★ 5

Nicole is a gifted coach and trainer and I feel very grateful I had the opportunity to work with her. She knows how to challenge you in a really healthy way while ensuring you are using great form. Her energy is bright and warm, and she is kind and fun. She is a true professional and I highly recommend her. 10/10!

Source: Google

★ 5

Just completed the Strength and Sensibility program for hypermobile shoulders online with Nicole and found it to be valuable. Pairing the brain-based strategies with movement was very helpful for working on proprioception and increasing confidence with different movements. I’ve incorporated some of the learned exercises into my regular activity routine. Nicole provided helpful feedback during movement even though the program was online, and she is knowledgeable in tailoring exercises and suggesting different cues or tweaks to find what works best for your body. She really listens to concerns and welcomed feedback throughout the program.

Source: Google

★ 5

I recently had my first session with Nicole and highly recommend her services for those new to movement or returning after a long break. The movements she guided were gentle enough for those with sensitivities, yet still effective for building strength.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Excellent instruction and very clear communication. Her exercises were very helpful. Highly recommend.

Source: Google

★ 5

Nicole is a fantastic Pilates trainer. She has helped me gain strength & flexibility after years of taking a long post-pandemic break from all activity. Her studio is fun, clean, and well-equipped. She changes up the moves for each in-person session so I'm never bored and always being challenged. If you are looking to start (or restart) a Pilates regime with a personal trainer, I highly recommend Sheldrake Pilates. If you are on the fence about doing personal Pilates training sessions, TRY IT! Having a set of eyes on your form to make adjustments can have major impacts & will lessen the risk of injury.

Source: Google

★ 5

I have been seeing Nicole (virtually, private) for a new months for EDS and TOS related pain and she is just fantastic. She remembers so many details about my specific body and situation and comes up with creative solutions that work for my disability. I cannot recommend her more highly!

Source: Google

★ 5

I worked with Nicole online through her small group Strength & Sensibility Program for hypermobility individuals. This was a combo of group and 1:1 coaching sessions over Zoom. I appreciated the customized approach in continuing to check in on progress, monitor on how the exercises were feeling, and accommodating or modifying as necessary. I really appreciated her brain-based warm up activities and it really allowed me to check in with my body and it's lack of proprioception - totally in line with what people on the hypermobility spectrum or with EDS need! She had several check ins throughout the program and welcomed feedback for continual course improvement, which I appreciated. I walked away from the 8 week course feeling stronger, with my muscles more engaged, and having better range of motion in my arms and shoulders. With the copies of the videos, I now have a mini library of warm up exercises and our 1:1 discussion I can tap into as needed.

Source: Google

★ 5

The Strength & Sensibility online program is the best program for hypermobile humans I’ve found. I have hEDS and the brain-based techniques make a big difference for me. The individualized private support and modifications are invaluable. Learn how to listen to your body, work around that day’s (or body part’s) limitations and still progress. Nicole is a caring trainer with personal and expert knowledge working with hypermobile humans and their individual needs. The knowledge you gain can be used to keep progressing on your own or you can choose to keep getting support/training with Nicole at various levels. Personally, I’m sticking with Nicole for individualized support to keep myself in check and progressing.

Source: Google

★ 5

At 73 years, I thought I had to accept lack of balance, stiff joints, restricted mobility...and then I started my one on one sessions with Nicole Sheldrake. WELL, Not only is she fun and has a darling kitty - She has an extremely strong foundation in body/brain connection. She's a great listener, a very attentive practitioner, full of suggestions for subtle moves that wake up the brain to restorative possibilities. I am beyond thrilled with the results of the sessions, with her and her space, and ... did I mention the darling kitty?

Source: Google

★ 5

I am an extremely active 64 year old with a history of skiing, running, water skiing, yoga, and CrossFit. After an injury last year i found all of my favorite forms of exercise took me at least 48 hours to recover from. My Massage Therapist suggested Sheldrake Pilates for me and although i was skeptical at first it has made a world of difference. I walk in limping and walk out skiing. its subtle and Nicole never lets it get in anyway boring. The classes are over way too soon. I highly recommend Nicole for anyone who need some expert guidance to get themselves back in to top form regardless of age or injury.

Source: Google

★ 5

I have Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Essential Tremor and Fibromyalgia, so exercise is NOT easy. Many people living with these problems are told that PT and exercise are essential for their quality of life, but ironically, it is very hard to find professionals who have a thorough understanding of Hypermobility, chronic pain, and the associated problems that come with them. I have been to many physiotherapists and trainers in the past who do not understand the nuances of managing these complex conditions, and as such, I have been very disappointed in my results. By contrast, working with Nicole has been a breath of fresh air. She creates a supportive environment, is a good listener, and evaluates your needs on an individual basis. It is clear that she has both knowledge that comes from formal training and (possibly more importantly) knowledge from actual lived experience. With her support I have been able to slowly but consistently increase my joint stability and muscle strength and acquired the knowledge to be able to bounce back faster from illnesses and injuries. I have also learned some techniques for calming the nervous system, and still incorporating movement into my life on low energy days. If you’re hypermobile and have been disappointed by rehabilitation programs in the past, I would highly recommend working with Nicole!

Source: Google

★ 5

Nicole is a wonderful Pilates instructor. I have been taking private lessons at her studio in Kirkland since last summer. I am a first timer. She is really fun, caring, and knowledgeable. Very meticulous. She always paid attention to each movement and gave me feedback when needed. I felt really great after each session. I loved working out out with her. I am so sad she is moving. I will truly miss her. If you are looking for a well rounded pilates instructor, this is your person.

Source: Google

★ 5

After two years of physical therapy for a rib injury brought on by my joint hypermobility, I was still in constant pain with an altered range of motion, and a new “normal” for gauging pain. As many chronic pain sufferers may relate, I was at my wit’s end having tried different things for treatment with no significant progress. My aquatic therapist recommended Pilates. Save for home exercise videos here and there, I knew nothing about it... thankfully, I discovered that Pilates fairies lived on Yelp! I now realize how amazing and essential Pilates truly is. I have been doing Pilates with Nicole since November of 2017, and it has made ALL the difference! I went from constant/chronic pain management with temporary relief, to a significant decrease in pain, continued progress through overall strengthening, better mobility, and more pain-free days than not. Nicole is an amazing instructor-- incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about what she does, great attention to detail, and an awesome sense of humor! Her beautiful energy and warmth alone are therapeutic. Pilates with her has become an integral part of my self-care regimen and overall well-being. She is a godsend, and I am so very grateful to have found her :-)

Source: Google

★ 5

I tried Pilates for the first time with Nicole and she always made me feel comfortable every step of the way. I could tell that she really cares about the health and well being of her clients and strives to make their experience as positive as possible. The great thing about Nicole is that she uses vivid (and sometimes funny) visual descriptions that help me understand the moves better. After only a few sessions I can feel the improvement in my core.

Source: Google

★ 5

December 10, 2014, is a day I will never forget. It was the day of my first serious wreck and the day my body changed forever! I played sports growing up and was extremely active in my day to day life so I thought my body would bounce right back after the wreck – oh, how wrong was I? I spent 10+ months in physical therapy and over a year later, I still deal with my hip being out of alignment and severe neck/back pain. I finally got cleared to start easing back into workouts so I began doing yoga again. I heard that Pilates was great for posture, alignment, and overall strength but I was too scared to go to a studio and take lessons with other people watching. That’s when I saw Nicole offering private Pilates lessons and I knew I had to give it a try!
January 12, 2016, I fell in love…with Pilates! I was greeted by Nicole with a huge, comforting smile which made me instantly feel comfortable. She explained what Pilates was, how the session would work, and took some measurements. I did not mention to her about my hip being alignment/my wreck – I wanted to see how good she really was (and didn’t want her to say I couldn’t do Pilates) – and she spotted it right away! I knew she was going to be fantastic!
I did my first session and was rather impressed with myself but totally blown away by Nicole! She was so patient while she explained the moves (over and over again) and so encouraging when I would doubt my ability to do a move. When the session was over, I was thrilled she was willing to schedule another. YAY! I didn’t scare her off with my seriously beginner moves! I have continued to see Nicole each week for a Pilates session and have improved my skills, my confidence, my posture, and the pain in my back/hip has gotten so much better!
Nicole is a fabulous Pilates teacher. She is patient, encouraging, knowledgeable, and has such a charismatic personality that leaves you feeling stronger and happier! If you talk to anyone I know, they will say that I look forward to my Pilates session every week and am no longer afraid to try new things – even an intermediate move.

Source: Google