Introduction
We offer gentle and safe therapeutic movement-based programs at our cozy and quiet Pilates & Feldenkrais studio. We pay a lot of attention to individual needs and work with clients of all levels, from recovering athletes, chronic pain sufferers to regular wellness-oriented enthusiasts.
Olga and Mark Lubarsky
Over 15 years of experience integrating Pilates, Feldenkrais, and other modalities.
Mark’s passion is personal transformation through learning and helping his clients overcome problems at birth & during childhood and sedentary lifestyle & chronic pain.
Olga is passionate about helping children and adults find natural and gentle ways to overcome pain and limitations, achieve higher levels of skill in sports, dance, arts, personal and professional lives.
Our Integrated Methods
Both Pilates and Feldenkrais methods are great ways to improve fitness and body awareness. Pilates is focused on muscle toning and balance, whereas Feldenkrais is focused on relearning new, healthier ways of movement. Pilates exercises involve sophisticated machinery or mat props. Feldenkrais comes in two shapes: hands-on bodywork and exercises on the floor (now available on Zoom). Please note that we practice an extension of the Feldenkrais method, known as ABM NeuroMovement. Anat Baniel is a world-renown practitioner and author, and we had a unique opportunity to study directly with her.
Feldenkrais and NeuroMovement
Feldenkrais® Method is a form of movement re-education that helps with chronic pain and limitations on the neuromuscular level. Dr. Feldenkrais believed that increasing a person’s self-awareness of functional movement could increase function, reduce pain, and greater ease and pleasure of movement. Anat Baniel Method evolved from the Feldenkrais method based on the modern understanding of brain plasticity and the relationship between neurology and movement. Anat Baniel (our teacher and the founder of this Method) was a student and close collaborator of Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais. Originally started as a style of the Feldenkrais method, Anat Baniel’s Method is now well-known as NeuroMovement®.
Pilates
At our San Mateo studio, we use state-of-the-art sophisticated Pilates equipment. We offer private, semi-private, and small group exercise classes (Mat classes available on Zoom). Under the careful guidance of our experienced instructors, our clients can do over 200 Pilates exercises and variations. The majority of our clients come to us with various chronic conditions, and our main focus is safety and developing body awareness. We pay a lot of attention to detail and help with home-based programs.
Interested in our ABM NeuroMovement work with children with special needs?
What Our Clients Say
"Before ABM Feldenkrais with Olga, I was in pain after about 15-20 minutes of sitting or standing and would carry a special cushion around everywhere I went. I spent several years, tons of energy, and thousands of dollars on other therapies, including mainstream medicine, chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture, and others. But I found the most relief from ABM Feldenkrais and working with Olga. I'm so happy to say that now I can sit or stand for hours with no pain! If you're thinking about trying Feldenkrais (or Pilates) I highly recommend Olga Lubarsky. You won't find a more thoughtful, informed, honest, talented practitioner like her anywhere."
"Don't look any further for a Pilates instructor. Olga's enthusiasm is contagious! She is very observant and quickly proposes modifications to exercises when necessary. Olga seems to have a 6th sense - she knows when to push me during a training session and when not to. Her innovation and continual introduction of new exercises and new methods, such as Feldenkrais, keep you challenged. You don't have to worry about your workouts getting boring. Do something good for yourself - call Olga and get started today with your personalized plan. You'll definitely love the results because what she does really works!"
"Mark and Olga - thank you for your excellent coaching and training. I have gained strength, as well as improved balance and posture, making my daily life more enjoyable with less effort. I leave every session feeling refreshed and relaxed and recommend your work to everyone."
"I took Olga's classes for about one year. She literally saved my neck and my back. I had a long-standing back and neck problem that got significantly better. After her classes, I felt calmer, more relaxed, and more flexible as a side benefit. Olga combines Feldenkrais and Pilates to adjust those two gentle healing modalities to fit your needs. She is a true healer, and it is a pleasure being her client."
"Mark and Olga have a thorough background in different modalities and a soft and caring teaching style. They helped many of my dance students. I highly recommend working with them to overcome physical limitations and injuries and gain new body awareness."
"I have been working with Olga for many years, and I highly recommend her classes and one-one sessions. Most recently, she helped me stay strong during my pregnancy, and then she helped me recover my core strength postnatal. I have referred several injured friends to her who were not progressing with other therapies. My friends regained their movement and strength with Feldenkrais and Pilates approach. Above all, Olga is a dedicated practitioner who pays attention to details to make sure she is meeting your needs."
"I have been going to classes and having one-on-one sessions with Olga for about 5 years now. My body is stronger and healthier because of her care and guidance. She takes special care with each client to ensure our bodies get the most out of each session. She is deeply knowledgeable about how we move and the best way to use the reformers. The classes are small, so you feel like you are getting all the support you need. Her movement classes complement the reformer classes to provide an overall healthy approach to exercise."
"Working with Olga seemed like a very good physical therapy. I had such good results that I brought my 85-year-old mother after she had two back surgeries. She, like me, now thinks of back pain as an unusual occurrence!"