The Heart of Movement
Step into a Nofar Method class, and you’ll know instantly: this isn’t your average Pilates session. There’s no formulaic 10-rep sequence, no set routine repeated class after class. Instead, you’ll find something alive — a class that pulses with intuition, athleticism, and deep human connection. That’s because behind this movement philosophy is Nofar Hagag — a teacher, innovator, and founder whose entire method is built not just on what the body can do, but how movement can make you feel.
From Psychology to Pilates: A Path Fueled by Curiosity and Compassion
Before she was a movement leader, Nofar was studying psychology and preparing for a career in medicine. But what intrigued her most wasn’t just the structure of science — it was the unspoken language of people. “I’ve always been curious about people,” she says. “To feel comfortable teaching, I need to get to know them. I sense people. I can read their body language, tell if they feel uncomfortable , know how much I can push or adjust them.”
That intuitive sensibility is a defining feature of the Nofar Method, which began with a Classical Pilates foundation but evolved into something far more dynamic. “Classical Pilates was the base,” Nofar explains. “But it wasn’t enough. Joseph Pilates originally created much of his program for dancers — a very specific group of people. I wanted to make it more accessible, more athletic, more creative. I wanted clients from all walks of life to be able to appreciate it.”
A Method Born from Survival, Experimentation, and Feedback
Nofar’s story is one of resilience. As a full-time student in New York City, she supported herself by teaching, often offering classes at 6:00 AM after long subway commutes. “I was trying to survive,” she recalls. “I had to work hard to fill my classes. I listened, I remembered people’s names, their injuries, their stories — and I made sure every class was worth coming back to.”
Her classes quickly gained traction — not because she followed the rules, but because she broke them. She created programming that was constantly evolving, shaped by who was in the room.
“You can’t walk into a class with a plan and just enforce it,” she says. “Who is your audience? Every hour is different. Everyone is built differently.”
What she built was a system of movement that refused to be boxed in. “It’s not classical. It’s not bootcamp,” she says. “The Nofar Method is based on Classical Pilates principles, but it’s an intuitive, creative, athletic system developed over 10 years — shaped by real people and real feedback.”
Ahead of Her Time, and Willing to Pay the Price
Nofar’s intuitive, adaptive style didn’t always fit into the mainstream Pilates mold. She was fired from a studio that didn’t accept her approach, even though clients loved it. “Fifteen years ago, no one was doing standing lunges on a box next to the reformer,” she says. “I was ahead of my time, and the industry didn’t like it.”
But she kept pushing. She made movement social, interactive, and personal — bringing in variety, rhythm, and exercises that truly worked for everyone in the room. “I had 70-year-olds and new moms in the same hour. People want consistency, but they also need variety. I created workouts that were effective and never boring.”
During the pandemic, Nofar pivoted online and taught live mat classes to students all over the world. “I hadn’t taught on the mat in years,” she laughs. “But I was doing three live classes a day, seven days a week. It became international. And it reminded me that what people connect with is not just the workout — but a personal connection of someone holding them accountable to show up for themselves.”
The Birth of the Studio and the Rise of the Method
After a setback in her medical school career, Nofar made a bold decision—to bet on herself. In 2019, with just $5,000 to her name and the unwavering support of her loyal clients, she launched her own method. She started small, renting space in a New York City studio where she had been teaching. Within six months, she had grown a following of 800 clients and was working 7 days a week, morning and evening.
Then the pandemic hit.
“For me, the pandemic was a kind of recovery,” she says. “I had to shift everything online. I was shy, honestly a little embarrassed, but I knew I had to show up for my community.”
Nofar began teaching mat classes from home, where her Pilates journey first began. Without the burden of studio overhead, she managed to save enough to open her own studio.
“I was working around the clock and not looking after myself,” she admits. “I cared about how many people I could reach, but was not taking care of myself”
She opened her first studio in Flatiron with 2,000 clients—and within a year, that number had grown to 10,000.
Today, her method is housed in three studios—Flatiron, Tribeca, and Miami—each designed with purpose. The layout is intimate. No microphones, no long rows of reformers, no separation. Music plays in the background, supporting but never overpowering. The machines are arranged to foster connection. “It’s about community,” she says. “About being seen and belonging.”
Her instructors—many of whom were once clients—are carefully chosen. Not just for their skill, but for their soul.
“A great workout is 50% movement, 50% how you make someone feel,” Nofar says. “My teachers genuinely care. They’ve been coming to the studio for a long time. They have passion. They treat clients like family.”
What does a typical class look like?
Each session runs for 50 minutes—25 minutes on the Cadillac and 25 minutes on the Reformer. It’s a balanced split that allows clients to experience the best of both worlds.
“At first, people feel intimidated by the machines” she explains, “but then they love them.”
Transitioning between the two machines keeps the body guessing, the mind engaged, and the results well-rounded. “It’s not that one machine is better than the other—they’re both essential. Together, they create the full Pilates experience.
Clients can expect a full-body workout that flows. With over 100 exercises available on each apparatus, there’s always variety—some strength work, some cardio, plenty of alignment and stretch. “Our teachers can choose any routine from the book,” she says, referring to the manual she’s built for the classes.
The sessions aim to feel like a luxury—without the luxury price tag. “I came from nothing. For me, affording private sessions was a dream. I want my clients to experience that kind of attention and quality, but in a group setting.”
“I just want them to try all the apparatus and props so they understand what Pilates can offer!” she says.
Organising the Body, Building Confidence
More than anything, the Nofar Method is about helping people organize their bodies — to feel aligned, balanced, and confident. “Pilates isn’t about losing weight,” she says. “It’s about helping people feel confident in their bodies. What does your perfect body feel like? What do you want to adjust? That’s what matters.”
The Next Chapter
Empowering Pilates teachers through "The Heart of Nofar Method". Nofar is excited to introduce her newest resource for the Pilates community: an Instagram page called "The Heart of Nofar Method". This new platform offers helpful guidance, inspiration, and encouragement for Pilates instructors at every stage of their journey. The mission is to provide guidance that helps teachers grow in their practice, connect more deeply with clients and build a fufilling career. She’s clear: it’s not just about the exercises. “You have to love people. That’s what makes the difference. You have to teach from your heart.”
Now with three thriving studios and thousands of loyal clients, Nofar is focused on evolving the method — not for trends, but for people. “I still change the workout every hour. I still listen. I still care. That’s what will never change.”
Nofar Hagag, the visionary founder behind the Nofar Method, is an internationally recognized fitness expert with upscale Pilates studios in New York City and Miami. Originally from Israel, she moved to New York City as a student-athlete, competing in NCAA Division 1 water polo. With an approach shaped by her athletic background, Nofar has redefined Pilates, building a loyal global following and setting a new standard in the industry.
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