Frequently Asked Questions

Anyone who is looking to improve their overall health and wellness can benefit from Parkside Pilates services. Whether you are looking to lose weight, manage a chronic health condition, or simply adopt healthier habits, Parkside Pilates is here to support you.

Our professional in-home studio is located in the Great Neck area of Virginia Beach, VA at 1218 Meadow Lake Road. Even though the studio is in a residential area, the location is convenient and parking is readily available. A private bathroom and easy-to-use entrance make it the perfect set-up for a safe and exclusive experience.

Clients usually feel most comfortable in athletic workout clothing—without a thick waistband—that enables free movement but is not too baggy. Stretch leggings and comfortably form-fitting tops enable the instructor to see more clearly how your body is moving and what your form is like during the movements. Please feel free to wear whatever makes you most comfortable.

Yes, for your safety, grip socks are required in the studio. I have a clean pair that you can borrow during your first session, until you can order or purchase some of your own. Any style is fine.

Comfortable athletic clothing that includes grip socks is all that is required. I also encourage you to bring your water bottle, and a hair tie or scrunchie if you have longer hair. 

No, we have mats in the studio for your use during your session. The studio mats—like all other equipment in the studio—are cleaned and sanitized after each use. If you have your own cushioned mat and would prefer to use that, feel free to bring it. Thinner mats, such as traditional yoga mats, are not adequately padded for safe, comfortable Pilates practice.

Yes, I am a nationally certified (600 hours), comprehensively trained Pilates teacher (CPT), qualified to instruct on all Pilates apparatuses, including Mat, Reformer, Springboard, RTC Cadillac, Chair, Ladder Barrel, Step Barrel, Arc/Spine Corrector, and Magic Circle/Ring. Additionally, I have trained to instruct utilizing TRX, Barre, BOSU, and free hand weights. 

My introduction to Pilates came through an invitation from my daughter to join her at Club Pilates. I fell in love immediately with this form of full-body exercise movement, and I completed my initial 600-hour certification through their comprehensive training program. This program studies the original classical moves and methodology of Joseph Pilates’ Contrology (what he called the system we now call Classical Pilat) but also incorporates contemporary fitness movements and understanding, for a well-rounded, safe, full-body workout experience. Currently, I am continuing my training with work toward a Classical certification as well as a Clinical Exercise Specialist certification.  

Yes! Both my comprehensive certification and the continuing education I am currently pursuing (Classical Pilates and clinical populations) include the study of anatomy and the particulars of the most common injuries and conditions affecting the bodies of many adults. Specifically, I have training and experience working with pre-natal and post-partum clients, as well as those experiencing low back pain, osteoporosis, scoliosis, osteoarthritis, ventral hernia, diastasis, multiple sclerosis, plantar fasciitis, hypermobility, fibromyalgia, and many other conditions. Please reach out and ask about your particular situation, to find out if I have worked with your condition before. My ongoing training to become a Clinical Exercise Specialist includes extensive training for many common conditions. 

Pilates is among the safest forms of full-body exercise. By choosing this structured, controlled form of movement under the guidance of a certified instructor, you are ensuring that your chronic pain will be safely considered as we seek together to improve and alleviate it. I suffered from debilitating chronic pain for almost two decades, so I understand well the challenges you face daily. You can read more about my journey out of chronic pain here.

Feeling your muscles ache for a few days after exercise is normal and is known as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). DOMS can affect people of all fitness levels, particularly after trying a new activity or pushing yourself a bit harder than usual. If the idea of experiencing DOMS is frightening or disturbing to you—given a particular condition or pain you have been experiencing—let me know, and we will proceed slowly to avoid the normal muscle soreness of DOMS. Conversely, the absence of DOMS does not mean that beneficial muscular challenge has not occurred or that muscles are not strengthening! Trust the method of Pilates to be working, stabilizing, and strengthening both your local stabilizer and your global mobilizer muscles, whether you experience DOMS or not.

Yes! Pilates truly can be beneficial for every body! Those who have been sedentary and inactive can proceed safely with Pilates, to incrementally strengthen and condition the body.

Yes! Parkside has a variety of Pilates apparatuses, and I offer a wide array of exercises (and modifications, when needed) to provide truly individualized instruction for your personal fitness goals—whatever your size and fitness level.

Yes! Pilates is the perfect supplement to other forms of fitness training, many of which focus almost exclusively on strengthening the global mobilizer muscles, neglecting the local stabilizer muscles responsible for good body mechanics, posture, balance, core strength, flexibility, and stability. Pilates will enhance and complement your other fitness pursuits in ways that may currently be lacking. 

Although they will be locked in their crates during your session, we do have two dogs in our home, so if you are severely allergic to dogs, our home studio may not be best for you. We do not have cats.