Science Meets Soul

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 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. 

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 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.