Our Pilates instructors
Abena
Abena is the proud owner of Abena Pilates studio, located in Upper West Side, New York. She holds a Romana certification in Pilates and an ELDOA Level 3 certification.
Abena relocated to the U.S. in 2009 from London. She first enjoyed the beaches of Santa Monica in California, before moving to the East coast in New York City.
She's an adept of fitness and well-being, she also practices Yoga, Strengthen Training, Swimming and Running but she truly found her calling in Pilates. The method made her stronger, giving her more control over her body movement and posture. This satisfying feeling cannot be described but rather experienced and as the owner of Abena Pilates & Pearl Pilates NYC, her mission is to make people feel it!
Tina
At the age of 16, Tina found love for both Yoga and Pilates, which cultivated a foundation of spirituality in her life. She graduated college with a degree in Dance and Public Relations from The University of Maryland College Park. After early success in New York, she moved to Los Angeles, where she enjoyed opportunities in commercials, film, television, and award shows. Tina danced professionally for some of the Entertainment Industry’s biggest artists, including Beyonce, PINK, Nerd, Kelly Clarkson, Madonna, Cardi B, and Grimes!
Her Pilates Certification with the prestigious Romana’s Classical Program provided her with over 900 hours of practice in the Pilates system, including all pieces of Joe Pilates’ original apparatus under the direction of Stephanie Lawson at The pilates Center at Goucher and Cynthia Shipley in NYC of Lifespan Pilates. Her work has been instrumental in bringing about deep change in various wellness communities.
Michael
Michael Johnson started Pilates at 16 and noticed immediate athletic benefits. After college, he trained with Romana Kryzanowska in NYC, finding Pilates transformative while competing in triathlons. Certified as a teacher in 1998, he influenced others, including Chris Robinson, and worked with top Pilates professionals in NYC. He also produced an off-Broadway show and continues teaching and studying to improve his healing skills.
I love living in NYC, teaching and pursuing higher education in other modalities to help me become a better teacher and healer in private sessions, seminars, workshops here locally and worldwide and love every minute. So come learn pilates from me, you are in good hands!
Ian
Ian began his Pilates education in 2007 in Atlanta & New York City. Finding it to be a fully comprehensive method of body and mind conditioning, he trained at Romana’s Pilates under the mentorship of Cynthia Shipley, Anthony Rabara, Nancy Jean McNamara & Sari Meija Santo before becoming a Certified instructor.
Ian takes a broad spectrum approach to pilates and takes great pride in helping others achieve their individual needs and goals. Utilizing the various Pilates apparatus in the studio, he is able to help clients develop skills that they can take into everyday life and athletic recreation.
Ian holds a BFA in Painting & Printmaking from the Savannah College of Art & Design. Ian continued his path into Art Education teaching ages 5-17 and adults before entering the world of Pilates.
Bora
Bora's Pilates journey started in 2016 after working in fashion for over ten years. Her previous job took a toll on her body, causing neck and back pain. Pilates became a game-changer and led her to change her career path.
She proudly holds a Romana's Pilates certificate from Lifespan in New York, where she learned from respected instructors Sari Mejia Santo and Cynthia Shipley.
Bora is dedicated to helping her clients with their Pilates journey, whether they want to get in better shape, recover from injuries, or improve their overall well-being. She connects with her clients on a physical, mental, and emotional level, offering a well-rounded approach to health and happiness through Pilates.
Jane
Former investment banker turned pilates instructor, Jane made a career shift to share her love of the amazing work of Pilates.
Jane completed her Pilates apprenticeship at True Pilates New York where she trained under Sari Mejia Santo, Cynthia Shipley, Jerome Weinberg, Jamie Trout, and Nancy-Jean McNamara.
Jane has been teaching Pilates at her home studio in Great Neck, NY since she earned the certification from Romana’s Pilates in 2016.
Jane is passionate about helping her clients to reach their individual fitness goals efficiently and safely.
Kara
Kara, a New York City based professional dancer first discovered Pilates as a way to cross-train and prevent injury while dancing. She fell in love with how this method made her feel longer & stronger from the inside out. She is a Balanced Body Certified Instructor and believes when you feel good in your body, you are happier and healthier, and lead a more empowered life. She is enthusiastic to share her knowledge and expertise as a devoted, life-long mover and help others feel great in their bodies.
Pam
Pam Pardi is a member of Romana’s Pilates International and a former professional ballet dancer. She began studying Pilates in 1986 under Carole S. Trier and Romana Kryzanowska, who later certified her to teach at the Original Pilates Studio. Pam served as a Level 3 Instructor for Romana’s Pilates Teacher Training Program from 2004 to 2017 and taught Pilates at New School University from 2003 to 2013. She is also a licensed massage therapist and certified ELDOA trainer. Combining her expertise in Pilates, massage, and ELDOA, Pam founded Link Health and Wellness, emphasizing the benefits of Pilates for mobility, pain reduction, and overall well-being.
Our Yoga instructors
Dorita
Dorita, a passionate yoga teacher and Ayurvedic mentor from Cali, Colombia, has over a decade of experience in these ancient practices. Her journey began with certification as a yoga instructor and six transformative years in an ashram, where she gained deep insights into spiritual practice. Dorita blends Yoga and Ayurveda in her teachings, creating holistic classes that incorporate breathwork, meditation, and Ayurvedic principles, helping students connect with themselves and nature. In 2024, she relocated to New York City, where she aims to inspire her community through authenticity, wellness, and spirituality, encouraging personal journeys of self-discovery and transformation.
Janay
Janay a Yoga Instructor and Sound Therapist with a passion for Pilates as part of her integrative wellness practice. She focuses on blending various wellness tools to enhance overall wellbeing. Sound healing utilizes vibrational tones to heal the mind and body, helping to unblock and align the energetic field during meditation and relaxation.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Saint Mary's College of Maryland, a 200-hour yoga teacher certification from New York City, and a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Cannabis Science. Her experience as a Spa Receptionist, Studio Manager, and Research Project Coordinator has provided her with valuable insights into the wellness industry, along with skills in program coordination, grant writing, and youth development.
Massage Therapists
Lymphatic Massage by Sakinah
Sakinah is a multi-award-winning filmmaker, actress, holistic health coach, and certified lymphatic drainage therapist, trained by expert Chloé Cofresí. With a background in health communication and theatre, she has over ten years of experience integrating the arts and health science to drive sociopolitical and cultural change. Working with top wellness brands like HigherDOSE and Alivio, Sakinah uses lymphatic therapy to improve clients' immune health by focusing on fascia, aiding in goals like weight loss, muscle definition, and chronic pain relief. Her holistic methods help clients feel lighter, pain-free, more energetic, and hormonally balanced.
Deep Tissue. Sports Massage .Reflexology
Musa
Musa was accepted into Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University’s Faculty of Sports Sciences due to his achievements in tennis and science during high school. There, he took courses in human anatomy, human physiology, and sports massage; this education directed him toward the field of massage. He specialized in sports massage, Swedish massage, and deep tissue massage.
His interest in art, sports, and mental well-being turned massage into a special path for him. Being able to relax and heal people both physically and mentally became an indispensable career goal for Musa.