Science Meets Soul
The Science of Pilates
Pilates is a rejuvenating practice that immeasurably improves posture and alignment by conditioning the body and bringing awareness to the core (the deep abdominal and back muscles). Pilates’ unique ability to activate the body’s supportive musculature, dynamically stabilizes the spinal column and pelvis structure, helping clients to alleviate physical discomfort and improve functional movement. Clients experience improved strength, posture, and quality of life.
No two bodies are alike.
We Celebrate Individuality
Our classes are client-driven and immersive. We use carefully chosen Pilates props and focused, full body movement to create entirely unique strengthening exercises for each client, every class. Skilled in recognizing imbalanced movement patterns, we teach you to reorganize how you sense your body, resulting in better alignment, increased flexibility, and a sculpted physique.
“The Mongoose Bodyworks method reorganizes the neuromuscular system to work with efficiency and grace. As a result, your body grows stronger and you become healthier, happier, and more clear-headed.”
Halle Clarke, Founder
Intelligent Care with pilates therapy
Our reputation is well established: physical therapists, orthopedists, and surgeons frequently refer patients to Mongoose Bodyworks for the treatment of complex conditions. Our wealth of knowledge, comprehensive training, and holistic approach makes us the studio of choice for those experiencing any of the following: scoliosis, pre- and post-natal, osteoporosis, post-rehabilitation, arthritis, hypermobility, spinal pathologies, stenosis, spodylothesis, spondylolisthesis, disc pathologies, degenerative disc disease, rotator cuff injuries, knee and hip replacements, neck and cervical spine issues.
(Pilates is not a substitute for medical care.)
The Mongoose Bodyworks Pilates Collective
Mongoose Bodyworks instructors are seasoned professionals with unrivaled training and a deep understanding of anatomy and biomechanics. We are highly experienced, and our education runs the gamut of somatic disciplines, including Pilates, yoga, dance, massage, reiki, and energy work. This advanced skill set informs our work with clients, so as best to elevate your fitness practice, address dysfunction, and alleviate any pain. By nourishing the mind / body connection, we guide you to achieve lasting improvements to your physical and mental wellbeing.
Halle Clarke, NCPT
Born in New York City, and raised in the hamlet of High Falls, New York, Halle recalls a carefree childhood in motion: “My body and movement were my connection to the world. My career as a dancer and as a movement educator is an extension of that immersive mind/body connection.”
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Her extensive knowledge is manifold and interdisciplinary: Ballet, Modern Dance, Pilates, Biomechanics, Idiokinesis, Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais Method, Cranial Sacral Therapy and others. Halle sees a full roster of loyal clients and treats for a multitude of conditions.
A noted teacher’s teacher, Halle also regularly instructs physical therapists, yoga teachers, and Pilates teachers, helping them to deepen their respective understanding of biomechanics, and hone their teaching skills.
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Halle’s ability to work so it depth with your particular issue by way of clear, meticulous explanations and encouraging mental concentration teaches me something new about my body and what I am capable of every session. I take it with me through my day and feel aligned, balanced and in control.
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Grace Gummer, Actor
Mikayla S.
Level: Senior
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Mikayla was born and raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She moved to NYC to pursue a degree in Drama at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. After a series of physical injuries, she realized she was lacking a true foundation for movement.
Fortunately, she met a movement teacher who reshaped her perspective about movement training for actors and formally introduced her to Pilates. Through this teacher and the core principles of Pilates, she began building a disciplined movement foundation that opened up her body for her work as an actor. After graduation she continued doing Pilates, started weightlifting and running, and became certified, so she could give the gift of the freedom, healing, and fun she found through Pilates to others.
“I take a detailed, biomechanics-oriented approach, but I like to balance that by creating an environment where clients can feel the freedom to ask questions, laugh, have some fun, and be creative. Pilates changed my life, and Pilates has also challenged me to trust my body and to try (safe!) things that otherwise would have scared me.
“I enjoy interacting with people in a one-on-one environment. I love helping people manage pain, recover from injury, or even teaching clients who just want to learn the Pilates Teaser. I love helping people achieve their goals. “
Heather D.
Level: Senior VIRTUAL SESSIONS ONLY
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Heather first tried Pilates over a decade ago to alleviate her back pain — and she’s been a devotee ever since. She initially became an instructor with the intent to enhance her own practice. For the past 12 years, Heather has been teaching Pilates in New York City to help others achieve better alignment, tone, and muscle strength. Her certification is from the PhysicalMind Institute in NYC, Soho. She also practices at Samamkaya Yoga, a back care and scoliosis collective, and is in an Advanced Studies program.
Amy G.
Level: Expert
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Amy is a Kane School of Core Integration Certified Pilates Instructor. She enjoys helping others to heal from injury and pain and improve their overall fitness through a holistic approach. Her comprehensive training allows her to create customized Pilates wellness programs for those suffering from: hip and knee pain, pre and post joint replacement surgery, osteoarthritis, and back pain. She holds certifications in Functional Anatomy for Movement & Injuries ( FAMI), level one and two. She is also a Certified Holistic Health Counselor through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition.
Emily B.
Level: Expert
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Emily Bartsch is a teacher, performer and lifelong movement lover. She was introduced to Pilates while studying dance at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee when a professor suggested the technique as a strategy for managing chronic aches and pains stemming from hypermobility. She began taking mat classes as a way to augment her dance training and fell in love with Pilates as a healing modality and a mindfulness technique. After college, she moved to New York City and began her Pilates teacher training at the Kane School. Here, she developed a detailed eye, and learned how to guide others towards efficient use. In addition to Pilates, her movement practices include Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais, and Klein Technique. She believes that Pilates has something to offer for every body and aims to help others achieve a more balanced state of being through her instruction.
Chelsa C.
Level: Expert
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Chelsa is a Kane School of Core Integration Certified Pilates Instructor and a creative entrepreneur focused on reimagining the beauty, fashion, and health & wellness spaces. She holds a BA from Indiana University and L1 & L2 certifications in Functional Anatomy for Movement & Injuries (FAMI).
Chelsa was introduced to Pilates by a friend years ago and has been hooked since, leading to her to pursue her own certification. She enjoys helping others heal from injury or chronic pain, and working to improve overall fitness, strength, and balance through a holistic approach. Her comprehensive training allows her to create customized Pilates wellness programs. She has seen her own body change and heal from her 3 pregnancies and particularly enjoys working with others on their postpartum journeys.
Katie M.
Level: Expert
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Katie was introduced to Pilates through mat classes as a teen during her early dance training in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It wasn’t until she moved to New York City while pursuing dance that she first tried the Pilates studio equipment while recovering from an injury. Montoya then studied and became a certified instructor in 2015 at Rolates Pilates under Roberta Kirschenbaum. She also studied kinesthetic anatomy with Irene Dowd of Julliard’s dance faculty. Specializing in classical Pilates with a contemporary approach, Montoya focuses on injury prevention and recovery through proper body mechanics, efficiency of movement, and encouraging body awareness. Her favorite aspects of Pilates are its focus on quality of movement, flow, and the challenge of precision. Montoya attended the University of California, Irvine where she received B.A.’s in dance and drama in 2011. She is currently performing in her tenth season with Treehouse Shakers, an NYC based theater company for young audiences.
Jess R.
Level: Expert
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A movement lover even at an early age, Jess danced throughout her childhood growing up in New York. While she loved dance, her creative calling led her to study fine arts at the Rhode Island School of Design, graduating in 2003. Shortly thereafter, she was introduced to Pilates through bartering for private sessions with a studio owner in exchange for painting a mural.
In 2021 a surprising Breast cancer diagnosis led her to reassess her goals and priorities. Desperate to move her body, Jess found that she benefitted most from low impact, mindful movement and utilized Pilates for rehabilitation. She found Pilates to be an integral part of her healing and it allowed her to be physically active without pain. After witnessing the benefits of Pilates first-hand, Jess developed a deep appreciation for the mind-body connection and began her teacher training through the Kane School of Core Integration in 2022.
Jess lives her creative life both in and outside the studio, bringing a fun and imaginative approach to her sessions. She strongly believes that Pilates is transformative; and has the ability to make each client feel their best both physically and mentally, as it’s done for her.
New to Mongoose Bodyworks?
We are delighted to offer new clients an introductory package
of three private sessions for $265.
* Three months expiration
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