Issaquah Highlands will soon get an exciting new addition to its fitness scene!
Pilates has been around since the early 20th century, but the mind-body exercise has soared in popularity in recent years, sparking widespread interest. Fortunately for Issaquah Highlands residents, a new studio—Pilates Studio 11—is opening soon in Grand Ridge Plaza, offering the perfect opportunity to experience this transformative workout.
Pilates Studio 11 is expanding with a second location that complements its original studio in Sammamish. Studio owner and instructor Kate Yesis first discovered Pilates while recovering from knee surgery and searching for a way to restore strength and mobility.
“From my very first session, I was hooked. Pilates wasn’t just about movement, it was about understanding my body in a whole new way. I felt stronger and more aligned,” Yesis says.
Yesis turned her passion for Pilates into a lifelong career. She recalls that when she first started, Pilates was primarily offered through private sessions with an “exclusive, boutique feel.” Over time, she has seen it evolve into a mainstream movement, with group classes making high-quality instruction more accessible.
Yesis loves that more people are discovering Pilates—not just for rehabilitation but as an all-encompassing, full-body training method. She believes that no two people move the same, and that Pilates should adapt to them, not the other way around. By emphasizing the importance of natural movement, her approach encourages individuals to move in a way that feels right to them, allowing technique and form to evolve over time.
When signing up for your first class, you can expect to be met where you are, regardless of experience level. Community is a central concept at Pilates Studio 11, where members move together, support one another and celebrate every achievement—big or small.
Pilates Studio 11 will open its new studio in Grand Ridge Plaza in 2025. This studio is an expansion of its Sammamish location! Photos courtesy of Kate Yesis.
Yesis says the studio fosters an environment filled with laughter, encouragement and a sense of belonging, ensuring everyone has the space to “move, grow and feel amazing in your body.”
Yesis decided on Issaquah Highlands for her second studio location for many reasons, noting that she spends a lot of time in the area and loves how the community is vibrant, active and full of people who care about wellness. She appreciates how the location is close to her home, allowing her to teach regularly and “stay connected to the studio and the people who make it special.”
She says the Issaquah Highlands studio will have an emphasis on strength, mobility and performance-based training, while remaining true to core Pilates principles.
For any beginners that may feel hesitation in trying a new form of exercise, Yesis recommends taking the “Basic” class to get comfortable with the equipment, movements and flow of a session. She adds that Pilates Studio 11 classes are designed with progression in mind, but “Basic” classes are where the foundation is built.
At its core, Yesis says Pilates Studio 11 is founded on people. She feels grateful to work alongside a team of instructors who are not only skilled teachers but also kind, passionate and inspiring individuals.
“Every single person who walks through our doors contributes to the energy, the motivation and the sense of community that makes this place special. At the end of the day, this studio isn’t just about Pilates. It’s about connection, growth and feeling your absolute best.” – Kate Yesis
Maia Esbensen is a member of the Highlands Youth (HY) Advisory Board and a Roanoke Woods resident.
As published in the spring issue of Community Connect magazine >>>
