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Stable Core Pilates + Physical Therapy
Categories: Active Life Fitness & Instruction Pilates Health and Medical Physical Therapy Pilates, Physical Therapy [Edit]
2006 MacArthur Blvd(at Canon Ave)
Oakland, CA 94602
Neighborhoods: Dimond District, Lower Hills
(510) 414-8766
- Good for Kids:
- No
- By Appointment Only:
- Yes
About This Business:
Sports/Orthopedic Massage & Manual Therapy - Our primary focus is creating lasting relief from pain and injury rehabilitation/recovery. Whether your… read more »
15 reviews for Stable Core Pilates + Physical Therapy
15 reviews in English
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Review from Jill k.
Oakland, CA
9/10/2011
stable core is so close to my work, it would almost be a crime not to try them out!
i emailed them about classes, and it seems that they are intent on creating intimate classes with great teachers. valerie was responsive and professional.
i signed up for a level 1 pilates classes with lila, and i loved it! she was so sweet and welcoming, and even when i was doing ridiculous things with my limbs (not necessarily on purpose - a common thing for me in pilates), she handled me (and my issues) with ease and kindness.
the class was small (3 people, including myself), which made for an extremely personalized class. as someone with some joint issues, i wholly appreciated it... and i felt great afterwards!
prices were relatively standard for pilates ($20ish/session), and times were convenient. i wish i could go all the time, but this nonprofiteer needs to be a little more frugal. nevertheless, five solid stars for lila and stable core - i hope to see you again soon! -
Review from Friendly G.
Oakland, CA
6/8/2011
Let me start by saying this: I have been to countless physical therapists, feldenkrais practitioners, acupuncturists, personal trainers, pilates instructors, etc etc... and Valerie exceeds any and all of these.
First - Valerie the Healer
I initially came to Valerie (owner of Stable Core Pilates) for back and wrist pain from repetitive use and from having had a baby. Valerie is amazing. I have had about 11 visits thus far with Valerie. She is able to very quickly diagnose problem areas that I may not have even been aware of. Valerie takes the time to both strengthen my body while identifying minor changes that complete improve my body mechanics. She comes with a complete toolbox of skills - physical therapy background, massage therapy experience and training, pilates certification - and a wonderful ability to offer patience and calm to my harried life.
If I miss several weeks with Valerie, I notice the difference right away. Working with her has not only diminished my pain, but has also resulted in improving my own workouts as well as my everyday posture. And how lucky do I feel to finally be working with someone who thoroughly understands the mechanics of physical therapy while at the same time specializing in an exercise methodology that is near and dear to my heart - pilates?!?!
Every time I leave Valerie I feel taller, stronger and - most importantly - less pain. I can totally see the progress and feel the changes when I am just out living my regular life.
If there was a way to give Valerie (the owner of Stable Core Pilates) six stars, I would.
Second - The Payment and Scheduling Process
Valerie is such a breath of fresh air. She makes up for my own disorganization. I typically submit my receipts to my PPO plan for reimbursement and use funds out of my FSA for additional coverage. In submitting receipts for out-of-network coverage, I usually find that I have to remind practitioners for paperwork Not with Valerie - she is so organized and on top of things. Valerie is always one step ahead of me. She sends me receipts in a timely manner (sometimes even the same day).
Scheduling is also super easy with Valerie. She is incredibly well organized and on top of things. Enough said.
Finally - The Location
I find Stable Core Pilates to be very easy to get to in a charming part of Oakland. It is right off of the 580 (which makes for an easy commute and comes with free parking next door. I usually make a morning of it - I head to Stable Core Pilates, then to the grocery store (Farmer Joes) and then treat myself to a Peet's and La Farine. It is an up and coming neighborhood without all the fuss of parking difficulties.
Overall, I am so grateful to others for telling me about Stable Core Pilates and cannot rave enough about my improvement and experience. -
Review from Mason C.
Oakland, CA
6/11/2011
I've had neck, shoulder, back, hip, hamstring, knee, ankle, and foot pain for years. I've been to multiple PT's, massage therapists, chiropractors, yoga classes, a personal trainer, and an acupuncturist.
I got very little relief from the majority of them. Another friend of mine had back problems and recommended Valerie at Stable Core, so I thought I'd give it a try. She is amazing at seeing all the minute details and helping to adjust my postures and give me exercises that help strengthen the right areas without overdoing it and causing more harm.
Don't misunderstand - this is not a quick, instant fix. It's a process of development. And sometimes we try something, learn that it's too much, and have a little set-back. But this is long-term pain that takes a while to undo.
Valerie is great at keeping me moving forward and really solving the cause of the pain. -
Review from Dante D.
San Francisco, CA
7/25/2011
I went to Valerie 6 months after a kidney transplant as the doctor's said it was fine to start excercising. After such an invasive surgery my core needed to be built back up. She showed me things that I didn't know how to do by just laying there! It was an eye opener as to how much needed strength my core had lost. Besides being very patient and professional, she was fun to be around also. Thanks to Valerie, she gave me the start of a new life (literally)
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Review from jackie h.
Oakland, CA
7/20/2011
Valerie ROCKS! This is a person who is truly passionate about what they do. I have taken many pilates classes, but Valerie is very careful that you are doing the movements the right way to help improve your body, not injure it. And besides all that, she is also committed to the Dimond District!
Thank You Valerie! -
Review from L D.
Oakland, CA
Updated - 12/9/2009
Stable Core in the Dimond is a total gem. I love coming here to get my butt kicked by Yaira on a regular basis. The instructors are warm and welcoming. The springboard classes are small (4 students max) and effective. Parking is easy, abundant, and free.
I almost don't want to publish this and suddenly have the classes get too crowded! But Valerie runs a great studio and it shouldn't be kept a secret...so here I am Yelping about it. Come by to see and feel your body change for the better.
I've been attending since May '09 and I will continue on at Stable Core for as long as I can!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/28/2009
Stable Core in the Dimond is a total gem. I love coming here to get my butt kicked by Yaira on a… Read more »
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Review from Mimi V.
Berkeley, CA
6/4/2011
I had a pretty serious back injury a few years ago and my physical therapist recommended Stable Core so I could get my back strong again. They were great with Pilates but weird about some other business related aspects. They really took my movement and getting strong again seriously. But they would not deal with my health insurance and would not take any form of credit card payment whatsoever so I couldn't use my reimbursible credit card. In fact, filling out any sort of paperwork for me to get reimbursed since it was a health related issue meant they wanted to charge more, and they already charged a lot in my opinion. Eventually several hundred dollars in cash every week added up and I had sacrifice my health and quit to find something more reasonable. It was a huge issue for them and I needed this to get my health back so I could walk again. They wouldn't let me take their less expensive group classes because they said I would hold everyone back and I wasn't ready for it which left me having to spend hundreds every week for their private lessons. Eventually I bounced a check for which they made me feel really weird about delving into my personal life and habits and whether or not I could really afford this etc etc. I got this big lecture talk from the owner. Ugh. They're great with Pilates but I think they can improve to reach out to people who aren't filthy rich and deal with the business aspects of paperwork and health insurance.Warning, they are also located in a very sketchy part of east Oakland which didn't bother me but you do get spare changed for money outside. Parking is not abundant, nor free. It's all metered parking unless you drive up into the neighborhoods of Glen Park or the Fruitvale.
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Review from Mel H.
Oakland, CA
6/23/2009
Love, love, LOVE that they've opened up here. I just came back from my first class; it was great. Group classes are limited to four people; we got to use mat and reformer. Yaira is a wonderful teacher. I'm looking forward to signing up for another series (package of 4 or 8 classes at $22/each, otherwise drop-in is $25). So worth it!
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Review from Jules P.
Emeryville, CA
Updated - 8/28/2010
I've been working with Valerie for 3 years. Before starting pilates with Valerie, I had constant lower back pain. I tried physical therapy, acupuncture, chiropractors, massage therapy and yoga. Nothing helped.
It took some time and a lot of patience on Valerie's end, but I finally started making progress. With her background in physical therapy, massage therapy and pilates, she has tailored the exercises to my specific issues.
I highly recommend Valerie and Stable Core Pilates.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/29/2008 First to Review
After suffering from lower back pain for 2 years I found Valerie. Prior to starting pilates I tried… Read more »
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Review from thats neat o.
Oakland, CA
11/19/2009
I had lessons here with Valerie after having a slow recovery from a tibial plateau (knee) fracture/ surgery. She was really great at describing the exercises and was very encouraging. She also managed to give me just the right amount of challenge so that I felt tired when I left, but also invigorated. In addition to her Pilates training, she has a Physical Therapy background, so was really able to gently guide me into the practice. After a few sessions, I was able to go home and show my husband my slowly re-emerging 4-pack of abs.
I just had my second knee surgery to remove the plates and screws put in during the first, but as soon as I can, I will be enrolling in a class at Stable Core. A great neighborhood spot, beautiful space. (while in the neighborhood you can also grab some coffee at Peets or if you want to balance out your work-out with some sin-- get some amazing pastries at La Farine around the corner.)
I can't wait to make this place part of my routine! -
Review from Ruth V.
Oakland, CA
1/4/2010
How does a woman in her 50's get her groove on again, by learning how to connect to her body again. After sitting at a desk for years, gaining weight and finding myself in pain most of the time, I finally decided to give pilates a try. Yaira is the best instructor I could have ever asked for, she's gentle, compassionate about my pain and very mindful about my moves. The class is small, so if feels like you have a private instructor. If people who haven't moved much the last decade are interested in living life again, consider starting pilates. Great 2010 New Year's resolution, get up off the couch.
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Review from mary a.
Oakland, CA
5/28/2009
I've been working with Valerie Loo for over a year now and I am so grateful to have found her. I have had four or five Pilates instructors in the past and there is no comparison. She's a physical therapist, so she knows how to assess what my body needs and decide what is safe and appropriate. I have had numerous joint replacement surgeries and many physical therapists, but none has been as skilled as Valerie. She has taught me to use my breath, and has helped me to find deep muscles that I didn't even know I had. She is great at creating a balanced workout for me.
I love working with Valerie and can't recommend her highly enough. I feel like a different person after working with her. -
Review from Carolina G.
Oakland, CA
11/4/2009
I love this place!
I'm a novice- never done pilates before and now I can't get enough! The place is great- lots of parking, very clean and the instructors are knowledgeable, patient and very friendly.
So glad it is in my neighborhood! -
Review from C. H.
San Leandro, CA
6/21/2011
This is where Pilates instructors go to heal! I have been so impressed with the quality of instruction at this studio. They will get you in touch with muscles you forgot about, reminding you how to move correctly and without pain. Nicole is phenomenal. I began while 7 months pregnant and she showed me appropriate exercises that really helped. I have continued on for a year and a half with her and am loving how each class brings me closer to the body I had before becoming a mom...without flaring up my many ailments. When I was not sure which class to sign up for, Valerie wrote three personalized paragraphs to help me choose the appropriate class. She communicates regularly and thoroughly via email. For example, reminding me that I have a class credit, articulating the amount, and suggesting ways to use it. Valerie has been incredibly clear about what I have committed to and what to expect. Above and beyond.
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Review from Christina G.
Oakland, CA
10/27/2009
I have been working with Valerie Loo, owner of Stable Core Pilates since mid May of 2009 upon recommendation of another great P.T. in Oakland. Over the past several years I have been to various physical therapy& Pilates places in the bay area and I am so grateful that I have found a perfect combination of encouragement, professionalism, commitment, and knowledge. I have been dealing with back (for several years) and knee injuries (past 2 years) and Valerie has kept me optimistic as well as patient. Which is hard for a person like me who would love to be running, cycling, etc. Previous folks have gone along with my enthusiasm & competitiveness and pushed me too soon with exercises that ended up hurting me more. Yet don't get me wrong - Valerie slowly builds up the Pilates exercises making sure you REALLY know what you are doing since it is such detail-oriented practice. Valerie has a meticulous eye for the movement & positioning of your body. It's amazing & worth to go even for a couple of sessions. I promise it is money worth spent. I leave our sessions sweaty & knowing I worked as hard as I could. Those of you who have recovered/recovering from injury know how Pilates can be very empowering. I am now able to walk & hike without knee pain because my core is stronger & in a year or so I hope to be able to run & continue to do tri's. On a more personal note - it is encouraging to know that Valerie has had similar injuries like mine. So she is sympathetic but still keeps you focused on your gains & the long-run.
Valerie also has wonderful & knowledgeable Pilates instructors for the Pilates quartet/equipment classes (4 to a class) where you use the springboard & other equipment.I have taken a series with Yaira - who is awesome! She always keeps it interesting, creative & works you hard. She also has a fun energy that keeps you going.
I am now completing a quartet/small group equipment series with Kristin Goldsmith who is outstanding as a Pilates instructor. She somehow is able personalize her teaching to each person. She really wants you to understand your body through careful explanations. Kristin always asks at the beginning of class what issues we are having-body issues that is! She is nonjudgmental, focused and positive. As my husband who is a cyclist & also takes her class says - "it's hard!" Yes, it's hard but doable and if you do some of the exercises daily you will become stronger-in a more well-rounded way, limber, & have a better posture. Also the class is so much more fun & challenging with the variety of equipment. This also helps with being able to do exercise with injuries.
One aspect to note is that to do a series you must be committed to coming to the sessions & drop-in could be hard to do since classes fill up quickly.
