GROUP CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
SOMA's classes are divided into two price categories; tier one and tier two. Tier one classes tend to be introductory classes, mat-based classes, and shorter equipment-based classes. Tier two classes tend to be hour long classes on specialized equipment or other specialty fitness training.
Intensity levels are noted at the end of each class title
✺ Deliberate
✺✺ Moderate
✺✺✺ Challenging
✺✺✺✺ Interval
Click on the class title to view the class description. Not all classes run at all times. Please see our online schedule for current offerings. See an offering not on the schedule....then let us know, and we will bring it back!
Do you want to move fluidly, effortlessly, and be tension free? Hanna Somatic Education® is a rapidly effective form of neuromuscular (mind-body training) movement re-education that goes directly to the root cause of most chronic muscular tension: the brain and the way in which it senses and organizes the muscles and movement. These micromovement exercises are slow and gentle, yet challenge the way you experience and sense your body. They look a bit like Tai Chi performed as a floor exercise. These classes teach students to incorporate the unique concepts and techniques of Hanna Somatics into daily, functional movement.
The word "Somatics" stems from the Greek word "soma," which means "body." The Somatic Explorations class builds on the patterns learned in the Hanna Somatic Movement class with more challenging pandiculations, cross body patterns, as well as increased focus on the way you sense and control your center of gravity.
Instructor permission is required for this workshop-style class as you will get the most out of this class if you have a basic knowledge of Hanna Somatic Movement.
A great starting point for beginners or people who are recovering from an injury or prefer a slower pace. The Essential Matwork class teaches the basic principles of the Pilates method. This mat-based workout is designed to help participants develop leaner, longer-looking muscles, establish core strength and stability, and heighten mind-body awareness. Props may be incorporated to add variety.
This beginner level, 50 minute workout incorporates both mat exercises and exercises on the arc barrel, the gentlest of the barrels that Joe Pilates designed for his method of exercise. The exercises on the barrel will help to open up the chest, shoulders, and work the abdominals and hips in a way that only the barrel can. The barrel will support and assist your body as well as to open and stretch your spine long. Leave class feeling more balanced, open, and flexible!
Intermediate classes are designed for students who have a working knowledge of the Pilates fundamentals and who want to step up their workout. This is an excellent class for those who have taken private lessons and are ready for a challenging group class. The class is also good for those who have taken many beginner classes and are ready for some new variety in their mat workout.
Pilates is a systematic method of exercise where one exercise builds off another. Much like building a house, where one brick is laid on top of another.
Intro to Pilates Equipment classes are designed to help a client gain the tools needed to properly perform the exercises, not in terms of choreography, but rather in terms of reaching the purpose of each exercise. We go over the fundamental principles of Pilates like breathing, muscle activation patterns, how to use your "Pilates core" as well as how to adjust the equipment including the Reformer to your height and level of fitness.
This class is limited to six people. This class combines classic matwork with Pilates apparatuses like the Reformer and Cadillac and includes an equipment orientation. There is no prerequisite or minimum fitness level requirement.
This beginner's class introduces the Reformer, the most popular piece of Pilates' equipment. This class reviews the Essential Reformer repertoire. Start getting a great work out and all the benefits that come with working on the legendary Reformers from your first session. Like the Essential Matwork classes, this class is a a slower pace. Participants will learn how to set up the Reformer and get an energizing total-body workout. Participants are welcome to stay in the Essential classes until they feel confident enough to enter the Essential / Intermediate class.
This class moves! Both Beginner and Intermediate Pilates students will be challenged with the flow oriented Reformer class. This class is introduces the beginner to more intermediate exercise sequences and progresses an intermediate client with more precise cuing and transitions.
Reformer/Cadillac flow is a moderate to fast paced class where one exercise blends into the next. Class begins on the Cadillac with a relaxing and centering warm up which builds into a challenging and fun core work series. Balance out with some leg work, spine articulation, and gentle inversions. Halfway through, transition to reformer for awesome squats/pliés, arm movement, and, well, more abs. Finish with some standing work on the carriage to improve balance and coordination.
This class assumes that clients are familiar with navigating the Cadillac and Reformer as well as comfort in modified plank position and standing on the Reformer. Its recommended you attend at least a couple of each essential Cadillac and Reformer classes. This class moves!
The Pilates Trapeze Table, also known as “the Cadillac”, is a horizontal table surrounded by a metal frame with an assortment of bars, springs and straps attached. Joe Pilates felt that the Trapeze Table, like the car it’s named after, had all the bells and whistles you could possibly want in an apparatus. There are so many elements to the machine: leg springs, arm springs, fuzzy loops to hang from, a push-through bar to stretch you out, and even a trapeze.
You can isolate almost every muscle group on this apparatus - it is an excellent tool for breaking down motion into small pieces to restore correct motion patterns. Add more than 200 exercises to your Pilates repertoire and challenge your body in different planes of motion.
This class utilizes full Cadillacs (not half Cadillacs or Tower Units). Experience with the Cadillac in the form of Pre-Pilates classes, Private sessions, or Instructor permission is required to sign up for this class.
The stability chair adds a new challenge to your Pilates workout. The chair has a smaller base of support and many exercises require you to support some of your body weight with your upper body. This intermediate class is great for building functional core strength, athletic conditioning, and improving balance and coordination. Capacity is five participants. Instructor permission is required for this intermediate class.
This intermediate level equipment class places an emphasis on effort and focus. You should be comfortable with the Reformer and familiar with the classic, essential level reformer exercises. This class is faster paced with less explanation and more movement. The combination of more intricate exercises and increased intensity is what makes this class so fun and challenging. Capacity is five participants. Instructor permission is required for this intermediate class.
The Jumpboard is a fun way to incorporate some cardio and plyometrics into your Pilates routine. The Jumpboard is an attachment that converts a Reformer into a horizontal jumping machine. It attaches to the front of the Reformer where the foot bar is. While lying with your back on the carriage you can adjust the spring tension and jump on the board as if it were the floor. The spring tension takes gravity out of the equation, so it feels like you’re jumping on the moon. Jumping on a Refomer is fun, weightless, and graceful. What's not to love? Jumping takes an incredible amount of core strength and is also a great way to get your body accustomed to plyometrics without having to jump on hard surfaces. The American Council on Exercise advises that forces sustained from jumping onto hard surfaces might equal up to seven times your body weight. In contrast, the jumping on the Jumpboard is done from a horizontal position, which allows you to perform the movements with minimal joint stress.
Cadillac Level 3 class builds on the repertoire begun in the Essential Cadillac class. Exercises begin to become more choreographed while less of our body is in contact with the mat. You learn to balance and support your weight with the assistance of springs until finally you are airborne, hanging from the upper poles or trapeze bar of the Cadillac.
This class utilizes full Cadillacs (not half Cadillacs or Tower Units). Experience with the Cadillac in the form of Pre-Pilates classes, Private sessions, or Instructor permission is required to sign up for this class. Limit three students per class.
Combine a 30 minute metronome timed Barre class with 30 minutes of Reformer and get Barre/Reformer fusion. A the Barre section takes principles of Barre, namely balance, coordination, strength, and posture, and combines it with a 30 minute gentle stretch and lengthen themed Reformer class. Sublime!