About
About Annabel
—Annabel Castaldo
Exercise shouldn’t be a chore…
I first fell in love with exercise in 1994 when I discovered the Lotte Berk Method. Before that, my idea of fitness was playing field hockey or basketball and occasionally popping in a Jane Fonda workout tape. I never saw myself as particularly graceful—I carried a little extra weight and always felt a bit awkward. But Lotte changed everything. I was hooked. The challenge, the grit, the ritual, and yes, the burn—it all drew me in.
I could only afford to take classes twice a week at $20 a session (a hefty price back then), but it was worth every penny. I was in my twenties, still figuring myself out. After each class, I’d step outside onto Madison Avenue and light up a Marlboro Light, right in front of the studio. That was then.
Two years later, I embarked on a Pilates certification program. At the time, Lotte Berk didn’t offer teacher training outside their NY staff, and I had already moved away from New York City. Pilates became my next chapter, but I carried my barre roots with me. I started blending barre and Pilates techniques in my teaching, creating a unique fusion that followed me as I moved across the country—from Oregon to Virginia and finally to Oakland.
In 2004, I opened a small studio in Oakland, which quickly grew into a larger space on Piedmont Avenue the following year. I spent 15 incredible years there, working with a diverse range of clients. Most of them weren’t the dancers or performers typically associated with Pilates. Instead, they were people managing injuries, chronic pain, and other challenges. I loved working with this community and began adapting the exercises to better meet their needs. It was during this time that I began carving out my own approach.
A growing number of my clients were over 50 and being diagnosed with osteoporosis. At the time, there wasn’t much guidance available on how to stay active with this condition, and many of them were hesitant about medications. They were also afraid of falling or injuring themselves during exercise. That’s when I decided to focus on bone and spine health.
That was over a decade ago, and since then, I’ve been refining what has now become BoneCentrics™. This program isn’t just for those with osteoporosis or osteopenia—it’s for anyone looking to improve their posture, balance, spinal strength, and overall stability. People with neck pain, back pain, or other postural issues have also found it transformative. BoneCentrics is about moving better, feeling stronger, and living with more confidence.
When you work with Annabel, you’ll have a coach who is passionate about helping you move better, feel stronger, and live with more confidence. With a focus on posture, balance, and spinal strength, every session is tailored to your needs.
- Start Strong: Every new client begins with a consultation call and assessment, where we explore your goals, movement patterns, and areas of focus.
- Personalized Support: From day one, you’ll receive modifications and one-on-one attention to ensure you’re progressing safely and effectively.
- Targeted Activation: Sessions include exercises designed to awaken underused muscles, release tension from overactive ones, and build functional strength for everyday life.
- Postural Excellence: Each class emphasizes posture and alignment to help you stand taller, move with ease, and reduce pain.
- A Revolutionary Approach: BoneCentrics™ is designed to meet you where you are, focusing on your unique needs rather than rigidly following traditional exercise methods.
Whether you’re working to improve your posture, address chronic pain, or strengthen your bones, BoneCentrics™ is about prioritizing you and your journey to better movement.
Ready to take the next step? Book your consultation today and feel the difference!