Betsy Peerless

Originally an artist from the UK, Betsy relocated to the East End of Long Island NY where she retrained as a Pilates instructor, a Reiki Master and Holistic Health Counselor. She received her Pilates certification from Ellie Herman in San Francisco in 2002 and continues her studies in Anatomy, Kinesiology and Postural Analysis with Dance Therapist Irene Dowd in Manhattan. She is also an AADP certified holistic health counselor.

Betsy has successfully guided and assisted many people on their path to health and healing, addressing physical symptoms arising from injury, surgery, muscular imbalances, disease as well as matters of the heart and spirit. Her knowledge and experience gleaned through her own recovery to health has proved valuable to clients suffering from chronic conditions. Betsy works intuitively; focusing on form and alignment in order to correct posture,and rid the body of pain and tension. She often devises fitness and wellness programs specific to body type, structure and personality and always ensures to keep her lessons fresh and challenging. As a teacher and healer Betsy is sensitive to the individual and is mindful to inspire and support her clients to optimize their health and happiness.

Rebecca Greenbaum

Rebecca Greenbaum was born in Brooklyn, NY. She is a professional dancer in NYC and dances for INSPIRITdance/Christal Brown, and apprentices for ZviDance/Zvi Gotheiner.  She trained at the Joffrey Ballet School, American Ballet Theatre, Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet andthe San Francisco Conservatory of Dance. She graduated Skidmore College in 2011, Magna cum Laude, with minors in Biology and Exercise Science. Having practiced Pilates since her early teens, she decided that she wanted to make Pilates a part of her everyday life. In 2012 she received her Pilates Certification from the Equinox Pilates Institute and has taught at the Equinox Park Avenue location. She is currently a full time student, obtaining her MFA in Dance from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. She believes in the
Pilates Method and enjoys teaching the joys of movement to people of all physical abilities.

Sarah James

Sarah was first introduced to Pilates through her ballet practice.  Pilates was part of the required curriculum while a student at the Harid Conservatory in Boca Raton, Florida. At first she was not sure 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 the Harid, John Mahoney, was certified by  Romana Kryzanowska.  As a result of her former training, she chose to get her certification through Brett Howard at the Pilates Studio. It was here, during their shared training, that 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 and is beyond thrilled to be permanently in NYC for the first time ever!

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.

Yavanna Ko

Yavanna began practicing Pilates to rehabilitate a back and shoulder injury. Pilates cured her pain, strengthened and healed her shoulder, and made her a Pilates student for life. Yavanna was certified at Metropolitan Pilates, by master teacher Dorothee VandeWalle.

As a child Yavanna participated in dance, acrobatics, and theatre. Through the years, she has been involved in soccer and Gaelic football, is an avid runner, and an overall sports enthusiast. She teaches with all of the passion and vigor she has gained by doing Pilates with the goal to help clients heal injuries, improve thier health, strengthen weaknesses, enhance their strength, and refine and find change through Pilates.

Yavanna credits Pilates with giving her increased strength of mind and body as well as the ability to focus completely. Pilates can change the shape of ones body as well as change ones outlook on life.