I was very excited when I found Your Body Center online because I have been looking for a studio that offered group pilates classes at an affordable price for several years. I practiced traditional mat pilates with a private instructor in college, and continued at a group class when in law school, offered by the school (taught by an instructor who has since moved on to other things). I have been practicing alone ever sense, but wanted to get re-motivated and remind myself of some of the poses that I have just stopped doing. I am so disappointed. The "power pilates" class at YBC is NOT pilates. It seemed more like a step class. If I wanted to go to a step class, I would have. The instructor also incorporated "downward dog" yoga positions into the routine, which, again, are not pilates. If I had wanted to go to a yoga class, I would have. One of the many reasons that I prefer pilates to yoga is that it does not incorporate such positions, which are impossible for me to do due to a debilitating shoulder injury. The few true traditional pilates movements that were performed were performed so quickly that it defeated the entire purpose. The point of pilates is to do fewer reps more slowly, thus emphasizing form, control, and substance, not willy nilly hurling one's body all over the room at ridiculous rates of speed. In addition, the instructor completely violated my personal space during one of the non-traditional movements by coming over and performing an "adjustment" by full-hands (both of them!) grabbing my bottom and squeezing while also pushing down. I have been adjusted dozens of times over the years, and never once has squeezing my bottom been involved. A simple hand with a light touch is perfectly adequate. Anything more is a complete personal violation (yes, even if it is not done in a sexual manner/with sexual intent, which I am certain this was not), and the only reason I didn't complain at the time is because I was so shocked that I didn't even know what to say. All in all, I will not be back, and I fully regret the $25 dollars and hour of my life that I gave this place.
Pros: Clean facilities
Cons: Aerobics/step masquerading as pilates
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