Beginner Pilates Classes — Reformer Studio Near You

Alison Johnson is the Owner and Instructor at The Pilates Room NYC, bringing over 26 years of teaching experience to her client-centered practice. She began her Pilates training as a dancer in 1994 at Stephens College, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance in 1997 with coursework in anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology. Alison received her Classical Pilates certification in 1998 through The Pilates Guild, training under the late Romana Kryzanowska and Bob Liekens. Her expertise spans a wide range of client needs, including autoimmune disorders, cancer treatment recovery, injury rehabilitation, prenatal and postnatal movement, and work with seniors and healthy individuals. Alison takes pride in cultivating a welcoming, community-driven studio where both instructors and clients can grow together in their movement practice.

Elizabeth Jay is a skilled Pilates Instructor at The Pilates Room NYC, contributing to the studio's mission of delivering client-centered, classical Pilates instruction in a focused and distraction-free environment. She works alongside a team of highly experienced instructors committed to helping clients feel stronger, move better, and live with greater ease. Elizabeth's teaching reflects the studio's core values of personalized attention and respect for each client's unique physical, mental, and emotional state. Whether working with beginners, athletes, or individuals navigating specific health challenges, she brings dedication and expertise to every session at the Chelsea-based boutique studio in Manhattan.

Lilly Ballarin is a Pilates Instructor at The Pilates Room NYC, committed to providing personalized, high-quality instruction rooted in the classical Pilates tradition. She is part of a passionate team of educators who prioritize each client's individual needs and goals in a supportive, noncompetitive boutique studio setting in Chelsea, Manhattan. Lilly embraces the studio's philosophy of tailoring each session to the client's physical, mental, and emotional state, helping students of all backgrounds discover greater strength, flexibility, and body awareness. Her thoughtful approach supports a broad range of clients, from beginners to seasoned movers, all working toward improved wellness and a deeper connection to movement.

Enja Schenck is a highly credentialed Pilates Instructor at The Pilates Room NYC, holding an MS in Sport Science, CSCS, USAPL, and PMA-CPT designations. Certified by Bob Liekens in 2004, she spent eight years working alongside him before serving as Lead Teacher-of-Teachers for the Power Pilates Teacher Training Program. Enja teaches Exercise Science at New York City colleges and conducts workshops nationally and internationally through her platform, pilatesscience.org. As a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and Powerlifting Coach, her teaching integrates Postural Restoration Institute principles, strength and conditioning, powerlifting, and Classical Pilates. Enja specializes in adapting training to each client's individual capabilities, making her an exceptional resource for diverse client needs.

Xavier Cha is a Pilates Instructor at The Pilates Room NYC, dedicated to providing thoughtful, individualized instruction within the studio's classical Pilates framework. He is part of an elite teaching team that brings decades of combined experience to a boutique, distraction-free studio environment in Chelsea, Manhattan. Xavier's approach aligns with the studio's philosophy of adapting Pilates to each person's unique physical, mental, and emotional state, ensuring every client receives attentive and effective guidance. He works with a diverse range of clients, supporting their goals of improved strength, flexibility, posture, and overall well-being in New York City's welcoming and noncompetitive Pilates community.

Barbara Hoon is a Pilates Instructor at The Pilates Room NYC and founder of Six Degrees Pilates. She began her Pilates practice as a dancer at The Juilliard School and continued training as an original member of Twyla Tharp Dance. Her performance career includes Broadway productions such as Singin' in the Rain and Jerome Robbins' Broadway, as well as national tours. Barbara trained formally with renowned NYC instructors Patrick Strong and Kathryn Ross-Nash, and credits Pilates with sustaining her physical and mental strength throughout her performance career. She is co-founder of Pilates for Performers alongside studio owner Alison Johnson, bringing her deep artistic background and classical training to every session she teaches in Manhattan.

Pamela Pardi is a Pilates Instructor at The Pilates Room NYC with over 30 years of experience in the classical tradition. First introduced to Pilates by Carola S. Trier in 1986, she later studied under Romana Kryzanowska at the Original Pilates Studio. In 2004, Romana appointed Pamela as a Level 3 Instructor Trainer in Romana's Pilates program. She has guided apprentices, teachers, and private clients at institutions including The New School University and Columbia University, as well as internationally in Austria, Italy, and Switzerland. Pamela also holds an ELDOA Trainer Certification and a New York State Massage Therapy license, both earned in 2018 and 2019 respectively. Her depth of knowledge and global experience make her an invaluable presence in the studio.

Ilaria Cavagna is a Pilates Instructor at The Pilates Room NYC and founder and CEO of FEET-NESS, a posture training methodology based on the principle of posture from the ground up. She earned a Bachelor of Movement Science in Italy in 1997, obtained her Pilates certification in NYC under Romana Kryzanowska, and completed Soma-Training studies. Ilaria's career seamlessly spans athlete, performer, and practitioner, giving her a uniquely well-rounded perspective on movement and body mechanics. Based in New York City, she travels worldwide to teach seminars for trainers in Pilates, the ELDOA Method, and FEET-NESS. Her global expertise and diverse background enrich the instruction she brings to clients at The Pilates Room NYC.

Hannah Battersby is a Junior Instructor at The Pilates Room NYC, developing her teaching practice within a studio renowned for its classical Pilates tradition and client-centered philosophy. She works in an intimate boutique environment in Chelsea, Manhattan, where she receives mentorship from some of the most experienced Pilates instructors in New York City. Hannah's sessions reflect the studio's core commitment to tailoring instruction to each client's unique physical, mental, and emotional state. Her role provides accessible, affordable Pilates options for clients at every level, from beginners to those working through specific health challenges, helping them build strength, improve posture, and deepen their connection to mindful movement.

Megan Holeman is a Junior Instructor at The Pilates Room NYC, building her expertise in classical Pilates within one of Manhattan's most respected boutique studio environments. Mentored by a team of instructors with decades of combined experience, Megan is developing the skills and sensitivity needed to deliver truly personalized instruction. She embodies the studio's values of focused, distraction-free teaching, working attentively with each client to support their individual movement goals. Megan's role at the Chelsea studio provides an accessible entry point for clients seeking high-quality Pilates at a comfortable price, helping people of all backgrounds discover greater strength, flexibility, and body awareness through thoughtful, client-centered practice.