I came to Amy after suffering a herniated disk which had caused me debilitating pain for many years, and after seeing what felt like an endless string of doctors and practitioners (none of whom provided any relief!) What struck me the most was how well Amy listens. She was the first practitioner who really helped me. It has been only 3 months and already I feel like a totally different person.
I am writing this testimonial to Amy Bruckmeier's miraculous Pilates rehab
work. About 9 months ago I had a total knee replacement and I truly believe that the reason I'm doing as well as I am is because of Amy's work with me in the beginning of my rehabilitation. Her work has provided me with a solid springboard from which I have been able to both continue and refine my strength building and stabilization. Additionally, I notice every day in my
regular life how much I have learned from her. Leaning over to pick things
up, sitting in a chair, driving....I now have a kind of kinesthetic memory
of how to keep my core still and strong. I'm truly so grateful to her for
helping me on the road to wellness and think she is an immensely intelligent and talented practitioner.
Once you have worked with Amy you understand the qualities of a well seasoned trainer! She honors my requests be they to work out hard or to pay attention to a specific part of the body that might be bothering me. She is capable of providing a session that is well balanced between the two which is a challenge to achieve. She is always attentive to form, precise in her cueing and has a positive 'you can do it' attitude that is uplifting and energizing! I come out of my sessions feeling worked and released in the best possible ways: I've had a full body workout utilizing both deep and superficial muscles and the best part is the feeling of calm and relaxation after the session.
I am 78 years old and started doing Pilates a year ago because of lower back pain due to an earlier diagnosed degenerative lumbar spine condition. Four months of physical therapy sessions and continued follow-through for six months offered limited relief but since working with Amy, my back pain has all but disappeared - some days I wonder if I'm really 78! My posture is certainly better and I seem to breathe more deeply and move more easily than I did before Pilates.
Amy has worked with me on the exercises recommended by my physical therapist but in addition she has also created a personal home program which enables me to keep the Pilates going between sessions. When new exercises are introduced, the home program is updated. This is really helpful because it keeps the movements fresh and interesting. I would recommend Pilates to anyone - regardless of age!
Amy is an extremely attentive and professional teacher. She is fully focused on helping us do each exercise using the best form possible, so that we get the maximum benefit and we don't risk straining any part of our bodies. I have enjoyed working with Amy so much. Her pilates sessions give me a complete body workout and relieve so much stress. I no longer have neck pain and once we stretch out my hip flexors I feel ten times better. I always come away from her classes feeling more limber and strong. I think Amy's classes have helped me with balance, posture and flexibility more than any other kind of exercise I have ever tried. When I work with Amy I can tell that she is always studying my motions to help me improve, build strength and become better at each exercise. She is extremely dedicated and a true professional. I couldn't ask for a better teacher. Gaby Giacchino Santa Cruz, CA
Why Amy?—A Testimonial to a Topnotch Teacher
When I was 12 years old my doctor gave me the reason for my scabby, creaky, knocked knees. I had “juvenile arthritis†which had no cure. However if I followed her “Motion is the lotion†as a lifestyle to offset the weakness, I’d survive fine enough. So for all of the decades I went about blithely building strength, stamina and flexibility in the gym or on the trail, I was also blindly building up physical imbalances. Approaching 60 I can say they have become more conspicuous.
I was still not very determined to undo my lopsidedness until I attended Amy’s Pilates mat class at the Albany YMCA. Wow! I met a topnotch teacher who is crystal clear in instruction, non-judgemental in attitude, offers simple explanation of benefits of each action, and uses levity to encourage students to perservere. You could be in a corner farthest away from Amy and still think she was talking personally and positively to you. Eventually I decided to see her privately at her Emeryville Pilates studio where apparatus aplenty and her keen instruction make every minute of the workout a revelation about the body. I highly recommend her in any location.
Much of the benefits carried over to an 80-mile backpack trip in summer 2008, when for the first time in 40 years I was able to navigate narrow trails without knees knocking and lift a 30-pound pack with stability. I declare my inner legs are stronger, my lower back more pliant, and core willing to take on a larger share of work. When I’m able to do those darn roll-ups, I’m going to feel better than ever. Bonnie Ng
After 18 years as a mountain guide/business owner I found myself in a lot of pain, often. Amy's Pilates classes have been a bright spot in maintaining an active lifestyle with greater strength, more flexibility, and less overall pain. Amy's enthusiasm for Pilates and it's benefits is contagious and her patient teaching style and attention to each person's needs, make her a wonderful teacher. I would recommend Amy and her classes to anyone!
I really enjoyed working out with Amy and I learned a lot from her. She is a really good and careful teacher. I have had back and neck problems for years and have always tried different exercises to help. Amy listens well and I
think that's why she has such a good balance of both challenging you and cautioning you so you don't hurt yourself! Since doing Pilates my neck and back problems have improved a lot and I am really excited about that. Amy loves Pilates and has so much fun teaching it that it is contagious!
Rachel
Shortly after I was released from Physical Therapy for my knee and
shoulder injuries, I began taking Pilates from Amy. She worked on
strengthening those areas gradually and patiently by applying her Pilates technique and using the Pilates equipment. After a few months of training,
I was able to get back to my favorite activity, dancing!
My work with Amy at The Pilates Studio has me standing tall and walking with confidence these days – my family has noticed the difference. The almost constant ache that I had in my left hip is just an occasional twinge now, and the improvement in my energy levels from that is very welcome.
For the last fifteen years, I’ve suffered from chronic back pain. Through the years I tried physical and water therapy, acupuncture, massage, painkillers, and Motrin that I took on a daily basis. All of these things provided temporary relief, but nothing long term. After doing Pilates with Amy, the back pain that I had been dealing with for almost 15 years went away! Amy also created a home program for me and made sure I understood it. She worked with me on posture, with an emphasis on how I sit at my computer. Since I write at my desk for hours each day, this postural work has made a huge improvement in my comfort level while working and after. After taking painkillers and Motrin for 15 years, it has now been over three months since I’ve had to take any pain medication at all! A million thanks Amy! You rock!
Pilates with Amy is the best workout ever. Not only are my sessions fun and motivating, but I feel strong, flexible, and energized. It is the first
exercise regimen I have been on that is uniquely
designed for me. The chronic shoulder pain I have
dealt with for over 10 years has disappeared. And as I spend much of my day on my feet for work, Amy has included exercises to strengthen my arches, and bring awareness to proper alignment and posture. Overall, I love pilates with Amy! I recommend it to all!