Pilates in the City: What 5 Months in New York Taught Me About the Method
“Patience is a virtue. A sense of humour is a blessing. And being a good teacher means being a good student—always.”
— Kathy Grant, first-generation Pilates elder and student of Joseph Pilates
If Pilates had a capital, it would be New York City. Joseph Pilates opened his first studio here in 1926 at 939 Eighth Avenue. That thought echoed in my mind as I stepped into my first Manhattan studio. Over the next five months, I immersed myself in the city’s legendary Pilates scene—absorbing not just exercises, but the philosophies, lineages, and practices that reshaped my understanding of the Method.
My name is Dracaena Scott. With five children between my husband and me, I’ve lived a full and varied life. I began as a UK barrister, specialising in crime and family law. Over time, I felt a quiet shift—a calling to help others not through argument, but through movement, breath, and connection. That path led me from yoga to Pilates.
I’ve taught Pilates since 2004, first certified in the Stott method—a contemporary approach grounded in exercise science. But I was always drawn to the classical principles of Contrology: its discipline, restorative power, and lineage. No single school holds all the answers—true teaching demands ongoing learning and humility.
Over the years, I’ve trained with exceptional teachers. My classical foundation began in 2009 with Cynthia Lochard, a second-generation instructor certified by Romana Kryzanowska. In Jerusalem, I studied with Keren Lachman Lishanski of the Jay Grimes lineage. In 2020, I worked with Canada’s Jacqueline Martin, who blended Pilates with Neuro Movement principles. Most recently, in 2023, I trained with Wade Edwell in Australia, whose clarity and creativity reinvigorated my practice.
I didn’t come to New York to chase trends. I came to listen, observe, and join a community that honours the work. Pilates is physical, mental, and emotional. When we respect both tradition and innovation, we offer something truly transformative.
The Studio Experience
New York’s Pilates scene is vast, diverse, and layered. Despite stylistic differences, what united them all was a shared reverence for the work and a commitment to excellence in education and client care.
New York doesn’t just practise Pilates—it lives it.
Each studio offered something unique. Together, they painted a picture of what Pilates can be when taught with depth and purpose:
Paradigm Studio – Katie Yip: A rigorous, classically rooted space. Katie is as kind, gracious, and delightful as she is talented—her unwavering commitment to the original Method was both challenging and inspiring.
Bridge Pilates – Blossom Leilani Crawford: Carrying the torch of Kathy Grant, Blossom blends anatomical insight with humour and warmth. Her classes were technical, joyful, and deeply human.
LAB Pilates – Summer Reed: Classical with precision. A thoughtful studio that values longevity, intelligent movement, and consistency over quick fixes.
Natural Pilates – Laura Wilson: Upbeat and athletic. Laura’s programming merges classical form with dynamic sequences that energise and engage.
Lifespan Pilates – Cynthia Shipley and Team: New York’s premier Romana’s Pilates studio and teacher training centre. Rooted in tradition, delivering the classical method with integrity, precision, and care.
Authentic Pilates NYC – Vivian Piccone Jung: Precise, welcoming, and deeply respectful of the classical lineage. Vivian shares her profound knowledge with grace, clarity, and generosity.
Grasshopper Pilates – Gina Papalia (with visiting teacher Kathi Ross Nash): A studio where warmth and precision converge. Gina’s eye for detail and love of the Method elevated every session, while Kathi—an unparalleled master—reminded us that the system needs no revision, only reverence. Her teaching demanded integrity, full mastery before progression, and the use of every tool Joseph Pilates created to uncover what’s missing.
Uptown Pilates – Cary Regan: Classical and exacting, Cary infused each session with rigour, dry humour, and unforgettable stories drawn from a life dedicated to the Method.
Abena Pilates – Abena Tolentino: Incredibly intuitive and rooted in tradition. Abena’s teaching feels deeply embodied, grounded, and connected.
Alvin Ailey Theatre – Sarita Allen: Mentored by Kathy Grant, Sarita brings a dancer’s grace to her soulful, humble, and profoundly kind teaching style.
Nofar Method – Nofar Hagag: Dynamic and high-energy. Nofar blends strength, flexibility, and control into a challenging, transformative experience.
There were many more noteworthy studios such as Erika Bloom Wellness, Real Pilates, Dynamic Pilates, Power Pilates, New York Pilates and Club Pilates.
If you want more details on any of these studios, please feel free to DM me.
Common Threads
Despite their differences, many shared principles emerged:
Lineage is cherished: Teachers spoke of their mentors like family—passing on values as well as technique.
Touch matters: Hands-on cueing was subtle and effective, used to refine alignment and deepen awareness.
Transitions are part of the work: There was no wasted movement—everything had purpose.
Learning never stops: Even the most senior instructors were constantly studying, observing, and evolving.
This openness, this humility, made the NYC Pilates scene not only impressive but also profoundly generous.
Lessons for Australian Instructors
Returning home, I carry with me these reflections:
Let classical structure anchor—not restrict—your creativity.
Use hands-on corrections thoughtfully and with permission—they can say more than words.
Simplicity is powerful—honest movement, clear cues, breath, and alignment are often enough.
Seek new mentors and perspectives—travel, observe, stay curious.
Pilates is both deeply personal and globally connected. To grow as teachers, we must engage with the wider world and stay rooted in our own authenticity.
Final Thoughts
My time in New York was one of the most enriching chapters of my professional journey. I came in search of knowledge, but what I found was community. Each class, each teacher, was a reminder that Pilates, at its best, is not just about bodies—it’s about intention, awareness, and lifelong growth.
Dracaena Scott is an Australian Pilates instructor. Follow her on Instagram @plexuspilates. For more information, contact her at dracaena@plexuspilates.com.au.