Kelly McCarthy

Kelly McCarthy graduated from the University of Denver with a B.A. in Studio Art in 2011. She was first introduced to Pilates during her senior year of high school as a means of continuing rehab after an injury from a car accident. After years of team sports and athletics Kelly found Pilates to be not only more of a challenge, but she had never felt more at home in her own body. She continued this pursuit of happiness in her body through the Pilates Center of Boulder Teacher Training Program, graduating in 2008. Knowing firsthand the depths of pain and trauma, Kelly is constantly intrigued and inspired by Joseph Pilates’ work and its inherent way of healing and strengthening both the body and the mind.

She hopes to inspire others to find an authenticity in the movement as Pilates has done for her.  Kelly has also experienced Pilates in Florence, Italy as well as working with a variety of clients among studios in the Denver metro area, Aspen and Sag Harbor. Kelly continues her Pilates education both with The Pilates Center of Boulder and Deeper Perspectives with Pilates Aligned. Kelly has been mentoring under Cara Reeser and the Pilates Aligned staff for the past 4 years.

She enjoys the idea that through sharing her knowledge and experience of Pilates she can help others to feel good in their own body and find more enjoyment in their daily lives. Joseph Pilates believed that play involved all forms of pleasurable living. Kelly is passionate about Pilates as a vehicle to maintaining the zest and vitality in our everyday life to get out in the fresh air and play!

Nancy Forshaw-Clapp

Sarah James

Sarah was first introduced to Pilates because of ballet.  Pilates was part of the required curriculum while a student at the Harid Conservatory in Boca Raton, Florida. At first she was not sure if she loved Pilates because it was challenging and she was not very good at it. Towards her last year at school she started to see the amazing transformation Pilates can have on your body by adding strength and flexibility, while slimming everything. She was hooked:) Her  instructor at Harid, John Mahoney, was certified by  Romana Kryzanowska.  So she chose to get her certification through Brett Howard  and where she became  friends with Mika Street, the owner of Uptown  Pilates. Sarah has loved teaching at Mika’s studio in the city whenever she is not dancing. This will be her first time at the Sag Harbor studio and she is beyond excited!

Sarah has also danced professionally for North Carolina Dance Theatre under Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux and Patricia Mcbride.  She has performed many principal roles and has performed at the Kennedy Center in Ballet Across America. Sarah’s ballet training also includes the School of American Ballet and the Kirov Academy.  Sarah has her B.A. in Dance and Arts Administration. During the year, Sarah lives in Las Vegas with her new husband Dustin!

** Sarah will be available for booking starting July 2nd **

Senior Instructor – Kevyn Zeller

Kevyn began practicing, and fell in love with Pilates 14 years ago and has been teaching for 10. She began Pilates at age 17 after experiencing a knee injury as a long distance runner in Mexico, where she grew up. The practice not only healed her knee injury but having begun her practice at such a young age, Pilates truly became a part of her and has profoundly influenced the way in which she approaches life. In a way it is like breathing for her, essential.
She received her Pilates Certification and Master’s Certification at The Pilates Center in Boulder, Colorado. While studying at The Pilates Center, she obtained her degree in Kinesiology at The University of Colorado at Boulder. Her degree in Kinesiology allows her to back the artistry of her teaching scientifically. Her teaching truly represents both a knowledge of, and fascination for all types of human movement and physiology. She believes that the key to physical strength and healing exists in One’s ability to connect with his or her deepest, truest strength. In order to access this strength, becoming aware of unhealthy movement patterns or habits is of the utmost importance. Once aware of these patterns or habits One has the opportunity to change them and rediscover his or her body in its most healthy and bio mechanically efficient state. This is where our deepest physical strength lies. Joseph Pilates termed it “uniform development,” perfect balance.
Her approach is subtle in that she prefers to allow the student to realize what they already know. She feels thankful and extremely honored to be a part of their journey towards optimal health.
She has worked with clients of all shapes, sizes and levels of fitness. And teaches fluently in French and Spanish.

Her enthusiasm for sharing Pilates with others is genuine…and contagious.

**Kevyn will begin her Summer Schedule at Sag Harbor on June 16th, 2012**

Yavanna Ko

Yavanna began Pilates to rehabilitate her back and shoulder after a childhood injury. Pilates has cured her pain, strengthened and healed her back and shoulder. Body corrected and mind connected she has become a student of Pilates for life.

Yavanna was certified in Seattle Washington, at Metropolitan Pilates, by Master Teacher Dorothee VandeWalle. Classically trained she focuses on some key principles of Pilates, Centering, Concentration, Control, Precision, Core Strength, Cardiovascular conditioning, and Flow.

As a child Yavanna was in ballet, jazz, contemporary and gymnastic groups. In High School and College she continued her passion for an active lifestyle performing in many Theatre groups using her gymnast and dancer skills.

Yavanna accredits her continued physical prowess to Pilates, giving her the increased strength of mind, body and the ability to connect and focus.  Some of her favorite sports include; Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing, Snowboarding, Surfing, Hiking, Paddle boarding, Gaelic football, Bootcamp workouts in the park and lounging in the sun on a beautiful beach.

Yavanna has taught Pilates in Seattle, Manhattan, Hawaii and here in Sag Harbor. Every new place she travels she brings back a new technique and fun way of making her sessions even more challenging!

Yavanna teaches with all the passion and vigor she gains by practicing Pilates. She loves teaching Pilates and enjoys making each workout fun yet focused and effective.