find the best ways to pass on her knowledge to others. The body work world is a richer place thanks to Karen’s passion for healing and teaching.