Classes

Pilates is a key component of a well-rounded fitness program. No matter your fitness background, you will improve posture, body alignment and achieve an optimum core workout – whether you take a group mat class online or work one-on-one online or on the Reformer or Cadillac at the studio in Littleton, MA.

My approach, both on the mat, the Reformer, the Pilates Cadillac and Ladder Barrel, is to incorporate a deep warm-up coupled with keen attention to your individual movement pattern.

Utilizing a few simple tools like Joe’s Magic Circle, small balls and the TheraBand, or what you may already have at home, like chairs, hand weights, broom sticks or bathrobe belts, we can creatively facilitate deeper stretches and better articulation of the spine. This attention to detail is the also the focus of my one-on-one sessions.

See the Classes Overview section for the accurate times and dates.

Online Beginner & Beginner with Props

We all need an exercise routine to warm up our muscles for activity and connect with our body. If you have been sedentary or restricted in movement after an injury, this class is for you. The Pilates Beginner mat work is highly modifiable and I offer more difficult options with every class. If you are unsure where to start, just connect with me.

Beginner with Props are usually taught using the Pilates ring (Magic Circle), TheraBand, and balls. For those who do not have these at home, we use a chair, belts, small weights, and broomsticks (YES!!!).

Who is it good for?

  • Seniors
  • Starting again after injury
  • Never tried Pilates before
  • Connecting deeply in slower movements
  • Presenters

Schedule

All classes 50 minutes:

  • Contact Tess if interested

Register

$15/session

Free Trial Class

Find out how to take your first class for free.

Learn More

Online Intermediate

Intermediate Pilates Class
The Intermediate work out includes more difficult exercises, requiring more strength and sometimes better coordination and balance. This class is generally for the students who have had a few years of Pilates and know the basic principles fairly well. However, there are many modifications and the exercises are added with care and explanation that can make it accessible for the beginner. if you are unsure if you should try this class, email me your questions.

Who is it good for?

  • Athletes
  • Dancers
  • Teachers of Yoga and other fitness modalities
  • Pilates enthusiasts
  • Actors with lots of movement experience

Schedule

  • Th: 10 am – Intermediate Mat (weights optional)

Register

$15/session

Free Trial Class

Find out how to take your first class for free.

Learn More

Online Advanced

Advanced Pilates requires good coordination, an understanding of the core muscles and their placement and the ability to pay close attention when an exercise is too much. One or two years of Pilates is a minimum requirement. We move quicker and with less instruction in this class. I assume you know some of the terminology of pelvic placement, positioning on the mat and the basic mechanics of the exercises. From here we will add dynamics, depth of the exercises and difficulty. There are a few exercises that only appear in this class: Neck pull, Balance control and Rollover are examples. If you are in doubt as to whether this level is for you, please connect with me first.

Schedule

  • Sat: 10 am

Register

$15/session

Free Trial Class

Find out how to take your first class for free.

Learn More
Tess Degen Pilates

Physical Actor

A group class that will warm you up for auditions, performances, presentations, and rehearsals or the general practice of speaking in public.

What do you need to be able to speak in public besides a fabulous idea and good text? Stage presence! You know this, but how do you practice it?

This class is for you if you speak in public fairly frequently and find yourself wondering about your body language and voice quality. We will warm up by engaging and stretching the large muscle groups and warming up the voice with different exercises including pitch range extension. Actors warm up their whole self by integrating body and mind. The Alexander Technique can offer insight on how to use your ’self’ in the most efficient and least destructive ways, especially when nerves and tensions are high.

Who is it good for?

  • Actors
  • Ted Talk presenters
  • Politicians
  • Vloggers
  • Anyone speaking in public

Schedule

  • Contact Tess if interested

Register

$20/session

Online & Studio 1×1 Sessions

Designed for anyone! We will go over your needs and goals in detail and adjust your exercises every session. We can work slowly and build up as you get stronger. We can also use props and add exercises and adjust the difficulty levels when ready. If you own any of the smaller equipment, we can incorporate it into your workout. if you own a Reformer, I can teach you remotely or onsite at my studio space in West Concord, MA.

Who is it good for?

  • Everyone!

Schedule

  • Available upon request Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9-4. Thursday, Friday 9-6.

Register

Please contact Tess to discuss your needs, schedule and pricing.
Contact Tess

Classes at a Glance

Monday

Tuesday

  • 9 am - Beginner

Wednesday

Thursday

  • 10 am - Intermediate Mat  - weights optional

Friday

Sat

  • 10 am - Advanced

I was in awe of Tess’s ability to command a room and work together with different fitness levels at the same time. In other words, she can make each class as if you were the only one she was focusing on, not matter how many people are in the class. Her voice is so compelling that even without music, you could follow her detailed direction and her beautiful tonal quality had its own rhythm to keep you going. Tess always brought new fresh ideas to class. She would listen intently to each participant and would always come the next week armed with something new and challenging. She was able to push me to do more and each class which built upon the next. For example, the stretches and poses I could barely do the first year, come naturally to me now. I always told her my favorite-shirt should say “Body by Tess!”

Nancy M.