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Natural Pilates Upper East Side is the New York City outpost of Laura Wilson’s acclaimed Pilates brand, located at 244 E 84th Street on the fourth floor. With a 4.9 Google rating from 339 reviews, the UES location has quickly become one of the highest-rated Pilates studios in Manhattan. Founded by Laura Wilson, a Romanian immigrant who arrived in the US with $100 and built a Pilates empire spanning five studios and a global on-demand platform, Natural Pilates brings a proprietary method, Merrithew equipment, and Gyrotonic training to the Upper East Side.
If you are looking for a Natural Pilates NYC experience that combines reformer and tower work with a method developed by one of the most credentialed instructors in the country, the Upper East Side studio delivers at the highest level. In this review, we cover the NP Method, the founder’s remarkable story, class formats, and what makes Natural Pilates stand out in one of the world’s most competitive Pilates markets.
About Natural Pilates
Natural Pilates was founded by Laura Wilson (born Bogdaniuc), who immigrated to the United States from Romania in 2002 with just $100 in her pocket. She was first introduced to Pilates while working as a massage therapist in a physical therapy office in Santa Monica. Having been involved in sports her whole life, she immediately recognized the benefits of Pilates for both athletes and rehabilitation.
Laura’s credentials are extraordinary:
- STOTT Pilates full certification (2005)
- Gyrotonic certified (2008)
- Spin certified (2011)
- Vinyasa Yoga certified (2011)
- Resistance Training Specialist (2012)
- Muscle Activation Technique Specialist (2012)
In 2005, Laura opened her first studio in Beverly Hills, across from the iconic Peninsula Hotel. By 2017, she had created her own teacher training program, applying her knowledge of anatomy to the physics behind the Pilates repertoire. The Natural Pilates Teacher Training Program (Mat and Reformer) is accredited by the Pilates Method Alliance’s ITTAP Program.
During the 2020 pandemic, Laura launched Natural Pilates TV, an on-demand platform with hundreds of hours of Pilates workouts and continuing education workshops accredited by the National Pilates Certification Program. She also branded her own line of Pilates props and fitness products.
From a one-person business in 2005, Natural Pilates has grown to nearly 50 employees across five locations: Beverly Hills, Brentwood, West Hollywood, Sherman Oaks, and New York City (with two NYC studios on the Upper East Side and Upper West Side). The brand also offers franchising opportunities.
Classes and Services at Natural Pilates UES
Natural Pilates uses Merrithew brand equipment, including the V2 Max Reformer/Tower Combination and the Stability (Wunda) Chair. The spring system forces the body to eliminate momentum, creating stability and balance while building strength.
Group Reformer/Tower Classes
Group classes use the V2 Max Reformer, which combines the reformer and tower into one piece of equipment. This gives instructors the ability to program both reformer-based and tower-based exercises within a single class, adding variety and challenge that reformer-only studios cannot match.
Stability Chair Classes
The Wunda (Stability) Chair is used for exercises that challenge balance, core stability, and functional strength in standing, sitting, and prone positions.
Gyrotonic Sessions
Natural Pilates is one of the few NYC studios offering Gyrotonic alongside Pilates. Gyrotonic uses specialized equipment to create spiraling, circular movements that open the joints, increase range of motion, and strengthen the body through fluid, three-dimensional movement patterns.
Intro Classes
New clients are recommended to start with a 30-minute intro class that teaches the anatomy of the equipment and basic movements. The studio accommodates everyone from teens to older populations, athletes to clients recovering from injuries, with modifications and spring variations for beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels.
Private Sessions
One-on-one sessions tailored to your individual goals and needs, available on reformer, tower, chair, and Gyrotonic equipment.
Natural Pilates TV (On-Demand)
For at-home practice, Natural Pilates TV offers hundreds of hours of workouts and continuing education workshops. This gives NYC members the ability to supplement studio sessions with home practice, and allows non-NYC clients to experience the NP Method from anywhere.
Natural Pilates Pricing
Natural Pilates offers pricing through their booking app and website. Contact the UES studio directly for current rates and new client offers.
UES Contact: (646) 370-1977
UWS Contact: (646) 351-6643
The studio has a dedicated app available on both Apple App Store and Google Play for booking, scheduling, and viewing promotions.
What Makes Natural Pilates Unique
Laura Wilson’s Immigrant Success Story
Laura Wilson’s journey from arriving in the US with $100 to building a five-studio Pilates empire is one of the most compelling founder stories in the fitness industry. Her relentless pursuit of education (six certifications across multiple disciplines) and her creation of an accredited teacher training program demonstrate a level of commitment to the craft that is rare. When you take a class at Natural Pilates, you are experiencing a method shaped by 20 years of this dedication.
The NP Method
Natural Pilates is not a generic reformer studio. Laura created her own method in 2017, influenced by her training in resistance techniques and muscle activation. The NP Method applies anatomy and physics to the classical Pilates repertoire and the functionality of the equipment. This proprietary approach means classes at Natural Pilates feel different from classes at other studios, even other STOTT-affiliated studios.
Merrithew V2 Max Reformer/Tower Combo
The V2 Max is one of the most versatile pieces of Pilates equipment available. By combining the reformer and tower into one unit, Natural Pilates can offer exercises that blend horizontal (reformer) and vertical (tower) spring resistance in a single session. This equipment choice gives the studio a significant advantage over studios that only use standard reformers.
Gyrotonic Training
Very few Pilates studios in NYC offer Gyrotonic alongside Pilates. This unique movement system uses spiraling, circular patterns that complement Pilates beautifully. For clients who want to improve rotation, joint mobility, and three-dimensional movement, the ability to combine Pilates and Gyrotonic in one studio is exceptional.
PMA-Accredited Teacher Training
The Natural Pilates Teacher Training Program is accredited by the Pilates Method Alliance’s ITTAP Program, the industry’s gold standard for Pilates education accreditation. This means the studio is not just teaching clients; it is training the next generation of Pilates instructors to the highest standard.
Multi-Platform Ecosystem
Between five physical studios, Natural Pilates TV (on-demand), a branded product line, an accredited teacher training program, and franchising, Natural Pilates has built a comprehensive ecosystem. As a client, this means you can practice in-studio, at home, buy quality props, and even train to become an instructor, all within the Natural Pilates world.
Location and Getting There
Upper East Side
Address: 244 E 84th St, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10028
Phone: (646) 370-1977
Located on the Upper East Side between 2nd and 3rd Avenues. Accessible via the 4/5/6 trains (86th Street station) and the Q train (86th Street station). Close to Carl Schurz Park and the Yorkville neighborhood.
Upper West Side
Address: 2091 Broadway, 3rd and 4th Floor, New York, NY 10023
Phone: (646) 351-6643
Located on Broadway near the 72nd Street corridor. Accessible via the 1/2/3 trains (72nd Street station).
Who Is Natural Pilates Best For?
- Best for beginners? Yes. The 30-minute intro class, modifications for all levels, and welcoming atmosphere make Natural Pilates accessible to newcomers. The studio explicitly states they accommodate “anyone from teens to older populations, from athletes to clients recovering from injuries.”
- Best for reformer enthusiasts? Absolutely. The Merrithew V2 Max Reformer/Tower Combination is among the best equipment available, and the NP Method is specifically designed to maximize its potential.
- Best for the Pilates Princess aesthetic? Yes. Natural Pilates has a polished, premium brand identity across its studios, app, on-demand platform, and product line. The Beverly Hills origins and NYC expansion reflect a brand that understands aesthetics and quality.
- Best for Gyrotonic? Yes. Natural Pilates is one of the few NYC studios offering both Pilates and Gyrotonic, making it ideal for clients who want to explore both modalities.
- Best for aspiring instructors? Yes. The PMA-accredited teacher training program and continuing education workshops make Natural Pilates a hub for Pilates education.
- Best for at-home practice? Yes. Natural Pilates TV provides hundreds of hours of on-demand content for supplementing studio sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Natural Pilates
Does Natural Pilates offer beginner classes?
Yes. The studio recommends a 30-minute intro class for newcomers to learn the equipment and basic movements. All group classes offer modifications for beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. The instructors are trained to accommodate all fitness levels and ages.
How much does Natural Pilates cost?
Contact the UES studio at (646) 370-1977 or download the Natural Pilates app for current pricing, promotions, and new client offers. The studio offers group classes, private sessions, and various membership and class pack options.
Does Natural Pilates have reformer classes?
Yes. The studio uses the Merrithew V2 Max Reformer/Tower Combination, one of the most versatile reformer systems available. Group classes incorporate both reformer and tower exercises. Private sessions can include reformer, tower, stability chair, and Gyrotonic equipment.
What is Gyrotonic and does Natural Pilates offer it?
Gyrotonic is a movement system that uses specialized equipment to create spiraling, circular movements that open joints and increase range of motion. Natural Pilates offers Gyrotonic sessions alongside Pilates, making it one of the few NYC studios where you can practice both modalities under one roof.
How many locations does Natural Pilates have in NYC?
Natural Pilates has two NYC locations: Upper East Side (244 E 84th St) and Upper West Side (2091 Broadway). The brand also has three Los Angeles locations (Beverly Hills, Brentwood, West Hollywood) and one in Sherman Oaks.
Looking for More Pilates Studios in New York?
New York has 137 Pilates studios in our directory. Browse all curated Pilates studios in New York on our Studio Finder directory. For a comprehensive overview, read our 137 Best Pilates Studios in New York (2026 Guide). For other reviewed NYC studios, check out Abena Pilates (classical GRATZ on UWS), PilatesTime NYC (family-owned on UES), or Foundation Pilates (Romana lineage in Midtown East).
If you love the NP Method and want at-home practice between studio sessions, check out our Reformer Pilates at Home Starter Kit. And for a structured mat program, our Mat Pilates at Home Playbook complements your reformer work beautifully.
Natural Pilates Upper East Side is located at 244 E 84th St, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10028. Visit their website at naturalpilates.com or call (646) 370-1977 to get started.
