Boutique studio for personal training in the classical, authentic Pilates tradition.
Transform Your Body,
Elevate Your Life
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Meryl Prettyman
Focus Pilates Berlin
I'm a dancer, choreographer, performer, and movement therapist. I'm also a Classical Pilates teacher, trained by the people Joseph and Clara Pilates themselves trained.
As a young dancer I suffered a serious injury to my left knee and ankle. I could barely walk. The doctors gave me two options: an operation, or Pilates. I chose Pilates. Within three months I was walking. Within six, I was dancing again.
That was 30 years ago. Today I'm living proof that Pilates heals and strengthens the body. I apprenticed at the Ron Fletcher Studio™ for Body Contrology in Los Angeles (1991–93), where Ron, himself trained by Clara Pilates after Joseph's death, passed the work on personally. I continued training at The Pilates Studio™ with Romana Kryzanowska in New York City and at The Pilates Studio™ with Marjorie Oron in The Hague. I completed the Master Mentor Program with Lolita San Miguel, the last living first-generation teacher certified by Joseph Pilates himself, and completed the Bridge Program for experienced teachers at Real Pilates™ in New York City under Alycea Ungaro. In 1995 I introduced Pilates to Tanzfabrik in Kreuzberg — the first to teach it there, working with professional dancers.
"Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness."Joseph H. Pilates · 1883–1967
What is Contrology?
The original name for Pilates, coined by its founder, Joseph Hubertus Pilates.
The Legacy of Joseph Hubertus Pilates
Joseph Hubertus Pilates, born in Mönchengladbach in 1883, spent his early adult life developing a revolutionary training method he called Contrology.
Contrology — now known simply as Pilates — is an intensive full-body system that strengthens and stretches the deeper musculature of the abdominals, pelvis, and back.
Unlike conventional exercise, Pilates emphasises quality over quantity, precision over repetition, and control over speed.
Concentration
Paying attention to your movements — full mental presence in every exercise.
Control
Really controlling how you move with your mind — every motion intentional, not accidental.
Centering
Keeping the lower back, abdominals, and center supported — stabilizing the torso to help you stretch the body.
Flow
Letting the movement flow — using your full range of motion with smooth, connected transitions.
Precision
Being precise in your movements — quality over quantity, always.
Breath
Breathing as the foundation of movement — oxygen flowing to every muscle with each exercise.
Lasting Transformation
Regular practice will change your body, how you feel, and how you move in your everyday life.
Lineage & Training
Classical Pilates is a tradition passed down through lineage — from Joseph and Clara Pilates, through Ron Fletcher and the first-generation teachers they trained, to the next. This is how I learned, and how I teach.
Brooklyn & Manhattan, NYC
Dance Beginnings
Born in Brooklyn, raised in Manhattan. Began classical ballet and Haitian dance at age 6.
Los Angeles
Pilates Discovery
As a dancer recovering from a severe knee and ankle injury, encountered Pilates for the first time. Walking within three months. Dancing within six.
West Hollywood, California
Ron Fletcher Studio™ Internship
Apprenticed at the Ron Fletcher Studio™ for Body Contrology, learning Reformer and Mat work. Ron Fletcher was trained directly by Clara Pilates after Joseph's death, making him a first-generation teacher in his own right.
Tanzfabrik Kreuzberg, Berlin
First at Tanzfabrik
Arrived in Berlin and introduced Pilates to Tanzfabrik Kreuzberg — the first person ever to teach Pilates there, training professional dancers at one of Europe's leading dance centers.
Kreuzberg / Schöneberg, Berlin
Focus Pilates Studio Opens
Opened her own Classical Pilates studio in Kreuzberg/Schöneberg — a sanctuary for authentic, transformative movement training.
NYC & The Hague
Romana Kryzanowska Certification
Completed full certification at The Pilates Studio™ NYC and De Pilates Studio™ The Hague under Romana Kryzanowska, Joseph Pilates' protégée and keeper of his original method.
Florida & Mönchengladbach
Lolita San Miguel Master Mentor Program
Completed a 10-month Master Mentor Program with Lolita San Miguel — one of only two people on earth ever certified directly by Joseph Pilates himself, and the last first-generation teacher still living.
New York / Berlin
Real Pilates™ NY Bridge Program
Continued advanced training in the Romana lineage at Alycea Ungaro's Real Pilates™ NY.
Learn from a teacher with an unbroken lineage to Joseph and Clara Pilates themselves.
Train With Me →A Sanctuary in Kreuzberg/Schöneberg
Since 2001, my studio in Kreuzberg/Schöneberg has been a quiet, focused space for those seeking authentic Classical Pilates training in Berlin.
Every session is one-on-one. The studio is professional, safe, transformational — an environment where clients reach real goals under expert guidance, with the full apparatus of Classical Pilates: Reformer, Cadillac, Ladder Barrel, Wunda Chair, and Mat.
Private Session
Kreuzberg / Schöneberg
By appointment, Berlin
Contact
merylprettyman@
Pilates is for Everyone
Every session is calibrated to what your body can do today. Whatever your starting point, we meet you there.
Athletes & Dancers
Enhance performance, prevent injury, and build functional strength that translates to your discipline.
Office Workers
Undo the damage of hunched shoulders and tight hips. Release tension, restore posture, recover energy.
Parents (Pre & Post)
Rebuild deep core strength and find time for yourself. Suitable for pre- and postnatal training.
Medical Professionals
Counteract long hours on your feet, or in surgery, with movement that protects your spine.
Recovery & Rehab
Gentle, deeply effective movement for post-operative recovery and chronic-pain management.
Anyone, Honestly
Pilates is for every body, at every age, at every starting point. The session meets you where you are.
"If you can't run for the bus, then you're not fit!"
Let's get started with your Pilates training, catch some buses, and a lot more.
Let's Catch That Bus →Moments of Movement
A glimpse into the studio, the method, and the transformation.
Begin Your Transformation
Book a first session and start working towards real strength, flexibility, and stamina.
55 minutes
Trial Lesson
Perfect for beginners to experience the Classical Pilates method.
85 €
5 × 55 minutes
5 Private Sessions
Five one-on-one personalised training sessions.
400 €
10 × 55 minutes
10 Private Sessions
The most popular package for committed practitioners.
750 €
20 × 55 minutes
20 Private Sessions
Intensive package — 2× per week for transformative results.
1.400 €
55 minutes
Duo Session
Train with a partner. Price per person.
60 €
5 × 55 minutes
5 Duo Sessions
Duo package for you and a partner. Price per person.
300 €
10 × 55 minutes
10 Duo Sessions
Commit to transformation together. Price per person.
550 €
55 minutes
Out-of-Studio
Private sessions at your home or location.
135 €
Book Your Private Session
Get in touch by email — Meryl personally schedules every session, so each one is matched to your needs and starting point.
Get in Touch
Studio
Kreuzberg / Schöneberg, Berlin
Exact address shared on booking
Hours
Monday – Saturday
By appointment