Instructor Spotlight: Bob DeNatale
April 21, 2012
Uptown Pilates on Madison is SO excited to welcome Bob to our instructor family!
Bob DeNatale has been teaching Pilates for over 10 years. He was certified through the PhysicalMind Institute and has done continuing education with many great instructors. He has a wide knowledge of different styles of Pilates and also has extensive experience with pre-natal clients and clients of all fitness levels and ages.
In his Pilates sessions, Bob focuses on activating and strengthening the core, toning and strengthening the entire body, improving alignment and functionality, and addressing the imbalances in the body that can cause pain.
Before teaching Pilates, Bob spent many years as a Butoh dancer and brings that experience to his Pilates work. In addition to teaching Pilates, Bob is also an independent filmmaker.
Q&A with Bob:
What’s your favorite Pilates exercise?
My favorite exercise to do myself is Short Spine. It’s fun to do, helps to align the spine, works the abs, legs and glutes, and gives a good stretch to the legs and back. Just all in all feels great
If you weren’t a Pilates Instructor what would you like to do?
I’ve done a lot of different things in my life. I’ve been a writer and editor for Marvel Comics, a drummer and percussionist, a dancer and performer, a film editor. I guess I have a bit of a restless spirit, but I love teaching Pilates because I love working one-on -one with people, it keeps me in my body and offers me new challenges everyday.
What was your first impression of Pilates?
My first impression of Pilates came from friends of mine who were Pilates instructors. They seemed to love it so much that I had to try it. Even though I had no particular injury that brought me to it, since starting it, my body feels better than it ever did before.
What is your favorite Pilates imagery?
One of my favorite images to use, I got from Butoh dance. To improve posture for people who tend to slouch: imagine a flower blooms on your chest, you smell it, and it wakes you up.
Bob DeNatale
April 21, 2012
Instructor Spotlight: Marcos Duran
March 19, 2012
Uptown Pilates on Madison is so excited to welcome Marcos to our family!!! Come visit Marcos Saturdays from 8am-1pm!
Marcos is a native of Northern California who has been exploring life as a professional dance artist since 2006; here in New York from the year of 2008. Discovering and integrating Pilates into his movement method has not only enhanced his own ability to “rebalance” the body, but has ignited a passion to teach others how to do the same. As a teacher he is sensitive and fine tuned to details while maintaining his goal of giving a challenging and well rounded session. Marcos’ certification is through Brooklyn’s THE LAB under owner Lawson Harris (trainee of Pilates Elder Carola Trier) and certifying instructor Mandi L. Neubecker. He holds a BFA in Dance from UC Santa Barbara.
Q&A with Marcos!
What’s your favorite Pilates exercise?
I love the spinal articulation and transverse activation of the roll up.
If you weren’t a Pilates Instructor what would you like to do?
Massage therapy- maybe one day I’ll do both!
What was your first impression of Pilates?
That it was really really hard and almost impossible for my body at the time! No pain no gain!
What is your favorite Pilates imagery?
I love reaching light through the crown of my head and tail while working on the reformer.
Animal you think you most relate to and why?
Last summer I had the experience of dancing in the ocean, thereafter deciding that I most relate to a dolphin in it’s intelligence for play.
Favorite NYCity eatery?
Caracas Arepa Bar in the East Village- Delicious Venezuelan Cuisine!
Pilates Spring Fashion
March 15, 2012
Pilates Spring Fashion
March 15, 2012
Pilates Spring Fashion
March 15, 2012
Instructor Spotlight: Sara Beverly
February 17, 2012
Uptown Pilates welcomes Sara to both our Westside and Eastside studios! We are so excited to have her join our family of talented instructors!
Sara has an eclectic background in the performing arts, fitness, and modeling. She was introduced to Pilates more than 15 years ago as a young dancer and it has been an integral part of her life since then. She trained at the prestigious Pilates Center of Boulder, CO, and also has extensive training in functional anatomy and movement, yoga, and the Lotte Berk Method. Sara has worked with clients from ages 11-97; clients dealing with adversities such as cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, and Cerebral Palsy; and professional singers, actors, and serious athletes. She is continually inspired by her clients and is a firm believer in the therapeutic benefits of Pilates for all bodies, regardless of shape or size. She holds a BA (cum laude) in Theatre Performance from Winthrop University and is currently a post-baccalaureate pre-medical student. She also volunteers as an English as a Second Language teacher and as an emergency room patient advocate. Sara has taught Pilates for seven years in New York, Colorado, and her native South Carolina.
Instuctor in the Spotlight: Lisa Orraca
February 9, 2012
The youngest daughter of a professional dancer, Lisa was introduced to dance at the tender age of 4! After a year of classical ballet lessons, Lisa found her calling on the ice, and quickly fell in love with the combination of power, grace and speed that encompasses the competitive sport of figure skating. Lisa grew up on the ice working with former Olympic coaches at New York City’s Ice Studio and The Sky Rink. She continued to take ballet as part of the training for figure skating.
Junghee Kallander – Westside Senior Instructor In the Spotlight
January 25, 2012
Junghee Kallander
Originally from Seoul, Korea Junghee Kallander 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!
