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Katelin Wheelervia Google

5 months ago

The Base ladies are truly the best! Such a knowledgable, welcoming, non-judgemental community of fun people. Love their mat classes, have had an amazing experience with private training, and just wrapped a 4-week Centered and Strong series that helped me feel stronger on the reformer. Couldn't recommend the people or the vibes any higher!

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K Gvia Google

8 months ago

Movement hasn’t been easy for me lately. But at Base, it finally feels like something I get to do—not something I have to fight through. I first tried Base a year or two ago after my acupuncturist insisted I try a class with Sarah. I took a handful of mat classes with her and liked them. But I had just joined OrangeTheory, and couldn’t swing the extra cost. Then last May, out of nowhere, exercise-induced panic attacks returned. OTF’s pace and overstimulation made it harder to show up and fed a growing cycle of anxiety. I knew I needed something different, but was feeling uninspired. As if the universe (or let’s be real, the algorithm) was sending me exactly what I needed to snap out of this funk, I saw that Base was offering a special July pack—30 reformer classes, good for a whole year. I jumped on it. I treated this first week as an experiment—trying different instructors, formats, and times to rebuild momentum and see what felt right in my body. I wasn’t sure how it would go, but the ease was immediate. It felt less like starting over and more like returning to something I didn’t know I missed. Base is more than a local studio—it’s a community. A space where everyone, from instructors to longtime regulars, carries a sense of shared generosity and presence. It’s welcoming, nonjudgmental, and beautifully human. I’m also a bit of a learning design/pedagogy nerd. One thing that really stands out is how strong and distinct each instructor’s teaching style is. All three (Sarah, Stella, Adeline) strike a rare balance of honoring their students’ comfort “edges” while making astute, intuitive nudges when they notice you can challenge yourself a little more deeply. Most of my classes have been with Sarah, and every single time I leave with some new insight about my body. She has the deep-cuts body expertise I’d expect from a seasoned physical therapist, but brings it to class with a gracious, disarming warmth and humor that instantly puts everyone at ease. Her cues are clear and her analogies vivid (and often hilarious). I’ve struggled with embodiment my whole life—Sarah’s classes surprise and delight me by deepening my curiosity about what my body can do. Major bonus, her comedic timing is *elite*. Adeline’s classes are a quiet revelation. Her presence is calm and grounded, and her voice is so soothing that the class is meditative. I left feeling centered and strong, and also like I’d been through a time warp—we got so much done in such a short time! Her gentleness is its own kind of magic—you don’t realize how hard you’re working until it’s almost over. I’ve only had one class with Stella, but it stood out. Like her colleagues, she’s incredibly skilled at explaining subtle details about how to move your body—one small adjustment and suddenly everything clicks. It was in her class that I felt the strongest sense of mastery and accomplishment (and sweat the most, ha) so far at Base, like: YES, I can do hard things. She brings a quiet confidence to the room that feels contagious. There’s something about her that makes you feel like you can push yourself and she’s gonna cheer you on while also having your back. She’s serenely tough; while this could be intimidating in someone else, with Stella, it’s steadying and connective. I loved being in her class. So far, my favorite reformer formats have been PE, Circuit, and Pop-Up. Each one offers something different, and they all complement each other well. I’ll definitely be mixing in more mat classes again! Base Moves is more than just a great workout. Right now, it’s given me a way back into my body—and into a kind of community I’ve really needed. For that, I’m beyond grateful, and I can’t wait to keep showing up. I hope this small business stays around for the long haul, so please try it out if you haven’t taken the leap. The hype is real.

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Karina Cvia Google

9 months ago

Regardless of who you take a class with, you know it’s going to be a great workout. All three instructors deliver an opportunity for intentional movement while providing a great workout. Love the place and highly recommend!

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Laurenvia Google

9 months ago

I stopped in for a class and was thrilled with everything. I take a contemporary style of Pilates in my hometown and was thinking I found the right place when I read about Base Moves online. When I arrived (early, but apparently that’s not needed) I found the studio and the area for everything pre/post workout. One of the co-owners and teachers Sara was there and very friendly. She has more than 30 years of teaching Pilates and I felt very confident in taking her class. The class itself is amazing. I took something I think called Shape in which many different moves, some advanced, were combined to deliver a real total body workout in under 50 minutes! Sara explained moves really well and it was clearly a thoughtful routine to achieve a whole circuit for the body. If I come back to Durham and near this studio again, I’d come back in a heartbeat.

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Galen Hughesvia Google

almost 3 years ago

This is the number one thing I have missed since moving out of the Durham area! It is a small studio with only 5 reformers, and Sarah and team have created an intimate and fun environment to work out in. I loved the Pilatecize and PE classes, but you can't wrong with Shape or Mat either. The other people who attend class are all extremely nice and fun to chat with. Sarah and Adeline took the time to learn my name and I felt both respected me as an individual when I came into class. They were genuinely invested in my well being and the well being of everyone in the class! I never took a class with Stella, but have heard great things about her as well. Can't recommend Base highly enough, this is a great team and studio, I only wish there were more reformers to spread the joy with more people!! I absolutely cannot wait to come back and visit them soon and take some more classes.