Agile Monkey Pilates Studio

I have to hop on the 5-​star rating bandwagon here because Agile Monkey completely deserves all 5 stars. What sets this studio apart from others is that the instructors have been vetted by Lisa, the owner, who is an incredibly experienced and skilled teacher. She closely observes every tiny movement and then makes corrections so that you’re doing the exercises and movements in precisely the right way. Her level of training is such that nothing escapes notice and this attention to detail is carried throughout the studio. I have taken classes with Lisa, Dixie and Lucy and each time I came away feeling like I had an incredible workout that strengthened my core, arms, and legs and increased flexibility. After seeing other people teach pilates classes in a less detailed manner I have come to realize how Agile Monkey is one of a kind.

Agile Monkey is an amazing, nurturing environment completely focused on it’s clients. The instructors there are all amazing but all individuals, you are bound to find someone you enjoy working with and who helps you grow in Pilates in the way that’s best for you. On top of that, this studio is a teacher training facility (on some weekends) so there is a constant focus on continuing education PLUS a trickle of new instructors every year. Because of this, you can always find a teacher in your budget for private sessions or take advantage of their group classes.
The front desk is an awesome group of ladies who really know the staff and do a lot of pilates themselves (one is even an instructor). They are dedicated to finding each client’s right fit for their goals and schedule, absolutely ask their advice if you don’t know where to start.
Personally I love the group classes but I wouldn’t have loved them as much without first starting one-​on-​one in private sessions. I got the luxury of trying many of the instructors and I have to say, they’re all great. They got me «ready» for the group classes and made the classes less intimidating even though the pace may be faster.
Check this studio out and find your inner Monkey!

My experience taking Pilates classes with instructor, Lucy Navabpour at Agile Monkey has been amazingly wonderful! She’s warm, funny, professional and extremely knowledgeable. The newly expanded studio is a welcoming and relaxing space to be in.
Pilates is gentle and yet, VERY effective! It only took a couple classes to see and feel a distinct difference in my body. Each class routine is different and increasingly challenging. All the movements are modifiable to accommodate varying levels of ability. They offer a wide range of classes… from private, semi-​private to group… mat, spring board and Reformer (I heart this contraption! Respect the Springs!).
Lucy’s attention to detail in correct form, safety and how to get the most out of each class has been so helpful in my becoming stronger and more flexible. Long standing injuries, postural issues and aches and pains are resolving. I can feel my stomach muscles again!!! Wooo Hooo!!! I’ve gone from a size 18 to a size 14 in the last four months. I have a growing confidence in my body and it’s ability to relearn how to move through life.
It’s changed my life/body/spirit…and I highly recommend

Dixie and Katie are amazing teaches! I have no prior experience with Pilates, but these teaches make me feel confidant executing all these new moves. They give you hands on attention, and have an excellent way of describing what to do and why we do it.

Agile Monkey is a fabulous resource for anyone looking to get in shape, stay in shape, gain strength, rehab an injury, improve your fitness or start fitness. The instructors here have an incredible wealth of education in motion, body mechanics, fitness, injury rehabilataition, and special issues like scoliosis. I have been seeing Avra who has been wonderful in helping with a recent back injury. The studio is super clean and welcoming. I would strongly encourage anyone new to Pilates or an experienced student to give Agile Monke a try.

Agile Monkey is awesome! I have worked with many of the instructors here, and have had nothing but positive experiences. The one-​on-​one instruction is top notch, and even the classes are small enough to provide a very personalized workout. The studio fosters the perfect balance of comfort, camaraderie, and just enough privacy. It is a very pleasant place to work out.
Being a guy, I have a somewhat different perspective on Pilates. For any men who are hesitant to try it, Pilates has benefitted me on many levels. It is effectively counteracting my horrible laptop-​posture issues. The focus on core strength has greatly improved my overall fitness, and particularly my climbing. There is also a strong element of body awareness which is critical for climbing, martial arts, and any other mental-​physical activity. The instructors at Agile Monkey have an excellent grasp of functional anatomy and an incredible ability to impart that knowledge.
Overall, I guess you could say I’m a big fan.

Let me start by saying I have tried every workout there is. Cardio Kickboxing, kickboxing with a bag, step, Zumba, yoga you name it. And
I have been doing Pilates at home for years. I never had done any classes at a studio. After my friend bugging me to try it at a studio I finally relented. I am so happy I did. I hate gyms with all the attitude from staff and other people who go there and I was apprehensive this would be some clickie place and I would hate it. I was so wrong. Everyone is amazing. I’ve taken all the classes offered and every teacher is great. They make sure you are in the right position and you are getting the best results out of your workout. I take Lucy and Jeanette’s springboard classes and I am so happy I do. I look forward to it every week. I have also taken classes from other instructors there and they are all top notch.
I feel better and my back is in the best shape ever. No more back pain. I wholeheartedly recommend Agile Monkey to anyone who is even remotely interested in a new workout.

Pilates at Agile Monkey helped me recover from an assortment of orthopedic surgery ramifications. One of the strongest elements is that this is NOT yoga. I found it can be adapted to any ability, range of motion, strength, while helping the body heal and grow strong again. Staff are professional, helpful, resourceful. I recommend Agile Monkey frequently and unreservedly.

Agile Monkey is a great place to do Pilates. Beautiful well lit space. Doesn’t feel like a gym. Wide choice of times and instructors. I’ve done lots of dance, yoga, continuum, etc. and am really impressed with my instructor Karen. She’s able to work with me injuries and all. I feel better stronger am having a great time.

I love Agile Monkey! The staff is amazing to work with all the way from the front desk to the classes. The studio is always spotless. Very important to me!
Always greeted with a smile at the entrance and then the amazing classes.
I have been doing Pilates over 2 years and am enjoying the variety of different options for classes that Agile offers. They also offer great specials to meet every budget.
I am especially fond of the group springboard classes which are typically not available at many studios. Thanks to the amazing expansion Lisa has done, there is plenty of room to accommodate larger groups. Lucy Navabpour has been very helpful in pointing out much needed corrections to help facilitate better form. But everyone at this studio shows great dedication to their practice. I highly recommend this studio to anyone who does Pilates and at any level.

Agile Monkey has the most dedicated and knowledgeable instructors in the area. Lisa and her team work tirelessly to make sure each client is satisfied and working towards meeting their fitness goals. I have had the privilege of visiting many different pilates studios across multiple states over the years and Agile Monkey is #1!

I’ve participated in many exercise modalities including pilates and Agile Monkey is great. I take classes from Karen who is an inspiring teacher. She manages to make you do challenging twists and turns with your body but you still want to come back for more. I have taken classes from other instructors too — all good. Lisa, the owner, provides courteous, professional customer service. The ambience of the studio is soothing and peaceful. I highly recommend Agile Monkey.

I am a beginner Pilates student and feel welcome, supported, and challenged at Agile Monkey. I am so glad to have found it. I recommend it with no reservations!

I love doing Pilates at Agile Monkey.
The reason I choose to go to Agile Monkey instead of other Pilates studios is because of its utmost professionalism — from the tremendously knowledgeable instructors to the overall studio ambiance — which easily sets Agile Monkey far apart from the rest.
Each one of the instructors has an incredibly extensive education about the human body. They use a lot of anatomical cues full of rich imagery, which, at times encourages movement without knowing it, and definitely promotes a deep and rewarding movement experience.
The studio is beautiful and immaculate. It’s upstairs location makes it a private setting full of light, with inviting equipment and a very professional layout.
I have taken classes at Agile Monkey for about a year now, happily making the drive from Monterey, and always find a bit of personal challenge and joy in each class or private session.

As a lifetime non-​exerciser, I tried many forms of fitness but never landed on anything I could stick with. Now in my 60’s, I could see my strength, balance, and flexibility starting to slip away. I was hesitant to try Pilates because I was afraid of getting hurt. Thanks to the encouragement of Lisa Graham at Agile Monkey, I signed up for a package of 3 private lessons, to learn safe fundamentals and efficient form. Then i began going to the semi-​private (small group) classes. The studio is beautiful, and the instructors are skillful, dedicated, fun people with broad and deep experience. It’s a hard workout but I find I am strangely addicted to it! Even the group classes are small enough that you get personalized attention. which maximizes the benefits of Pilates for the time you spend. After just a few months, I definitely am stronger, with greater flexibility and better posture; I feel generally much better in my body. And the most amazing part — which i didn’t expect — the chronic low back pain I had resigned myself to just living with — gone! Pilates has changed my life for the better, and I am so grateful for the wonderful people at Agile Monkey.

Well let me paint the picture for you by saying I knew nothing of Pilates but had heard rave reviews of the results… I am a cardio junky and was slightly doubtful that I would get fabulous results. The moment I stepped into Agile Monkey I felt the relaxed atmosphere and was put at ease. Arwen, my instructor, was so friendly and encouraging that I knew I was in for a fun workout. Everything about the workout was different from my prior workouts, and wow was that for the better… I could only do about ten crunches instead of two hundred, yet the results far surpassed any workout I have ever done. I feel stretched and toned after every workout and find myself walking tall as my posture has improved ten fold. Pilates is sculpting my body in those hard to get areas I have been trying to workout for years. I am now a complete Pilates convert. I highly recommend Agile Monkey and the best body sculptor ever Arwen.

Lisa and the trainers at Agile Monkey are amazing. I have a ruptured disc caused by imbalances in my skeletal and muscular systems. I went to several practitioners and doctors trying to find a solution for my pain. Lisa was the most helpful of all. I highly recommend her and anyone who has been trained by her.

I’m one of those guys who always thought pilates was like yoga – probably really good for you but too shooshy for guys. But I tried it, and that stuff is hard, yo! I mean like, burning-​abs hard. Like, I’m-crying-a-like-a-little-girl hard. Like if-I-can-do-what-these-trainers-can-do-then-I’m-a-man hard. Hell, even the stretching left me sore. But what’s so cool about it is that it’s all completely personalized for your own body and what kind of lifestyle you wanna live. And afterwards, you’re all relaxed and glowy and letting out big sighs of stretchiness.
Okay, so: the space is awesome. It’s one big room, but it’s super comfy, with a surprising amount of mat space and three or four reformers (these are crazy torture-​looking contraptions that give you an even awesomer workout!) And the trainers know their stuff. So if you’re in Santa Cruz, and you’re into Pilates, this place is i the place.