WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Brynne B.
"If you’ve been fortunate enough to be in Mariela Dorado’s presence, then you know the loving force of nature that she is. Mariela lives and breathes the tenets of health and happiness.
Her joie de vivre is highly contagious and exudes from her entire being. It’s this joy for healthy, healing movement that defines her teaching philosophy and guides her tailored movement sessions. Mariela gracefully weaves her artistry from decades of dance training, musical theater, and performance into fun, educational, and care-enfused sessions while honoring the traditions of Pilates. Mariela has a naturally nurturing energy and excels at accompanying prenatal and postpartum clients with expert care through their journeys of celebration and healing.
I’ve quietly admired Mariela’s ability to lead her clients through complex movement patterns, awakening an unshakeable confidence in their own abilities. When I observe this level of expertise I see the medicinal component of movement, the transformational element of trust embodied. I see Mariela’s clients reclaiming a deep level of trust in themselves.
Thank you Mariela for reminding me to continue to explore the pure joy of movement."
Emily T.
"Mariela is an intuitive and gifted instructor who will help you grow and get stronger while also nourishing your body and giving it what it needs."
Danielle O.
"With movement education as the common thread, I find myself enamored by the way Mariela weaves artistry, technique, and human connection into her therapeutic teaching environment. Mariela has an interpersonal intuition that rivals most practitioners I have come across. She has an
innate ability to recognize what others need, and is willing to adapt her plan, environment, or instruction accordingly. She has cultivated an approach to teaching that benefits nearly all areas of functioning for her students. Her phrasing, contextualization, and emphasis on autonomy creates an accommodating environment where one can be both challenged and cared for. I can speak directly to the efficacy of her tactics, as I have witnessed the transformations objectively within our shared students."
Bonghee K.
"I’m 72 and I've lived with pains for years. Tried doctors, treatments, shots but they worked only temporarily. Then I met Mariela. She didn’t just “teach” Pilates, she taught me how to listen to my body. She showed me how my brain, nerves, bones, and muscles are all connected. She noticed the smallest reactions in my body and gently adjusted everything to fit my condition that day. Now I sleep through the night without waking up hurting.
Mariela’s instructions are clear and vivid, sometimes with models of bones, sometimes with beautiful, poetic words that touch my heart. There’s no pressure to be “perfect.” Just freedom to move and heal.
As a psychotherapist, I recognize the depth of what she does. If you’re searching for help, Mariela is the one."
Susan P.
"I began working with Mariela shortly after ending physical therapy for 2 bulging discs in the lower lumbar region of my back (between L4-L5 & L5-S1). As a fit and active person, I have suffered from chronic lower back pain for most of my adult life. However, it wasn't until I injured my discs in 2016 that I became nearly debilitated, unable to move well, properly care for myself or my family, or work. Additionally, as a certified personal trainer and yoga instructor I also understand the importance of moving, and I truly believe that "movement is medicine." Determined to heal my back holistically, I decided to give Pilates reformer a try.
Nearly 6 months after taking my first class with Mariela, I am now completely pain free for the first time in my adult life, which as anyone who has suffered from chronic, debilitating pain can tell you, is nothing short of life-changing. Given the work I do, I am surrounded by some of the best and brightest fitness professionals in our region. Mariela is, by far, one of the smartest fitness professionals I know. Her knowledge of the body, movement, anatomy, alignment and what the body truly needs to heal astonishes me daily. I work with her 3x/week, and in 6 months I don't think we've ever done the same workout twice. She is so creative, and her sequences challenge me every session. She also has an uncanny ability to know precisely what my body needs on any given day -sometimes even when I don't.
Beyond all this, though, Mariela is also one of the sweetest, kindest and most gentle souls I know, which makes her an absolute pleasure to be around. She is truly an inspiration to all of us who are lucky enough to know and work with her. I would wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone, without reservation. My only regret in working with Mariela is that I did not meet her sooner."