Honor our craft with integrity, curiosity, honest self-assessment, and continuous study and self-development. Foster a welcoming, team-oriented and focused atmosphere for optimal learning and teaching. Encourage a culture of respect. Serve as a premier learning destination and teacher training center for Pilates, Franklin Method, CoreAlign and other innovative body/mind disciplines.
Expand and inspire our community to live healthy, balanced lives. Support efforts to promote the health of our communities and protect the environment we all share.
Expand and inspire our community to live healthy, balanced lives. Support efforts to promote the health of our communities and protect the environment we all share.
Services
Center of Balance has been a premier Pilates teacher training center since 2001, with full mat and equipment courses directed by Tom McCook for Balanced Body (BB). The Center of Balance & BB Program is designed to create thoughtful, creative and successful Pilates teachers. Our curriculum emphasizes the principles underlying each exercise.
Center of Balance is seeking a part-time Virtual Assistant to join our talented and dedicated team of Movement Educators and Physical Therapy specialists!
Now that we've moved to our new hybrid model offering in-studio and virtual Zoom sessions, we are looking for an organized, professional and caring person to help us navigate our important administrative tasks and the workflow of our Directors, support our teaching staff and clients, and be part of our connected community.
Now that we've moved to our new hybrid model offering in-studio and virtual Zoom sessions, we are looking for an organized, professional and caring person to help us navigate our important administrative tasks and the workflow of our Directors, support our teaching staff and clients, and be part of our connected community.
Join us for one of our inspiring getaway retreats! Led by Tom and Karen, our retreats are set in beautiful locations to help you unwind, reconnect with yourself and others, immerse yourself in meaningful mind/body activities, and explore the natural surroundings. With hands-on teaching and encouragement, you will broaden, accelerate and enrich your daily practice in a supportive group setting.
Center of Balance was founded in 1997 by health and movement specialist Tom McCook and business partner and wife, Karen deMoor. The studio has developed into an internationally-recognized learning destination and teacher training center, specializing in Pilates, CoreAlign, Franklin Method, and Physical Therapy.
Tom McCook, Founder and Director of Center of Balance in Mountain View, CA, is an internationally-recognized Pilates Master Teacher and movement specialist. Beginning in 1984, Tom designs programs for health and life performance for a range of clients, from Silicon Valley executives and Olympic athletes, to active seniors and people looking for solutions to their imbalances and injuries.
Reviews (20)
Karen D.
Mar 06, 2020
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Louie Lu
Sep 09, 2019
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Adam D.
Jan 05, 2018
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Center of Balance is a real resource for health and well-being in Silicon Valley. The atmosphere (vibe) is serene and relaxed and the matt classes are great. Tom McCook is a bona fide master of Pilates and the Franklin Method and a great teacher of both, having worked and taught in this field for more than 25 years. This place is the gold standard. Check it out.
Dave Masters
Nov 20, 2016
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Bird A.
May 30, 2015
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CoB is definitely my favorite Pilates studio in the Bay Area. The owners genuinely care about the customers and are constantly trying to improve how things are being run. The instructors are always very professional and helpful - I started out as a beginner but I didn't feel intimidated at all. It has such a great atmosphere and overall awesome experience. Beautiful studio too! The retreats and workshops they organize also seem very interesting - one of these days I'm going to sign up for one!
Calvin C.
Apr 07, 2015
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Kristin Chen
Nov 27, 2014
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This is an amazing studio!! I come here for private sessions with my trainer Matthew Ryan Carney. They have an extensive selection of equipment and it's really clean and beautiful. Don't get scared off by the crazy looking Pilates reformers -- I was definitely intimidated at first but you will get an extremely targeted and effective workout. Not going to lie, when I first saw a reformer it looked like a medieval torture device or something from 50 Shades of Grey....it's actually great Pilates workout :)!
My training with Matthew has helped me recover from a hip flexor injury and has also improved
My training with Matthew has helped me recover from a hip flexor injury and has also improved
Cassandra E.
Mar 31, 2013
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I like this studio. I feel like I have only experienced a fraction of the classes and services that are offered, but I will share my experience any way.
Positives:
~Mat Classes Only- introductory pack: $50- 5 classes!
~Variety of talented teachers ( I strongly encourage you to try them all before you decide yay or nay on a more permanent class package or membership)
~Conveniently right off the freeway.
~Plenty of parking available
~Super friendly front desk ladies
~Great retail store to purchase props, books and videos for home practice
~Most of the mat classes are great for people that have been
Positives:
~Mat Classes Only- introductory pack: $50- 5 classes!
~Variety of talented teachers ( I strongly encourage you to try them all before you decide yay or nay on a more permanent class package or membership)
~Conveniently right off the freeway.
~Plenty of parking available
~Super friendly front desk ladies
~Great retail store to purchase props, books and videos for home practice
~Most of the mat classes are great for people that have been
Debbie H.
Jul 18, 2012
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I signed up for the starter package of 3 privates and 5 group lessons. Since then, I've joined two different groups so that I am in two sessions per week. The instructors (I've had 4 different instructors) have all been wonderful. They tell and/or show you exactly what to do, and how it should feel when you are doing it, which is very helpful. They also tell you why that particular exercise is helpful and what muscles you are working.
The facility is smaller than I expected, but they make use of every space and have very nice equipment, all in excellent condition. It has never felt
The facility is smaller than I expected, but they make use of every space and have very nice equipment, all in excellent condition. It has never felt
Lucas W.
Apr 22, 2012
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My wife recommended Center of Balance since they really helped her with some medical conditions she's been struggling with. I love this place so far. I got a welcome package, and I'm now doing more private sessions. My instructor (Amy) has been extremely helpful, and Pilates has been far and away the most helpful thing I've tried for my back problems (including more than $1000 in ergonomic chairs/keyboards/desk and massage). I feel much more aware of how my body moves, and I'm still learning a lot every time I go.
The staff is always friendly, though they can be hard to
The staff is always friendly, though they can be hard to
Dawn V.
Feb 18, 2011
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What a wonderful place! Quality instructors from various backgrounds, each one a health advocate in their own way. Everyone who works there is very friendly and personable.
I started with the Welcome Package and then with several more Private sessions since I have no dance background. It took me a while to realize I was getting something out of it, but now I take 2 or 3 group lessons each week, and I get soooo bummed if I'm out of town and/or can't make it to my classes!! I like to take classes from various instructors because each of them (I've taken classes from 7 of their instructors
I started with the Welcome Package and then with several more Private sessions since I have no dance background. It took me a while to realize I was getting something out of it, but now I take 2 or 3 group lessons each week, and I get soooo bummed if I'm out of town and/or can't make it to my classes!! I like to take classes from various instructors because each of them (I've taken classes from 7 of their instructors
Camille H.
May 08, 2010
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I started going to Center of Balance in 2005 during grad school because it was close, and they had a great student discount.
5 years later, I found myself going out of my way 1 - 2 days/week to stop here on my way home from Cupertino to SF.
Owen (Monday night) is hands down my favorite instructor, but every single class I've taken here is fabulous. Tom, the founder of the studio teaches a Weds evening class that I started taking when I had another commitment Monday night. His classes are of course excellent as well.
Reasons why I love CoB:
- The instructors (especially Owen). They are
5 years later, I found myself going out of my way 1 - 2 days/week to stop here on my way home from Cupertino to SF.
Owen (Monday night) is hands down my favorite instructor, but every single class I've taken here is fabulous. Tom, the founder of the studio teaches a Weds evening class that I started taking when I had another commitment Monday night. His classes are of course excellent as well.
Reasons why I love CoB:
- The instructors (especially Owen). They are
Jboogie L.
Oct 24, 2009
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I finished my 8 sessions (5 private, 3 mat session) because they were doing a promo. I selected the associate instructor, AnnaLenna. She really focused on areas that affect my daily living strain due to my job.
I feel refreshed, re-energized with my posture and breathing.
I had an amazing mat/yoga class with Owen and a good meditative class with Tom Cook.
My only compliant is that the classes are either in the early morning, afternoon, and very seldom late at night.
I was referred here by two physical therapists.
I feel refreshed, re-energized with my posture and breathing.
I had an amazing mat/yoga class with Owen and a good meditative class with Tom Cook.
My only compliant is that the classes are either in the early morning, afternoon, and very seldom late at night.
I was referred here by two physical therapists.
Monica S.
Nov 20, 2008
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The Center of Balance and it's teachers helped change my life. Not only am I 20lbs lighter with better tone and strength in my muscles, but I have learned more about the human body and how it works than I ever did in any science class. The teachers not only explain how things work, but help put it into practice for every day movement.
The studio is mostly Pilates oriented, but most classes have some yoga poses worked into them and they offer two Pilates-Yoga Progression classes each week. For anyone who does yoga, pilates can help take your practice to another level. Pilates teaches about
The studio is mostly Pilates oriented, but most classes have some yoga poses worked into them and they offer two Pilates-Yoga Progression classes each week. For anyone who does yoga, pilates can help take your practice to another level. Pilates teaches about
Flor D.
Apr 01, 2008
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So I finally got around to trying this place...finally...and I'm sure glad I did. One might say, It was on my "gut busting" tour.
I walked in for a pilates mat class and walked out with a free one-OH YAH! I arrived a bit early to check out the digs. Bridget was kind enough to give me a tour and inspire me to work hard! Nice industrial space that caters to working off some steam! On the left is the studio for group classes, and on the right is the equipment/reformer room. They must have had like 8 or so machines. It was cool and I assume great for personal training.
After my
I walked in for a pilates mat class and walked out with a free one-OH YAH! I arrived a bit early to check out the digs. Bridget was kind enough to give me a tour and inspire me to work hard! Nice industrial space that caters to working off some steam! On the left is the studio for group classes, and on the right is the equipment/reformer room. They must have had like 8 or so machines. It was cool and I assume great for personal training.
After my
Jill P.
Sep 16, 2007
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This is the best pilates/yoga studio I've been to. Usually I find myself bored, even in an hour long yoga class, but this is the first place where I've been able to make it through an entire 90-minute session without looking at the clock, and often times I'm wishing the class would last longer. The instructors are great, whether in a group class or in individual sessions. I would go everyday if I could!
Helen T.
Aug 16, 2007
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I came for the pilates/yoga progression class on tues morning w/ owen, and it was pretty good. it's really relaxing and consisted of lots of stretching, but i didn't sweat at all, so it made me think that i did not get a workout. i am going to give it another shot tho and see if i like it better. this studio is great tho, b/c they have tons of equipment on-hand.
$18 for drop ins, and for first timers, your second class is free!
$18 for drop ins, and for first timers, your second class is free!
Alison F.
Aug 02, 2007
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Although prices are on the higher end for private sessions and group classes, the quality of the instructors is so worth it. Private sessions are tailored to individual needs. Some days I come in with complaints of hip tightness.. other days my neck is stiff.. yesterday, my knees felt tweeky from a yoga class I took somewhere else. Whatever the reason, I always walk out of there with relief. The instructors' knowledge of the human body and the way it works is truly incredible.
Wendy M.
Sep 18, 2006
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I went there once to get some more information about their yoga classes and I found them very rude. When I first got to the counter there were two people standing there right in front of me, but they kept on talking to each other. I waited patiently and finally after about 30 second they decided to acknowledge me. I had a few questions about their pre-paid classes and their tone when they were answering my questions were kind of rude. They were stuck up and it just turned me off from the place. It was as if they didn't car for additional business. I didn't care, since the look from the
Shannon N.
Jul 21, 2006
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