Testimonials

“For those like myself in need of regular exercise I can think of no better way to do it than to get training from the Santa Barbara Pilates Studio on De La Vina Street near State. Kristen Williams and her staff,are highly skilled in adjusting the training level to the client whoever he, or she, is. In my case at the age of ninety one I have a carefully thought out routine by Kristen, that loosens the joints, gives tone to the muscles, and altogether refreshes a body which time and sedentary living weaken and age. I leave the studio feeling alive, and ready for the days before my next session. I shall test the ROM machine in the studio for further aerobic exercise. As an alumnus of old Joe Pilates, the founder, when I lived in New York City in the Fifties, I can vouch for the excellence of the training at the Santa Barbara Pilates Studio.

Joe Pilates would give his seal of approval for the work being done there. “

~ George Gaynes, Actor. (Police Academy, Punky Brewster,Tootsie and more) 6/28/08

“I highly recommend working with Kristen Williams for individualized Pilates consultations. I have experienced both individual and group Pilates in the past, and did not find them tailored specifically to my needs. The depth and breath of Kristen’s knowledge, skill, and experience is beyond that of others with whom I have studied. I am an aging athletic woman with numerous over and improper usage issues that are now plaguing this body. I do not know how Kristen does it, especially via Zoom, but she does not miss a trick in misalignment and improper form. Best of all, she is a firm guide with a cheerful demeanor and a great sense of humor – she is just tough enough without being a drill sergeant. If my schedule allowed, I would have weekly consultations with her.”

I came to Kristen with serious sciatica and piriformis pain. I could not find a comfortable position to sleep in and walking was painful. This is a reoccuring issue from an injury from many years ago, but it had basically almost gone away. Then, suddenly, it came back worse than ever. I tried acupuncture, which didn’t help. In talking to Kristen and having her watch me walk and move, she instantly determined some stretches and exercises that would help. After just one session with her, I was a lot better. And now the issue is totally manageable. Kristen has given me the tools to use when it flares up. I work with her a couple times a month. If the pain comes back we have an extra session which takes care of it. Kristen is a really positive person and a lot of fun to work with. Her knowledge of muscles and movement is extensive and shes always got a new stretch to try out. I highly recommend her!

Thank you Kristen, for saving my beach walks! Now they are pain free. 🙂

I have worked with Kristen for a year via Skype, and I’m amazed at how much I have improved. Her approach is thorough with attention to strength, flexibility, and balance. Kristen is able to make keen observations about my form and how my body is working even if I have no perception of it myself. I appreciate her emphasis on safety and gradual improvement. Kristen is a pleasure to be with on top of it all. Thank you, Kristen!

I started Pilates with Kristen several years ago after ankle surgery left me with a terrible limp and poor balance. Not only was I able to return to work as an ER nurse, but I can also continue to work long hours when many of my comorrades have retired. Pilates helps build my flexibility and strength and helps keep me patient and focused. I look forward to my private home workouts and thank Kristen for her professionalism. Her workouts keep me working.

I have been doing sessions with Kristen via Skype since January. She is so good at making the workout be about ME and my needs specifically. She is tough and thoughtful and helpful and great at what she does. Skype allows her to see you move and also allows ME to see myself, which has helped as well.

Check it out, friends! She is amazing! Thx Kristen

Let me add my praise for what Kristen can help one accomplish with her on-line Pilates sessions. Each session is tweaked if need be to take into account how one feels that day while one continues to progress towards your ultimate goal. Flexible times and days if needed as well.

I recommend Wild Rivers Pilates highly! Kristen exceeds all expectations and is a true pro. I have been working out/doing rehab online twice per week with Kristen for the last 4 months. I have scoliosis and deal with serious back pain. I chose Kristen because i want to get fit again so that I can enjoy all of the outdoor activities on the southern coast here. Kristen offers unbelievable private classes and coaching online. Her classes are challenging, but she meets you where you are. I just adjust my laptop camera so that she can see me, and she offers a workout that is getting me where I want to go. She has been able to notice issues and ask me to make adjustments more than anyone has — it’s amazing how specific her private instruction is. I am stronger than I have been in years and she is working with me on strengthening all of my core muscles. I’m not finished yet, but my ability to open up my back to breathe better (from Kristen’s coaching) has created a new life for me.

I have tried quite a few personal trainers and also I’ve had rehab, but Kristen is head and shoulders more prepared, competent, and professional than all of them. I am a fan.

You will be hooked! Online mat classes are fun and the private sessions can be intense but always the highlight of my week. Kristen is patient and like someone else said can see every little thing (my leg is straight!) I have been working with Kristen over 3 years and my husband is now obsessed too. Try it-you will never be sorry.

I took private Pilates lessons for 4 months, online, during spring of 2020 (during the Covid-19 lock-down.) My goal was to build core strength and improve my balance so that I’d be up to the rigors of providing daily childcare for my infant grandchild. When I started with Wild Rivers Pilates (Kristen), I had been away from my regular gym for nearly a year due to the pandemic and had done little besides walking. I had never done Pilates before. Within a month of starting Pilates, I noticed the difference in my core strength and by the time I stopped, I saw a profound difference. Later, I got real validation of the benefit of my Pilates work. When I returned to my gym a month after stopping Pilates, I did new baseline testing to see how much strength I had lost in my 1 1/2 years away from the gym. To my great pleasure, my core and leg strength had each improved more than 20% from when I was last at the gym. I am sure this is all due to working with Kristen at Wild Rivers Pilates. Thank you, Kristen!

Kristen Williams is a superb instructor and person. I was referred to her by an excellent Physical Therapist. Working with Kristin after a serious injury helped me return to work and walk. I purchased a home reformer/tower and it has been a heat health investment. I VERY HIGHLY recommend Kristen.

My partner and I have been working with Kristen for about 3 years. I had horrible sciatica. I travel to Africa for work and sometimes couldn’t get out of my seat at the end of the flight. Even everyday life was painful. Kristen works with me to use different muscles and strengthen my weak ones. I feel like I have a new toolbox of ways to stay out of pain. I also swim with US Masters. Kristen showed me how to move my arms using back muscles more than shoulders. It’s made swimming faster and easier and gotten rid of intermittent shoulder pain.

My partner is missing 2 vertebrae from a car crash, has a hip replacement from another car crash and a shattered foot filled with pins after a bad fall. He accepted a life with a lot of pain. Kristen showed him how to use his muscles differently. He is remarkably pain-free and his skinny legs now have muscles.

We have one-on-one sessions and attend mat class. Mat class is small, personalized and a very friendly group of people.

Wild Rivers Pilates & Fitness is a wonderful way to improve your strength and flexibility. My husband and I began to see improvements in ourselves after only a few sessions. Kristen Williams is an amazing instructor. With a glance she can spot our body misalignments and helps us to learn to adjust our movements accordingly! She is caring and adjusts her instruction to accommodate each student. Now we are able to join classes with our computer! We can do private lessons or group lessons without leaving our home.

Kristen is a wonder! She is so knowledgeable and upbeat! We always finish class feeling better and happier than when we started. She gets a five star review from us for sure!

I feel so good in my body since meeting Kristin and working with her. I am in the best shape of my life and I have Kristen to thank. I personally cannot imagine a life without my Pilates 3 days a week. I thought it was unusual at first to do Pilates on Skype, but I find that Kristen can spot faults in my form just as easily as she could in person (darnit!). I even took lessons while I was on vacation in Mexico

Thank you! I recommend Kristin’s class whole heartedly.