★ 5

I have been a client at Agile Monkey since 2009 and enjoyed my pilates experience so much that I decided to become a certified pilates instructor. This place is an amazing community of teachers, students and clients all supporting one another. I continue to recommend this place to everyone who is interested in quality pilates instruction and/or training! THEE BEST!

Source: Google

★ 5

I have taken group and private lessons for 8 years at Agile Monkey. Talented, caring instructors and full schedule of classes to pick what works for me.

Source: Google

★ 5

2 1/2 years ago I was ready to give up snow skiing which I have enjoyed all my life. I went to Agile Monkey with the intention of regaining strength and muscle tone. I told Karen Christiansen my goals - to be able to ski with confidence and to feel better and stronger in my body overall. She and I have been working together ever since and it has changed my life. Karen always asks what is going on with my body, she listens to my answers and we work directly on the issue of the moment. Karen is a very caring, knowledgeable and skilled instructor. I feel very safe working with her; if something does not feel right to me, Karen immediately changes the exercise. Her primary concerns are my safety and well being as well as helping me to continually strive for and reach my goals. All of the staff at Agile Monkey are friendly, helpful and welcoming. Having struggled for years to find a gym and/or workout program that I can sustain, I find incredible joy in going to my Pilates sessions every week.

Source: Google

★ 5

I arrived seven years ago at Agile Monkey with this deeply engrained sense of my body as very limited and rigid. Karen Christensen had been recommended to me, and from the first session, all of my body baggage began to fall away. Karen brings a generosity of spirit where limitation is embraced, but not limitedness. Working with her has been a whole process of becoming deeply attuned with my body, and my body feels this shift in how I relate to it. Not from my mind, but in a much more sense-based engagement, which has entirely changed my relationship with my body. Karen reads your body visually and intuitively, such that every pose or movement is a response to what your body, not your mind, is calling for. And she has this uncanny ability to see even the slightest misalignment, and then she guides the body back through gentle touch to a more natural state.
I never leave a session with Karen without this feeling of aliveness and strength and well-being. I have tried many things in the past, which brought some benefit, but now I have a whole new way of living in my body, which I deeply appreciate and cherish. What a gift.

Source: Google

★ 5

After many years of physical therapy for my scoliosis, it was suggested that I try Pilates. That was so many years ago. I met an instructor named Karen Christiansen and have been with her ever since. She instinctively knows what is bothering me the moment she see me, and by the end of my session I am feeling like a new person. I truly feel that if it wasn't for her amazing skills and knowledge, I would be in severe pain, and unable to stand up correctly. I appreciate her compassion and willingness to try new things to make my life better. I feel so fortunate.

Source: Google

★ 5

I have been working with instructors at Agile Monkey for many years. Each one has brought thoughtful and personalized instruction to my pilates sessions. I have mild scoliosis along with pain issues with my neck and right hip/thigh area and they have worked diligently with me to keep these issues under control and to keep me strong and moving! I highly recommend Agile Monkey!

Source: Google

★ 5

I had been a Pilates practitioner for many years before I moved to Santa Cruz five years ago and found Agile Monkey. The studio is, without a doubt, of the highest quality in every aspect - the instructors and thoughtful instruction, the variety of offerings, the professionalism, the friendly environment, the instructor training program and workshops are all outstanding. Over the years, I have participated in almost all of their offerings, and consistently found my (changing) needs met through a variety of classes, private sessions and instructor training modules. Plus, it’s fun!
I’m so glad I discovered the studio, and highly recommend it to all - beginners to advanced.

Source: Google

★ 5

I am so thankful for the community at Agile Monkey! I've been attending classes consistently for 2 years and I finally found some exercise that I love!! I feel strong physically but also supported in my journey. Thank you to all the great folks at Agile Monkey! (See you in an hour for my next class!)

Source: Google

★ 5

Pilates is great for exercise, rehab, body awareness, etc., and an excellent supplement to other physical activities. The instructors at Agile Monkey are animated, conscientious, and well educated. It is always a fun place to practice!

Source: Google

★ 1

I was hugely recommended to this studio by a student of Lisa. I was sent to personal expert ($85 an hour) Ms Christenson as a specialist in people with Injuries ( I am 65). The first two sessions were fine, but the third, on a hot day, was the most traumatic experience I have had at the hands of another.
She overworked me, when I yelped in pain about my knee, she seemed to not be aware of my injury that SENT ME THERE TO BEGiN WITH!! When my quads literally gave out, she said "What's wrong with you". HELLO. excuse me? She had a complete filled out medical and my briefing to begin with. I have not been able to walk without pain ever since. I cannot exerciseI have to see an Osteopath three times a week (private pay) and I don't know how to bounce back. She talks a lot and does not pay attention. Horrid experience, I would never go there.

Source: Google

★ 5

Stumbled upon Agile Monkey as I was looking to return to Pilates after almost a decade of being out of practice. I'd only ever taken Pilates in a gym environment and never really got the personal, small-group or one-on-one instruction to really address my form. The wealth of wisdom and experience at Agile Monkey is one-of-a-kind. Instructors and staff are attentive, personable, and dedicated. A real gem of a place and community, the small-business/boutique environment makes me feel like my experience and well-being really matters to the staff and instructors. Bright, cheery, and clean-- I drive all the way from Monterey to be apart of this Studio!

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

I had no idea what Pilates was, but had walked in to find out. The staff was so friendly I decided to try it. They had amazing intro session deals so I decided to give it a try and could not have expected to love it the way I do. Now - more than 3 years later - I go every week because it helps keep my back strong and is my one moment of self-care in a week. I strongly recommend trying Pilates! You don't have to be skinny or flexible (I'm not!). This will make you STRONG!

Source: Google