Upward Spiral Studio

I tried GYROTONIC exercise more or less out of curiosity a bit over a year ago, after I had developed some inhibiting pain in my hip and upper left leg due to a nerve impingement from scoliosis and spinal stenosis. I had already tried many forms of therapy and gotten some relief, but a dramatic change occurred when I started working with Martha at Upward Spiral. She was incredibly informed and insightful about what types of movements were feasible and what would be helpful, using a very hands-​on process to guide and cajole me through movements that simultaneously stretched, strengthened and rotated my spine and core muscles — mostly muscles I had been neglecting or had no comparable means of engaging.
After the very first session, I was amazed at having an improved posture that was taller and effortless. To my surprise, it also helped my violin playing — not just by making it more comfortable, but by making it richer in tone quality! I was hooked and have gone once or twice weekly since then, with no material back pain for over a year. All of the staff are fantastic, caring, knowledgeable and attentive coaches. My two college-​aged sons have also participated and share my reactions.
Frank, age 62, active in martial arts and freelance music

I truly think of Upward Spiral Studio as Heaven in Central Square. I have had great benefits recently while recovering from foot surgery and a shoulder problem through both gyrokinesis and gyro tonic sessions and years ago from pilates as well. I was introduced to gyrokinesis while working in Hawaii and when I returned to Cambridge I found Upward Spiral. At that time I had gyro tonic sessions with Patryshia which were really amazingly helpful for my posture. I combined gyro tonic with gyrokinesis group classes taught by Martha. I added pilates sessions taught by Paula for increased core strength. These methods have been amazing for improving my posture, core strength, and awareness of how I have been habitually moving, especially since my recent injuries. While recovering from surgery I have been having an intensive series of sessions with Martha whose master trainer level in gyro tonics, knowledge of a variety of other movement therapies, and ability to motivate me is helping me regain function by leaps and bounds. Martha makes sessions fun and interesting as well as challenging to motivate me me to keep improving. I have also enjoyed gyrokinesis group classes with Karyl and gyro tonic sessions with two new trainees, Lorelei and Elena. The studio is very clean and bright and everyone there is cheerful and uplifting. It has truly been a joy to find such a great studio with such amazing practitioners so close by. I am so glad I discovered these methods and Upward Spiral Studio.

I have been working with Ivan for several months and I just keep getting stronger. Ivan is extremely patient but demanding at the same time. Ivan is extremely knowledgeable about relationship between affect, posture and tension. I just walk through the door and he knows if I am upset or particularly stressed. I really enjoy working with him and hope he never stops.

I started working with Ivan last weekend. He worked with me for over an hour and am heading back again this week. He was positive, motivating, gentle and yet demanding. He recognized and saw the areas of my body that were tight and helped me to understand how my body as a whole interacts and affected itself. He also pointed out the negative self talk that I was unaware that I was doing. This whole week I have felt myself day inn taller and stopping the negative self-​talk as soon as it starts. Am excited to keep working with him.

I recently took my first Gyrotonic class with Bess. She is a gifted teacher who knows how to explain and demonstrate technique. I have taken pilates classes too, and found it very helpful for my chronic back pain. The thing I like about Gyrotonic is the continuous flowing movement. It’s very graceful and I do not have to stain or hold a position.

I began working with Ivan at Upward Spiral in the Spring of 2011. I had alot of SI joint and upper back problems due to a pregnancy and lack of core strength. Ivan really helped be get in tune with the musculature of my core and realize how my breath and focus could help me drive energy and strength to the areas that required attention. It was like opening an oyster with a pearl in it. Our work continued for about a year, until I moved away. I am forever grateful to him for his knowledge, patience and the respect he gave me in allowing me to move at my own pace, while also believing in me enough to challenge me.

I came for my first class on an advanced class without knowing, I don’t know why the teacher thought that I can come for my first lesson to this class, the fit was very very bad and wrong. I had a terrible experience and I’m never going back there.

I started Pilates for the first time with this studio, and have been working at it now for maybe four years. My main teacher has been Ivan, who taught me both mat and on the machines. I’ve been a loyal follower as the studio changed spaces, but now they seem settled in their current spot, and it’s nice and clean. It always has been– they take care of the space. The other instructors that I’ve met are nice people. I look forward to coming here, and working out the stiffness in my body from having a desk job. I was measured at the doctor recently, and actually measured a full inch taller since starting these workouts that I’m pretty sure helped to elongate my spine, and improve posture. It’s a great studio :)

Great workout, I use it to supplement my other workouts. Instructors all seem very nice and accommodate different levels. Too bad mat classes are only at 6:30pm during the week.

I was having a blue Christmas and discovered this charming little studio nestled in residential Central Square. Paula was very encouraging and welcomed me as a newcomer. I have been doing Pilates at my gym at work since it has been helping me greatly with my passion, ballroom dance, and was looking for a place on the weekend. I highly recommend Upward Spiral, the equipment is new, the place is immaculate, and the teachers highly skilled and encouraging.

I hesitate to write, as Upward Spiral Studio is a bit of a hidden gem, but have to pay it forward — this is the place! I have not found a group of instructors more knowledgeable and connected to what they do. So many Pilates classes seem to just go through the motions, however the Mat classes at Upward Spiral really challenge you in teaching you about your body and its holding patterns. I’ve taken Mat with Bess, Paula, and Martha, and have been entirely impressed with how all three give individual corrections for each client. You feel as though the class is tailored to your body and its needs. For years, I’ve struggled with chronic back and hip pain, and yet always walk away from class feeling as though my spine has been realigned, and my core strengthened. USS is a cornerstone of my physical practice — highly recommended for anyone wanting to learn more about their body, for strength and injury prevention! Check out Antonio’s Boot Camp Mat class for that added challenge!

I’ve been coming to Upward Spiral for a little over a year now, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. It was recommended to me by a physical therapist who was failing to have any success with chronic pain issues that I was having. I had done STOTT Pilates before, but had to stop because I was having too much pain in my neck. I was skeptical about whether I was ready to do pilates again. It turns out I was ready to do it, thanks to the careful guidance of the skilled teachers at Upward Spiral. In the last year, that pain has improved significantly, and the ladies at Upward Spiral have a lot to do with that. I’m now even considering becoming a certified instructor myself, something I didn’t think I’d ever be able to do. I’ve also been able to go back to taking ballet classes, something that the chronic pain had stopped me from doing for over 5 years.
I’ve taken lessons in gyrotonics, gyrokinesis, and pilates on both mat and apparatus with Martha, Patrishya, Bess, and Josie. I would recommend all of them! Martha travels the most, so sometimes that can be disruptive to keeping a regular schedule with her. But she’s also one of the most knowledgeable, and she can teach you a lot. A warning though: her passion for gyrotonics and gyrokinesis is infectious!
I do most of my one on one work with Patrishya. She’s incredibly patient and a great listener. And I don’t just mean that she’ll listen to your stories (which she will!) — she’ll also take the time to consider requests and how to make alterations that will improve your experience. She’s funny, kind and considerate, and I’m really grateful to have her as my instructor. If you’re looking for someone who will take the time to help you improve the relationship between you, your body, and how you move, you can’t go wrong with Patrishya.
On a final note, I was not familiar with gyrotonics when I went to Upward Spiral, and I was a bit skeptical of it at first. But, doing gyro on the tower is addictive. Seriously. I love it. I can’t get enough of it. And I think a lot of people have a similar experience. If you are a dancer or a yoga lover, you will enjoy the fluid movements of gyro. So, don’t be scared off if you’re not familiar with it. It’s worth a try.
So, basically, Upward Spiral is fantastic, and I hope you’ll give it a spin!

I love the classes with Sarah! (Matt classes and Reformer). Other than that I did not like Paula’s classes so much, but could be that I am still too much of a beginner for those, so I decided to switch for the more advanced classes to a different studio.

I moved here a year ago and was worried about finding a new studio up here, having left one down south that I was VERY attached to. Thankfully I found Upward Spiral!
I’ve been actively going to Mat Level 2 for the last 9 months and have been very pleased. It may seem kind of expensive at first but it’s definitely worth it — the instructors are REALLY good and committed to their work. I have at points taken breaks and gone back to gym pilates or videos and it just doesn’t compare. The classes at Upward Spiral are small and the instructor’s come to know you well and the areas that you need to work on — so it feels like a very tailored experience — and it kicks my butt! I swear by pilates (good pilates that is) and have learned that for me it’s an important investment, even if I have another gym membership.
Things to note for new people — The studio is small and doesn’t have a reception area — so if you are new, you are best off looking at their site online and emailing with them. But it’s homey and is not the least bit snooty feeling.

The pilates and gyro teachers at this studio (formerly Green Street Studio on Green St in Central Square) are inspired and deeply knowledgeable. After a serious spinal injury I started taking Martha Mason’s mat classes because it was clear she knew how to modify moves so I could regain strength without injury. Now, 8 years later, I’m so much stronger I’m a walking testimonial (and also 2 inches taller not to get competitive, Anne G!). My spine surgeon was amazed. Yesterday’s mat class refreshed my understanding of the difference between real pilates instruction & the sort one can often find in gyms these days: a new participant joined in who was recovering from a shoulder injury. Martha asked a number of salient questions, and then, on the spot, modified our routine so that both the new person and anyone who just wanted a good workout could benefit and enjoy. We left feeling terrific (which is always the case for me, even when I drag myself there). And I was reminded how fortunate that I found this kind of teaching.