Who is Darien Gold?

ALL THINGS PILATES producer and host, Darien Gold brings her style, interviewing and editing skills to the podcast sphere.

Since her days as a radio show host, Darien’s intention continues to light the way and bring greater exposure of the Contrology System. She delivers engaging and thought provoking content and her passion for Contrology shines through in every episode. She and her guests offer listeners a steady stream of insights into the Pilates community by highlighting Joseph Pilates’ original vision and the enduring impact of his Method.

When Darien Gold was introduced to the Pilates method in 1992, she felt an immediate connection to the work and soon after began studying with Romana Kryzanowska, a star disciple of Joseph Pilates. With Darien’s background as a professional dancer and former gymnast, the Pilates Method was a natural for her. She continued to study with Romana and in 1997, received the coveted Romana Certification. Initially, Darien’s students had their lessons in her small Hollywood apartment, but the practice grew and in 1999 she set up a large fully equipped studio in West Hollywood, naming it Studio Darien.

Darien’s demand for excellence drew a varied clientele. Professional athletes such as basketball legend Kobe Bryant had his first Pilates experience with Darien, visiting dancers from the Juilliard School in NYC chose Studio Darien to stay in condition, and many international students also found their way to Darien’s studio. But, in 2013, after two decades of changing and building strong bodies, and much to the dismay of her Los Angeles clientele, Darien and her studio moved to Northern California for cleaner air, less traffic and a simpler way of life. She introduced the classical Pilates mat work to various Pilates studios, ballets schools, fitness clubs and even a local police and fire department. It didn’t take long for her technical skills and unique teaching style to gain an enthusiastic following. And then, when she found the perfect home, a rural and peaceful area in Sonoma County, Darien introduced her students to the apparatus designed by Joe Pilates.

Although the world as we knew it changed in 2020, Darien didn’t miss a beat and shifted her in-person mat and apparatus classes to online lessons. Now she had the freedom and opportunity to reach non-local and international students who only knew of her through her award-winning apps and DVDs. Darien’s classes are best suited for those interested in deepening their practice, including other Pilates teachers who call upon her tutelage for their continued education. Darien teaches in-person both locally and internationally and for online classes reach out: darien@dariengold.com.

  • You only get out of it what you put into it.

    Jay Grimes

  • Out of the feet and into the seat!

    Romana Kyrzanowska

  • Clara was a wonderful asset for Joe and knew his work inside out - very tactile and able to transmit her knowledge and understanding of his Method.

    Lolita San Miguel

  • Joe and Clara never taught lessons. They watched you and gave you more, something new, one at a time when they felt you were ready.

    Mary Bowen

  • The first time when I entered the Contrology studio, Joe took one look at me and said, "I will change your life forever." And he did.

    Anna Shaffer

  • Joe believed in hard work, he wasn’t a complainer and very focused on Contrology...he liked to challenge me..

    Lolita San Miguel

  • It’s through the Method you find your spine.

    Romana Kyrzanowska

  • I asked Joe “What muscle does this exercise?” Joe responded in a gruff directive: “Shut up! Every muscle does it!”

    Ron Fletcher

  • The 3 most important things that I teach my students about are: Posture, Breathing and the Feet.

    Lolita San Miguel

  • Out of the simplest, basic exercise, grows the super advanced work.

    Jay Grimes

  • Contrology is a natural exercise program and you must be disciplined to keep it in your body....Joe often said that by practicing his Method, you don’t need a gym.

    Anna Shaffer

  • First and foremost, Mr. Pilates taught me to stand on both feet.

    Kathy Grant

  • You have to know it in your bones. Otherwise you will feel like a fraud teaching what you do not know.

    Ron Fletcher

  • I'm afraid that Joe's Method is being lost. I see his name being prostituted and it worries me.

    Anna Schaffer

  • In six and a half years twice a week for me I had learned the whole method...one exercise at a time. We were in charge of ourselves. There was no hovering or babying of anyone. It was good. It was brilliant.

    Mary Bowen

  • I learned a very important piece to teaching Contrology from dance pioneer, Hanya Holm. She said, "Teach ideas, not exercises or things".

    Eve Gentry

  • During a continuing education workshop in Los Angeles, Romana turned to the Studio owner host and said, “She’s (Darien) my protégé, even if she doesn’t know it, she is. She’s always been one of my favorites.”

    Romana Kryzanowska

  • If most instructors knew the karma involved with teaching others what you do not know, you are creating consequences that magnify though-out the world. If teachers knew this, many would not teach or they would study more.

    Ron Fletcher

  • Eve created her signature orientation to Pilates repertoire. Her voracious curiosity and determination kept her investigations going until over the years, the composite became what is known as Pre-Pilates.

    Eve Gentry

  • Clara many times said to me, “You have to learn the ABC’s first before moving onward.”

    Ron Fletcher

  • If you don’t love Pilates, get out! Because it’s hard work and you must have the passion to keep it going.

    Lolita San Miguel

  • From your shoulders to your heels, your body is like steel.

    Carola Trier