Testimonials
“Maureen knows the physiology so well that she can unwind and strengthen my whole body.”
“I began private sessions over two years ago. At 60, I couldn’t live anymore with my chronic pain and increasingly reduced mobility. The sessions are challenging and rewarding. Maureen is like a scientist! She knows the physiology so well that she can unwind and strengthen my whole body. I am much more flexible and in less pain, and I’m so grateful for her professional intention to each session we have on Tuesdays. I have referred many friends and patients to her. She is also a wonderful caring friend and good human being. Deepest gratitude,”
— Dr. Karen H
“…she is an incredible, intuitive teacher”
I have worked with Megan for over 15 years; she is an incredible, intuitive teacher with a holistic approach, bringing out the best of her clients' strength and abilities with an eye towards each person’s unique body structure and capability. She balances her sessions with hard work and fun, and she is a true joy to be around with an infectious smile and sense of humor.
— Merrie D
“…more flexible, stable and balanced in all my physical activities.”
Being a long-time runner, the subtle, arcing and decompression movements of Gyrotonic counterbalance the inflexible and “straight-line” motions of this sport. They also help me be more flexible, stable and balanced in all my physical activities. The environment at Asheville Pilates is so positive with the personal investment in each client by all the instructors, and Leslie sparkles with enthusiasm at each of my weekly sessions with her, contributing to my physicality and healthy aging. Her always-smiling face immediately washes away some of the blahs and blues that might be lurking!
— Patricia B.
“…infinite patience and great knowledge.”
I have been working with Lynn Hocker for two years, taking Gyrotonic in the studio when it has been open, and Gyrokinesis online in class and privately when we were unable to go to the studio. She is a wonderful teacher with infinite patience and great knowledge of the body through her massage therapy training, as well as her Gyrotonic training. I highly recommend her.
— Wendy L.
“Instead of another surgery, I decided to try Gyrotonic® training…”
I had frozen shoulder surgery several years ago on my left shoulder. A few years later I started having the same issue with my right shoulder starting to freeze. Instead of another surgery, I decided to try Gyrotonic training to see if it would help and started going to Leslie at Asheville Pilates. Leslie had also experienced a frozen shoulder a few years ago, and she definitely related to how I was feeling. She is very knowledgeable in the Gyrotonic method and what movements were best for my shoulder issues. She has always been very gentle with me and is always making sure the movements are not causing me pain. After going twice a week for more than a year, I no longer experience shoulder pain and my range of motion has improved dramatically. I highly recommend Leslie for anyone looking for Gyrotonic® training.
— Joann L.
“Megan was terrific in finding exercises that both built up my core and challenged me…”
A year after my wife started Pilates, I decided to give it a try to get some sort of fitness effort going. Megan was terrific in finding exercises that both built up my core and challenged me, while also strengthening my knee and fitting in some cardio along the way! We even got to a point where I could touch my toes, something I hadn’t done since college fencing days!!
— Pete T.
“…enjoyable, effective and safe exercise program.”
I am a long term student of Maureen Sher at Asheville Pilates, a beautiful and peaceful studio. My sessions with Maureen are always challenging, always fun, never boring, resulting in continuing improvement in strength and flexibility. Maureen’s expertise and attention to detail provide an enjoyable, effective and safe exercise program.
— Barbara L.
“…beautiful studio with a calm and friendly atmosphere.”
It’s been nearly ten years since my physical therapist referred me to Maureen and Asheville Pilates. At that time, I had been experiencing back and shoulder pain as a result of sitting at a computer all day long for many years. The goal was to continue the progress I’d made in physical therapy and correct some posture and movement issues. Ten years later, the pain has long since disappeared, but I’ve continued my sessions because I appreciate the improved posture and range of motion I’ve achieved. Maureen’s commitment to her clients’ overall health and well-being is impressive and I appreciate the one-on-one attention she provides. It’s a beautiful studio with a calm and friendly atmosphere – a real pleasure to spend time here. Thanks so much Maureen!
— Kendall O.
“In working with my scoliosis…I have tried everything, and I think Gyrotonic® has helped me the most!”
At age 50, my scoliosis bothers me more than it used to, and Gyrotonic has become a key part of my self-care routine. Maureen has created a light airy studio in a convenient location, and Leslie and Maureen understand how to work with my scoliosis in a way that has helped me gain more strength and flexibility. I have tried everything, and I think Gyrotonic has helped me the most! Every week I leave the studio feeling like I have grown taller and my body has been reset. Leslie makes every session both fun and instructive, and easily works to adapt to any limitations I may have. Thanks, ladies, for making my life better!
— Kathleen P.
“I must say that the team at Asheville Pilates has taken my experience with Pilates to a new and higher level.”
I have had the good fortune of having had private Pilates sessions for the better part of the past 8 years. I have found Pilates to be a great supplement to my other fitness activities which now also consist of weight training, swimming and hiking/walking. I have been fortunate at each stage of my evolution with Pilates to have had good instructors. However, I must say that the team at Asheville Pilates has taken my experience with Pilates to a new and higher level. The instructors that I Have had include Maureen, Dorene and Beth. Each one has demonstrated the highest level of professionalism and mastery of the science of Pilates and, in their own way, a keen awareness of and a sensitivity to any physical issues that I may be having at any given time. They structure my routines to address and resolve my specific issues. I am continually amazed at the infinite number of exercise routines that Pilates offers. I don’t think that I have ever attended a session in which I was not introduced to a new routine. In other words, the Asheville Pilates instructors do not have a rubber stamp set of routines. Each session is bespoke and, once they know your body, the session is tailored just for you.
— Larrry R.
“…I often refer to Maureen as my “body whisperer…”
I fell in love with Pilates over 25 years ago and I am blessed to be able to have private instruction at Asheville Pilates. Pilates has long been an essential element of my mind/body wellness. Maureen Sher provides a studio for clients that has an amazing level of skill, experience and support. During the recent pandemic, Maureen and her staff continued to serve their clients through Zoom sessions and operated the studio in in extremely professional manner. I often refer to Maureen as my “body whisperer” and know that she always has my total wellness as her top priority. Maureen always makes sure that the studio equipment is in top shape and that the studio is clean and a welcoming place for clients. I am always cared for and inspired at Asheville Pilates and Pilates is a very joyful part of my life!
— Kathy G.
“Maureen is an amazing teacher, and her experience is unmatched.”
After a back injury from a car accident, I was in physical therapy for months. My physical therapist suggested that I try Pilates and Maureen. After one session, I was hooked. I love Pilates, Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis. My back has improved tremendously (one of the only things that has given me such relief!) plus my body shape and strength have improved and I feel better about myself in general. I can touch my toes now, something I haven’t been able to do in years! I’m flexible, strong and I feel great. Maureen is an amazing teacher, and her experience is unmatched. She knows when you are working to your fullest potential (and when you’re not!) and what to do for each person’s individual body and situation. I look forward to my session every week. Even writing this, I wish I were in her studio right now!
— April M.
“…phenomenal Pilates instructor”
I had the pleasure of working with Megan one-on-one for several years. She is a compassionate and engaging person and a phenomenal Pilates instructor. I worked with her twice a week, one session devoted to classic Pilates and the other to TRX training and coordination. She was very helpful working with my injuries and helped me exceed my expectations by surpassing the limits I had set for myself as a safety-net. You will no doubt enjoy your sessions with Megan…she is missed in NYC.
— RT
“As a 78-year-old woman, my aim in life is to keep moving and have balance.”
Maureen Sher has been my trainer for 20+ years. We have gone from Pilates to Gyrotonic during this time. As a 78-year-old woman, my aim in life is to keep moving and have balance. Travel has been our passion and by working with Maureen, I have been able to keep indulging in this pastime. She is always willing to change the plan for the day to deal with any aches and pains I walk in with. She has infinite patience dealing with someone who has a right/left problem and I always walk out feeling both mentally and physically better. Her studio is lovely and I love her music selections!
— Pam T.
“I find Dorene to be a very special teacher and consider myself so fortunate to have her help in my life.”
I have worked with Dorene for 4 years. I am continually amazed at her huge repertoire of movements! Class is always so interesting, challenging and never the same. I find Dorene to be a very special teacher and consider myself so fortunate to have her help in my life. It has made all the difference for me!
— Patty T.
“I’m still getting stronger and suffering much less back pain, thanks to Megan!”
After 10 years of very bad back pain, I finally decided it was time to try Pilates. Megan worked with my body needs and helped to strengthen my core in a fun and safe environment. Eight years later, I’m still getting stronger and suffering much less back pain, thanks to Megan!
— Michiko M.
“I stand up straighter, feel stronger, fitter and more energetic.”
I am lucky enough to work with both Maureen and Leslie on a weekly basis. My goal was to increase flexibility, enhance core strength and improve posture and balance. With the varied routines of both Pilates and Gyrotonic, we have made huge progress. I stand up straighter, feel stronger, fitter and more energetic. Plus all the rotation work has helped me make a better, fuller turn in my golf game. And the sessions are fun and never boring. I am delighted to have Maureen and Leslie as an essential part of my fitness life.
— Tom B.
“…feeling minimal pain, refreshed, happy, flexible, strong and ready to take on the world!”
I have chronic back pain due to spondyloarthropathy, and began my search several years ago for a studio in the area which offered Gyrokinesis and Gyrotonic training. I am so grateful to have been directed to Asheville Pilates studio. Asheville Pilates is my safe haven to relax and move my body to improve function, posture and mobility. I attend weekly sessions with Maureen and hope to never stop. At first the movements and equipment can be challenging, but Maureen provides the best cues, feedback and instruction. The sessions are never the same and keep me challenged. Overall, I depart from Maureen’s sessions feeling minimal pain, refreshed, happy, flexible, strong and ready to take on the world!
— Alison S.
“Maureen takes health to a new level and I look forward to each session.”
Maureen’s many years of Pilates and Gyrotonic training and experience, her vast knowledge of the human body, and her warmth and kindness, made Asheville Pilates the ideal place to add a new mode of exercise to my fitness options. As an older adult with joint issues, I have experienced definite improvement in my balance, flexibility and strength. Maureen takes health to a new level and I look forward to each session.
— Sandy B.
“…energized, happier, and stronger.”
I first started working with Dorene over two years ago. Dorene is extremely well versed in biomechanics and her work with me has concentrated on keeping my mobilized and strong. I enjoy her company and always leave feeling energized, happier, and stronger.
— Ellie D.
“…reassesses you each time and changes the workout based on what she observes.”
I am a 73-year-old male who spent my entire career in financial services. Upon retiring, I realized that I needed to improve my overall well-being from a health standpoint. Upon meeting Dorene four years ago, the first thing that impressed me was her ability to diagnose my needs. From this point on, we have worked on balance, flexibility and strength. The amazing thing about her sessions is that she reassesses you each time and changes the workout based on what she observes. The net result is that I feel better and stronger than I have in years. I would not hesitate to highly recommend both Dorene and Asheville Pilates.
— Ernest F
“Maureen stands out among a handful of practitioners I deem of the highest quality.”
In my 35+ years of practice, Maureen stands out among a handful of practitioners I deem of the highest quality. She is an extraordinary instructor with a gift for seeing and teaching movement. I have shared many clients with Maureen. I am always confident each person is seen as an individual with their specific issues addressed and abilities maximized.
— Linda Emerick, PT, Feldenkrais Practitioner®
“Don’t procrastinate – it will change your life!”
I wish I had known sooner about Asheville Pilates. The staff of professionals work with you to provide personalized, and pleasant exercise that does not even seem like a work out. If you are like me, and do not like the idea of public gyms or sweating workouts, this is the place to be in their spacious airy studio and convenient location of Reynolds Village. Pilates and Gyrotonic movement give you a strong workout without over exertion and I believe that are a great choice to participate in for a lifetime. Don’t procrastinate – it will change your life!
— Cindy T.
“…truly individualizes and customize her sessions to each specific person and their needs.”
I have worked with Maureen for over 20 years, both as a client and in referring clients to her once they have completed their physical therapy. Maureen is extremely knowledgeable and is constantly learning and adding to her knowledge base and the skills that she offers. This is one of the reasons that I am comfortable referring clients to her. However, what is most important to me is her ability to truly individualize and customize her sessions to each specific person and their needs. She has excellent observation skills and as she combines this with her knowledge of anatomy, Gyrotonic and Pilates, she is able to offer sessions that are appropriate to the individual and offer lasting benefit and carry over to daily life. I know she has helped me to change how I move and use my body, which has carried over to my work and my play!
— Amira Ranney, PT
“Who would ever have thought that at 75 I could still be increasing my body strength?”
I am now 75 years old and still going strong, and still getting stronger. I moved from Black Mountain to Murphy and travelled back to Asheville every two weeks prior to the pandemic to maintain my work with Maureen. My base of my Gyrotonic practice is still in place. When the gyms closed for Covid, I hit the road walking 3 miles a day and worked with my granddaughters’ weights ‘till the gym reopened. I now have more body strength than I’ve ever had in my life. I can only do the workout I do now because Maureen, Pilates and Gyrotonic exercise taught me how to move properly and not damage my body! For that I say Hurray! There are not enough words in the world to express my appreciation and love for Maureen in all the help/teaching/friendship she has given me over these many years.
— Cindy P.
