ODDlight Teacher Feature: Rachel Cohen

After a decade of teaching Pilates throughout New York City, Rachel arrived in LA in 2023. Rachel holds a 500-hour comprehensive Balanced Body certification and is also certified in pre/postnatal Pilates, myofascial release, and nutrition. She was diagnosed with EDS, a hypermobility disorder, in high school, and through Pilates, she found that movement and pain didn't have to go hand in hand. It was this realization that led her to share Pilates with others. Rachel co-writes and co-runs Pilates teacher training programs... stay tuned for one coming to ODD in 2027! Rachel is the teacher who knows your name, remembers your weird knee thing, gives you options, and helps you hit your goals. She makes a challenging class feel like a fun party, with incredible playlists and lots of laughter. You'll leave her class with more body awareness, strength, and confidence than when you walked in - and you'll probably be surprised by what you're capable of. All bodies, all backgrounds, and all weird knee things are welcome - find Rachel's schedule here.

Get to know Rachel:

Hometown: Franklin, MA

Favorite place: California... but Japan is a close second.

What's your sign? Sagittarius ♐

Five words that describe your teaching style: Mindful. Precise. Empowering. Playful. Attentive.

What's an ODD fact about you? I have two cats, Pigeon and Fig, and a dog named Sunny.

Where are you when you're not at the studio? Outside - reading, swimming, hiking, seeing friends. Also, deep in a vintage shop, looking for something good for my apartment or my wardrobe.

What led you to Pilates? I got diagnosed with a connective tissue disorder called EDS in high school, and aside from physical therapy, Pilates was the only thing that made me feel better. It was the first time I started to see exercise as medicine rather than punishment. Now I've been teaching for over a decade!

Why do you teach? I love helping people connect to their bodies and start to feel more capable in day-to-day life. When I started teaching, there were a lot of classes I felt I could not take because of my injuries. I was often left feeling like I was just trying to figure it out on my own, and I never wanted any of my clients to feel that way. Bodies are forever changing, and I want you to feel empowered in each season.

My class is for you if… You are a person! I love teaching all ages, injuries, bodies, and backgrounds. All are welcome.

How do you hope people feel after they leave your class? Better than they came in. I always want people to feel seen, in touch with their bodies, and like they had a good time.

How would a regular describe your class to a friend who's never been? "It's not one of those intimidating and silent classes. The instructor is funny and can make you forget you're working hard until you can't walk the next day. She comes around and fixes your form the whole time, so you actually know what you're doing, and if you have a weird knee thing, she'll help you. You leave feeling like you did something really good for your body but also like you just hung out with someone who cares."

What do you geek out on as a teacher? All of it. I have ADHD, so the ability to learn and work on so many things really works to my advantage. I think all of it together provides an amazing class.

What are you working on in your own practice right now? I'm in physical therapy for my neck, so that's a semi-boring but honest part of my practice right now. Other than that, I'm focusing on moving with confidence and grace, which isn't always easy when coming back from injury!

What's on repeat lately? Very disco vibes. This playlist has been on heavy rotation.

One affirmation you keep coming back to: "The amount of good things in your life depends on your ability to notice them." - source unknown

Anything else? I feel so grateful for the ODD community. The clients and instructors I have met here are truly special. I often just look around the room while I'm teaching and feel so lucky to be a part of something so beautiful.