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Our History | One of San Francisco's Oldest Pilates Studios
For over three decades, EHS Pilates has been a cornerstone of the San Francisco Pilates community. From our earliest days on Cesar Chavez to our current home on Valencia Street in the Mission District, our story is one of deep roots, dedicated leadership, and an unwavering commitment to the traditional Pilates method.
For over three decades, EHS Pilates has been a cornerstone of the San Francisco Pilates community. From our earliest days on Cesar Chavez to our current home on Valencia Street in the Mission District, our story is one of deep roots, dedicated leadership, and an unwavering commitment to the traditional Pilates method.
EHS Pilates was honored as an official San Francisco Legacy Business by the Mayor's Office, the Historical Preservation Society, and the Small Business Commission. This recognition is awarded to longstanding businesses that have shaped the history, culture, and character of their neighborhood. As one of the Mission District's most established wellness businesses, EHS joined a select group of honorees recognized for their contributions to the city.
Tracey Sylvester became the sole owner of EHS Pilates, guiding the studio's vision, steady growth, and long-term direction. Nancy Myers remained deeply involved as Education Director, rehabilitation advisor, and the world-renowned head of the Foot and Gait therapy department, a specialized program that draws clients from across San Francisco and beyond.
EHS Pilates partnered with Balanced Body to offer globally recognized Pilates teacher training in San Francisco. This partnership has produced skilled certified Pilates instructors who now teach throughout the Bay Area and around the world, cementing EHS as one of San Francisco's leading Pilates education centers.
EHS Pilates was founded by Ellie Herman, bestselling Pilates author and master instructor, in the Old Sears building on Cesar Chavez in San Francisco. Ellie created one of California's first comprehensive Pilates teacher training programs, establishing the studio as a pioneer in Pilates education on the West Coast. She continues to teach at her three Brooklyn studios today.
The studio moved just one block to its current home on Valencia Street in the Mission District, settling into the historic Greenblatt Machine Shop. The new space became the Bay Area's largest Balanced Body equipment showroom, housing multiple generations of Pilates reformers, Cadillacs, combo chairs, and other traditional apparatus.
Tracey Sylvester and Nancy Myers, Ellie's management team, purchased the San Francisco studio following Ellie's move to New York. They renamed Ellie Herman Studios to Energy Health Strength, keeping the beloved EHS brand, and continued building the teacher training program and studio community that Ellie had established.
1991
2002
2007
2009
2016
2019
NOW
1991
EHS Pilates was founded by Ellie Herman, bestselling Pilates author and master instructor, in the Old Sears building on Cesar Chavez in San Francisco. Ellie created one of California's first comprehensive Pilates teacher training programs, establishing the studio as a pioneer in Pilates education on the West Coast. She continues to teach at her three Brooklyn studios today.
2002
The studio moved just one block to its current home on Valencia Street in the Mission District, settling into the historic Greenblatt Machine Shop. The new space became the Bay Area's largest Balanced Body equipment showroom, housing multiple generations of Pilates reformers, Cadillacs, combo chairs, and other traditional apparatus.
2007
Tracey Sylvester and Nancy Myers, Ellie's management team, purchased the San Francisco studio following Ellie's move to New York. They renamed Ellie Herman Studios to Energy Health Strength, keeping the beloved EHS brand, and continued building the teacher training program and studio community that Ellie had established.
2009
EHS Pilates partnered with Balanced Body to offer globally recognized Pilates teacher training in San Francisco. This partnership has produced skilled certified Pilates instructors who now teach throughout the Bay Area and around the world, cementing EHS as one of San Francisco's leading Pilates education centers.
2016
Tracey Sylvester became the sole owner of EHS Pilates, guiding the studio's vision, steady growth, and long-term direction. Nancy Myers remained deeply involved as Education Director, rehabilitation advisor, and the world-renowned head of the Foot and Gait therapy department, a specialized program that draws clients from across San Francisco and beyond.
2019
EHS Pilates was honored as an official San Francisco Legacy Business by the Mayor's Office, the Historical Preservation Society, and the Small Business Commission. This recognition is awarded to longstanding businesses that have shaped the history, culture, and character of their neighborhood. As one of the Mission District's most established wellness businesses, EHS joined a select group of honorees recognized for their contributions to the city.
NOW
Today, EHS Pilates continues to serve San Francisco as a comprehensive traditional Pilates studio offering private and duet sessions, small group reformer and equipment classes, community mat classes, specialized rehabilitation and prehabilitation programs, and our renowned Foot and Gait therapy department led by Nancy Myers. We also offer Balanced Body teacher training, advanced certification programs, Self-Care Saturday workshops, and pre and postnatal Pilates.
Under the ownership of Tracey Sylvester, a 15-year board member of the Mission Merchants Association and executive board member of Avenue Greenlight. EHS remains rooted in community, committed to accessible movement education, and dedicated to the time-tested Pilates method that has guided us for over 30 years. We welcome clients of all ages, fitness levels, and backgrounds to our Valencia Street studio in the heart of the Mission.
Community Roots
San Francisco Legacy Business
More Than a Pilates Studio
EHS Pilates is deeply woven into the Mission District and San Francisco’s small business community. Owner Tracey Sylvester has served as a board member of the Mission Merchants Association for over 15 years, advocating for the businesses and neighbors this most vibrant SF business corridors. Tracey is a 2024 graduate of Leadership SF and also serves as an executive board member of Avenue Greenlight, contributing for over five years to economic development and community investment across San Francisco neighborhoods. She previously served on the executive board of SFCDMA, supporting small businesses through the pandemic.
EHS Pilates is a member of the SF Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Valencia Corridor Merchants Assoc., reflecting our commitment to being a neighbor, advocate, and contributor to the community we’ve called home for over three decades.
Rooted in The Mission For 30 Years
In 2018, EHS Pilates was awarded the coveted status of becoming a San Francisco Legacy Business by the collective authority of the Mayor's Office, the Historical Preservation Society, and the Small Business Commission for our contributions to the unique character and vibrancy of the city.
Rooted in the heart of the Mission District for over 30 years, this traditional comprehensive Pilates studio has built a lasting community among a small group of honorees recognized for shaping San Francisco's history and culture.
Located on Valencia Street in the heart of the Mission District, EHS Pilates proudly serves clients from Noe Valley, the Castro, Potrero Hill, Bernal Heights, SoMa, Dolores Heights, and across the greater San Francisco Bay Area.