"I'm new to your studio! Where do I start?"

Welcome! Whether you're joining us online or in the studio (or maybe both!) we're so happy for you to join our studio community!

You can find more in-depth info about our studio and our values on this page, but here are some quick things you should know about us before you sign up:

Our studio is all about movement education, so our approach to Pilates is structured, methodical, detail-oriented, personalized, and progressive. We're more than a place for a casual workout or exercise class.

We don't rush or take short cuts. We always start by supporting you in building a strong working understanding of foundational Pilates concepts and build up from that foundation through consistent practice. You'll want to start your journey with us when you feel you're potentially ready to commit to a dedicated practice.

We are body neutral. We don't use aesthetics for motivation and we believe anybody who practices Pilates has a "Pilates body".

"Reformer Pilates" is not a thing, despite what Instagram might tell you. Yes, we do teach Pilates exercises that use the reformer, but Pilates is a movement education system/method that utilizes a whole bunch of equipment to help you move your best and feel your best, including the mat, reformer, and more. At Root + Reach, we help you develop your Pilates practice using the comprehensive method, not just using one limited piece of equipment... Every Pilates exercise is interconnected, and the skills from each piece of equipment transfer to one another. Pilates exercises on the reformer are not "harder" or "better" than the mat exercises, and vice versa. To find out more about what Pilates actually is, you can check out this page.

Explore Our FAQ

Group classes

Our newcomer-friendly group classes and semi-private studio classes are run by the semester (2-month period) so that you can experience noticeable progress in your personal practice week by week.

Our newcomer-friendly group classes are "Level 1" classes, with the level designation indicating the required amount of Pilates experience and familiarity and the level of exercise complexity, not necessarily how "hard" the class is or your personal level of athleticism.

You do not need to do a new client intake or consultation in order to enroll in a level 1 or newcomer-friendly class.

If you would like to join a newcomer-friendly group class in the future, please subscribe to our newsletter (on our homepage) and follow us on social media to get first invitation to enroll for our next semester.

Our most newcomer-friendly group classes are:

Kind Movement (online only; drop in available)
Pilates Roots (Whitehorse studio only at this time)
Reset + Restore (online and in-person options) *on hiatus
Align + Reform (Level 1)

Level 1-2 classes may be a good fit for newcomers who already have some Pilates experience or who are strong movers:

Flourish Pilates Matwork
Alpine Studio Method group classes (Level 1/2)

Our group classes are preregistered (full commitment, no cancellations) and run by the session (or "semester") for 2 months/6-8 weeks at a time.

For in-person studio group classes, we occasionally will have extra mats available for drop in to clients who have done at least one 1:1 session and have the green light from their instructor. Virtual group class drop in is available for clients who have done at least one 1:1 session (virtually or in person) and who have the approval of the teacher.

You can find out more about our group classes and our schedule on this page.

Our next semester will be for September/October, and public registration will open on August 18. We do not maintain a waitlist for group classes.

Please note: We do not offer casual drop-in for studio newcomers and newcomers cannot late-enroll in a class that is already partway through its semester. You would need to do 1:1 sessions to build your foundation and catch up first, or wait until the next enrollment opens.

1:1 Training, Initial Assessments, and Group Class Prep

New clients who are looking to do 1:1 Pilates training with us have two options right now:

(1) All are welcome to book with Heather via Zoom (no waitlist or pre-application required). Heather can help you build a meaningful personalized movement practice from the comfort of your own home, and she can provide you with a customized homework plan.

(2) Nadea's capacity for teaching 1:1 clients at our Whitehorse studio is already full; however, she has added overtime hours to enable people to book in for 1:1 sessions and initial assessments on a casual/rush basis. Since these appointments are overtime, the rate is higher and they don't qualify for packages or discounts.

Both Heather and Nadea are able to teach clients who are pre/postnatal, active agers, neurodivergent, hypermobile, larger bodied, and/or gentle movers.

Preparing to Drop Into Group Classes

If your goal is to casually drop into group classes or to build up your practice and confidence until you feel ready for groups, Heather or Nadea can start you off with an initial assessment, and then work with you to build up necessary foundational Pilates skills and exercises to prepare you to jump into a group class. If you're new to Pilates, this will likely require multiple appointments as well as home practice/homework. The skills you build in your 1:1 training will transfer not only to group mat classes, but also group equipment classes (including reformer, barrel, and springs work).

We need to know you have a strong working understanding of specific fundamental concepts and exercises before green-lighting you to parachute into an already active group class semester.

Foundational exercises (with or without adaptations) for Level 1 group classes include (but are not limited to):

- Diaphragmatic breath and healthy core engagement

- 100 prep
- Half rollbacks
- Roll up
- Articulating bridge
- Leg circles
- Single leg stretch
- Double leg stretch
- Spine stretch forward
- Swan prep
- Plank prep (four point kneeling)
- Side leg series
- Mermaid
- Shoulder bridge prep

Foundational exercises (with or without adaptations) for Level 2/Intermediate group classes include:

- 100
- Roll up
- Rollover (fine if the student needs props; just needs to be safe and thoughtful)
- Rolling like a ball
- Saw
- Open leg rocker
- Corkscrew prep
- Swan dive (modified is fine)
- Teaser (modified is fine)
- Shoulder bridge (including single leg work)
- Leg pull front
- Side bend/twist
- Student should be ready to experiment safely and thoughtfully with inversions like jack knife, scissors, bicycle