Trauma-Informed Mat Pilates Classes in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Pilates instructor, Sara Fisher, is smiling and standing next to the Key to Change Studio door. She's wearing an orange shirt with a colorful headband.
Pilates instructor, Sara Fisher, is sitting cross-legged on a black exercise mat in a studio fitness room with Pilates mats set up in front of her. There is a mirrored wall behind her.

Mat Pilates with Sara is a gentle yet challenging practice designed to build strength, stability, and flexibility using bodyweight-exercises on the mat. With her supportive and trauma-informed approach, Sara creates an encouraging space where every body can move with confidence, build resilience, and enjoy the process of moving well. This is a multi-level class suitable for all beginners and experienced practitioners. This class requires the physical ability to stand up from a seated position on the ground. Classes are limited to 8 people. Extra mats are available for use during class (or bring your own!).

Group Mat Pilates

Class Booking

Use the MindBody booking widget below to book and pay for classes.

You can also book directly through the MindBody app for iPhone and Android by searching in-app for Key to Change Wellness in Chattanooga and locating Sara’s classes when clicking View Schedule.

It’s recommended to book classes in advance to save your spot. Please pre-register for class by 9 pm ET the day before class. Classes may be canceled at 9pm the night before if there are little to no class reservations.

Class Location

Classes are held in The Studio room at Key to Change Wellness, located at 140 W 14th St, Chattanooga, TN 37402. Key to Change Wellness is located inside Norspring Health & Wellness Center.

When you arrive for class, it’s recommended to enter in the side door around the left corner of the main Norspring Health & Wellness Center entrance that faces north along W 14th St. The Studio room is immediately to your left after entering the side door. You may also enter in the main front doors of Norspring Health & Wellness Center and ask a staff member to show you where class is located as long as it’s during their normal business hours. Classes may be held outside of Norspring Health & Wellness’s business hours, so it’s best to enter from the side door in case their main lobby area is locked.

 
picture showing the north side of the Norspring Health & Wellness building, with Sara pointing to the side door to the left of the main entrance and "Enter here" text with an arrow overlaid onto the image.

What is Pilates?

Joseph Pilates invented the movement practice known as Pilates in the early 1900s. Originally called Contrology, the practice consists of making repetitive movements with and without equipment. Pilates is known to increase core strength, improve balance, decrease stress, and more.

Woman with dark curly hair in a topknot hairstyle, smiling, wearing a lime green sleeveless top, dark pants, and a watch on her left wrist, arms crossed, standing against a plain light background.

Sara’s Pilates Approach

Sara’s main goal as a facilitator in the wellness space is to help people feel safe, confident, and in control of their bodies and experience.

Because healing and growth can look different for everyone, Sara takes pride in meeting her clients at any stage of a wellness journey. By holding space for people of all shapes, sizes, gender expressions, and abilities, she empowers them to cultivate bodily autonomy and take charge of their own experience.

Pilates FAQs

  • Bring yourself, some water, and an open mind! Extra mats and hand towels are available for use in a limited quality on a first-come, first-serve basis. You are welcome to bring and use your own mat.

    Grip socks can be worn during group mat Pilates classes, but are not required. Mat Pilates is traditionally done without shoes on. Wear clothing you’re comfortable moving around in.

  • If you’re contagiously sick, please stay home and get well and come back to class when you’re feeling better.

    If you have a major injury, it’s always best to let it heal first before doing any form of exercise. Depending on the severity and type of injury, there are usually many Pilates exercises that can still be done with proper modifications. If you have an injury and would like me to be aware so I can help modify exercises during class, please let me know before class and I’ll do my best to offer you modifications throughout class that are safe for your body.

    As always, please clear it with your doctor before practicing Pilates or any other forms of exercise or movement whether you have an injury or not.

  • Location: Group mat Pilates classes with Sara are located in The Studio at Key to Change Wellness, located at 140 W 14th St, Chattanooga, TN 37402. Key to Change Wellness is located inside the Norspring Health and Wellness building.

    Key to Change Wellness has a non-gendered restroom, storage lockers for your belongings during class, a water refilling station, and extra mats and props for class.

    Parking: There is a free parking lot for customers on the north side of the building. You can enter in the main Norspring Health and Wellness doors or in a door to the far left of the main entrance doors on the north side of the building (look for a Key to Change Wellness sign on the door).

  • Classical Pilates follows the approach Joseph Pilates originally intended when he invented the practice in the early twentieth century. It follows a strict order with minimal variation and uses specific equipment and apparatus.

    Contemporary Pilates is based on the fundamentals of Classical Pilates and incorporates modern fitness and physical therapy techniques. Contemporary Pilates also introduces new props and equipment that were not used by Joseph Pilates.

    Sara decided to get certified in Classical Pilates to have a better understanding of its authentic history and approach. Sara celebrates all methods of physical movement that help others feel better.