Core Cat Pilates Studio

Victoria knows what she’s doing. I worked with her a few years ago, then moved, and recently reconnected with her after my chiropractor told me I should be doing Pilates for a specific thing my body is dealing with. I was so happy to see her again, and as I was on the machines, and she was guiding me and «reading» my body, I just had the thought «wow, I’m so glad I’m here». I know Victoria will help me to help myself. She knows the muscles, the patterns the body gets stuck in, how to support the body to strengthen it so it can heal, and she’s just plain fun! So glad my chiropractor reminded me what I needed.

I’ve been looking for a good Pilates place for a while and never really found what I wanted. Until I met Victoria! When I told her I had worked with a specific Pilates school in the past she immediately knew what I was talking about and we started moving along those lines. She listened carefully to what I told her about my goals and adjusted exercises accordingly. I used to dance quite a bit, currently I mostly do horseback riding. With her own dancing background I find it an extremely rewarding experience to work with Victoria; she always finds the right things to say. Love her humor too! We’re always having a good laugh. Her studio keeps exactly the right balance between private and open, modern and cozy. It’s light and spacious, and apart from the amazing Pilates gear that she has there’s also tons of little fun gadgets to work with. Every time I leave the place, I’m happy.

Victoria is an excellent pilates instructor: she adjusts her exercises to meet your particular level of strength and ability. She’s relaxed yet focused, and makes you work hard without overdoing it. I have various types of pain and in the past have injured myself with exercise instructors who were too gung-​ho. Victoria listens and makes adaptations to suit me if something starts to hurt or cramp up. I am already starting to have less pain, and to feel stronger and more flexible.
I like her studio, too. It’s beautiful, with plenty of fresh air, pleasant music and décor. It lifts my spirit to exercise in such a lovely location.

I’ve worked with Victoria Kelly at Core Cat for 1.5 years, and I (and others) have noticed a significant improvement to my body. The best compliment I’ve received from multiple friends is «Have you lost weight?». I originally went for help with my plantar fasciitis (it’s gone!), but I found that doing pilates with Victoria at Core Cat also strengthened my core so that I no longer needed to see the chiropractor constantly. Since I dance West Coast swing (for fun), her experience as a dancer also helps when I have specific dance-​related problems. I continue to take private lessons, group classes (her group classes are small so you still get individual attention), and open studio (solo work). She customizes her training so that I continue to learn new techniques and remain challenged.

AMAZING!
About ten plus years ago I sustained a back injury… my disk was squished and my sciatica pain went all the way down my leg to my foot. I did not work for two years and was depressed. Basically doing nothing for years it healed itself, but anything super strenuous would set me back. Slowly got in to yoga but wanted something more challenging. I made an attempt to do Pilate’s at a nearby studio but the teacher never asked me about the health of my back and did not correct me when I was doing things incorrectly. Needless to say I walked away flared up for six weeks.
Then came Victoria! I had been hearing about her from a client who kept raving, and I was noticing how toned this woman’s body had been getting. I have only gotten private lessons from Victoria because of my condition. Her dance/​pilates background and attention to detail really make my session’s like five in one. She watches me like a hawk to make sure that my form is on point so that I do not flare up my injury. After seeing her for such a long period of time my core strength has increased immensely and we are upping the resistance of the ropes often. My posture is better than ever… which is needed because of my hunched over facial career. Highly recommend giving yourself the gift of an amazing body, we only get one! I always walk out of Victoria’s studio with a smile on my face feeling strong and ready to face my day!
PS… Bought one of her bedazzled hoola hoops and put it in the backyard of the salon… it is my exercise between clients now!

I took a break from Pilates. Attempted to start running… injured my foot and developed a killer case of Plantar Fasciitis. After a year I returned to Pilates and Victoria thoughtfully and masterfully developed a program especially for me and my foot and hip problems. I’m very happy to report that after suffering over a year of pain, in a month back at Pilates, my fasciitis is almost gone. If you want a teacher who cares and has the chops to deliver… Victoria at Core Cat is your gal.

I went to Core Cat pilates today for the first time. It is in a gorgeous setting with plenty of parking. It is conveniently located near the 880 freeway and Alameda. There is an incredible amount of fun and challenging equipment there. I worked with the owner Victoria but it seems she has a wealth of great practitioners there. Whether you are an athlete looking for a challenge or ready to start with an exceptional exercise program, I think Core Cat is a beautiful and effective way to take care of yourself. If you are new to pilates or have been doing it for awhile it is the perfect place for you.

Pilates was new to me when I first worked with Victoria, and she has always been able to challenge me as well as help me reach my personal fitness goals. In the past couple of years, she has also been incorporating many new and diverse classes that compliment the pilates classes.
I have recently tried out the tissu class for aerial acrobatics with instructor Monica Tse. I’m scared to death of heights, but watching the tissu work is breathtaking, beautiful, and inspiring. Everyone’s steady encouragement has helped me go back each time, take a deep breath, and face the challenge with determination (even if I still have a twinge of butterflies in my stomach!). Now, my pilates workouts with Victoria include exercises to help me improve on my tissu work.
The major plus side to this studio is you get great individual attention, options to try different things on different apparatuses, learn about all those muscles you never knew you had, and you get to do it with a wonderful community of supportive instructors and students. Give this place a try!

People like Victoria are few and far between. Even though I only had a chance to attend private sessions for a few times due to a move, she will always hold a spot in my heart for her knowledge, sincerity, intuition and skill.
The studio is perfect– has everything you could possibly need, the rates are beyond reasonable compared to others in the area. She is amazing. Just flat out amazing. I know I can go to other studios and perhaps get the same results, but I honestly will feel a little cheated knowing that I’m missing out on that little extra something Victoria adds to the mix. It’s like when you break up with a boyfriend and you just go through the motions with the next one, not really getting attached because you’re not ready. That’s me and my future pilates classes.
Anyway I had a chronic back problem and tried everything– and I mean EVERYTHING and Victoria’s classes, even after just 3 sessions, started to make it feel better. She was consistent in her approach and checked in on me numerous times between classes. Always reachable by phone — and easy location right off 880 with tons of parking.
Please support her and her studio. I seriously have a sad heart that I am not able to go– so reap the benefits on my behalf!

I am so happy to have trained with Victoria today for my 1^st time. All of my childhood ballet came back to me. My own power and strength surprised me — happily! Very contemporary setting, sweet owner & all the bells & whistles of a professional studio. LOVE it!

I was a strong, confident athlete before I started with Core Cat. Victoria immediately identified imbalances in strength and stability that could dramatically improve my performance on the court, in the yoga studio, and on my bike (not to mention just climbing the stairs to my apartment).
The Core Cat atmosphere is incredibly laid back, but also intensely mind-​body focused. Thanks to Core Cat, I really truly get more out of my workouts. I feel so empowered and you can too!

I am addicted and inspired. Of all the pilates studios I have tried, this is by far the best — great studio atmosphere, reasonable prices and Victoria is a great teacher.

I was able to continue classes at Core Cat until about 2 weeks before giving birth — Victoria offered modified/​alternate exercises to accommodate my big belly and altered balance. I know there were many factors at work, but I had a rather easy labor and found the core work and breathing discipline gained through pilates to really help. 5 months post-​partum, and with weekly classes I’m well on my way back to my pre-​pregnancy body. I highly recommend classes for moms-​to-​be, for both the physical and mental training — thank you Victoria!

I just had a free session with Victoria Kelly. This is my first time trying pilates. I love it! She is a great teacher. I’m looking forward for my next session.

I am new to Pilates and was thrilled to find Core Cat. Victoria is an amazing teacher, very attentive to detail to ensure your form is correct, and the classes are never boring. I have noticed a change in my posture and overall improvement in my body.
I highly recommend Victoria and Core Cat. I plan to continue with her forever!

I’ve been going to Victoria since February. A friend and I signed up for private duets. Victoria is AWESOME! She works us out on the mat, reformer, bosu balls, hula hoops and various other pilate machines. She is attentive, explains well and good about making sure we are individually doing the exercises correctly without injuring ourselves. We go every Friday and every session, she makes it harder and encourages independent practice. I do a lot of cardio and weight training during the week and Core Cat is a great workout to counteract that. She taught me to stretch and build my core. I highly recommend Cat Core for anyone looking to mix up their routine.

Attending CoreCat for about 20 months now and I have yet to have the same workout twice. Victoria is very attentive to personal goals and the other students are great to work out with. Victoria is excellent about keeping classes interesting and trying new things with her students. It’s super-​rewarding when you see and feel the results – and feel so much better too. She is also knowledgeable with injuries and rehabilitation. And the «new» space, new since July anyway, is modern, spacious, and aesthetically pleasing… And superconvenient to get to after work as it’s right off of the 880. Plus, in the wintertime, what other Pilates studio has a toasty fireplace to take the chill off? My CoreCat sessions make a tremendous difference with my scoliosis and ever since I broke my foot in an unrelated accident, I really notice the difference and can’t wait to get back on schedule.

If I still lived in Oakland, and had some extra money to spend… I would treat myself to some pilates loving via Victoria. I felt and NOTICED a difference in 1 session! ONE!!! She is super nice and compensating! I can not say enough about her studio and her in general. Being on a reformer is like nothing my body has known. having her guide me through exercises made me (one who HATES exercise) actually enjoy it! It would be a perfect gift for someone you love (esp if that person is me). hee hee!

I was really glad that I ran into Victoria’s Pilates studio on my way to work one morning. Its not your regular pilates class at the gym … here you’ll feel like you’re REALLY doing pilates! She has all kinds of equipment from reformers, boxes to mats and balls. What I love about her classes is that you’re never doing the same routine at every session. Victoria is really good at asking what you like or don’t like, what your problem areas are and what you would like to work on.
Her classes are very small 1 – 3 people per session and usually last for about an hour. She offers guided classes but she also offers open studio as well where you can go in and use the machines on your own.
It’s definitely a great work out and would highly recommend it to anyone interested!

Victoria Kelly rocks! When I’m not in the mood to exercise, she helps me turn that right around. (which happens often!)
Her studio is quaint and comfortable. It always feels like I am «hanging out» when I am at her studio. Great music and healing conversation.
I swear I feel skinnier after every session! My stomach flattens out, and I stand taller.
Victoria has an amazing background in anatomy, and fully caters to those who have old injuries or chronic pain patterns. I feel comfortable sending her my most challenging cases/​patients (I am a chiropractor). Most people need to develop their core strength, and she is the one to help us all along.
I would recommend Core Cat Pilates studio to everyone and anyone who wants to be stronger, leaner and healthier in general.
Thanks Victoria!