Our Story
We are a boutique Pilates studio located in the heart of midtown Toronto (Davisville Village & Leaside), offering Mat, Reformer, Tower, and Jumpboard group classes, as well as private and semi-private sessions.
The studio was founded in 2022 in my own basement, with just two Pilates machines and a handwritten note taped to my front door that read: “I teach Pilates classes - come to the basement.” That was our entire marketing strategy. Some came for the workout, and others out of curiosity. We welcomed them all. What began as a small, informal offering quickly grew into a thriving community.
Within two years, demand had outgrown the space. We relocated to a dedicated studio and invested in additional equipment. Today, we operate a fully equipped Pilates studio with six Reformer machines in our main studio space and one additional Reformer machine in a private room. Despite this growth, we have remained an intimate, independent studio with a strong belief that Pilates is for EVERYbody! We add a little spin to the traditional approach while focusing on the foundational structure of the Pilates workout: strength, length, and core.
What sets us apart is our belief in quality, connection, and accessibility. Our instructors are highly knowledgeable, experienced, and deeply committed to meeting clients where they are in their movement journey. We have a strong focus on community, and we take the time to celebrate each individual who walks through our doors.
Our studio is intentionally welcoming and inclusive, and we prioritize thoughtful modifications to ensure that individuals of all abilities, backgrounds, and experience levels feel supported and safe. This inclusive philosophy, paired with a warm, community-driven environment, has allowed us to serve and support thousands of clients over the past few years.
My team and I are excited to welcome you to our studio and be part of your wellness journey!
See you soon,
Hilla
Hilla Gutman
Hilla is the founder of Midtown Pilates. Her passion and expertise in Pilates have been the cornerstone of our studio's philosophy and success.
Hilla brings a wealth of experience, holding certifications in Mat, Reformer, and Cadillac, with a strong focus on rehabilitation and injury recovery. Her journey into Pilates began from a personal quest to find a holistic and effective approach to healing after experiencing a sports injury. This transformative experience led to her full recovery and ignited a profound passion for helping others through their healing journeys.
Hilla's approach to Pilates is deeply rooted in the understanding that mind and body wellness is paramount to achieving a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Under her guidance, Midtown Pilates has become a sanctuary for those seeking a supportive environment to strengthen, rejuvenate, and rebuild.
In addition to her Pilates passion, Hilla is also a TRX and CrossFit trainer, and has a Master's degree in Labour Relations and HR.
Natali Osadchin
Natali is a certified Pilates Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, and Barrel instructor with a deep love for art, nature, and anything rooted in beauty, line and form. Her classes are contemporary with a classic feel, with a focus on accessibility and providing modifications for all levels.
Growing up with anatomical postural issues, Pilates was the only practice that provided not only immediate relief but also long-lasting solutions for Natali, and she is excited to share it with others.
Natali is pre- and post-natally certified and enjoys working with both expectant and new moms. Pilates was a significant part of her own journey and helped her feel strong throughout the pregnancy and in the months following.
Rae Bernakevitch
Rae was drawn to the magic of Pilates after undergoing various surgeries and rehabbing her body through the accessible movements Pilates can bring. As a professional actor and dancer, she has been interested in movement and the body for most of her life! She aims to create an open, welcoming, nourishing environment for all levels of movers through exercises that feel good and strengthen the muscles, as well as having a few laughs along the way!
Rae is certified in Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, and Pre and Post Natal Pilates.
Sahar Ghafoori
Sahar discovered her passion for Pilates at the age of 19 after exploring various forms of exercise like fitness, TRX, and yoga. In 2018, she earned her Pilates certification from the Federation of Iran and has been dedicated to teaching ever since.
After moving to Canada, Sahar continued her journey by attending classes at Body Harmonics, where she obtained additional certifications in Mat, Reformer and Cadillac. Her love for Pilates drives her to share its transformative benefits with her clients, helping them build strength, flexibility, and balance.
Tom Israeli
Tom is a Pilates instructor certified in Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, and Barrel.
After discovering her love for Pilates a few years ago, she decided to deepen her knowledge and pursue a career as an instructor. Known for her creative sequences and the use of props in her classes, Tom brings a fresh and dynamic approach to Pilates. In addition to her passion for Pilates, she enjoys cooking and spinning classes.
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Valeriia Liubimova
Valeriia began her journey with a passion for dance, which expanded into exploring various fitness disciplines. This passion led her to open her own studio in Ukraine, specializing in Fly Yoga, TRX, and Pilates. As a certified trainer in these areas, she discovered her true calling in Pilates, drawn to its power to restore health, aid in injury recovery, and transform the body, enhancing overall well-being.
Motivated by her clients, Valeriia is committed to helping people move better and lead vibrant, fulfilling lives. She believes that our bodies are made to move and invites you to join her on this transformative journey.
Liv Neary Hatton
Liv comes from a theatre background and has a lot of experience in many types of movement, so her journey to Pilates was no surprise. Liv is a certified Pilates instructor teaching Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, and Barrel. Working in the fitness field for a few years, she saw firsthand the incredible impact Pilates had on not only herself but on others in many ways. As a performer and musician (and sometimes clown), she always brings a cheerful and fun spin to her work!
For Liv, Pilates is the meeting place between detailed anatomy-based movement and wonderful feel-good flow. Whether on the Mat, the reformer, or the tower, she is excited to lead movers on explorations full of curiosity and care.
Liv went to clown school in Paris for a summer, so you can trust that her classes will be full of joy and laughter!
Juhi Sharma
Juhi is a Pilates instructor certified in Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, and Barrel. She believes movement should feel good, not just in class, but in the way it supports you beyond the studio. Pilates, for Juhi, is more than just exercise—it’s an opportunity to reset, recharge, and bring a bit more balance into your life. She meets you where you're at in your journey, adding intention, flow, and just the right amount of spice (the burn is arguably the best part!).
Her approach to movement is both playful and specific, always with the needs of each individual in mind. The practice of Pilates has been very grounding for Juhi, and she cannot wait to share her love for movement with you!
Juhi was trained with the RCAF and can fly an airplane!
Sarah El Kaissi
Sarah is a Stott Pilates instructor with training in Essential and Intermediate Reformer. Originally from Belgium and now based in Toronto, she discovered Pilates as a way to build strength, restore energy, and improve posture, and is passionate about sharing those benefits with others.
Sarah blends precision with a contemporary twist to create classes that are both supportive and challenging. Understanding the demands of busy lives and the need for balance, she emphasizes core strength, alignment, and mindful conditioning — helping clients refine their technique, break a sweat, and leave each session feeling strong, balanced, and confident.
Sarah is fluent in French, Dutch, English, German, and Arabic.