3/2010

I was at the Waterfront Hotel in Jack London Square for a short business trip.  I had heard about a new pilates studio in the Square and found my way to Kendal Au’s pilates tower class. 

 

I walked into a beautiful studio – spacious, clean, serene – and was welcomed by the yoga and pilates staff.  I took a wonderfully relaxing, yet challenging, yoga flow class and stayed on for a pilates tower class.  I was fortunate to get the last mat in front of a wall of wooden rungs, springs, and pullies – a master’s work of art.

 

I observed Kendal’s warm embrace of returning and new students as she made a personal connection with each person at the start of the class.  I experienced a powerful workout while being gently guided through each move by Kendal’s voice.  The adjustments that she offered made me feel like I was in a private session, not a group class.  I found Kendal’s ability to teach a group pilates class and provide individual attention to her students, while continuously reading their bodies and energy, to be rare gift.   In reading Kendal's bio, I suspect that her wisdom comes from many years of martial arts and body work training, her generous spirit, and her passion for helping people of all walks of life and abilities. 

 

I can’t wait to return to the Bay Area to experience more Pilates to the People. 

Winona White, Honolulu, HI

1/2010

I had my very first mat pilates class yesterday with Maria. I didn't know what to expect because I have never tried pilates before. She is a very good teacher and is very helpful getting you into form. I really enjoyed the class and will definitely go back for more classes.

Sandra F.

1/2010

I'd never really done Pilates before, but since starting with Kendal I am HOOKED! Not only does she give you a great workout, but she's nice and funny and makes class very enjoyable!

Sarah B.

10/2009

I've been seeing Kendal every week. And I always leave each session feeling happier, stronger and refreshed. Kendal has never failed to make me laugh or challenge me. She challenges me every week by introducing the advanced version of a previous move we've done before or simply by pulling out a totally new move (and she knows a lot, which is exciting!)

Look, I'm not that into yoga or lifting weights. But pilates encourages flexibility/stretching similar to yoga (but it's not as boring because there's constant  fluid movement involved and you can still go at your own pace). And pilates also gives you the similar benefits of weight lifting but feels more like lengthening and opening rather than tightening and constricting. There are various machines Kendal uses to switch up your workouts and you'll find yourself doing a great range of movements that weight lifting alone will never give you.

The reason I go to pilates is because I want to be hot now and I want to be able to stand up straight when I'm 100. I have become so aware of my body's imbalances, tendencies and inflexible areas. I know that this is going to have a lasting effect on my body for the rest of my life. I hope you treat your body well and give it a try NOW!

Nina Nam

9/2009

Highly recommend Kendal. The most affordable private sessions I've ever heard of in all my searches for a pilates instructor in LA and the Bay Area. Not only is it a tremendous deal, it's also one of the most attentive personal trainings I've EVER received. Kendal is so meticulous, she will adjust you in every little position to ensure proper form (which makes it really challenging thus really good! I have the worst grammar!) Her training is better than places I've trained at for almost twice the amount she charges. Kendal is also very gentle and sweet. She is fun to talk to, but she gets down to business.

The studio that I go to (Kendal teaches at two different places) doesn't look like a fancy pilates studio. It's very humble, tucked away in a cute house.

Kendal notices muscle symmetry, which she remembers to take into account during sessions. She taught me how to relieve the tightness under the ball of my foot that has been bothering me for a year. She understands anatomy and has a great interest in physical therapy. Love her!

Nina Nam

5/2009

Pilates 2 The People is the brainchild of Kendal Au. With a focus on making pilates accessible to all, classes run from donation basis to $20 and are all around Oakland and Berkeley. Now there's no excuse not to try pilates!

Sara F.

4/2008

Kendal has that rarest of gifts: she sees you--how you carry yourself and move through your own existence, and she shows you how to know yourself, as you are, from the inside. Most exercise instructors show you some movements, but Kendal shows you how to move in the way your body was meant to--from your own core of strength and point of balance. She is funny, compassionate and incredibly helpful. Within an hour she had me connecting with my own body in ways that months of yoga never did. She showed me how to work muscles I rarely used, and free up sections of my spine that had been so stiff for so long I thought that was their natural state. I was never once, as I usually am, hesitant or in doubt about my own capacity to accomplish what she asked of me--even though some of it was technically fairly difficult, because she inspires confidence.

She is one of the best instructors in mind-body connection that I have ever had the pleasure of working with.

Shannon