Listing of all our testimonials

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.

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.