We’re devoted to helping every body find a physical ritual.

A black and white image of our founder, Nicole, sitting on a Pilates Mat with her legs bent in front of her and arms loosely wrapping around her knees. She is smiling at the camera.

Nicole Martin

“I believe that Classical Pilates will give you the physical body you want, the mental clarity you crave, and an uplifted spirit allowing you to feel more like YOU.”

Nicole values quality above all in everything. She also values simplicity, authenticity, self-development, community, curiosity, discovery, and fun. Pilates offers all of these things and more. The studio is fully equipped, offering The Contrology Line designed by Jay Grimes and Gratz equipment

Her clients range in age from 12 to 76. She works with athletes, other Pilates instructors, those recovering from injury, expecting and new moms, and, of course, those who just want a really good workout. Nicole found the Pilates Method while living in San Francisco, and it has drastically changed her body and how she moves for the better. And now, since the birth of her daughter in 2014, she relies on The Method more than ever to keep strong and feel good in her own skin.

Her first certification was Classical and given by Hope Petrine of Romana’s Pilates, completed in 2008. She was accepted into The Work, a Pilates graduate program held at Vintage Pilates in Los Angeles, in 2016. The Work was a highly selective program, only choosing 80 graduates in total worldwide over the course of 6 years. She was honored to learn from a student of Joseph Pilates himself, Jay Grimes. In addition to learning from the directors Sandy Shimoda and Karen Frischmann. 

She also has a BA in Anthropology from San Francisco State and a K-6 teaching credential from the University of Colorado.

Founder, Michelle, with a blank wall behind her. Her shoulders and head are in the photo and she is smiling at the camera.

Michelle Herrmann

“Classical Pilates has given me a sense of strength that far exceeds any other fitness class I've ever tried and it has improved my life in ways I never could have expected. Year after year, Pilates continues to provide me inspiration for self-discovery, healing, and self-care."

Michelle began her Romana's Pilates training in 2005 as an undergrad at Goucher College in Baltimore, MD. She continued her training under Sonia Herreria at The Pilates Studio d'Aix-en-Provence, France, then completed her certification at True Pilates New York with Sari Mejia Santo at the end of 2008.

From 2009-2015, she taught at The Pilates Center at Goucher College as a full-time instructor.  She worked with private clients, taught group mat classes and taught the Pilates academic class for college credit. In 2012, she served as Director until her departure three years later.

In 2015, she moved to San Diego, CA, and has since continued her teaching and learning. Today, she is thrilled to be teaching at the San Diego Made Factory under Ritual Pilates.

Ritual Pilates + Contrology

Ritual Pilates is proud to be a demo center for the Contrology Line by Balanced Body. Gratz Pilates is also used in the studio. For a 5% discount, click the link below!