Club Pilates

Bios

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  MICHAEL

  Master Trainer

  Michael Scott Birro has been practicing and teaching the Pilates method of movement since 2005. Michael’s experience includes both one-on-one as well as group classes for athletes, dancers, and everyday people of all ages, backgrounds, and levels. Michael has become a seasoned Pilates instructor, learning and working alongside prominent Pilates professionals such as Irene Dowd, Tom Meyers, Eric Franklin, and Jennifer Stacey. Michael’s training methods emphasize a strong bond between teacher and student, fostering engagement, inspiration, safety, and inner strength, both physically and mentally. Michael is our Master Trainer and does not keep regular class hours, but keep an eye out for guest appearances!

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  HOLLY

  Pilates Instructor
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  ABBY

  Pilates Instructor

  Abby’s love of Pilates has been steadily growing for the past decade+ since she and her dad/work-out-buddy discovered their local studio in northern Virginia. Her dad was dealing with severe back pain that even specialized doctors couldn't help. He stumbled into the local Pilates studio where some professional football players happened to be working out (as they were the owners & huge Pilates advocates), and that was enough to convince him to give it a try. Ten years later at the age of 50, he competed in his first triathlon-pain free! Abby owes her dad for her introduction to Pilates. As a high schooler somewhat consumed with societal pressures having to look a certain way, she quickly noticed this work out was about more than simply a fit body, and the freedom was addicting. Workouts on the reformer left her feeling taller, stronger, and better than ever! Pilates quickly became her #1 form of exercise. She was inspired to finally pursue her dream of being an instructor and completed teacher training so that Pilates could have its rightful place as a top priority in her life and she could do her part in sharing the gifts of Pilates with others. She loves sharing Pilates with her clients and hopes they always leave the studio feeling better than when they came. When not in the studio, Abby can be found snuggling her puggle (pug-beagle mix), pursuing her singing/acting career, galivanting in her new NYC neighborhood, or she might still be in the studio and you just didn’t look hard enough.

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  ASHLEY

  Pilates Instructor

  Ashley has had a deep passion for group fitness for most of her life, beginning with her time as a high school cheerleader. Flash forward to today, Ashley holds a 500-hour Pilates certification, a 200-hour Baptiste style Power Yoga certification, and is also trained in TRX, Barre, HIIT, and Trigger Point therapy. Having an extensive background in anatomy and fitness allows Ashley to structure her class in a uniquely refreshing manner as she incorporates the functional fitness techniques gleaned from her full time instructor career, paired with upbeat music to keep you captivated and motivated. If you want to be challenged, try Ashley's class!

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  BLYTHE

  Pilates Instructor

  Blythe loved her time exercising as a way to de-stress from the craziness of the auction and estate liquidation world and thus began her fitness career 20 years ago as a personal trainer, quickly specializing in special populations, pre and post rehab and clients’ who needed functional movement. Pilates and water exercise certifications became the way to go. Blythe has worked throughout NYC in private, group training, management and education for Asphalt Green, NYSC, 92nd Street Y and Moving Strength and has taught trainers the NASM CPT and AFAA PT curriculums and anatomy classes for over 15 years throughout the Northeast. She has completed several Pilates courses and received her full apparatus Certification through Stott Pilates. “Fitness has given me the outlet to help people change their lives for the better; this in turn, changes my life for the better...exercise keeps you going in a positive way both in mind and body so do what you can each day to make yourself stronger and healthier overall. Your body is your temple - train to make that foundation stronger and support yourself for life!”

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  CAROLINE

  Pilates Instructor

  Caroline got her Club Pilates start in West New York. She is thrilled to be an instructor after completing the Club Pilates 500 hour Teacher Training. Caroline grew up in North Carolina as a dancer, and began her musical theatre career at a young age. She went on to receive her BFA in Musical Theatre from Wright State University in Ohio, and moved to the New York area after graduating to follow her passion for performing. As a dancer, Caroline is fascinated by the way the human body moves. She loves the complete mind and body connection pilates has, reminding her so much of dance. She looks forward to incorporating this passion, as she blends breath and movement through all of her clients, leaving everyone feeling strong, confident, and connected at the end of each class. Fun Fact: Caroline started practicing Pilates in middle school!

• ELENA

  Pilates Instructor

  Elena came to America from Korea in 2014 to attend university in Long Beach, California. She then got involved in Real Estate where she was a Broker for 3 years. Working long hours in Real Estate, Elena felt she needed exercise in her life in order to help with longevity in her demanding career. She longed for a routine with a mind + body connection. Eager to make a change and after much thought, in 2017 Elena decided to embark on a Pilates career. While taking classes at Whole Body Method in California with Nigel Sampson, she quickly fell in love. Later that year, Elena decided she wanted to pursue Pilates full-time, in the city where Joseph Pilates opened his first studio in the states. Off to New York City Elena went, where she completed her comprehensive Pilates training through the Equinox certification program and now joins the Club Pilates Family! LANGUAGES: Elena is fluent in Korean.

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  JADA-RAE

  Pilates Instructor

  Jada-Rae first fell in love with Pilates when she began using it to cross train with track and field back in 2015 at Rutgers University. After noticing that it helped rehabilitate some of her injuries and improved her performance she fell in love with the idea of teaching Pilates. She has a strong passion for health and wellness and is currently studying Exercise Science and Health Administration at Rutgers University. As a supplement to her learning at Rutgers, she has worked as a Physical Therapy aid since 2016 where she helps Physical Therapists rehabilitate patients dealing with various injuries. Her knowledge and experience from being in the Physical Therapy environment is brought to each lesson taught. In her little free time, she enjoys outdoor activities, traveling the world, and trying to cook the newest vegan recipes! Jada-Rae continues to further her career in Pilates and hopes to continue healing through movement.

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  KAYLA

  Pilates Instructor

  6 years ago, Kayla 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. LANGUAGES: Kayla is fluent in Korean.

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  KENZIE

  Pilates Instructor

  Kenzie was born and raised in Los Angeles, and received her B.F.A in Drama and Psychology from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. She was a dancer throughout her childhood, with a passion for musical theater and jazz. Kenzie discovered Pilates while in physical therapy for hypermobility and a joint disorder. After years of looking for relief, Pilates provided her a safe way to strengthen without pain, lengthen without hyperextension, and increase proprioception While at Tisch, she was introduced to Alexander Technique, Laban Movement Analysis and Feldenkrais Method, all of which she has found benefit from and loves to incorporate in her Pilates practice and training. She received her 600 hour-all apparatus certification through CorePilates NYC.

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  KIMBERLY

  Pilates Instructor

  Kimberly completed her comprehensive 500 hour teaching certification through the Club Pilates Teacher Training Program. She is also certified through Barre Above and TRX Suspension Training. Kimberly first started taking Pilates in college. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music in 2017 with a BFA in Musical Theater and a minor in Business. Kimberly has a 17+ year background in performance and dance and started studying Pilates to help enhance her technique. Kimberly fell in love with Joseph Pilates' concepts and how it has transformed her body and even helped her strengthen her knee after ACL reconstruction surgery. When she is not teaching Pilates she can be found performing professionally, and teaching dance classes. She looks forward to sharing her joy for Pilates with clients!

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  MARIA

  Pilates Instructor

  Maria Cecie specializes in the classical Pilates method, but is not limited to traditional practice as she is a strong believer in adapting to a contemporary style in order to fully cater to every individual's needs. Maria Cecie began her journey in Pilates after a left knee reconstruction surgery in 2016. As a dancer, Pilates was brought to her attention as an added practice for rehabilitation, as well as a new method in her life to not only strengthen her dance technique, but to also 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; then attending Appalachian State University where she 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. LANGUAGES: Maria is fluent in Spanish.

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  MICHELLE

  Pilates Instructor

  Michelle is a Pilates instructor through the Club Pilates teacher training course. Michelle has extensive experience in physical fitness. She has certifications in Zumba, Will Power and Grace, Group Step and Group Kick. Teaching for the last ten years, she loved the energy people would feel from her high impact cardio classes and the satisfaction of helping people stay fit--and having fun while doing so. Michelle's career has been focused on health and fitness, not only as a fitness instructor but she also has a degree in the field of Radiologic Technology--giving her unique insights into the body, health and exercise. In the medical field, she observed how many patients lacked a strong core and poor spinal health. Now through Pilates, she can be one of the many instructors to help people realize the importance of posture and inner core strength. She believes this is a key element to longevity. A fit body is a happy body and a happy mind. Always learning and growing. Michelle plans to pursue a degree in Nutrition in addition to continuing her advanced Pilates certifications.

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  MISHA

  Pilates Instructor

  Misha has been teaching Pilates for 10+ years at many studios throughout NYC. A former ballet dancer, Misha has danced professionally with San Francisco Ballet, Miami City Ballet and Pennsylvania Ballet as well as being schooled at the prestigious School of American Ballet. Misha has dealt with a number of injuries throughout his career and is adept at treating any special needs or limitations students may have. Misha was certified with Power Pilates under the tutelage of renowned teacher Bob Liekens.

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  HEATHER (SUB)

  Pilates 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.

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  IRENE (SUB)

  Pilates Instructor

  Irene was born and raised in New York City. 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. Members find her classes both challenging and rewarding.

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  PATRICIA (SUB)

  Pilates Instructor

  Patricia is a 500-hour Certified Club Pilates Instructor and a Certified Barre Above Trainer. The rewards of Pilates are limitless and produce solid results. Patricia enjoys sharing Pilates with everyBODY, everywhere! We all come to Pilates with a variety of reasons or goals. She takes time to assess every client's needs and wishes and is dedicated to supporting them in their own Pilates regimen. Her careful attention to every individual shows in her attitude. She aims to make a difference in your day and keep you motivated and committed to moving with body awareness. Patricia excels in training individuals, be it in a private lesson or in a class. She approaches every person and believes that "When you know your strengths, you know who you are deeply!" Patricia is passionate about living artfully, living well and living a fit life. In addition to teaching Pilates, Patricia is an artist, a Mother of three adult children and an avid skier, traveler and loves Pilates with deep deep passion.

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  BAILEY

  Pilates Instructor

  Bailey has been practicing Pilates on and off since high school. She fell in love with Reformer Pilates when she started working at a Club Pilates in West New York, NJ at the Front Desk. Soon after, she completed the 500 Hour Club Pilates Teacher Training Program. Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, Bailey moved to New York in early 2018. She grew up dancing and performing, and continued that through college, receiving her BFA in Musical Theatre from Wright State University. Bailey is very passionate about fitness, wellness, and self-care, and she hopes to spread that passion to others through teaching. She’s super excited to use her Pilates training to continue on her health and wellness journey, all while spreading joy to others. Check out her classes for a fun mix of contemporary and classical styles!