Abby Silverman

As a former dancer the transition to Pilates was a natural one for Abby Silverman.  She began studying Pilates directly after college, which helped her maintain a strong and fit body during her dance years in NYC.  Finding how quickly and easily the Method made sense in mind and body, Abby was anxious to share this Method with others.  She was then certified in 2005 through Power Pilates in NYC.  Since her certification she has taught throughout the city as well as Europe and the Caribbean.

In keeping with the idea of healthy mind and healthy body she then attended the institute for Integrative Nutrition and received a certificate as a holistic health counselor. Abby’s teaching comes from an intuitive nature, an importance to seeing each body as an individual and challenging her clients to push themselves mentally and physically. Through years of working with her wide range of clientele including pre and post natal women, men, as well as advanced and athletic clients, Abby has mastered the art of tailoring the Method to each individual.

Adrianne Yurgosky

Adrianne was a college athlete who was a member of her school’s field hockey and swim teams. She first turned to Pilates in an effort to manage a painful case of sciatica. Later she also discovered that she torn a disc, bulged a disc, and has scoliosis in her lumbar spine. Because of her personal experience with Pilates as a method of pain management for these injuries, Adrianne is able to bring exceptional insight into her work with individuals with lower back pain and those with both specific and general areas of tightness.  It is also her insight of being an athlete that allows her to work well with both male clients and very advanced and active clients.

Adrianne Yurgosky worked for a leading hotel group, Accor hotels until she left her office job to fulfill her passion for teaching.  She received her Pilates certifications through Power Pilates and the Pilates Studio in NYC.  In addition to her Pilates instruction, Adrianne is also a holistic health counselor, certified through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition as well as the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP). Adrianne graduated from Fordham University with a bachelor’s degree in international political science and French literature.

Alexis Reid

Ann Marino

Ann is a former aerobics and gymnastics instructor, as well as a teacher of children with disabilities. She began studying Authentic Pilates in 2001 while living in Maine, and quickly fell in love with it. Part of the reason Ann fell in love with Pilates is that it made her feel like she had stepped out of a dance class every time she left her session; and still feels this way that to this day. She completed over 600 hours of apprenticeship under the guidance of Bob Liekens, and received her certification in the spring of 2004, through Power Pilates. She taught in Maine for three years before moving to Manhattan in 2006. After all three of her children were fully grown; she began teaching at Uptown Pilates in the fall of 2006.  Ann recently completed a second certification through The New York Pilates Studio in 2011; Ann has always enjoyed working with people and sharing her love Pilates with her clients.

Barbara Bogart

Barbara completed her certification program in 2001 through Romana Kryzanowska. She had her own studio in Franklin Lakes, NJ for seven years where she was able to work with people of all ages and body types. Barbara furthers her Pilates training with continuing education and working out with master teacher Kathy Ross Nash. Barbara’s children have grown and she recently moved to NYC.

Chelsea Corley

Chelsea began doing Pilates ten years ago as young dancer struggling with many injuries in her career. She found that Pilates helped her find strength in her dancing as well as with the rehabilitation of her injuries. She then found a deeper passion for Pilates when she saw its benefits for not only dancers, but all individuals. Chelsea attended Muhlenberg College, and graduated cum laude with degrees in Psychology and Dance. She received her Pilates training and certification from True Pilates New York, under Sari Mejo-Santos, the daughter of Romana Kryanowska, the protégé of Joseph Pilates. Through the method of Pilates, Chelsea hopes to share her passion with her clients having them feel empowered and accomplished in their workouts.

Ian Jorgensen

Ian comes from a dance and kinesiology background, earning his MFA from the University of Utah. He completed his first Pilates certification through Half Moon Pilates in Brooklyn and is completing a second certification under the training of Dixie Shulman, a graduate of the Pilates Center and Roberta Kirschenbaum, a trainee of Pilates Elder Carola Trier. Ian’s Pilates session emphasize strength building, body awareness, ease of movement and intelligent control. The goal of each session is to leave the studio refreshed and energized, living more fully and happily in your body. Ian’s teaching is also influenced by his ongoing study of the Alexander Technique, a form of learning to rid the body of harmful tension and detrimental physical habits.

Julia Purtill

Julia Purtill is a Certified Pilates Instructor and a member of the Pilates Method Alliance, who believes Pilates is a method of exercise that is beneficial to everyone. Prior to establishing her career in Pilates, Julia was a competitive gymnast and dancer. After sustaining a major knee injury, she turned to Pilates. Her difficult path to recovery taught her about strength, patience, and self-awareness. She is able to apply her creative background to the Pilates method, working with each client and their specific needs with freshness and excitement.

Julia has been able to see the benefits of Pilates in the lengthening and strengthening of her own body. Both she and her clients share wonderful moments where they are able to flow through a difficult exercise or they begin to feel relief from the pain with which they struggle. Julia graduated with a BFA from the University of Northern Colorado with an emphasis in Printmaking and Art History. She spent her childhood in Colorado and has since made New York City her home.

Kate Filina

Kate was born and raised in Russia. She moved to New York with her family in 1992. After a lower back injury Kate discovered and fell in love with Pilates. She went through the classical certification program in New York in 2003. Since completing her certification she has been teaching in NY and Sydney, Australia. Kate is also a certified Thai yoga massage therapist.

Kimberly Director

Kim Director believes working out and creating strength in the body should be a joyful experience.  Kim has been a certified Pilates Instructor since 2004.  She holds Pilates Mat certifications from LindaFit, and Power Pilates, and a comprehensive Pilates certification from BACE Pilates under the direction of Carrie Macy.  Kim is also certified in Yoga TuneUp  and is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University.  Kim has continuing education in pre and post natal care, anatomy, bio-mechanics and back injuries.

Kim has learned to use Pilates to balance the body as well as prevent and rehab injury.  Her philosophy is all about celebrating your body and growing stronger from within.  Rather than trying to mold people into artificial shapes, Kim focuses on helping you love the body you have and becoming the healthiest you possible.

Michael Blackmon

Michael is pleased to be joining the Uptown Pilates team. As native of St. Louis, Mo , Michael was fortunate to perform in Europe, Guam, Las Vegas, and many other places. Michael moved to NY in 2002.  After a hip injury a friend recommended to try pilates , and from the first session he was hooked.  He studied the  THE LAB under owner Lawson Harris (trainee of Pilates Elder Carola Trier) in Dumbo, Brooklyn and instructor Josie Bray.  When working with clients he is patient and detail oriented. Michael’s sessions focus on strength building, body alignment, body awareness, and control. His favorite part of teaching is seeing clients become stronger and more confident. Michael continues to study methods that can aid his clients.

Monica Delgado

Monica stumbled upon Pilates after a back injury, and has been practicing Pilates since 2004. She fell in love with the method upon realizing the significance of its principles and benefits, and is now a comprehensively certified classical Pilates instructor through Peak Pilates. Coming from a physical background of competitive gymnastics and cheerleading, movement has always fascinated her, and the Pilates method seemed familiar and natural. Monica has been teaching Pilates since 2007 and furthers her training by continually working with numerous master trainers in the classical method. Her passion for the method is infectious, and her positive energy and attention to detail has helped a multitude of clients in various levels of fitness.  She strives to make each session challenging and fun, and encourages clients to apply the Pilates principles to their everyday actions and movements outside of the studio.

Aside from sharing her passion for Pilates with others, she currently is a practicing visual artist, and graduated cum laude from the University of the Philippines with a Fine Arts Bachelor’s degree in Painting.  Other activities she enjoys are surfing, biking, running, reading, Muay Thai (Thai kickboxing), and she practices yoga frequently.

Najla Said

Najla has been doing Pilates since 1996, and was certified as an Authentic Instructor in 2004 through the New York Pilates Studio. An avid runner and lifelong athlete, she was introduced to the Pilates method by an acting teacher while recovering from knee surgery and a hip injury. Pilates was the first truly tough and satisfying workout she was able to do (and enjoy!) despite her injuries. Since she began, she has been virtually pain free, and now is thrilled to be able to watch her clients achieve the same relief as they also build a strength, flexibility, and endurance that allows them to succeed in any athletic endeavor they choose, even performing on stage! She wholeheartedly believes that anything is possible; no one should feel that an injury prevents them from getting a safely, effective, challenging, and fun workout.

Nicole Baltes

Nicole began her Pilates training in 1998 after sustaining dance-related injuries. Pilates offered her a way to rehabilitate and continue her life as a dancer. In addition to her extensive Pilates training, Nicole has had 20+ years of dance training and performing experience and taught jazz dance for a decade. As a way to bring together her love for Pilates, movement and teaching, Nicole received her Comprehensive Pilates Teacher Certification and Advanced Mat Certification through Core Pilates NYC in 2009 and continues to expand her knowledge of the Pilates practice and anatomy through workshops and seminars.  Nicole is extremely passionate about the abundant benefits that Pilates can bring to everyone and always looks forward to sharing this passion with her clients.  She will be soon pursuing a certification in Gyrotonic® and is currently performing with Beyond Lines Contemporary Dance Company in New York City.

Nicole Lichau

Nicole’s formal studies include a BFA from SUNY Purchase graduating in 1996. It was around this time she began studying classical Pilates at the New York Pilates Studio® and then eventually became certified through the Pilates Association of America.

With over 9 years teaching experience Nicole has learned through Pilates how to be balanced and prevent injury. Which allows her to continue to perform as a professional modern, contemporary dancer.

As a veteran of Uptown Pilates since it’s opening, Nicole shares her extensive training and knowledge of the body. Through the teachings of Joseph Pilates her goal is to help others find a connection to themselves through their bodies. Nicole continues to grow through her extensive studies of the Pilates system.

You can currently see Nicole perform with the Dzul Dance Co.

Summer Reed

    Summer Reed received her Pilates training at True Pilates in NYC. Her instructors include Sari Mejo-Santos (daughter of Romana Kryanowska), Cynthia Shipley, Jerome Weinberg, and Anthony Rabara. She was taught to have a very strong, pure, Pilates foundation, while being  surrounded by people who love what they do. She hopes to share the same traditions and passion with everyone at Uptown Pilates!
She is originally from Austin, TX, where she discovered her love for dance as a small child. At the age of 15, she was invited to move away from home and train intensively with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. Pilates was introduced to her there and she started to realize just how much it affected not only her dancing, but her everyday life. After finishing her training in Pittsburgh, she moved to NYC to pursue Pilates. She is a member of the Pittsburgh-based Texture Contemporary Ballet, which she helped found, and has trained consecutive summers with American Ballet Theatre on full scholarship. She has many hobbies including the flute and guitar, painting, cooking, and exploring the city!
As an instructor, Summer hopes to leave every client feeling stronger, more confident in themselves and their bodies, and most importantly – happy! She is so honored and excited to be joining the Uptown Pilates family!

Suzanne Lavey

Suzanne started taking Pilates lessons in 1996 while still a principle dancer with the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center. She danced as a full time member of the Met for 34 years and retired in 2001.

In 2002 she became certified in Authentic Pilates through the New York Pilates Studio Teacher Certification Program. She studied with Michael Fritzke, Ton Voogt, Brett Howard, Stephanie Beatty, and Romana Krysanowska. She has taught for the past eight years and was one of the original instructors at Uptown Pilates when it opened in 2005.

Suzanne has extensive experience working with clients from young adults to octogenarians and focuses on the principles and technique of Authentic Pilates as taught by Joseph Pilates. In addition to her regular teaching she is a teacher trainer with the New York Pilates Studio Teacher Certification Program and now works side by side with instructors that she has helped to certify.

Tatiana Jerine

After having been a devout Pilates student for 7 years, Tatiana Jerine decided to become an instructor and received Pilates certifications from both Power Pilates and IMx Pilates. Though the years, she has continued to take classes and workshops to further her knowledge. Tatiana’s Pilates education and training even includes certification in pre-natal care.
Tatiana believes that a Pilates regimen can benefit everyone and thus, has developed her skills and knowledge so that her clients include not only athletic people but also people who are less fortunate and who may have severe physical issues. Her scientific, holistic approach to healing the body is founded on a deep understanding of physical mechanics and cause and effect.

Today, Tatiana teaches various Pilates classes throughout Manhattan and also has a diverse array of private clients including teacher, models, businesspeople and other “walks of life”.

Originally from St. Petersburg, Russia, Tatiana studied literature and marketing Urals University. After migrating to the United States, she held numerous jobs until she found her Pilates calling. Tatiana lives on the Upper West Side and is married with two children.

Vehia Walker

Vehia began her Pilates training in 2000 after a fellow dancer introduced her to the Pilates “Series of Five” abdominal exercises, which left a lasting impression. She loved the principles behind Pilates and the long, lean look it gave her body. In 2001, she attended an introductory Pilates course in New York City. Upon completion of this course, she knew she wanted to be an instructor. However as a dancer, rehearsals, performance and travelling did not allow time for anything else. In 2004, she entered the Authentic Pilates program at the Pilates Studio in New York City headed by Brett Howard. Since then, she has taught throughout New Jersey, Manhattan, and Bermuda.

Yael Lubarr

Yael has studied ballet since the age of 5, and graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor degree in Dance Arts with High Honors, and a Bachelor degree in English with Distinction. While studying in the Merce Cunningham Professional Training Program on scholarship in New York City, she decided to obtain her Pilates teaching certificate from the Romana’s Pilates program, run by Romana Kryzanowska and Sari Mejia Santo. It completely changed and strengthened her body, making her fully aware of the benefits of authentic Pilates training, not only for dancers, bur for everyone. Yael is absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to teach this wonderful and effective method at Uptown Pilates.

Junghee Won

Originally from Seoul, Korea Junghee Won was certified in 1999 by Romana Kryzanowska at The New York Pilates Studio, New York City.  She worked with Romana, Sean Gallagher, Bob Liekens, Brett Howard, Ton Voogt, Michael Fritzke Peter Fiasca, and with many other well known teachers at The New York Pilates Studio and Drago’s Gymnasium until joining Power Pilates in 2003 where she was certified as a Teacher Trainer under the new mentorship Director, Bob Liekens.

Junghee returned to Seoul and co-founded Korea’s first Pilates studios, Pilates Korea and Classic Pilates, which were Affiliate Teacher Training Centers for Power Pilates.  In 2006 she returned to New York City and continued to work for Power Pilates Chelsea and at their Equinox Fitness studio at Columbus Circle.

Junghee has an extensive background as a professional dancer (ballet, modern, jazz, Korean traditional dance) and she performed at the Opening Ceremonies of the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul.  In 2001, Junghee was asked to model for Dr. Peter Fiasca’s “Classical Pilates Technique” DVD series.

Junghee earned a B.A. in Dance Education (Kyung-Hee University, 1990), an M.A. in Dance/Dance Education (NYU, 1995), and a Ph.D. in Performing Arts (Kyung-Hee University, 2004).  Her published research papers include “The Effect of The Pilates Method on Dancers’ Cognitive Style and Body Awareness”, “A Qualitative Approach to the Effects of Pilates Exercise”, and “An Inquiry of Philosophy and Principles of The Pilates Method”.

After continuous teaching Pilates at the Pilates studios, the Physical therapy office and the fitness club for three years in San Diego, California, Junghee returned back to the east coast in 2011 and currently work at Can Do Fitness Edgewater, NJ and very excited to join to Uptown Pilates in NYC!