Hi!

Thanks for your time and interest in the Pilates Method of Exercise.

The human body is endlessly fascinating and responds with ease and aplomb to the Pilates method, an amazing regimen for strengthening and caring for our most precious asset.

Feeling good is infectious, motivating and empowering.

Let’s workout. You know you want to.

MY STORY

Why Pilates?

Vanity thy name is Andrea

As a working actor in Washington, DC, I was forever looking for new ways to stay fit. I had tried many other forms of exercise including a gym membership, Tae-bo videos and yoga.

In the fall of 2000 I was working on a play and was terrified of the skin-tight, bare-midriff costume that I was to wear. Let’s just say that the concept for the production was “Art is a cruel mistress.”

A fellow actress in a similar pickle had been doing Pilates for a few years and recommended a local Pilates studio, Excel Pilates.

Oh, Pilates… what’s that?

My friend looked GOOD.

I had a vague idea that it was similar to yoga, but somehow not yoga…

I signed up for a Pilates Mat class to find out. Pretty soon my “not yoga” classes were kicking my butt. I began to take 2 and 3 classes per week, slowly adding private and semi-private sessions on the apparatus as well…which I have to confess, as a sometimes-working actor and knitting-store clerk, I could not afford.

But I was hooked!

It was such an effective, challenging and efficient way to work out. Every part of my body engaged, strengthened and stretched and it only took an hour. This was ideal to me.

Also the part where I was accountable for my workout and had to show up… priceless!

There’s always time to be AWESOME!

When teaching in the studio or writing a post about my Pilates exploits I want to share my experience and expertise to help your Pilates workouts become more efficient, energetic and enjoyable.

You’re doing something good for yourself, why not have fun doing it?

If you’ve never done Pilates before, welcome. It is my hope that you will come to find this method of exercise indispensable to your health and well-being.

The Pilates method is a complete system of fundamental exercises you will build upon in every lesson. The initial exercises are found within every exercise you’ll encounter in your study, even very advanced ones.

If you are a longtime Pilates enthusiast, or an instructor yourself, let’s work together to bring out your very best and take your workout to the next level.

The best news about the Pilates Method? 

Everyone can reap the benefits of the Pilates method and it’s never too late to begin.

I am an ordinary person. I’ve got asymmetries, old injuries and I’m not really that flexible.

We’ve all got something.

More importantly, I have a sharp mind and a will of iron. Patience, consistency and practice of the Pilates exercises have enabled me to become the best ME that I can be.

COMPREHENSIVE PILATES EDUCATION

Comprehensive training in the Pilates method includes education and practice of the entire system of exercises on all the original apparatus invented by Joe Pilates.

Beginning in 2000, I have completed two comprehensive training programs: Romana’s Pilates in New York, and Excel Pilates in Washington, DC.

I continue to invest time, passion and considerable expense in continuing my education, having studied with world-class instructors Romana Kryzanowska, Sari Mejia Santo, Karen Frischmann, Sandy Shimoda, and Jay Grimes.

LINEAGE MATTERS

In 2012 I completed The Work, an in-depth study of the Pilates Method, with Jay Grimes, 1st Generation Master Teacher and former student of Joseph Pilates, at Vintage Pilates in Los Angeles.

In 2014 I was invited to join Jay’s inaugural class of Teaching the Work, furthering my study of this brilliant method of exercise.