Studio
Atwill Pilates is Santa Barbara’s renowned Classical Pilates studio. We are a team of passionate teachers committed to the original work of Joseph Pilates. We offer outstanding personalized instruction and small group classes taught by our classically certified trainers to help you heal and transform your body to its ultimate potential. Our sessions are tailored to each client's need to offer targeted results.
Our studio is affiliated with Romana's Pilates International. Romana Kryzanowska was Joseph H. Pilates protégé and the “heir” to passing on the original work of Joseph Pilates. Our studio is equipped with all Gratz Pilates appartus’ which is the finest equipment designed to change your body the fastest.
Classical Pilates
Joseph Pilates stated, "You are only as old as your spine." His genius method of exercise, which he called Contrology, was developed in the 1920s. Simply put, Pilates is resistance training. It conditions the body through spring resistance and gravity to support graceful, efficient movement. The precision of the method re-educates neuromuscular patterns in the body to bring alignment to the joints, decompression to the spine, deep core strength, increased body awareness and improved posture. Pilates has proven to be the exercise of choice for dancers, gymnasts and fitness enthusiasts. It develops muscles that are equally strong and flexible and helps with coordination, balance and endurance. If done correctly it will give you suppleness and natural grace that will be reflected in your every day posture, work and play.
Equipment
Every piece of apparatus at Atwill is made by Gratz Pilates — the original manufacturer of Pilates apparatus and the industry’s source of authentic, handcrafted equipment made in Philadelphia, PA.
Gratz apparatus is built from steel, maple wood, and leather. No plastic. No shortcuts. Each reformer takes approximately 50 hours to build, passing through the hands of metal workers, woodworkers, and upholsterers before it leaves the factory. Atwill is also equipped with the full Gratz line — Reformers, Cadillacs, Wunda Chairs, Barrels and beyond because we know Pilates is a system and not just a single machine. We are true believers that better equipment produces superior results.
Atwill Legacy
Atwill Pilates is named for Colleen's late grandmother Louise Weigel Atwill, known to everyone who loved her as “Honey.”
Honey competed as a figure skater in two Olympic Games: Lake Placid in 1932 and Germany in 1936, alongside her sister Estelle. She was inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.
Although Colleen never had the opportunity to meet Honey, her figure skating prowess and legacy as a great sportswoman is something she has always aspired to. Colleen chose to pursue figure skating as a young girl in homage to Honey and often wore skating outfits sewn by her great grandmother to the rink. Honey was an excellent skier, tennis player, golfer and had a special affinity for classical ballet. Colleen is certain her love for movement and all things active was passed down from Honey’s bloodline. She imagines Honey would be a regular at ATWILL since Pilates is indispensable cross training to any avid athlete.
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what our clients are saying
““I never knew there was a difference between Pilates and Classical Pilates. Training at Atwill made me realize it’s something like driving a Porsche instead of a Honda. Not only is the equipment far superior to other studios I’ve tried, the trainers also meet a standard of excellence I definitely haven’t experienced elsewhere.””
““I noticed my body change in one month of training three days a week at Atwill Pilates. Classical Pilates tones you like no other workout. The trainers are incredibly skilled and the studio has great energy.””
““I’ve seen tremendous change in my body since training at Atwill Pilates. All the trainers are such experts that I feel like I’m getting a workout, physical therapy, and going to the chiropractor all at once.””
““Thanks to Colleen’s detailed approach to Pilates, my body has made an amazing transformation in just four months. I am a back patient with a fused spine and I never thought I’d touch my toes again. But that happened in just the first two months.””
““The Gratz Pilates reformers and equipment they use is changing my body faster than the other reformers I was using prior. I love their reformer classes — there are only six people in each class so I still feel like I get personalized instruction.””
““This is REAL Pilates. The instructors are beyond knowledgeable and I trust that my body is going to be just as flexible and aligned at 70 years old if I continue with this.””
