 | “Pilates with Michele has been an important and consistent part of my life since 2001. I arrived at her studio a weakling (after a long illness and lifesaving surgery). I told her my goal was to be strong and to develop good carriage and escape the fate of 'forward head' which afflicts women in my family. She has helped me with both. I still strive to have perfect carriage, but I just have to accept I'll never be Cate Blanchett. Thanks to Michele, I enter each ski season strong and ready to ski. (Michele developed exercises that help with balance, strength and the shifting of weight needed for cross country skiing). She has guided me through plantar fasciitis and helped me with post-mastectomy arm exercises. She is intuitive and respectful of my needs and my abilities. My life is enriched and strengthened because Michele is in it and I look forward to each and every session. I absolutely love the environment of her studio and her beautiful gardens. I hate to imagine my life without Michele and her studio.” |
 | |
 |
“After back surgery and other back problems I went to Michele at Symmetry Pilates Studio. Michele is very knowledgeable, energetic and a master of understanding the body’s muscles and movement. She has helped me relieve my back pain, strengthen my core and my back. I can ride my bike, swim and hike again. I was even able to hike 12 strenuous miles in the Swiss Alps recently. I attribute my reformation to Michele and her dedication to helping me become stronger and more pain free. I am more active and I feel younger. I wish I had come to her sooner.” Mike Perry, Santa Rosa |
| |
|
 | “Years of sitting at a desk had taken a toll on my posture. I just couldn't seem to stick with a going-to-the-gym routine when I was referred to Michele. It has now been over 6 years and I feel so fortunate to have found her. Michele's lively mind, intense knowledge of body mechanics,and supportive nature have not only helped me strengthen my core, improve my balance and posture but keep me motivated and looking forward to our weekly sessions. Time spent with Michele is a gift.” |
| |
 |
“I would never give up my Pilates. It is a part of my life.” |
|
|
| “Michele is so much more than just a Pilates instructor. I have been dealing with a very painful back issue for about a year now. Michele has helped me both in and out of her studio. She is an amazing listener and she uses my feedback to plan our session together. When I was unable to make our weekly session, due to pain, she still reached out to me and helped me by providing referrals and support. Michele brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her sessions, and I can honestly say my work with her has made a true impact in my healing process.” |
|
|
 |
“I was told about Michele and her program by a local naturopathic Doctor. I had been seeing him for soft tissue damage and nerve problems caused by a severe sport accident. I had tried a countless number of standard medical options over two years with little relief. Michele was the first person to focus on my problem not just my symptoms. Within a month I obtained enough relief to stop the pain meds and start to think about lightly returning to my sport activities. I continue to go on a regular basis, feeling better and stronger with every visit.” |
| |
 | “Symmetry Pilates Studio is the best! Michele is fabulous in “all” ways. She incorporates a unique blend of Pilates and kinesiology. I came to Michele as a referral from Gail Perry, DPT, and needed help with a smattering of issues that were causing me pain and limiting my movement: rotator cuff surgery, back issues, and peripheral neuropathy. Within a matter of a few minutes Michele balanced and realigned my pelvis and lower spine creating an immediate sense of relief throughout my body; it felt like heaven! She taught me how to breathe in to my ribs and back, to open and support my spine, and to feel and use my core. Since our first session I have been feeling and seeing the progression of healing and strengthening. Michele’s verbal descriptions are like music and she has an intuitive sense of touch where she seems to “find the spot” on my body that is calling out for help. I look forward to every minute I am able to spend with her and know my body is on the correct path; I had no idea what I was missing.” Susie Dowd Markarian, Santa Rosa |
| |
  |
“Why Pilates? Why Michele Place and Symmetry? Because you need to improve your body awareness, balance, strength and increase your range of motion so that you can lead an active, healthy life and don't become old before your time. Michele has a unique way of helping achieve these goals. Her warm caring manner motivates you to do your best. She is constantly increasing her education so that she is instituting new activities so that you never get bored. We are retired and want to stay as healthy as possible so that we may enjoy each day to its fullest. We still ski, hike and travel. All of these activities are made more enjoyable by being aware of our posture and balance. Michele has helped us work through aches and pains. She is truly concerned with us being healthy. Symmetry has become a regular part of our lives and we plan to continue until she retires!” |
|
|
 |
“I was a challenging case with a recent back injury and scoliosis when I came to Michele over a year ago. She worked actively and intensely on me week after week and taught me to carry myself correctly and strengthen my core. Michele has exquisite technique and excellent knowledge of the muscular structure of the human body. Her patience and dedication coupled with her profound skills as a Pilates instructor have dramatically improved my aching back. I am back to all the wonderful outdoor activities I love, hiking, biking, kayaking, swimming, etc. Thank you, Michele!” |
|
|
 |
“Doing Pilates with Michele has been both a revelation and a treat. Working together has allowed us to encourage one another; as a result we observe and remind one another of correct posture even when we’re not in class. Our work with Michele has improved balance, posture, and flexibility for both of us and keeps us active and energized. Michele provides careful attention to each of us individually with appropriate adjustments in each routine to keep us fully engaged. She keeps a careful eye on us to make sure that each exercise is being done correctly, something that other instructors (and we had several before we met Michele) did not do. She has made a tremendous positive and lasting impact on our lives and we love working with her.” David Holzgang and Shirley Grant, Oakland |
|
|
 | “Through my time with Michele, I have become more aware of my body moving
as a whole. My sessions help handle a piece of my balance and
posture that is so necessary, and a cohesiveness in my movements
that brings about a sense of safety and security. Pilates creates a connection
with my body so that when I am moving, there is an awareness and correction
that takes place in spite of me.” |
| |
 | “Of all the things in my life I am privilege to do, I would give up a lot of them but not Pilates. I simply think it's the best bang for the buck. I feel happy, it makes me strong, and able to cope. I lead a busy life with family and friends and Pilates helps me stay fit and healthy.” |
| |
 | “Once you have made the decision to ‘take care of yourself’ [i.e.take charge of your health, including exercise], it becomes equally important to find someone-that trainer or instructor-“that cares about you”. And, is qualified or certified to fulfill that phase of your health care program. As a client of Michele Place for over two years, I can say-without equivocation-that Michele is just that person. Certified in Pilates instruction, Michele operates from her fully equipped studio, deploying state-of-the art Pilates techniques honed by over thirty (30) years of training experience and fine tuned with ongoing workshops and classes to stay on top of her profession. After a ‘get acquainted’ session to get to know me, my needs, my goals and my limitations, Michele tailored a program to gradually elevate my workouts to reach my targeted goals. I have gained core strength, enhanced flexibility, greater awareness of my body and a general feeling of well-being. Pilates has enhanced my golf game substantially and has even facilitated boxing training which would have been physically too demanding ex the strength base provided by Pilates. I highly recommend getting started training with Michele at Symmetry Pilates.” |
| |
 | “Symmetry Pilates has given me a whole new body awareness and an increase range of movement and core strength. Michele integrates gracefully her vast experience, professionalism, and fun manner to create an environment that is relaxed, enjoyable, and challenging enough to take me to the perfect place, just beyond my comfort zone, so I further expand my health, fitness, and body awareness. Michele is wonderfully adaptive, attentive, and nurturing, and has me smiling every time I come to her beautiful studio.” |
| |
 | “After a neuromuscular disorder diagnosis 3 years ago, I‘ve experienced restricted range of motion at most of my joints-most noticeably at my hips - and painful movement patterns. Working with Michelle has been incredibly beneficial and restorative. Her knowledge of body mechanics and Pilates fundamentals and technique, as well as her patience and humor, has made such a difference in my recovery of movement. I appreciate her willingness to individualize our sessions to my particular needs of the day, and to attempt to explain what’s happening within the body in understandable terms and with the use of models. I look forward to my sessions and the sense of accomplishment that follows each treatment. I can garden almost pain free!!” |
| |
 | “I come to Michele for her expertise of Pilates and her charming personality.Through our sessions I experience a sense of well being both physically and
mentally. Pilates has enhanced my golf game and improved my activity level
because of my increased flexibility, stability, and strength.
” |
| |
 | “After many years of increasing pain and decreasing mobility, I had nearly given up hope. My life was becoming smaller and I was missing out on more and more of the things I love due to this pain and immobility. Then I found Michele Place and now everything is changing! Weekly Pilates sessions with Michele and dedication to my home program is making me strong and balanced in ways I never dreamed were possible! Michele is a gifted teacher and wise counselor with a depth of knowledge about the body and how it works. Thank you, Michele, for giving me hope that I may dance my life, once again.” |
| |
