Welcome to Little Farmhouse Pilates — A Sanctuary for Wellness

About Little Farmhouse Pilates

Welcome to Little Farmhouse Pilates – A peaceful place to come home to your body. Located in a quiet residential neighborhood and connected to a private home, Little Farmhouse Pilates is a warm, beautifully equipped studio tucked into the tranquil hills of Fallbrook, California. This is more than just a workout space—it’s a sanctuary. A quiet, supportive environment where people from all walks of life can move, breathe, and heal. Whether you’re entering a new season of life—pregnancy, postpartum, aging gracefully—or you’re navigating recovery from injury, chronic stress, or simply seeking greater strength and balance, you are welcome here. This is a space where every body is honored, and every session is customized to meet your individual needs. My approach to Pilates is gentle yet deeply effective, blending intelligent movement with breath, mindfulness, and care for the nervous system. From seniors to athletes, beginners to experienced movers.

About Me

Judy Gerpheide – Expert in Movement and Wellness

With decades of experience in both Pilates and Yoga, I specialize in a somatic approach that integrates body, mind, and nervous system awareness. My sessions are carefully designed to support your individual journey—whether that means healing from injury, embracing active aging, preparing for or recovering from pregnancy, or simply enhancing everyday movement. I work with clients of all ages, including athletes to seniors, helping them maintain strength, balance, and mobility as they age gracefully. At Little Farmhouse Pilates I focus on creating a safe space where you can reconnect with your body. Through slow, intentional movement and breath work, I help you build lasting strength, improve balance, and experience the deep satisfaction of moving with mindfulness and ease.

Understanding the Pilates Approach for All Ages with a Somatic Emphasis

Pilates is a powerful movement system designed to support the body at every stage of life. Whether you’re new to exercise, returning from an injury, managing age-related changes, or simply looking to move more mindfully, Pilates meets you where you are. At its core, Pilates focuses on alignment, breath, control, and efficient movement — promoting strength, flexibility, and balance from the inside out.

I take a somatic approach to Pilates, placing emphasis on how movement feels rather than how it looks. This method encourages mindfulness, body awareness, and nervous system regulation. Instead of pushing harder, we explore gentler, more intentional movements that release tension, improve coordination, and support natural alignment.

This style of Pilates is especially helpful for older adults, those recovering from trauma or injury, or anyone managing stress, chronic pain, or emotional overwhelm. By inviting the body into a state of ease and safety, it fosters resilience, confidence, and a stronger connection between mind and body — which carries into everyday life. By calming the nervous system and fostering a sense of safety within the body, this approach supports healing from trauma, reduces chronic pain, and improves overall well-being. It’s especially helpful for people recovering from injury, managing stress, or experiencing physical or emotional challenges. Somatic Pilates invites you to move with intention and presence, helping you cultivate a deeper connection between mind and body, leading to greater ease, balance, and resilience in everyday life.

Please reach us at littlefarmhousepilates@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

What should I wear to a Little Farmhouse Pilates session

No loose jewelry. Wear comfortable clothes you can move easily in, much like you would wear to the gym or a yoga class. Avoid excessively baggy clothing as it can hinder movement and make it more difficult to assist you with proper form. Be mindful when choosing your attire that some Pilates exercises are done with your legs open and elevated or in the air. For both safety and sanitary reasons, we require that you wear socks with a grip on them.

The history of Pilates

Pilates was developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century. Originally called “Contrology,” the method was created as a way to improve physical strength, flexibility, and mental endurance. Joseph Pilates combined elements of yoga, gymnastics, and martial arts to create exercises that engage both the mind and body. He introduced Pilates to injured soldiers during World War I, helping them rehabilitate using his principles of controlled movement.

In the 1920s, Pilates opened his first studio in New York City, where his method gained popularity among dancers, athletes, and performers. Over time, Pilates evolved into a widely recognized practice used for fitness, rehabilitation, and overall well-being.

What is somatic Pilates

Somatic Pilates blends the principles of classical Pilates with somatic (body-based) practices to create a slower, more intuitive approach to movement. “Somatic” refers to the internal experience of the body—how it feels, not just how it looks or performs.

In a Somatic Pilates session, the emphasis is on deep listening to the body’s signals, mindful breath, and restoring natural movement patterns. The equipment provides gentle support and feedback, allowing for nervous system regulation, tension release, and improved motor control. This method is especially helpful for those recovering from injury, living with chronic stress, or seeking a more grounded, healing relationship with their body

What is the difference between mat and equipment Pilates?

Mat Pilates is performed on the floor using only a mat and sometimes small props like resistance bands or rings. It focuses on building core strength, flexibility, and balance using bodyweight exercises. It’s ideal for beginners or those looking for a convenient, equipment-free workout.

Equipment Pilates involves using specialized machines like the Reformer, Cadillac, Combo Chair and Pedi-Pole to add resistance and variety to the exercises. These machines allow for a wider range of motion and can be adjusted to different fitness levels, providing a more dynamic, full-body workout.

Both forms of Pilates emphasize core strength, controlled movements, and improved posture, but equipment Pilates offers a deeper, more customizable experience.

Little Farmhouse Pilates equipment

One of the unique aspects at Little Farmhouse Pilates is the use of all specialized Balanced Body & Gratz equipment to enhance and deepen the exercises.

• Reformer: A bed-like frame with a sliding carriage and springs that offers resistance-based exercises for core strength, stability, and flexibility.

• Cadillac: A versatile apparatus that includes bars, straps, and springs to assist with a wide range of movements targeting the whole body.

• Combo Chair: Compact yet challenging, this chair allows for a variety of seated and standing exercises that build strength and improve balance.

• Ladder Barrel: Used to improve posture, flexibility, and spine alignment, the Barrel is a great tool for stretching and supporting the back and core.

• Pedi Pole: A vertical pole with two handles attached to springs, the Pedi Pole focuses on balance, alignment, and upper body strength. It’s a fantastic tool for improving posture and core stability through controlled movements.

At Little Farmhouse Pilates, I provide instruction on both mat exercises and the full range of Pilates apparatus, including the Reformer, Cadillac, Combo Chair, Ladder Barrel, and Pedi Pole. This ensures that every workout is tailored to your personal needs and goals.

What should I expect during a Little Farmhouse Pilates session

A one-on-one Pilates session at Little Farmhouse Pilates is all about you. I customize each session based on your unique goals, whether you’re aiming to improve strength, flexibility, posture, or recover from an injury. During these private sessions, you’ll receive my full attention as we create a personalized plan suited to your fitness level and needs.

Expect a variety of movements using both mat exercises and specialized Pilates equipment, including the Reformer, Combo Chair, Ladder Barrel, and the Pedi Pole. Each of these tools is designed to target different muscle groups, improve alignment, and challenge your body in ways that are both safe and effective.

With clear guidance and detailed instruction, I’ll help you move through each exercise with proper form, ensuring maximum results while preventing injury. These sessions offer a calm, supportive environment where you can focus entirely on yourself, leaving you feeling stronger, more balanced, and rejuvenated.

Whether you’re new to Pilates or an experienced practitioner, a one-on-one session will give you the personalized attention you need to reach your goals.

Is Pilates a good workout for weight loss?

Yes, Pilates can be an effective part of a weight loss plan, but it’s important to understand how it works and what to expect. While Pilates may not burn as many calories in a single session as high-intensity workouts like running or cycling, it offers unique benefits that contribute to long-term weight loss and overall body composition improvements.

1. Builds Lean Muscle and Boosts Metabolism

Pilates focuses on strengthening and toning your muscles, especially the core muscles (abs, back, and pelvic floor). The exercises use controlled movements and resistance, which help build lean muscle mass. As you build more muscle, your body burns more calories—even at rest—because muscle tissue requires more energy to maintain than fat. Over time, this can help increase your metabolism and contribute to fat loss.

2. Enhances Body Awareness and Posture

One of the key benefits of Pilates is its focus on body awareness and alignment. As you improve your posture and learn to engage your muscles properly, you may start to move more efficiently throughout the day. This leads to better body mechanics, reduced stress on your joints, and a more active, calorie-burning lifestyle.

3. Supports a Balanced and Sustainable Fitness Routine

Unlike high-impact workouts that can be hard on your joints, Pilates is a low-impact exercise, making it ideal for people of all fitness levels, including those recovering from injury or those who want to avoid joint stress. Because it’s gentle on the body, Pilates can be practiced consistently over time, which is key to maintaining weight loss. It’s also highly adaptable, meaning that as your fitness improves, the exercises can be made more challenging to continue seeing results.

4. Improves Flexibility and Reduces Stress

While Pilates is primarily known for strengthening, it also improves flexibility and helps relieve muscle tension. This combination of strength and flexibility supports a well-balanced body, which can help prevent injuries and support other physical activities. In addition, Pilates emphasizes mindful breathing and relaxation, which can reduce stress. Lower stress levels are linked to better weight management because stress hormones, like cortisol, can contribute to weight gain, especially around the midsection.

5. Works Best When Combined with a Healthy Lifestyle

While Pilates can support weight loss, combining it with other healthy habits will maximize your results. Pairing Pilates with cardiovascular exercises like walking, cycling, or swimming can help you burn more calories, while a balanced diet rich in whole foods will help fuel your body and support your fitness goals.

Conclusion

Pilates is an excellent way to tone your body, strengthen your core, and improve flexibility, all of which are important for overall fitness and weight loss. While it may not provide the rapid calorie burn of some high-intensity workouts, it supports sustainable weight loss by building lean muscle, boosting metabolism, and promoting better posture and movement. For the best results, combine Pilates with a balanced diet and other physical activities for a comprehensive approach to your health and fitness journey.

Welcome to Little Farmhouse Pilates — A Sanctuary for Wellness

About Little Farmhouse Pilates

What Is Pilates

About Me

Judy Gerpheide – Expert in Movement and Wellness

Understanding the Pilates Approach for All Ages with a Somatic Emphasis

Contact Me

Questions or concerns?

Send Message

Welcome to Little Farmhouse Pilates — A Sanctuary for Wellness

About Little Farmhouse Pilates

What Is Pilates

About Me

Judy Gerpheide – Expert in Movement and Wellness

Understanding the Pilates Approach for All Ages with a Somatic Emphasis

Contact Me

Questions or concerns?

Send Message

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