727-343-3600
ABOUT
WHAT IS PILATES?
Pilates is a full-body, vigorous workout that stretches and strengthens simultaneously, resulting in an extremely efficient movement practice. Core strength is the foundation of the practice, while the focus is on quality movement rather than the number of repetitions or the weights lifted. The practice is an intelligent form of movement that encourages you to connect and listen to your body to optimize it's function.
With this focus, no muscles are over or under-trained which helps correct muscle imbalances and staves off future injuries.
Those practicing Pilates can anticipate an improvement in posture, balance, coordination, strength, and flexibility.
IS PILATES RIGHT FOR ME?
One of the great things about Pilates is that it is so versatile. Whether you are new to exercise, dealing with an injury, pregnant, an elite athlete, or just a fitness fanatic, Pilates is good for you. The equipment that we use allows for support to be added where you may need it, and also allows for challenge to be added when appropriate.
HOW OFTEN CAN I PRACTICE PILATES?
Pilates can be practiced daily. Although there may be some days where you walk away from your session with muscle soreness, that is not the ultimate goal. You may ask yourself, well then am I actually doing anything if I'm not getting sore every time? The answer is YES. You will still see significant results in the way that your body performs for you as you continue on your practice. The smarter you learn to work, the better your results become.
PRIVATES OR GROUP CLASSES?
If it's in your budget, Private sessions are ideal. Each private session is customized by your trainer to suit your needs and is taught at a pace that fits your level of experience and understanding of the key Pilates principles (breathing, control, centering, precision, flow). Pilates has a lot of idiosyncrasies; it's not a walk in the park to ask your body to move in ways that it may have never before been asked to, so be patient with your practice and the learning of the concepts. As your understanding of Pilates deepens, you will find that your sessions become more physically demanding, because you become more aware of how involved each movement is when executed properly.
Once you develop a basic foundation of the Pilates principles, moving into group classes may be an option for you. In group classes, there is an expectation that you are already aware of what it means to "draw in your abdominals", to "articulate your spine", or to "stabilize your pelvis", just to name a few. There is less time spent on teaching the basics, and more time applying those principles into a flowing class of 55 minutes with a maximum of 5 additional students. Fortunately, because we do limit our class sizes, you will still get individual attention, but clearly privates are the way to go if you need specifically tailored cues if for example, you are recovering from an injury.
MEET THE TEAM
Kiyla
PILATES APPARATUS AND TRX TEACHER
(Balanced Body Pilates)
Kiyla is an integrative fitness specialist and massage therapist. Over a decade ago she discovered her calling to teach mindful movement and assist others in discovering their inner strength and balance. Through the years Kiyla obtained certifications in Comprehensive Pilates Apparatus, TRX suspension training, NASM Personal Training, MOTR instruction, Neurokinetic Therapy, Trigger Point Therapy, and Active Isolated Stretching. Kiyla combines her knowledge of movement and anatomy with imagery and touch cues to develop fun, challenging sessions uniquely tailored to help clients understand how their body works and meet their fitness goals. It is her mission to help clients feel powerful and present while reinforcing mind-body awareness.
Kiyla strives to keep current with all she can about mind-body-spirit fitness, therapeutic touch & food based healing so that she can effectively coach others in holistic lifestyle choices. When she isn't being nerdy about her career, she spends time hoop dancing, experimenting with recipes in the kitchen or going on outdoor adventures.
Jen
STUDIO MANAGER
PILATES APPARATUS AND MAT TRAINER
EXTEND BARRE TRAINER
(Peak Pilates)
Jen holds a Bachelor's degree in exercise science, a comprehensive Pilates certification from Peak Pilates, and a personal training certification from the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
She's been teaching exercise for 20 years. Her start as a Personal Trainer has helped her in developing her overall Exercise philosophy of functional, practical, strength training. Jen has an amazing eye for watching movement, and loves helping people to 'figure things out in the body' during a session. She is known for her ability help you increase your fitness level, at the pace that's right for your body, all while keeping things fresh and fun.
Her favorite Joseph Pilates quote: "Physical fitness is the first requisite to happiness."
Martha
PILATES APPARATUS TRAINER AND LICENSED PHYSICAL THERAPIST
Martha started her career in professional dance after she graduated from Boston Conservatory with a BFA in Dance. After a career ending injury, she shifted gears and earned a degree in Physical therapy from the University of Illinois in Chicago.
Martha has been practicing physical therapy for over 30 years. During that time, she worked in outpatient orthopedics with professional athletes including the Chicago Bears and Bulls, and numerous dance companies, and others recovering from injuries or post operatively.
Martha has a deep roster of trained manual therapy techniques which include craniosacral, myofascial, integrative manual therapy and visceral mobilization with Pilates for rehabilitation. She also has a Women's Health Specialty and has helped many women recover from pelvic floor issues.
Her original training in Pilates began with Joseph Pilates protege, Romana Kryzanowska in 1992. She followed up years later with the Balanced Body Pilates Training program. Martha is also experienced working with the OOV as a rehab tool.
In her personal life, Martha is a mother of four grown children and continues to dance, loves to swim, and practice yoga.
Elena Nova
PILATES APPARATUS TRAINER
BIO COMING SOON
Vicki Buck
FOUNDER
PILATES TRAINER, BARRE TRAINER, YOGA INSTRUCTOR
I have been in the Fitness Industry for over 18 years. I've taught everything from spinning to step aerobics, from resistance training to yoga. In 2010, I found my way into Pilates, almost accidentally. Having always been active and 'fit', Pilates absolutely aggravated me because it was SO HARD for me. I fought the 'I'm fit, I should be able to do all of the hardest things' mentality for six months to a year. And then, I finally let go of the notion that the performance of the exercise was the measure of success. It was the PROCESS that was the measure. It was the learning of how and why my body moved a certain way. It was the understanding of HOW I could change those patterns, and the POWER of being able to do so through conscious awareness- and really great instruction. And that mentality shift really changed my life, and my physical body for the better!
With that in mind, I've always strived to find instructors that have a similar mentality. It's not about teaching the hardest class imaginable. It's about impact. Good movement has the power to impact people's lives in a tremendous way. And that's what we want for you.
Life has moved me away from St. Petersburg, Florida, but my spirit is still at The Grüp! I currently reside in Minneapolis, MN with my husband and two young boys, but you'll see me popping in every December/January to say hello. And one day when these little boys don't need every ounce of my attention, I hope to be spending more time coming down to Florida and hanging out at the Studio! Until that day, and beyond, you can always count on my partner in crime, Jen Keanan, our amazing studio manager that has trained with me since our Pilates journeys began.
10 sessions and you'll FEEL the difference.
20 sessions and you'll SEE the difference.
30 sessions and you'll have a whole NEW BODY.
- Joseph Pilates
CONTACT
Getting Here:
We're located next to The Horse and Jockey Restaurant and Pub. Look for their British Telephone Booth off of Pasadena Ave!
Our Address:
1155 Pasadena Ave S, Ste D
South Pasadena, FL 33707
Email:
Phone:
727-343-3600