Reviews

When I moved from my SF 3rd floor flat with 49 stairs to a one story house in Sebastopol, I knew I needed a new way to get exercise. A sign on a car in a parking lot, led me to Ruth Dreier.

Ruth is very knowledgeable and clearly passionate about pilates. She works with one client at a time, asking thoughtful questions and listening carefully,  Ruth creates an atmosphere that is both warm and professional. She will support and encourage you, telling you when you are doing well and helping you move forward to more challenging work.

Whether in person or having to adapt to virtual lessons due to covid 19, Ruth is a superb teacher.
Tammy D. Sebastopol, CA

Ruthie came as a recommendation from a friend.  I’m so glad I looked her up!
I’ve suffered from sciatica pain on and off for many years.  I’ve found Pilate classes and working on a reformer has greatly improved my level of pain and actually takes it away.
Consistently working the one hour session with her has improved my body composition for a better body overall.
Ruthie is very knowledgeable on how to treat conditions and injuries from chronic pain with simple body movements to achieve mobility once again. At 67 years of age, some of us have different projects we work through daily….
I look forward to my weekly session with her as my new Happy Hour!
She’s amazing!
Tina I. Santa Rosa, CA
I don’t do reviews often, but I am compelled to encourage others to experience the wonders of the Pilates Reformer, and Ruth Drier (A Room for Pilates) in particular.  I have been working with Ruthie for just over a year now, on a weekly basis.  I was looking for a way to build my upper and lower core to ease chronic neck pain from a car accident.

When I first contacted Ruth via email, not only did she respond immediately, she provided a detailed analysis of the ways in which she might be able to offer assistance.  The attention to detail has not changed since that first contact last summer.  She is meticulous about planning each session to focus on ways to build upon work from the previous week, while continuing to explore new ideas and challenge me physically.  The most amazing part is that she is always ready to make adjustments after checking in with me at the beginning of each session.

It is such a pleasure working with Ruthie – she is a fantastic personal trainer!  I leave each session feeling like I have done well, made progress and learned key techniques for improving my body mechanics.  Ruthie is so patient and intuitive during each session, subtly reminding me of key components of each move, reinforcing the correct alignment/positioning.

During the COVID shutdown, Ruthie didn’t skip a beat!  She transitioned into Zoom sessions, which are amazingly effective.  I must admit, I was doubtful about doing personal training via Zoom, but it has really worked well for me and she has been beyond flexible in finding a good time that works for us both.

For anyone looking for a capable, knowledgeable, patient and truly amazing personal trainer – look no further.  Ruthie is a gem!

Becky G. Sebastopol, CA
I was skeptical about online Pilates after loving in-person Pilates instruction, but Ruthie has done an amazing job of transferring the in-person work into a  wonderful on-line experience.  She’s a gifted teacher and it’s quite remarkable how she can translate many of the Reformer techniques into an at home experience utilizing balls, rollers  and other easily accessible materials.  I can’t recommend her on-line class highly enough.  She’s given us extra tips, recorded sessions so we can review them, and been very, very supportive.
Elena D. Sebastopol, CA
Ruthie is a knowledgeable Pilates Instructor who really zeros in on your needs! She has really helped me! I find her very compassionate and she knows how to make the Pilates sessions effective and fun!
Bonnie, C. Sebastopol, CA
I would highly recommend A Room For Pilates with Ruthie! Ruthie is extremely knowledgeable in her craft and the human body, which was invaluable to me as a dancer with injuries. Ruth helped me better understand my body mechanics and gave me exercises to strengthen areas in which traditional workout methods were unable to access. Ruthie’s studio is a calm and inviting place to be and Ruthie is so approachable and kind.  I came to Ruthie with no prior knowledge of Pilates; now I have the tools to prevent dance injuries, keep my body in alignment, and maintain my full body strength! Thank you Ruthie!
Sam. W. New York, NY

I am very grateful for A Room for Pilates! Since beginning private sessions with Ruthie four months ago, I have enjoyed a much improved physical experience. I notice the benefits of training while doing everyday tasks from the less strenuous – such as walking up and down stairs, sitting at a desk and working on a computer or driving a car – to the more strenuous such as hauling a 50 pound bag of chicken feed. Most excitingly, after only a couple of months of sessions, I returned to road and mountain biking after several years. My husband and I rode up Mt. Tamalpais for the first time in 25 years and I was able to easily ascend the mountain thanks to Ruthie teaching me to use my body more efficiently. Also, my knee that often felt painful since it was injured several years ago has felt better and is stronger. And after decades of needing chiropractic adjustments on a frequent basis, I have needed only one since training at A Room for Pilates.

Prior to working with Ruthie, the only experience I had with pilates was on a mat at home while following an instructor on a video. That approach often resulted in physical pain, so I began to think that pilates wasn’t a good fit for me. But because my mom – who is in her mid seventies and still playing tennis – credits her sustained physical strength to practicing pilates on a reformer with an instructor, I decided to try the same. Ruthie’s instruction style is perfect for me. She is so encouraging and sets a pace that enables me to gain strength with each session without overdoing and ending up in pain that becomes a disincentive for returning. She always asks how my body is feeling and if there are areas of it or exercises that I would like to focus on for that session. Her studio is an inviting and peaceful space. There is always parking available in the lot for the building. Ruthie stays on schedule and is prompt with communication when arranging for appointments, etc….

Ruthie has commented that strengthening through pilates can provide so much freedom, and I totally agree! Because of the benefits that I have enjoyed from the private training sessions, I feel that the money for them is well spent. I happily and highly recommend A Room for Pilates!

Dawn, W. Sebastopol, CA
Ruthie is so knowledgeable and thorough.  She watched my technique very carefully and was able to identify the cause of my pain and give me tools to improve my posture and work on strengthening the correct muscles to ease the pain going forward.  I learned more in 2 sessions with Ruthie than I did in 6 months of physical therapy!  I would highly recommend her!
Cathy. O. Chico, CA
Ruth is the real deal.  A dedicated, knowledgeable professional who is enthusiastic about pilates and truly desires to help those who come to her well equipped room for pilates.

I find her remarkable in her ability to be encouraging and supportive and at the same time to allows be helping me improve.  She is always committed to the best insights of Joseph Pilates and still tailors the session specifically for me, ot some rote routine.   No cookie cutter approach when working with Ruth.
She takes the time to ask me how I am doing and what i want to work on and then creates a wonderful sequence for that day.
Since starting to work with Ruth I have found myself moving with more ease and have found doing something like turning my body to back up in my car to be much easier.
I enjoy my sessions with Ruth, find her easy to talk to and appreciate the aliveness in my body after each session.

David W. Santa Rosa, CA