Client Testimonials

I have been Karen’s client and student for more than twenty years. The breadth and depth of her knowledge about movement and body mechanics is impressive and her inquisitiveness insures that she is always learning. She is an effective communicator, patient, empathetic, and creative. Together we have helped my body resolve many injuries. She is a consummate professional both as a teacher and as an instructor. I am thankful that our paths have intersected.

It is hard for me to recognize myself as the same person who now takes two to three dance classes a week and the person I was when I walked into Karen’s studio over ten years ago.

I came to Karen as a last resort after many years of chronic back pain from a curved spine and a herniated spinal disk. There were times when I could barely shuffle down the street due to the pain and restricted movement.

I thought Pilates could help me develop my body’s resources to prevent the recurring back problems, and to shorten their duration, if they did occur. Karen developed a program which progressively increased my physical strength and flexibility. The back pain attacks were occurring less frequently.

As I developed more confidence in my expanded physical abilities, I added the goal of enrolling in a ballet class. After working with Karen for four years, I felt ready to try a ballet class. Since that day seven years ago, I have added more dance classes, and best of all, my back pain is history.

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.
Liz Werthan, Women’s Advocate, Social Worker

I have been a client of Karen Carlson’s on a weekly basis for the last ten years. During these wonderful sessions, I have come to realize that Karen is in a class by herself. She has an inherent and deep understanding of how the human body works. She is the Leonardo da Vinci of Pilates—She is a master. Karen is very professional, courteous and really, really loves her work. For years I suffered from degenerative disc disease and all that goes with it–pain, surgeries and the discouragement of going through the gamut of professionals to find a different direction, a new procedure, a new someone to help me live with this disease and restore my health. Thanks to God, I ended up with Karen. At 66 I am playing golf, traveling, getting my teaching certificate to be a Pilates teacher and enjoying my life. Karen, thank you so much.

Karen Carlson has an exceptional understanding of how the human body works. I have been a client of hers for well over 10 years and she has helped me get stronger, stay stronger and become more intelligent and confident about my body mechanics. Additionally, she has guided me through recovery from injuries much sooner than might otherwise have occurred. She is a highly effective teacher. I would recommend her to anyone.

Knowledge, intelligence, and relaxed but firm discipline are included in each session with Karen Carlson. For the client, this results in flexibility, strength and a more capable body. I have worked with Karen for an extended period of time and am still impressed during every session with the depth of brilliance she brings to her instruction. Just as impressive is the instinctive and varying manner with which she cares for each client.

I have been a client of Karen Carlson for 12 years. I started seeing Karen due to a sciatic nerve injury. Pilates focuses on improving flexibility, strength, and body awareness. Pilates develops core muscles and spinal alignment. With Karen’s help and using the Pilates Techniques, I no longer suffer constantly with my sciatic problem. She has a complete understanding of the musculature of the body which enables her to fully help her clients.

I have had “one on one” Pilates lessons with Karen Carlson for over ten years and as a result my body is strong and erect and my balance is excellent. I’m 72 years old. Karen has seen me through a smashed broken ankle and a total hip replacement. She has an excellent knowledge of the human body, more proficient than many orthopedic surgeons, chiropractors, or physical therapists with whom I’ve come in contact. When I’m engaged in my “one on one” lesson, Karen keenly watches how I perform the exercises and whether the proper muscles are engaged to result in the maximum benefit possible.

Karen Carlson is the finest Pilates teacher and person I am privileged to know.