Club Pilates

Bios

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  Samantha

  Lead Instructor

  Growing up in North Carolina, Samantha played sports and danced, but fell in love with fitness after college when she decided she needed a change after gaining 40lbs and feeling unfulfilled and exhausted from working in the Fashion Industry. After multiple injuries from overtraining, Samantha's PT suggested taking Pilates classes and she immediately fell in love with the practice. After seeing how Pilates helped her heal from former injuries and made her body move and feel better, she couldn't wait to share the practice with others. Samantha has been teaching Pilates since 2015 and TRX and Strength classes since 2017. Her teaching style is Pilates inspired movements, focusing on muscles that improve posture and proper movement patterns. She likes adding in some cardio boosts to get your heart rate up and burn more calories. Her workouts are tough, but focused on proper form and keeping the mood light and fun. Samantha also teaches Myofascial Release and Mobility which can be integrated within her classes or privates as needed. You will leave her workouts feeling lengthened, strengthened, and a little sore in the right places.

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  Irene

  Instructor

  Irene was born and raised in NYC. She received her Pilates certification from Lindafit for mat Pilates and The Lab for her apparatus certification. She specializes in injury rehabilitation as well as pre/postnatal Pilates. Her classes are challenging and rewarding.

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  Alicia

  Instructor

  Alicia has over 30 years of experience as a fitness instructor and has been teaching Pilates for 15+. She is a corporate runaway and worked in sports marketing and public relations for Dupont before transitioning full time into the fitness business. A lifelong athlete, Alicia understands the need for a balanced training regime and restorative exercise for injury prevention. Alicia was hooked on Pilates after just one session and immediately recognized the importance of core strength as the foundation for all forms of movement. Patience and kindness are characteristics of her practice along with an in depth knowledge and personal connection to Pilates. She enjoys working with all ages and populations — from beginners to elite athletes. When not teaching, Alicia can be found cycling around Brooklyn, speedskating in Prospect Park or catching a show on or off Broadway!

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  Kristen

  Instructor

  A native of Brooklyn, NY, Kristen is a certified Pilates instructor and fitness model. She pursued her passion for dance at a very young age and received a BFA from SUNY Purchase. She was inspired by Pilates when she discovered its endless benefits, managed her sciatica and transformed her body. She believes consistency and positivity in your Pilates practice allows for both mental and physical benefits. Her knowledge of the body and movement brings precision and creativity to her practice. Kristen focuses to help others obtain a healthier, stronger and happier body.

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  So Young

  Instructor Sub

  6 years ago, Soyoung got hooked on a 20 minute mat pilates workout on YouTube. Her friends started noticing that she lost weight and eventually she started realizing that she could walk so long without having back pain. She was incredibly amazed. So she quit her office job and started learning Pilates. She studied pilates in Korea at Muscle Care Pilates. After a 10 month journey to pass the test, she began working at a chiropractic clinic and small studios before she moved to Brooklyn. She believes that Pilates can really help people have a better quality life and she feels so honored to be the one who can help.

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  Talissa

  Instructor

  Talissa is a Physical Education teacher, Pilates instructor and Actress originally from Brazil. She is passionate about movement and brings her 10 years of dance training in classical ballet, tap, jazz and ballroom dancing to her Pilates practice. After graduating from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) with a degree in the Science of Physical Education, Talissa began her Pilates Instructor training by attending the Advanced Training with the Swiss Ball in Lisbon, Portugal and the Pilates Method Professional Training Course in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Soon before completing these courses, Talissa broke her lower back in car accident and used her knowledge of Physical Education to facilitate her recovery adding Pilates practice to the treatment. Soon after she decided to get certified so she could teach Pilates to all. She is excited to share her enthusiasm for Pilates with the CP Williamsburg community!

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  Effy

  Instructor

  Efrat is the latest addition to our team! She started as a CP member to get a good cross train to her hard hitting workouts. She was comprehensively certified in Pilates in 2016 through BodyTonic Pilates Gymnasium. She’s focusing on Private Training to start and is amazing 1-on-1. You’ll love the personalized attention and dedication that she brings to her practice. Call the studio to book your session today.

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  Heather

  Instructor

  Mom of 3, lover of movement, and always seeking growth, Heather became a Pilates instructor to open the doors for others to find strength in their body and mind. Raised in Georgia, Heather was always very active with play and formal exercise. After children, she found it harder to maintain the level of activity she craved. Enter Pilates! Consistent Pilates movement brought about a stronger and healthier mind, and in turn a stronger and healthier body. She completed her 600 hr comprehensive course at Just Like Om and began teaching with a passion for sharing the principles of Pilates and a firm belief that Pilates is for everyone and everybody. She keeps concentration, centering, control, precision, breathing, alignment, flow, and integration at the forefront of her classes.

• Jackie

  Instructor

  Jacqueline is a New York native with over 15 years of experience in the fitness industry as a Pilates instructor and personal trainer. She discovered the benefits of Pilates during her dance training in NYC after receiving her BA in Ballet from Point Park University. She was certified in Pilates through the Kane School of Core Integration in 1999 under the direction of Kelly Kane. She is also an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and a certified Gyrotonic instructor. Jackie has a strong appreciation for the ways in which fitness connects the mind and body. She incorporates all of her movement and fitness knowledge into each session to create a full body movement experience that is effective, safe and fun.

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  Khalil

  Instructor

  Khalil Ben; father, husband. On his journey of pursuing his music career as a rapper/producer, never in a million years did Khalil think he would fall in love with something else...until he was introduced to Pilates though his wife, Talissa! After many failed attempts, she finally got Khalil to try a class though he still didn't fully understand how Pilates could benefit him. Weeks later, Talissa further challenged Khalil to register for an upcoming Club Pilates teacher training. As he had only taken a handful of classes, it was a surprise that he accepted but as an avid boxer he wanted to better understand how to master his body mechanics. Starting from scratch, Khalil was initially discouraged throughout the course but quickly found himself addicted to Pilates; he continuously proved to himself and his Master Trainer that he could do it and do it well. On his final test out, his Master Trainer and classmates not only noticed the transformation in his form and posture, but also in his knowledge. Fast forward to now, Khalil is not only a Certified Pilates Instructor, but also an example and inspiration for all who want to explore outside of their comfort zone. His main belief is love yourself--no excuses. And do Pilates!

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  Maria

  Instructor

  Maria Cecie specializes in authentic traditional Pilates training, but is not limited to the traditional practice as she is a strong believer in adapting to the contemporary style in order to fully cater to every individual's needs. She began her journey in Pilates when she had to have her left knee reconstructed in 2016. As a dancer, Pilates was brought to her attention as an added practice for her rehabilitation, as well as a new method in her life to not only strengthen her dance technique, but to also strengthen her mind and overall wellness. Maria Cecie's passion for health and fitness is highlighted in the discipline Pilates has brought her, and is further explored in her outdoor activities, interval and weight training, nutrition studies, and her performing arts background. Maria Cecie attended a performing arts middle and high school in North Carolina where she focused on her dance training; she then attended Appalachian State University and received her degree in Film, Dance, and Spanish Language and Literature. Aside from Pilates and dance, Maria Cecie is a writer, model, and filmmaker. Her love for movement and health is her fuel, which is what she strives to spread with everyone she has the pleasure of working with.

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  Kelly

  Instructor

  Kelly describes her teaching style as fresh, driven, and continuously evolving to better serve her clients. The endless possibilities of the spring board, reformer, and chair really excite her. Working with three apparatus in an hour is a great challenge, the time zips by and you get a unique, lengthening workout. That's why she enjoys teaching at Club Pilates. You'll never take the same class twice! She’s got the travel bug! Traveling keeps Kelly curious and inspired. She daydreams about going back to Bali and opening a Pilates studio. Maybe someday! She also LOVES baked goods. They are her weakness. Pastries, brownies, croissants, cookies, and muffins, are just a few of Kelly’s favorites sweets. Outside the studio, Kelly enjoys spending as much time as she can with her dog, Porter the Min Pin. He's her buddy and loves to travel as well. They’re a good fit :) Kelly also gets to do a bit of acting from time to time. Keep an eye out, she’ll pop up on your tv now and then! She’s a big reader so if you need your next book suggestion, she’s got ya- give her a shout.

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  Sarah

  Owner/Instructor Sub

  Sarah is the owner of Club Pilates Park Slope in addition to her first studio in Mount Kisco that she opened in Summer 2017. She's a mother of three with a diverse work background that had nothing to do with Pilates...until she tried it for fun 14 years ago and fell in love. A dancer for nearly 20 years, Sarah decided to try a Pilates class on a whim at a large group-based reformer studio in NYC. She loved it so much that she began working at the Pilates studio nights and weekends. When her career took her out of the city and into the 'burbs, she struggled to find Pilates classes that she could a) fit into her schedule and b) afford. She half heartedly pieced classes together here and there and practiced at home when she couldn't find a studio. Once she (accidentally) discovered Club Pilates she knew she had to be a part of it and jumped at the opportunity of opening her own studio. In 10 months time, she bought into the CP idea, purchased her first territory and was open for business! She loves how Club Pilates is changing the way people view and understand Pilates with affordable classes, accessible schedules, all with the least pretentious attitude. She loves how Club Pilates "brings Pilates to the people" and can't wait to work with you!