Actually, no. I didn’t cry. I sobbed.

Not because anything terrible happened. Actually, when I look at my life right now, everything happening around me is something I used to pray so hard for.

I’m 36 weeks pregnant with our baby girl. I just moved into our beautiful new home in Miami with my husband. I’m a homeowner for the first time, creating and furnishing a home for my family, something I prayed for almost five years in a row.

I’m building my daughter’s nursery, which is actually where I’m sitting while writing this.

I’m married to a loving, caring, sweet husband who is also my best friend. I’m working on my own company, Colba Group Miami, while continuing to work with my family’s company in Colombia. I’m surrounded by people I love. And somehow, I’ve made so many beautiful new friendships during a season when I thought I would probably become more isolated.

And I’m also exhausted.

Today, one more thing changed unexpectedly, and for some reason, it was the thing that broke me.

I sat this morning crying and thinking, I can’t handle one more thing. I’m tired.

I’m tired of waking up in the middle of the night worrying about details for when my baby is born. I’m tired of feeling tired and hot. I’m tired of wondering if I’m in labor and don’t know it yet. (Yes, I’m officially at that point in pregnancy.

But almost immediately, I felt guilty for feeling that way because…

Isn’t this everything I wanted?

I wanted the house. I wanted the husband. I wanted to become a Pilates instructor. I wanted to create my own brand. I wanted to open my company in a foreign country. I wanted to move to Miami and build a life far away from the comfort I had back home. I wanted to be a mom.

And yes, this is what I always wanted.

But today I’ve realized that you can be the happiest you’ve ever been and the most anxious, overwhelmed, and scared you’ve ever been at the exact same time.

Becoming a mom for the first time at 31 has felt incredibly intimidating for me.

Especially because I’m not back home, where I have a huge support system: my family, plus all the comforts and help we have access to within South American culture, plus many childhood friends who are already mothers.

Moving and renovating our apartment in Miami was not only about 10x more expensive than it would’ve been in Barranquilla (lol), it was also HARD.

Moving and organizing a new home at 35 weeks pregnant, while feeling tired almost every minute, meant that maybe I didn’t get to enjoy the process as much as I imagined I would.

But then last Sunday happened.

We spent the day in our new home, just my husband and me. We ordered food, watched Netflix, and chilled on the sofa after a long week of moving in. It was literally the best feeling in the world. And sleeping in our new bedroom that night, surrounded by this home we’re creating together, I had this feeling of:

I made it. I created this.

Not in the sense that everything is finished or that I’ve accomplished everything I want in life. Quite the opposite. I feel like this life is only starting.

But I looked around and realized that so much of what surrounds me today was once something I was asking for.

I would never want to complain or sound ungrateful because I’m extremely aware of how lucky and blessed I’ve been.

In less than one year, I met the man of my dreams. I got pregnant. We got married in Cartagena in a beautiful ceremony. We purchased our first home together. We got our family car. We built our apartment from scratch, choosing every little detail to make it feel like ours. And we created the most peaceful little nursery, where I’m sitting right now writing this.

God willing, we’ll end this year welcoming our baby girl into the world, celebrating our first anniversary as a couple, living in our new home as a family of three, and I’ll turn 32 living a version of the life I dreamed about for years.

And somehow, getting everything you prayed for doesn’t mean you’re never allowed to feel overwhelmed by it.

I think that’s something I’ve been learning lately.

Maybe gratitude isn’t being happy all the time.

Maybe I can be incredibly grateful for my life and still admit that this season is also exhausting.

And through ALL of the changes, a few things have kept me grounded—the little things and habits that make me feel better.

My family.

My Pilates practice, my workouts, and my wellness lifestyle.

My discipline and the habit of continuing to show up for myself.

Years of therapy and self-development that, looking back, prepared me for a chapter where I don’t have the control I’m used to having - and, if you know me, you know I LOVE having control. 😂

And my husband.

The person who has grabbed my hand and walked through every version of this insane year with me, while experiencing all of these enormous changes himself.

Finding him also reminded me of something I believed long before I met him: be unapologetic about what you want.

I was extremely picky about the person I wanted to spend my life with, and I’m so glad I was.

Actually… that’s an entire story on its own, and I owe you guys the husband manifestation story next. 😂

For today, though, I just wanted to let it all out and show up here again as last week I couldn’t because of our move. I’m tired, but happy at the same time. I still don’t have everything figured out. There are things in this house that aren’t finished, and there are MANY things about becoming a mom that scare me.

Apparently, at 35 weeks pregnant, sometimes one more thing gets added to my plate and I sob. 😂

But I can look around this room and know that two things can be true at once:

This season is overwhelming.

And I wouldn’t trade this life, or the crazy way it all happened to us, for anything in the world. 🤍

I’m also giving you my favorite instructors at each studio and a little description of their vibe. Most studios in Miami allow us instructors to sprinkle our own sauce into each workout, so choosing an instructor whose style works for you is important.

For example, if you don’t love loud house music, high energy, and Pilates Sculpt, you definitely should not come to my class :p

Here’s the complete list from Part 1 + the studios we’re covering today. These are the studios I would recommend to my best friend if she asked me where to get the best Mat Pilates workouts in Miami, heated or non-heated. They’re listed in no particular order:

Article 1:

• Libre — Laura, Donna, Tammy

• Mimi Yoga — Liany, Starr, Alaina, Natasha

• Core Collective — Amanda, Diana, Dajana, Briana, Tammy

Article 2:

• Palmi + Sano

• 727 Pilates

• Portal Pilates

Now let’s talk about why I recommend them, based on my experience as a certified instructor myself, but also as a client and industry analyzer of studios around the world.

Portal Pilates

My Brickell pick.

Portal is a newer studio in Brickell that has quickly become a favorite for many locals. Classes are very heated and challenging, and the location is incredibly convenient if you live or work in Brickell. They have two bathrooms and toiletries available for freshening up, but no showers.

I haven’t been able to take many classes here since the studio opened around the same time I got pregnant, but my experiences have been great. They have a very good instructor roster, mats and towels available for rent, Bala equipment, and very pink vibes.

If you’re in Brickell, this is the best and most convenient Mat Pilates option, in my opinion.

Who should you book?

Brooke: Very sweet, very spicy flows. Her style is a mix between Mat Pilates and Sculpt, with good vibes and very targeted, challenging sequences. Her cueing is also very good.

Liany: You already know I love Liany’s style because it’s more Sculpt-focused, just like I love. Mat Pilates Sculpt, high energy, advanced flows, and heavier weights.

Estefania: Her classes lean more toward Mat Pilates, but you’ll definitely be sore the next day. Her sequences feel very intentional and targeted, with slower movements that allow you to really work specific muscle groups. Very good cueing too.

Palmi + Sano

Small, intimate, HOT, and full of community.

Palmi + Sano is a smaller, very heated studio in Wynwood with an intimate feel. I also used to teach here, even throughout the beginning of my pregnancy, so it will always be a very special space for me.

Gaby, the owner, has created such a warm and welcoming community, and her Pilates Sculpt classes are some of my favorites in Miami. The studio gets very hot, making it a great option if that’s what you’re looking for.

Parking is easy, there’s no shower, and they also offer some non-heated classes. Because it’s a smaller studio, you really get to connect with the community and create relationships with the front desk, instructors, and clients. There are lots of regulars, but in a very welcoming way.

Who should you book?

Gaby: Gaby’s class is Mat Pilates Sculpt. She combines heavier and lighter weights with classical Pilates and Sculpt movements, creating sequences that flow beautifully together. I love her classes, her energy is contagious, she’s hardcore like me, but also incredibly nice and empowering.

Tia: One of the big names in the industry. Tia delivers an amazing Mat Pilates Sculpt class: high energy, great cueing, challenging sequences, and moves you’ll definitely feel the next day.

Katherine: More classical Mat Pilates, but very spicy and challenging. Katherine is the sweetest person alive, but don’t let that fool you. Her class is HARD and always fills up for a reason.

Liany: If you’re looking for one of the toughest Pilates Sculpt classes in Miami, Liany is your girl. High energy, challenging programming, heavier weights, and amazing sequencing. You’ll leave feeling like you truly worked.

727 Pilates

One of the most versatile, and the most aesthetic Pilates studio in Miami.

727 offers both Mat and Reformer Pilates, with heated and non-heated options, making it one of the most versatile studios on this list.

Their Mat Pilates room is also one of the most beautiful and aesthetic spaces in Miami. The Little River location has convenient parking, basically every prop you could need, a sauna, and bathrooms, but no showers.

I love this studio because it combines an amazing instructor roster with a beautiful setting that’s perfect for content—but the workouts are still HARD. They also have very good Reformer instructors and machines, so it’s a great option if you like mixing Reformer with Mat Pilates.

Who should you book?

Natasha: Her flows lean more toward Mat Pilates and are very challenging and effective. They somehow feel hard, amazing, and delicious at the same time. 😂 Her music is great, and she has such a welcoming and empowering energy. You leave happy and motivated while also feeling like she kicked your butt with spicy movements and high reps.

Liany: You know why at this point. 😂

Alejandro: I love Alejandro’s class. He is a Latin sweetheart, and his classes are very challenging. It’s a great mix of Mat Pilates and Sculpt, with challenging sequences and amazing energy.

Estefania Lungavite: More Mat Pilates with a touch of Sculpt. Her flows are rooted in classical Pilates with a twist, and you’ll definitely feel them the next day.

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PS: One Instructor I Couldn’t Leave Out

Dorian is one of my favorite instructors in Miami.

He currently teaches Reformer at Tremble and Mat Pilates Sculpt at Studio Three. I don’t regularly go to Studio Three, although I have been, it’s a beautiful, large, very heated, gym-style studio with three different rooms (2 heated and one for interval strength training and cardio). I’m sure once they open in Brickell, I’ll visit much more often.

But I couldn’t make an instructor guide without mentioning Dorian. I consider him one of the best and most experienced instructors in Miami. He’s incredibly welcoming, brings the best vibes, and consistently delivers one of the best workouts in Miami for pilates sculpt and yoga, as well as on the other modalities he teaches.

There are SO many studios, instructors, and workout styles in Miami, and I’m always discovering and trying more.

These are simply my opinions based on the classes I’ve personally taken, my own workout preferences, and my experience both teaching and taking classes. My goal with these guides is to help you know what you’re walking into before you spend your money, and choose the instructor who actually fits the type of workout you love.

Now tell me: which Miami studio am I missing? And which instructor do I need to try next?

I’m always looking for my next class! Let me know!!!

By the time you’ve paid for a class, parking, and your post-workout matcha, a morning workout can easily cost between $40 and $80. If you’re investing that kind of money and time, I think you deserve to know which studios and classes are worth it.

Over the past ten years, I’ve taken daily classes at more studios than I can count, and for the last six years I’ve been immersed in Miami’s wellness scene—not only as a student, but also as a certified instructor.

I’ve experienced studios from both sides of the room, which has completely changed the way I evaluate them.

When I walk into a studio, I’m not just paying attention to the workout (although that’s still the most important part).

I’m noticing…

• How easy it was to book.

• Whether parking is a nightmare.

• Front desk attitude.

• The cleanliness.

• The community.

• The instructor.

• The music.

• The programming.

• Whether I’d genuinely want to come back next week to the same class.

This is the kind of content I used to share on Instagram years ago, and it was always some of my most requested. So I thought… why not bring it back here, where I can actually go into detail?

This is going to become a series.

We’ll cover Pilates, strength training, yoga, cycling, boxing, running clubs, recovery spaces, and every other workout worth trying in Miami.

Let’s start with my favorite Mat Pilates workouts in Miami, including who my favorite instructors are, and why I choose them over the many other available options .

Number One: Libre - My favorite mat pilates studio in Wynwood.

Libre used to be my home studio before I got pregnant, and to this day it remains one of my favorite studios in Miami.

It’s a heated Pilates and aerial fitness studio located in the heart of Wynwood. In terms of pricing, I would say it’s right in the middle—not the most expensive, but not the cheapest either. You can usually book classes through ClassPass for a reasonable number of credits, although some instructors and peak class times are in much higher demand. They also offer memberships with some perks.

In my experience, Libre stands out not just because it consistently delivers a great heated Mat Pilates and Sculpt class, but because it offers a complete experience. Booking is easy, whether directly through the studio or on ClassPass, parking is easy (street parking available), convenient location (Wynwood, next to Mamman for coffee or matcha after, and next to sweetgreen for lunch), friendly front desk, strong sense of community, and very comfortable amenities. Libre is the studio I would recommend, if you are looking for a workout before heading to work (although there are only two showers and they might get busy at peak times so keep this in mind.)

The studio provides towels for the shower, Diptyque products, and everything you need to freshen up after class. There’s also a nice second-floor space where you can get ready comfortably, or simply take your time instead of rushing out the door. If you’re someone who likes working out before work, this is one of the few studios that makes that experience feel effortless.

Community vibes are warm and welcoming, you’ll notice many familiar faces because they have many regulars following the same schedule every week (To my Libre regulars reading this… I love you sexy bishes!! I miss you 🤍), but at the same time it never feels intimidating or cliquey for the new students and drop-ins. I also love that you’ll regularly see men taking class, which isn’t always the case at Pilates studios.

My favorite instructors of the studio are the following, and they have different types of instructors on the schedule with very different teaching styles, so it’s important to identify your style and choose your instructor accordingly.

My favorite instructors at Libre include:

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A series documenting my journey through pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and motherhood, and everything I’m learning along the way. My hope is that by sharing this journey in real time, another woman can one day find these words and feel a little less alone.

In Part 1, I shared how pregnancy made me feel like I was losing myself. Today, I want to share the tools that helped me rebuild.

This isn’t medical advice, nor is it a step-by-step guide to pregnancy. It’s simply what helped me navigate one of the biggest identity shifts of my life. My hope is that if you’re feeling a little lost too, something here will help you feel a little less alone.

Although this article begins with fitness, it’s really about so much more than workouts. It’s about identity, confidence, community, and learning how to embrace a version of yourself you’ve never met before.

When I first became pregnant, I found myself relying on many of the tools that had helped me through other challenging seasons of my life. Therapy, movement, learning, community, and self-care all became anchors as I navigated the lonely, confusing, and sometimes heartbreaking emotions that came with the beginning of pregnancy.

Because yes, pregnancy is the greatest miracle and gift I’ve ever experienced. But, in my experience, the beginning was also one of the most isolating seasons of my life. When you first find out you’re pregnant but can’t share the news yet, it can feel incredibly lonely. As your body, energy levels, priorities, and interests begin to change, it’s natural to drift away from some friendships, routines, and activities that no longer meet you where you are.

For me, that also meant stepping away from teaching heated Pilates Sculpt classes at some of Miami’s best studios. For many people, that might not sound like a big sacrifice, but for me, it felt like giving up one of the most important parts of my identity. I felt lost, and I knew I had to do something. I wanted to enjoy my pregnancy, and I’ve never been someone who sits comfortably with not feeling like my best self.

So, this is the guide I wish I had at the beginning of my pregnancy.These are the tools that helped me rebuild, reconnect with myself, and slowly find my way back.

• Find Your Community

The first thing I did was look for a prenatal community in Miami. I found One Tribe, and it was exactly what I needed.  One of my favorite things about the center is seeing pregnant women and new moms walk in, either with their babies or by themselves, carving out a moment just for themselves. I started taking workout classes there, as well as birth preparation classes, but more importantly, I found something I didn’t even realize I was missing: community.

Before pregnancy, my fitness community looked very different. Once I became pregnant, I realized I needed women who truly understood what I was experiencing because they were living it too.

So my first recommendation is this: as soon as you find out you’re pregnant, even before you share the news with the world, find a prenatal community. Whether it’s a studio, a support group, or a class, surround yourself with women who understand what you’re going through.

Finding a prenatal fitness community also helped me regain my confidence in exercising during early pregnancy. There are so many myths and taboos around working out while pregnant that I found myself questioning everything. Being surrounded by knowledgeable instructors and other expecting moms helped me trust my body again, while also making me feel welcomed and supported during a time when everything about my body was beginning to change.

• Protect Your Peace

This was probably one of the hardest parts of my pregnancy.

I had to let go of some friendships while intentionally making space for new ones. Protecting your peace and your mental health is always important, but during pregnancy, at least in my experience, I felt more vulnerable than ever. Naturally, I started realizing that some relationships were no longer serving me, and as difficult as it was, I had to let them go.

They say that during seasons of major transformation, you stop resonating with many things that once felt familiar, including friendships. That was exactly what happened to me. Looking back, I’m grateful for it because it taught me who was truly there for me, while also creating space for new relationships that were more aligned with the season of life I was entering.

At the same time, I found myself craving connections with women who were also pregnant or already mothers. As a couple, my husband and I also realized we wanted friends who understood this new stage of our lives and genuinely enjoyed the slower, different kinds of plans that naturally come with it. Our priorities were changing, and it only made sense that some of our relationships would change too.

Making new friends as an adult isn’t easy, but I truly believe we have to make the effort to avoid isolation. I reached out to every woman I knew who was pregnant or already a mom, and the response completely surprised me. There is such a beautiful sense of sisterhood among mothers that I had never fully understood until I experienced it myself. I also joined several local mom group chats in Miami, as well as online communities, and they have been one of the greatest gifts throughout my pregnancy. Beyond answering questions and sharing recommendations, they reminded me that I wasn’t alone. Every fear, every doubt, every symptom I experienced—someone else had experienced it too.

So my advice is simple: find your people. Ask around for local mom groups, prenatal communities, or online forums. And if you can’t find one, create one. You might be surprised by how many women are also looking for connection.

One of the greatest gifts pregnancy has given me hasn’t just been preparing me to become a mom, it has been introducing me to an entirely new community of incredible women. And for that, I will always be grateful.

• Become a Student Again

Even as a double-certified Pilates instructor, I felt completely lost when it came to pregnancy fitness.

I wasn’t looking for vague advice or general recommendations. I wanted to understand what was actually happening to my body, what was safe during each trimester, and how I could continue moving confidently throughout pregnancy. After asking several doctors and still feeling like I wasn’t getting the clarity I needed, I decided to become a student again.

I enrolled in my mentor’s BabyMommaFit prenatal certification, and it has been one of the best decisions I’ve made since becoming pregnant. It gave me something I didn’t even realize I had lost: confidence.

Not only confidence in myself as an instructor, but confidence in myself as a woman navigating pregnancy. Instead of constantly wondering whether I was doing too much or too little, I finally understood the reasoning behind movement modifications and how to safely adapt workouts throughout every stage of pregnancy.

As my pregnancy progressed, so did my curiosity. I later enrolled in a second prenatal certification through ProNatal Fitness because I realized I wanted to understand pregnancy not only through my own experience, but also through research and education. My goal has always been to share what works for me while making sure the information I share is rooted in evidence.

If you’re someone who loves learning, this would be my biggest piece of advice: don’t be afraid to educate yourself. Read books, take courses, ask questions, and continue learning throughout your pregnancy. The more you understand what’s happening inside your body, the more confident you’ll feel making decisions that are right for you.

In Part 1, I shared how pregnancy made me feel like I was losing myself. Looking back now, I realize I wasn’t losing myself at all.

I was transforming into a new version of myself, a new Saskia.

So yes, pregnancy completely changed my relationship with fitness. It made me feel like an outsider, a beginner, and at times, like I had to rediscover myself from scratch. But through all of that, it has also helped me become a stronger, more confident version of myself.

More importantly, this journey has introduced me to some of the most incredible women I’ve ever met. Women who have walked this path before me, who reminded me I wasn’t alone, and who showed me that motherhood doesn’t mean giving up the parts of yourself you love, it simply asks you to reinvent yourself.

These were the first steps that helped me find my way back.

In Part 3, I’ll share the rest of the tools that have helped me navigate this season, including why finding expanders completely changed my mindset at this time, how I’ve learned to embrace my changing body, and why surrounding yourself with the right people can transform the way you experience any season of life.

If you’re on this journey too, or simply navigating a season of change in your life, I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment below or reply to this email. I’d love to continue the conversation.

See you in Part 3. 🤍

The full story behind The Saskia Method is coming in a separate post, but today I want to share the experience of becoming pregnant.

From July 2025 to July 2026, my life was catapulted into a nonstop avalanche of changes and transformational moments, both personally and professionally. From meeting my now husband last summer, becoming friends, starting to date, getting pregnant shortly after (yes while we were two months into dating), turning 31, ending many friendships that didn’t align or resonste with the new version of myself that I am becoming and  starting many others. But more than anything else, I experienced what it felt like to become an outsider, a beginner, all over again in the fitness and wellness industry.

When I found out I was pregnant in January 2026, I was living the peak of my Saskia Method career. In just one year, everything had started gaining incredible momentum. We had built a beautiful community (many of you reading this today first met me in one of my classes), I had secured permanent teaching spots at some of my favorite studios in Miami with full classes and regulars every week during peak class hours, I was hosting amazing events, exciting brands had started reaching out, and for the first time in my life, I was the happiest I had ever been, and  I truly felt like I had found my purpose.

I know today that teaching, and sharing my passion for wellness and fitness with you, is my purpose and where I’m at my most authentic self. That’s why Saskia Method means so much to me. Every time I walk into a studio to teach a class or meet many of you at an event, I feel like I’m living the dream I worked so hard to create.

And just as everything was falling into place, I found out I was pregnant.

I was teaching around 4 heated classes per week + my personal workouts + attending events + subbing classes when needed, and I was pushing my body a lot. I knew at some point I would have to make a shift to be able to continiue sharing my passion with you in a more substainable way, but at the moment it was what I was doing and doing it in the hottest miami studios and at the hottest times, with full classes always and the most amazong community. My doctor then told me I could continue working out , but I couldnt do heated workouts or be in elevated temperature rooms. I think I cried for about a week…. Because it was as if the dream I had worked so hard to build had suddenly come to an abrupt stop.

Becoming a mother has also always been one of  my biggest dreams, but pregnancy introduced something I wasn’t expecting: an identity crisis.

I wanted to become the best mother I could possibly be.

But I also still wanted to be me.

I still wanted to teach.

I still wanted to build businesses.

So I suddenly had to take the hardest decision I have taken up to date since becoming an expectant mother: giving up my permanent class spots at some of Miami’s best heated studios to follow my doctor’s advice. And with this giving up my belonging in the community and the industry and the scene that had felt like my home and my family and my dearest friends for the past two years.  Because when I gave up my spots and I became pregnant, I felt like I also stopped belonging in the wellness scene in Miami. At the time, it felt like many studios, friendships, brands, and even parts of the industry were moving on without me simply because I was pregnant.

I felt lonely and isolated, and I felt lost because I didn’t event know what was safe and not safe to do, or how I should modify excersises, but I did know that working out and moving is the only thing in this life that keeps me sane and I was not about to give that up.

Looking back today, I realize I wasn’t actually losing myself. I was simply being forced to discover a new version of myself that I hadn’t met yet.

So I had to find my way again, and I’m writing this article today for every pregnant mama out there, so you know you are not alone. Feeling lonely is normal, feeling isolated, feeling like your friends that are not mothers can’t understand you anymore, feeling like you are changing your whole life and identity, while your body is also changing and your hormones are all over the place, is a lot. So I leaned on everything I had learned through years of therapy and personal development, and slowly began building the tools that helped me navigate pregnancy. That’s what I want to share with you today. That although it is normal to feel certain ways, we can always find ways to help ourselves, because at the end of the day, you are living a miracle. You are creating a beautiful life inside of you, and we also have to take care of our mental health so we can welcome our babies into the world from a place of peace and strength.

One of my favorite things about fitness has always been the community aspect: connecting with like-minded people, building routines, making friends, and finding spaces that help me feel like the best version of myself.

That’s actually one of the reasons why I’ve always dreamed of opening my own wellness sanctuary one day: a place where all of my favorite modalities will exist under one roof… stay tuned because it will happen sooner than we think.

While nothing replaces the experience of being in a studio for me either as an instructor or as a student, online workout platforms have played an important role throughout different stages of my life. I tend to use them when I’m traveling, spending extended periods in Barranquilla, looking for inspiration for my own classes, squeezing in a quick workout on a busy day, or as has been the case recently, while navigating pregnancy.

Since lately I’ve been sharing on my instagram stories my favorite online workouts, and many of you have asked for more details, today I’m sharing the platforms I’ve loved the most throughout the years, the ones I currently use, and the programs I’m excited to explore postpartum.

As always, none of these recommendations are sponsored. These are simply platforms I have personally used and paid for, explored, or researched extensively as both a fitness professional and a consumer. Every body, pregnancy, and fitness journey is different and these are only my opinions and thoughts, to help anyone looking for more information on the topic.

My Favorite Online Workout Platforms (Not Pregnant)

Strong by Izzy

My absolute favorite.

If you love spicy Pilates sculpt flows, creative sequencing, and challenging workouts that leave you feeling accomplished, this is it. They have a variety of modalities, my go-tos are the Sweat and Sculpt classes, and I loved the ones ranging from 40 - 60 minutes.

As an instructor, I also find Izzy Samuel incredibly inspiring. Her programming is thoughtful, very challenging, and creative. I’ll never be a gatekeeper when I find great pilates/sculpt instructors doing amazing work. Just as I was writing this article I noticed they added a prenatal section :o I will definitely try it soon.

Best for: Pilates & sculpt lovers looking for a challenge.

SILBE by Silvy Araujo

Think of this as having your own personal trainer in your pocket.

The strength training programs are very well structured, the exercise explanations are clear, and it’s one of the few platforms that makes me feel fully guided when using gym equipment or exploring heavier weights, the correct form, sequencing and class structures. It also makes you feel inspired to lift heavier without being afraid of getting bulky, as you know exactly which body parts you are targeting. The app is very professional, easy to use, and feels very welcoming with online chats, advisors and more.

Best for: Strength training and learning proper form.

FORM

I was a very active FORM user for quite some time, and Sami Clarke was one of the first instructors that got me into slower movement instead of the HIIT trainning and functional strength trainning I knew up to the point. I used form actively for about 2 years before getting into pilates and yoga and hitting off saskia method, so I can say that this platform helped me notice inmensely great changes in my body not only in physical results, but also emotionally as my cortisol levels dropped and I started noticing that my body responded better to slower movement.

The platform is beautiful, the programming is excellent, and the instructors are great. My only wish is that there was more music integration throughout the workouts, although I haven’t used it recently so I can’t tell if this has already been addressed.

Best for: Well-rounded strength and Pilates programming.

Tracy Anderson Method

I genuinely love the workouts.

My only hesitation has always been the music experience on the online platform. For the price point, I wish the musical component felt stronger and more immersive and that they paid for the rights to play music on the app, just as in studio.

If they ever offered live-streamed classes from the Madrid studio (my absolute favorite TA studio), I would probably become obsessed. I can also say this workout is harder to follow along at home if you are not used to it, and you can get tired and not finish the repetitions which is an important component of this type of workout to be effective. But if you love TA and have strong will, it is amazing to have the innovative, different, dance-cardio-sculpt, classic tracy workouts in your pocket. I can also note and say from my personal experience, that when I have been doing TA consistently either in studio or at home, I have definitely noticed fast results specially in my arms and glutes as many of her sequences have many composed moves targeted specifically to this areas + you get cardio sprinkled in there so its on the higher side of calories burned for mat workouts.

Best for: Signature Tracy Anderson fans and high-repetition sculpt workouts.

On My Wish List: Sweat Sessions

I haven’t personally tried it yet, but it’s high on my list.

I love rhythm-based workouts, and everything Aubre has built, I’ve been following her on social media for years and everything in her method from the variety of class formats to the community aspect—looks incredibly appealing. I can’t wait to try online and also in-person.

My Favorite Online Workout Platforms - During Pregnancy

SILBE by Silvy Araujo

Without a doubt, my favorite pregnancy fitness platform so far.

One of the biggest challenges I encountered while looking for prenatal fitness options was finding workouts that felt both safe and challenging enough. Many programs felt either too basic, too short, or lacked the educational component necessary to make me feel confident in what I was doing. SILBE strikes that balance beautifully.

The workouts are long enough to feel substantial, challenging enough to make me feel strong, and rooted in science and expert guidance in a way that leaves you feeling empowered rather than fearful throughout your pregnancy journey.

What truly sets the platform apart for me, however, are the additional resources and modalities that are integrated directly into the program. Throughout pregnancy, I repeatedly heard about the importance of 360 breathing, pelvic floor work, dynamic stretching, mobility training, and core strengthening for both pregnancy and labor preparation. Like many women, I often found myself intending to do those things but ultimately skipping them when they weren’t already built into my routine.

SILBE incorporates many of these elements directly into the workouts, making it significantly easier to stay consistent with the practices that are most beneficial throughout pregnancy and while preparing for labor and delivery.

The platform also includes guidance from OB-GYNs, pelvic floor specialists, and other professionals, creating an experience that feels comprehensive, supportive, and thoughtfully designed.

Current favorite pregnancy platform.

The Sculpt Society

I tried TSS during pregnancy and enjoyed it very much.

The workouts combine elements of sculpt, Pilates, and dance-inspired movement, and I found very interesting and overall great. They are also challenging. Maybe not as challenging as other workouts, but a very good option for at home pilates/sculpt/cardio sequences that leave you energized, and feeling like you worked hard while being safe.

While I ultimately didn’t continue because I prefer in-studio Pilates or working my own Saskia Method pregnancy flows when i’m doing Pilates at home, I think it’s an excellent option, especially if you’re looking to add a little more cardio and fun movement into your routine while still working on your strength.

Melissa Wood Health

While I’m not personally a regular user, too many trusted friends have recommended it and love it, for me not to include it on this list. The feedback I hear consistently is that it offers slower, more intentional movement that feels incredibly supportive during pregnancy.

Perfect for the days when you’re tired, uncomfortable, or simply craving a more gentle approach to movement. Or overall perfect for those that love slower, more controlled movement that still incorporates strength but is also very rooted in mind-body connection, breathing, and more gentle techniques. I would say since I’ve tried its on the lower calorie buring scale, but that doesn’t mean its not effective, in fact I found it very effective.

The SOTO Method

This is the platform I’m most excited to explore postpartum.

After hearing Hilary’s birth story on The Wellness Processed podcast (my favorite podcast) and learning more about the program’s postpartum structure, it immediately caught my attention.

What I appreciate is that it appears to meet women where they are, gradually rebuilding strength, endurance, and confidence while increasing workout intensity over time.

I’m planning to use it during my own postpartum journey and would also love to visit in person the next time I’m in New York.

Final Thoughts

I’ll probably always be an in-studio girl at heart.

Whether I’m attending classes as a student, teaching as an instructor, connecting with a wellness community, I genuinely believe there is something special about movement shared with others.

That said, online platforms can be incredible tools when life gets busy, when you’re traveling, when you need flexibility, or when you’re navigating a season of life like pregnancy and postpartum when you need additional guidance and fact checked evidence before experimenting.

At the moment, I actively subscribe to SILBE’s pregnancy program and absolutely love it. Once I’m cleared to exercise after delivery, I plan on renewing my Strong by Izzy membership and exploring The SOTO Method’s postpartum program as part of my own recovery journey.

And who knows, perhaps one day you’ll also find The Saskia Method on-demand workouts on this list.

Until then, if you’ve tried any of these platforms or have one you think I should test next, leave me a comment below. I’m always looking for new recommendations and honest wellness reviews to share with you, besties. 🤍

Shop My Wellness Favorites for at home workouts here:

Pilates & Sculpt Essentials

• Bala Bangles - 2lbs & 3lbs

• Bands

• Pilates Ball

• Pilates Ring

• Yoga Mat

• Pilates Socks

About 90% of the mat Pilates and sculpt studios in Miami are heated, and most of the studios where I was a regular offered exclusively heated classes.

Although I’m a certified prenatal instructor and perfectly capable of training myself, I’ve always loved being a student. I love being part of a community and using my workout as a moment in my day to connect with others through our shared love for fitness and wellness. The journey of pregnancy and finding the right workouts deserves its own post (and trust me, it’s coming), but today I wanted to share a full review of a studio I’ve been loving lately: Core Collective.

If you’ve been following me since my early Instagram days, you know I started by reviewing studios around the world. Once I began teaching professionally, I naturally became more cautious about sharing those opinions publicly because I was simultaneously an instructor at some studios and a student at others.

But this new chapter of life feels like the perfect time to bring those reviews back.

My goal isn’t to trash businesses or promote others. My goal is to share my honest experience as a paying customer, wellness enthusiast, student, instructor, and community member.

So let’s begin…

Studio Review #1

Studio

Core Collective

Location

Miami Shores / El Portal area

Instagram

@thecorecollective

The Saskia Method Ratings

• Sweat Level

How heated is the room?

• Rating: 3/10

While the studio is technically non-heated and does not use heaters, they often keep the A/C low or turned off during class, which allows the room to warm up naturally as the workout progresses. It’s very manageable and comfortable, but don’t be surprised if you still break a sweat by the end of class.

• Cleanliness

Overall cleanliness of the studio, floors, bathrooms, and common areas.

Rating: 7/10

Clean overall with room for small improvements.

• Cult Level

How noticeable is the community culture?

For reference:

1/10: No recognizable regulars.

10/10: Think Tracy Anderson or Barry’s where members receive priority booking, preferential treatment, and new students can sometimes feel intimidated.

Rating: 8/10

There is definitely a strong community and many recurring members, but everyone is welcomed equally and I’ve never felt excluded as a newer attendee.

• Workout Intensity

How challenging is the workout compared to similar class formats?

Rating: 8/10

Intensity varies by instructor, but every class I’ve taken has been challenging and effective.

• Studio Vibe & Culture

How the overall studio feels when you walk through the door and throughout your experience before, during, and after class.

Rating: 10/10

This is where Core Collective truly shines.

The owner is welcoming.

The instructors are welcoming.

The members are welcoming.

Classes are intentionally smaller, which allows for more connection, personalized attention, and a stronger sense of community.

• Instructor Level

This category evaluates:

• Class programming

• Cueing

• Music

• Modifications

• Adjustments

• Flow

• Knowledge

• Professionalism

Rating: 8/10

I’ve had consistent strong experiences.

The classes are challenging, well-programmed, and welcoming for pregnant clients.

My favorite instructors so far have been:

✨ Dajana

✨ Amanda Malone

✨ Bri Delgado

✨ Diana Luzardo

What I Love About Core Collective

✔ Consistently strong instructors

✔ Mats and props are set up before class

✔ No additional mat rental fees

✔ Beautiful studio aesthetic and high-quality Bala equipment

✔ Easy street parking

✔ Convenient class times

✔ Longer class formats (50-60 minutes)

✔ Small class sizes without sacrificing energy

✔ Personalized corrections and modifications

✔ Strong sense of community

✔ Extremely welcoming for pregnant mamasitas 🤍

✔ Instructor tea: from what I’ve heard, instructors are compensated better than at many other Miami studios 👀

My Final Thoughts

One of the biggest surprises of my pregnancy journey has been discovering how much I genuinely enjoy non-heated workouts. Without the heat, you’re forced to focus on the actual quality of movement and effort. The workout has to stand on its own. Core Collective has been one of the studios that completely changed my perspective. It’s a longer drive for me from Brickell, but one I’ve happily made again and again. I definitely  have a feeling this may be one of the first studios where you’ll find me teaching once I’m back postpartum.

Have you tried Core Collective?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please message me in the comments or reply to this post via email, I read all messages and I’m eager to heat what you have to say.

About The Saskia Method Studio Reviews

Moving forward, this will be the general framework I use to review studios.

Each review will include:

✨ Sweat Level

✨ Cleanliness Level

✨ Cult Level

✨ Workout Intensity

✨ Studio Vibe & Culture

✨ Instructor Level

✨ Final Thoughts

My reviews are based solely on my personal experience as a paying customer, student, instructor, wellness professional, and community member. They are not sponsored unless explicitly disclosed and are intended to serve as a helpful reference point for anyone looking for honest feedback before trying a studio.

No review is absolute, and different people may have different experiences. My goal is not to promote or tear down any business, but simply to share my honest perspective and experiences as I continue exploring the wellness world.

If you enjoyed this review and would like to follow along for future studio reviews, wellness recommendations, pregnancy diaries, travel finds, and everything in between, I’d love for you to subscribe and share The Saskia Method with a fellow wellness-obsessed bestie.

Thank you for being here and for being part of this community.

With love,

Saskia

If you’re coming from Instagram, welcome bestie! And if you found me here on Substack, welcome too, bestie 💚

For those who are new here, The Saskia Method started as much more than a workout. What began as my love for movement evolved into my own approach to wellness, one that combines Pilates, strength, mindfulness, and finding joy in movement rather than punishment. Over the past year and a half, it has also become a community of women who care about feeling their best, supporting one another, and navigating life together through all of its different seasons.

Today, as I prepare to welcome my daughter Nour, settle into married life, continue building my businesses, and navigate a completely new chapter of womanhood: motherhood, it felt like the perfect time to create a space where we can have deeper conversations.

As I continue to evolve as a person, and as my life changes, my conversations with all of you have expanded too. I wanted to create a space where I can talk to you honestly and freely about everything we usually discuss—and so much more.

From wellness and Pilates, to life as a mom-to-be (a journey that has been exciting, challenging, rewarding, and completely new to me), honest studio reviews from around the world, and behind the scenes insights I’ve gained from the wellness and fitness industry, not only as an instructor but also as a client, a student, and an active community member.

We’ll talk about entrepreneurship, opening my company in Miami, building The Saskia Method brand, my personal struggles with body image and eating disorders in the past, and navigating all the changes this year has brought at once: from getting married and decorating our new home to preparing for baby Nour.

We’ll also talk about lifestyle, travel and hotel recommendations, my favorite restaurants around the world, fashion, jewelry, shopping (because we all love that 😂), and everything in between.

Most importantly, this will be a space where I can openly share my postpartum journey and what I know will be the next evolution of Saskia and The Saskia Method.

Think of this as our matcha date, group chat, wellness diary, and recommendation guide all in one. This is a place where we can connect on a deeper level. A place where I can share my honest opinions, lessons learned, favorite finds, recommendations, and all the insider perspectives I’ve gained over the years across wellness, fitness, business, travel, and life.

If you know me, you know I believe in speaking the truth, even when it’s not the popular opinion. That’s exactly what you can expect from me here: my raw, honest, authentic self, open and ready to share.

I’d love to know what you’d like me to write about first. Studio reviews? Pregnancy? Fitness industry secrets? Travel recommendations? Entrepreneurship?

Thank you for being here and welcome to this new chapter.

Love you, besties 🤍