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Welcome to The Loft!

The Loft is an intimate and bright space that invites moments of relaxed healing, fun and laughter. We want you to feel at home every time you walk through the door!

We believe that movement is medicine.

We believe in progress, not perfection.

Emilee Garfield opened The Loft in February, 2013. Since that time, she has been devoted to helping her clients regain strength, flexibility and balance from the inside out.

Emilee is a two time cancer “thriver” and has been a movement educator, teaching primarily therapeutic Pilates and yoga for over 20 years. She is the creator of The Cancer Core Recovery® Method, which she developed while recovering from Stage 3c ovarian cancer.

Classes Offered:

Yoga: Emilee’s Yoga Class mixes strength and flexibility while focusing on form and injury prevention. Emilee uses her years of training in the Iyengar Method with a combination of the Pilates Method to create a perfect fusion of yoga, Pilates and core class.

Pilates: The Joseph Pilates exercise system emphasizes concentration and control with the integration of flexibility, strength, precision, breath, flow of movement, and awareness between the body and the mind. Originally called “Contrology”, this method involves the use of specific exercises performed on their own and in conjunction with specially designed apparatus and equipment. Every individual receives a program within the system of exercises that is tailored to his or her needs and fitness level. It is one of the only exercise systems that works from the inside out and strengthens what Pilates called the “powerhouse.”

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We offer private and duet apparatus classes. The apparatus provides:

– Spring resistance strength training

– Impact free exercise

– Relief from chronic back, neck and joint pain

– Development of long, lean flexible muscles

– Improvement of alignment and postural issues

– Increased energy and stamina

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Scoliosis Management Specialization Program

Pilates and Scoliosis: The spinal disorder scoliosis affects an estimated 6 million people in the United States, according to the National Scoliosis Foundation. It’s a potentially debilitating condition that can affect self-esteem and overall quality of life. Although there’s no cure, exercise like Pilates can help strengthen the muscles in the back and treat symptoms of the disease.

Reports in the medical literature on individual patients with scoliosis show that Pilates— alone or in combination with other exercises—helps flexibility and mobility, strengthens and stabilizes muscles around joints, decreases back pain and allows posture adjustments to improve spinal alignment and symmetry.

Pilates can be very safe for scoliosis patients, but every situation is different and you need to adjust exercises to accommodate your limitations.

Currently, Emilee is the only Certified Yoga for Scoliosis Trainer in Santa Barbara County.

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Contact Emilee to set up your appointment today!

About Emilee…

Emilee Garfield is a two time cancer survivor and her mission is to help women thrive during cancer recovery, particularly those who have suffered from gynecological cancers.

She began practicing yoga at the age of sixteen after her own health challenges and those of others led her to discover its healing benefits. In 1999, Emilee embarked on a career teaching in the Iyengar style, focusing on alignment, sequencing, and timing in the asanas for a pain- and injury-free yoga practice.

In 2003, Emilee discovered Pilates as a means of recovering her strength following multiple surgeries during her time battling cancer.

In learning about Pilates’ capacity for improving posture, alignment, flexibility, and core strength, she realized that it would be the perfect complement to yoga and incorporated it into her class offerings.

Emilee’s clients feel more grounded, strong, joyful and hopeful after working with her, and remark how she always, “teaches from her heart.”

She lives in Santa Barbara, CA where she founded her studio, The Loft.

Emilee has trained extensively with Iyengar teachers Nancy Roberts, Felicity Green and Elise Browning Miller.

One of the long term side effects of her childhood radiation to the abdomen and pelvis, was the development of scoliosis. Emilee has a huge heart to help young girls (and basically everyone) feel positive about their bodies. She teaches her students to work smart and modify exercises as needed, and not to judge their bodies for looks or limitations.

She earned her certification as a Yoga for Scoliosis trainer under Elise Browning Miller, and completed the Pilates Therapeutics Scoliosis Management Program with Dr. Suzanne Martin.

Certifications

Emilee holds the following certifications and degrees:

  • Certified Professional Wellness Coach
  • New Life Story® Life Coach
  • B.S. in Biopsychology with a minor in Dance from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
  • Pilates Therapeutics® for Scoliosis with Dr. Suzanne Miller
  • Pilates Therapeutics® for Breast Cancer Restoration with Dr. Suzanne Miller
  • Certified Yoga for Scoliosis Trainer with Elise Browning Miller
  • Cancer Recovery Specialist with NFPT
  • Pilates certification with BASI Pilates (Body Arts and Science International)
  • Booty Barre® certification with Tracey Mallet
  • Creator of The Cancer Core Recovery® Method

The Loft

The Loft is located inside The Training Room:

1 North Calle Cesar Chavez, Suite 210, Santa Barbara, CA 93103.

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Emilee’s Praise

  • I attended a class with Emilee on Saturday. She was very helpful in teaching me techniques on building up my pelvic floor without causing damage. I was able to feel the difference in the methods she used. Thank you Emilee!

    Linda Kolouch
  • I have been attending Emilee’s yoga classes for 21 years. It all started when I had a hiking accident on Cold Springs trail. I hurt both of my knees and became very stiff. I thought I would try yoga to help ease the stiffness and improve my flexibility. In my quest to find a class that fit for me, I tried several different teachers and studios but they did not hold my interest. I love Emilee’s class because it is always different. No two classes are alike. It is also exercise, not filled with “new age” like chatter. Emilee frequently asks what the group wants to work on that day and creates a class accordingly. Over the years I have experienced and benefited from her constant quest for learning more about the human body and exercise. Emilee incorporates what she learns from workshops, trainings and master classes into our yoga class, we tease that it is more like Yoga/Pilates/Core Class. I am very grateful for all that Emilee has taught me about the importance of balance, alignment, flexibility and strength. I am involved with other exercise classes/programs as well and know that my motivation and enjoyment of exercise began with Emilee’s yoga class.

    Jeri Waite
  • Whatever Emilee Garfield does is magic.I have been wrestling with both osteopenia and scoliosis and Emilee has worked her magic on me for the past year.I feel stronger, more energetic and more in control of my body than ever before. But watch out because working out with her is so much fun and does so much good that it can become an addiction!

    Susan Shand Creative Director/ Co- Owner The Shand Group
  • "I am blessed to know Emilee Garfield. She has been an inspirational patient in so many ways.

    She has demonstrated courage, optimism, and humor during bleak times. Her grit and flexibility directed her through a true storm of life. This determination and bravery motivates all her providers and will continue to push anyone she meets to a better self.

    Emilee gives hope with her motivation, perseverance, and dedication to living a healthy lifestyle despite tremendous adversity.

    Thank you for reminding me to NEVER QUIT!"

    Alexandra E Rogers, MD-Urology
  • Just took Emilie's Core Recovery class and wanted to share what a fun, super informative class this is. I learned so much about my pelvic floor and what an important part of the body this is to a truly, healthy core.  We all hear about the "core", but learning about the different body parts that are all connected to creating a solid core is really helpful.I strongly encourage anyone who cares about having a strong body and being the best you can be to attend. Emilee is knowledgeable, funny and has a unique way of instructing the class to make it fun, but also an amazing workout.I want to quit my job and just takes classes with Emilee!

    ~Anonymous
  • Thank you for the incredible Pilates-based core instruction. After having two c-sections & a major hernia repair surgery, I'm always nervous about doing abdominal & core work. Usually I feel strain when I use my abs in a workout. Your incredible technique not only did not cause me pain, but also really gave me a great stretch & gave me a great strengthening workout! I loved how you kept encouraging me to slightly tilt and pull my muscles up & back!Thank you so much!

    ~Hollee
  • Emilee Garfield is Santa Barbara best kept secret, until now. She has just moved her business from an intimate studio behind her home, to the brand new facilities at The Training Room on Cesar Chavez.She's been teaching yoga and pilates to a devoted clientele for the last fourteen or so years. I was lucky enough to find her six years ago. I sought her out after debilitating back pain landed me in the doctor's office. I had seen many chiropractors. I had never done yoga or pilates before. I am now pain free.Emilee is patient, fun to work with and has the expert eye of an eagle for correct positioning. She never pushes you further then is reasonable. She does expect you to work and work smart.If you have physical problems that can be helped with exercise, this is where you should go. If you just want an excellent exercise program with a great instructor, this is also where you should go.

    Gwen Dandridge
  • Emilee's hero's journey is the greatest inspiration and an epic example of the capabilities of the human spirit, mind, and body. From her own healing journey, Emilee has shown us all how to fully reclaim life. She embodies and inspires empowerment with such grace, power, ease and joy that all who have the opportunity to work with her can't help to feel on every level what it's like to live fully and in our power. In decades of working with many of the most successful people on the planet, I have personally never been more inspired to know how great, fun and joyful life can be and to believe in myself than when I'm working with Emilee. Just being around her can make even the most challenging goals fun and easy to achieve.

    Shaman Jon Rasmussen
  • Emilee is a deeply caring sensitive intuitive teacher & coach. She has great knowledge of the body, energy and works very successfully with all people.Her cheerful nature and positive spirit inspired & delights all those who know her.

    Alecia
  • Emilee puts heart and soul into teaching accessible, thoughtfully tailored Pilates courses for all levels. Her devotion to clients has an immediate effect on body and mind. I walked away from our session feeling focused, strengthened and just plain happy.

    Lucas Hunt
  • I have been a client of Emilee’s for two years now, and I always look forward to our sessions. She’s bright, positive, knowledgable, and – although she looks fantastic -- she’s had some serious health issues to overcome which makes her more “human” and very understanding. I come with a lot of baggage: scoliosis, asthma, and serious prior abdominal surgery……and I’m seventy years old! Emilee gives me a great work out without ever hurting me. My posture has improved tremendously and I’m so much stronger than I used to be.Trust me – Emilee Garfield is tops in pilates and yoga, no matter how old you are or what physical problems you may be living with!

    Joan Easton Lentz~Naturalist and Author