Empowered Body Pilates

I have trained at Empowered Body for over a year, after many years at other studios. My bar for Pilates instructors (and the whole experience) is very high, and Nicole met it easily and immediately. I love the classical, authentic approach that this studio stays true to. If you want to truly learn and advance in the practice of Pilates, this is the place for you.

I have been working with Nicole since 2014 when I was in the SF Bay area and continue to work with her (remotely) after moving to Vancouver, BC. Pilates with Nicole has had a significant positive impact on my on-the-bike and off-the-bike strength and efficiency of movement.nnSustained long climbs and use of different muscle groups in different positions on the bike became noticably efficient and wasn't causing muscle fatigue and over-compensation by just one muscle group.nnMy general posture off the bike improved. The various mat and reformer workouts helped strengthen muscle groups, which used to earlier fatigue quickly as a result of extended hours in front of a computer.nnThe best part about working with Nicole is that she really understands each person's physically strengths and limitations, understands their training demand from other form of sports and adapts the Pilates workouts to compliment everything else. The helps strike a very good balance between goals across different sports and activities.

I've been going to Empowered Body Pilates since the beginning of 2020. My friend had encouraged me to go for some time and finally I made the commitment. I'm so glad I did! Nicole is my instructor and she has been really patient and encouraging as I've learned this new form of exercise. During the tough times of COVID, Nicole has adjusted to the challenging remote learning approach and does a really terrific job of keeping us all in check during the group classes. I take private classes as well and those have been really worthwhile. I can't say enough about Empowered Body Pilates and can't wait to get back to the studio!

Nicole is her own brand. Her ability to diagnose what prevents annindividual body from squeezing the most efficient movement - without overstrain - is unmatched. Not only does she instantly see the pathology of alignment and movement, she can create a verbal blow-by -blow blueprint for how to overcome the problem. Miraculously, the springs that refused to budge, move, or your body assumes a position it has not assumed in decades. It turns out, your body is capable of delivering more than you thought it could if instructed correctly!nNicole is deeply and truly gifted - a scholar of her art - and is a hard act to follow. But she would be limited if she did not hand-raise the cadre of instructors of reliable quality. For the two years that I have been a client at the studio, I observed the rigorous, highly QA intensive in-house process, with multiple weeding-out opportunities and no advancements to next stage without demonstrated aptitude and proficiency. I am a medical doctor, and I am in awe of how different this process is from the medical residency esprit of “see one, do one, teach one”. Frankly, the consistency of the end product is more predictable in Classical Pilates training!nI want to give a shout-out to Sarah, who is going through the program now. I have come to know her through both the group classes she led under Nicole’s watchful guidance pre-shutdown and private lessons. She has been instructing me individually for several months over Zoom and I value her perspective and contribution.nWhen I saw her join the training initially , I wondered if this sweet, considerate and a little tentative young woman can command the room. The answer is yes! She quickly found her voice and, even though she is as soft-spoken and pleasant as ever, she is tough as nails when she puts me through my paces. Sarah, like Nicole, is blessed with eyes in the back of her head and low tolerance for cutting corners. She always sees what’s tight, what needs extra attention that day, where I have sprung a new way to cheat.nShe complements and reinforces Nicole’s instructions. In addition, and it does not her, for one who is tasked to beat up on me, she is very kind.nNicole, you sure can pick them!

I have been a client of Nicole's for over 7 years. My body is stronger and my spine more stable as a result of her careful instruction. I am always amazed at what she can see and correct in my body movement during a session. Come and join Empowered body Pilates. You will be happy you did!