Sophie Kernan Kramer participated in a wide variety of sports as a child including gymnastics and dance. She continued to study dance throughout her teens and in 1991 was introduced to Pilates while completing her B.A. in Psychology at Scripps College in Claremount, California. In 1995 she graduated from the Cornell Physician Assistant Program and worked as a physician's assistant for several years. She received her Pilates certifiation from Greene Street Studio and continues her education by regularly attending workshops at the Pilates Center in Boulder, Colorado. She has studied with Michelle Larson, of Physical Mind Institute, and Ron Fletcher and is a member of the Pilates Method Alliance. She loves running, yoga, and, of course, Pilates.

Jennifer Kovacs is an emerging contemporary dancer, and has taught dance and creative movement for ten years. She has performed with a variety of choreographers in the United States and internationally, and also served on the board of National Dance Week in Ithaca, New York. Jennifer's passion for dance led her into the world of fitness, and since 2000 she has been studying floor barre, yoga, and Pilates. In May 2005, she underwent knee surgery and spent several months in physical therapy and rehabilitation. After she healed, she continued to work alongside her physical therapist, Gregory Taylor, as his assistant, where she worked one-on-one helping patients with their rehabilitation. She developed a deep understanding of what it takes to come back from injuries, using a mind-body connection for a safe and effective return to activities, from daily living to performing. In 2004, she received certification as a dance teacher from Dance Educators of America, and currently attends Hunter College in NYC, where she is earning a degree in dance, art, and art history. She lives in Bloomfield, NJ

Diane Laurenson has been a personal trainer and group fitness instructor in New York City for over ten years. She is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the American Council on Exercise (ACE), Active Isolated Stretch (AIS) and Marymount Manhattan College’s Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer programs. She is a Master Teacher of Theater Dance at Broadway Dance Center, Steps NYC and the London Studio Center. She is currently working towards her license as a Fitness/Wellness coach. She has a degree in Journalism and Public relations from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Originally from New Orleans, Elizabeth McDonald came to New York to study dance at the School of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. While there, she began to study Pilates and noticed how it helped to heal her injuries and prevented further injuries from occurring. Elizabeth began working part-time at a Pilates studio, in order to take more classes, and soon decided to teach Pilates. She received certification from Polestar Pilates, and currently teaches reformer and mat classes, and full studio one-on-one sessions throughout New York City. Elizabeth has taken workshops from Peak Pilates, Above and Beyond Physical Therapy, and Powerhouse Pilates. She has also taught ballet and creative movement to children and is a Red Cross Certified first aid, CPR, and AED instructor. Elizabeth continues to use Pilates to improve her dancing and is a current member of the Martha Graham Ensemble.

Rachel Priebe has been a movement and exercise professional since 2000. She believes that by approaching healing, movement and physical fitness with conscious awareness and directed intention we can positively affect every aspect of our lives. She is certified in GYROTONIC^® and GYROKINESIS^®, is a Polestar Certified Pilates instructor and an A.C.E. certified personal trainer. Rachel is a student of Pilates elder Kathy Grant, studies with renowned anatomist Irene Dowd and is currently pursuing her second comprehensive Pilates certification at the Kane School of Core Integration.

Born and raised in New York City, Socorro Santiago grew up in love with theater and dance. She graduated from The High School of Performing Arts in New York and received a scholarship to continue her dance studies at The Juilliard School.  She has performed on and off Broadway, and done extensive work in television, film and radio.  In 1999, she received the American Latin Media Arts Award for her work on the popular TV show, All My Children.  She has studied and taught salsa, tango and other dance styles, and has been involved in the study of martial arts for more than 12 years.  She has taught Reformer Pilates classes and was certified by Polestar Pilates.  Socorro looks forward to sharing her contagious joy and compassion with students on their journey towards health and well-being.

Claudia Serna is from Bogota, Colombia. She has a degree in Bacteriology from Colegio Major de Cundinamarca and an advanced degree in Industrial Chemistry and Chemical Pharmacology from Escuela Nacional de Quimica Industrial and has additional certifications in Reflexatsu from Dr. David Allan D.C.; the applications of reflexology to multiple sclerosis, cancer, and pregnancy from Anthony Lee; and the applications of reflexology to pain control and stress reduction from Bill Flocco at the American Academy of Reflexology.

Born and raised in Dallas, TX, Shayne Staley graduated from Southern Methodist University with a degree in Dance Performance. Soon after, she moved to NYC where she has danced with Extended Dance Theater, Arch Dance Company, Fresh Blood Productions, Jette Performance Company, Markaholic, and others. Since 1999, she has used Yoga to supplement her dance career, and quickly, she developed a passion to share its benefits with others. This led Shayne to receive her 500 hr RYT Yoga certification from Yoga Works in NYC. She is also a certified personal trainer of the National Academy of Sports Medicine and has complete her NASM certified personal trainer Practical Lab. She enjoys teaching Yoga classes that focus on breath, and thread philosophy and safe alignment into challenging sequences. Shayne is a born teacher, she teaches hip-hop, modern, ballet, jazz, gentle Yoga, and sculpt classes. She is all about enjoying life and not sweating the small stuff. 

Lenny Turkel practiced law in New York City for six years before a ski accident changed his life. While in physical therapy to rehabilitate his knee he discovered his true calling -- to help others regain their physical health following an illness or injury -- and went on to receive his Masters in Physical Therapy in 1997 from Columbia University’s College of Physician’s and Surgeons. He worked for seven years as a physical therapist at Beth Israel Medical Center and is now a Senior
Physical Therapist in private practice at H & D
Physical Therapy. He will begin training for a Polestar Pilates Rehabilitation Certification in February 2005. Lenny continues to enjoy an active life of sea kayaking, yoga, hiking and travel.