Gratz Equipped Studios Carrying Classical Pilates Forward
At Gratz, we know a Classical Pilates studio is more than equipment and walls, it’s a home for lineage, resilience, and transformation. Each studio we spotlight reminds us that Classical Pilates is more than exercise: it’s lineage, mentorship, and a way of life.
We're excited to feature six studios whose journeys embody the depth of Classical Pilates, the importance of community, and the power of teaching on Gratz apparatus through Gratz Equipped Studio Tours we feature on our Instagram.
Katona Pilates: Beaverton, OR
Tracey brings the artistry of ballet and the resilience of healing into her studio. Her journey began as a young dancer studying Romana’s Pilates with Anthony Rabara, and continued through her professional career and recovery from spinal surgery.
Why Classical Pilates?
“Romana’s Pilates is all I’ve ever known. I began studying as a young ballet dancer with Anthony Rabara, a master Romana’s Pilates teacher. I continued throughout my career as a professional ballet dancer, and the work stayed with me—supporting my training, my strength, and now my recovery from surgery for Myxopapillary Ependymoma. What began as part of my dance education quickly became my foundation for movement and, eventually, for life. I’ve lived its power through my dance career to my current healing journey, and I see its impact every day in my clients’ lives.”
Why Gratz Pilates?
“Gratz is the gold standard. It demands and supports proper form, alignment, and depth of work. The equipment teaches you as much as the instructor does. It’s how I learned, how I healed, and how I continue to grow. Gratz is the only brand I trust to carry my clients and myself through the Pilates journey.”
What’s a piece of advice you always come back to in your Pilates practice?
"Meet yourself where you are. Some days bring strength, others fragility, and Pilates offers a framework for both—helping us move forward with honesty, grace, and resilience."
How did you start Classical Pilates
"I loved the precision, the details, and how powerful I felt as I learned to control my flexibility and build true strength. I fell in love with the logic of it—the way every movement has a purpose—and the fact that there’s no finish line. The work is endlessly deep. No matter how long you’ve been practicing, there’s always more to discover, refine, and embody."
Read more about Tracey's story and make sure to follow Katona Pilates.
Urban Pilates : Portland, OR
Owner: Kimberly Kay
Kimberly Kay’s story is rooted in mentorship and growth. After beginning as a client in 2012, she deepened her practice under the guidance of Dorothee VandeWalle and April Tillman, eventually becoming the proud owner of Urban Pilates in 2019.
Why Classical Pilates
“Classical Pilates was my very first experience with Pilates, and I’m so glad it was. From day one, I felt the difference—not just in my body, but in the way I moved through life. It’s intentional, precise, and powerful, connecting stretch, strength, and control in a way that transforms you from the inside out.”
Why Gratz Pilates
“Nothing else compares. As the original manufacturer of Joseph Pilates’s designs, Gratz delivers an unmatched feel. I’ve tried other brands, but they’re only imitations. When every movement counts, you need equipment that responds with the same precision you put into your practice.”
What’s a piece of advice you always come back to?
"Keep moving. Change happens through movement, and movement heals.” While it can be tempting to slow down in pursuit of perfection, Kimberly believes true progress comes from flow. Each exercise and each session is an opportunity to reach for your best stretch, strength, and control in the moment. Consistency, not perfection, is what truly transforms."
How Urban Pilates Began
"I started at Urban Pilates in 2012 as a client who simply loved the way Classical Pilates made me feel strong, aligned, and energized. Under the guidance of my mentors, Dorothee VandeWalle and April Tillman, my practice deepened and my appreciation for the method grew. In 2019, I had the privilege of becoming the studio’s new owner and earning my M.A.T. certification through Metropolitan Pilates in Seattle, studying directly under Dorothee.
My mission is to honor the high standards they instilled in me, offering the same level of precise, thoughtful teaching and authentic equipment that shaped my own journey. At Urban Pilates, that means teaching the Classical method exactly as it was intended, using Gratz apparatus."
Learn more about Urban Pilates.
LAB Pilates : New York, NY
In the heart of New York City, LAB Pilates is a space where Classical Pilates is practiced in its purest form. LAB Pilates has become a home for movement, restoration, and community.
Why Classical Pilates
“Classical Pilates is a craft that’s been passed down through generations… it’s a gift a master chooses to share through years of teaching and mentorship. The process isn’t quick or easy, but for those of us who do it, it’s incredibly rewarding.”
Why Gratz Pilates
“I love Gratz, but so do my clients! If they’re on a different apparatus, they feel it — and it’s not a good thing 🤣.”
Favorite Gratz Apparatus
"My guilty pleasure is the Ladder Barrel"
What’s a piece of advice you always come back to?
Go back to the basics — the answers are always there.
How LAB Pilates began
“When the studio I worked at closed with two weeks’ notice, I found a rental space overnight. Three years later, I saved enough to open my own studio — right next to some of the best chiropractors in NYC. We share the lease, and it’s been life-changing.”
Learn more about LAB Pilates.
Boditree Pilates & Healing : Vancouver, BC
Owner: Risa Mathews
Risa Mathews brings decades of Classical Pilates knowledge and integrative healing. With a background in dance, public speaking, and graduate-level research, she has developed original protocols and online courses supporting conditions like scoliosis, Parkinson’s, and chronic pain. Through Boditree, she has created a space where the Classical method meets education and holistic care.
Why Classical Pilates?
"Boditree transitioned from Contemporary to Classical approximately 12 years ago, and the work is far more legitimate, it’s easier to teach, and demonstrate results. We can now guarantee results each hour, simply by working Classically! No more guesswork."
Why Gratz Pilates?
“It’s the only brand that has stayed true to Joe’s vision and mission… it’s the consistency of product and expertise in understanding how the apparatus enables or disables access to Contrology."
Risa's Favorite Piece of Apparatus
"My favorite apparatus would have to be the Spine Corrector because it provides so many applications, whether it be elevated Matwork, or simply breathwork, it truly meets us where we are at. But then there’s the Cadillac which offers even more applications and could double as a bed on a dessert island and the hang up work from the top, it’s a hard choice!!! The question is, would that desert island provide me with a spotter?
Footnote, the one apparatus that alerted me to the need to change EVERYTHING and launch my studies into Romana’s Pilates was: THE REFORMER BOX. I couldn’t understand why it was so foamed up on the corners. I was so angry when I realized how compromised my work was with illegit equipment! I’ve never looked back since that aha moment!!"
What’s a piece of advice you always come back to?
"LET THE BREATH GUIDE THE WORK, as it’s the fuel that propels clean movement!:"
How Boditree Pilates and Healing Began
"Boditree first launched in 1995 in Sydney Australia and was sold in 1999 when I moved back to Vancouver where I reopened in my hometown!
So, we’re celebrating 26 years in business this year!"
Learn more about Boditree Pilates and Healing.
Summit Studio: Hood River, OR
Owner: April Tillman
April’s introduction to Pilates came during recovery from a car accident at age 22, a moment that changed the course of her life. Through decades of practice, she’s carried the Classical method from Los Angeles to Idaho, and now to Hood River, where she created Summit Studio in 2019.
Why Classical Pilates?
"I discovered Classical Pilates at the age of 22, during a challenging time when I was recovering from a car accident. It truly transformed my recovery process! Back in 1996, without the internet, finding a studio relied heavily on referrals and word of mouth. I was fortunate that my doctor recommended Pilates to me. Through consistent practice and immersing myself in the repertoire, I became an avid fan of the method. Within a short time, I felt stronger and more confident in my body than ever before."
What’s a piece of advice you always come back to?
“Keep it simple.” —Romana Kryzanowska. Avoid complicating things, as the simpler movements often lead to a deeper connection and challenge with the exercise. “Embrace a calm mindset.” — Dorothee Vandewalle. And most importantly, have fun! When you focus on simplicity, you can truly enjoy the process and experience greater progress (me).
Why Gratz?
"I choose Gratz because my foundational training was in a studio fully equipped with Gratz, which set a high standard for my practice. When I began teaching in 1998, I found it challenging to locate studios with authentic Gratz equipment, especially outside major cities where training centers were rare. I noticed I wasn’t getting the results I was looking for with my clients. This experience motivated me to open my first studio in Sun Valley, ID, outfitted with Gratz equipment."
How did you start your Classical Pilates studio?
"I started Summit Studio in 2019, creating a beautiful space on my property tailored for private and duet sessions. After owning and managing studios in Los Angeles, Sun Valley, ID, and Portland, OR, I wanted to scale back and focus on providing more individualized attention to my clients. My goal is to teach the heart and soul of classical Pilates, emphasizing proper form and personal growth."
Learn more about April and Summit Studio.
Carrying Classical Pilates Forward
Each of these studios reflects the living legacy of Joseph Pilates in their own way — through resilience after loss, the discipline of dance, recovery from injury, or decades of healing work. What unites them all is a shared belief in the Classical method, a deep respect for lineage, and the unmatched feel of Gratz equipment.
Together, they remind us that Classical Pilates is a lifelong practice of strength, balance, and renewal. By honoring the Pilates method and choosing apparatus built to Joseph Pilates’ vision, these teachers and studios ensure that the integrity of the work continues.
Carrying Classical Pilates forward is not only about preserving tradition, but also about inspiring the next generation of practitioners who will bring the method to new places and new people, all while staying rooted in its true form.
If you are interested in participating in a Gratz Equipped Studio Tour, email marketing@gratzpilates.com.
2 Responses
Kat Strafford
September 29, 2025
Hi Lucero! This is Kat from Gratz Pilates.
We love sharing the stories of Gratz Equipped studios from around the world. This blog/newletter featured several but not all of the wonderful studios from the Pacific Northwest. We’d love to feature Studio Reset in the future. We’ll drop you a note. Also we can be reached anytime at Community@GratzPilates.com.