“When I first experienced Pilates on Gratz equipment, it was transformative.
A large part of my inspiration to open Axis in Long Beach was to provide our community with this superior Pilates experience, since no Gratz studios existed here. Now, many of my clients also own Gratz. Integrity, legacy, craftsmanship-these are qualities I greatly appreciate about Gratz equipment, and I align our business with these values.”
- Karen Washburn - Owner & Teacher
Axis Classical Pilates Studio
Karen WashburnOwner/ Founder/ Director
Chris ClausenA life long athlete, Chris has always had an interest in sports conditioning and performance. After studying and coaching at San Diego State University Chris was hired by the San Diego Chargers as an assistant in the teams strength and conditioning department. In 1992 he was tabbed as the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Los Angeles Rams spending 14 years with the team. Some of Chris’ professional highlights include participating as a coach in two Super Bowls and being part of the historic St. Louis Rams “Greatest Show on Turf”. Chris discovered the Classical Pilates method while searching for a way to alleviate his nagging low back and sciatica pain. Starting with the most basic Pilates mat exercises, within a few months, Chris was able to gradually reduce his chronic pain and experience a full recovery. The Classical Pilates method has become an integral part of Chris’ overall fitness regimen. Chris employs the entire Classical Pilates system to address the individual needs of each client. It is key for students to strive for a deep understanding of the method in order to get the best results from the work. Chris enjoys guiding and encouraging practitioners to achieve their goals in a safe, fun, yet challenging way. Chris was originally certified in 2012 through Mary J. Brown’s Comprehensive Classical Pilates teacher training program in St. Louis, MO. After continued study and gaining a few years of teaching experience, Chris was accepted into the highly selective Classical Pilates Masters program “The Work ®” directed by Jay Grimes of Vintage Pilates in Los Angeles. Chris continues to learn, practice, and share the Classical Pilates method.
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