Welcome!
Who are we?
Bonnie Hooper Pilates Studio is a private studio located on Marine Drive in West Vancouver's Dundarave Village, in the heart of the North Shore. Here, Bonnie has been working with clients for over 10 years on state-of-the-art equipment in a quiet, comfortable space. Pilates classes are one-on-one, or are grouped, by request, into duos and trios. There are never more than three people in one class.
Bonnie has had a wide variety of training and education in Pilates; she studied under Michelle Larsson's Core Dynamics Pilates (Michelle studied under Eve Gentry for 12 years and began her teacher training under her guidance).
In addition, Bonnie studied Posturology Posture Science under Mat Boule, through Posture Pro.
Our Offerings
One-on-one classes
One-on-one classes
One-on-one classes
Invidivualized pilates training for all experience levels!
Group classes
One-on-one classes
One-on-one classes
Train pilates with a friend or two!
Hyperbaric chamber
One-on-one classes
Hyperbaric chamber
Oxygen therapy services!
Please contact us for details.
About Pilates
What is Pilates?
This is the question I asked my friend many years ago after she recommended I try it for recovery from a herniated disc suffered during another form of exercise. I thought I was strong; I looked and felt strong, but the reality was that my core strength was not there. I did not have the muscle strength to properly protect my back.
Luckily there was a Pilates facility in Bermuda, where I am from, and I was able to get started rehabilitating my back. I was amazed at this strange form of movement that reduced my pain by about 90% and made me feel so relaxed and strong at the same time. I had to know more!
Research turned up many options for further study and I chose to go to Santa Fe, New Mexico to take a workshop with Michele Larsson at Core Dynamics Pilates. The Classical Method, originated by Joe Pilates and carried on by one of his first pupils Eve Gentry, is the method that I am trained.
I have been passing on my knowledge and expertise to my wonderful clients for over 15 years and it has been rewarding for me beyond words.
Bonnie Hooper
Certified Pilates Teacher.
Pilates history
In 1926, Joseph and Clara Pilates emigrated to New York from Germany. Joe was a gymnast and pugilist who had new ideas about physical fitness and rehabilitation. He had developed these ideas during the war, beginning with the mat work. The method, which Joe called 'contrology', evolved into the use of machinery to assist movement patterns.
Joe opened a studio on Manhattan's 8th Avenue, and many dancers, actors and fitness buffs found their way to him. Eve Gentry was one of Joe's students, models and teachers. She worked for him from 1945 until his death in 1968, at which time she moved to Santa Fe and founded her own studio.
Pilates is ...
A system of exercises using special apparatus, and designed to improve strength, flexibility and posture.
It is based on the principles of Breathing, Concentration, Control, Centering, Flow, Postural Alignment, Precision, Relaxation and Stamina.
It is practiced worldwide, by an estimated 22 million people; it is governed by the Pilates Method Alliance.
Testimonials
Actual before & after
“I cannot recommend Bonnie highly enough. She is highly trained and skilled, and intuitively seems to know what each person needs.
After my second pregnancy, I ended up extremely overweight and with serious hip pain. Doctors and physiotherapists were unable to help, but after just one month of seeing Bonnie twice a week, I was completely pain-free and inspired to continue improving my myself through Pilates. Now, after seeing Bonnie regularly for three years, I am 50 pounds lighter, pain-free, strong and fit. I look and feel ten years younger!”
— Karen
Pilates partners
“We see Bonnie twice a week for a duet mat class. She recognizes our individual needs and is attentive enough to both of us so that we feel that we each receive a private session. She is fun and cheerful and we laugh as we exercise.
Over the last few months, we have noticed a great change in our bodies and our health. We love our mat classes and look forward to each class. She is knowledgeable in teaching us subtle muscle movements, along with breathing technique to maximize our core training.”
— Christine and Jacqui
Change in perspective
“There are few things I loathe more than working out in a gym...visiting the dentist, getting an annual physical exam, eating liver. However, my regular Pilates workouts twice a week with Bonnie Hooper in her private studio are a pleasure!
Always supportive of any particular knee or hip issue, or just neck and shoulder stiffness due to a stressful week, Bonnie always zeros in and fixes it. I NEVER leave an hourly session without thinking that I feel better than when I arrived.
Issues with my feet have been resolved so well that I don’t notice bunion pain anymore and increased leg and stomach muscle strength allows me to go up and down stairs with confidence.
Physical wellness is one of my top priorities—check it out!”
— Sue S.
Alternative to surgery
“Bonnie is very knowledgeable and has advised me in my training back to health. I have a herniated disc and have suffered with pain for 17 years. I am not able to have surgery and rely on alternative methods for alleviating my pain and avoiding a wheelchair.
I was advised to use Pilates for strengthening my muscles to help support my back. I tried different trainers. After each session, I would be injured for several weeks because they were trainers without therapeutic experience. I started with Bonnie once a week and now go twice a week without any injuries. She is very caring and sensitive. Always happy and helpful.”
— Mike