Inspiring Life from the Core

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The Express Mat Experience with Katie

written by Carol Crincoli, Pure Pilates Director

Katie is a wife and a mom of 3 adorable tiny human beings, but before that she was a professional dancer who performed at The Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall and in the Broadway 1st National Tour of Anything Goes. She left a NYC Pilates studio to work at Pure Pilates and the clients just love her! Katie’s personality shines through as a teacher and now you can find out for yourself when you jump into her Express Mat class on Thursday evenings.

When Katie approached me about teaching this virtual class, I was excited and thought I would love to have this workout to end my day. I asked her to describe the workout and I was sold!

Katie explained,End your day by connecting your mind, breath and body for 30 minutes.  I’ll lead you through feel good movement that your body knows, stretches that your body needs and intentional breath work that allows you to finish your day feeling centered with more space and ease.”

Have you taken an in-person or virtual class with Katie? If not, check out this creative 60 second exercise of her Standing 100.  It’s perfect for a beginner and challenging for anyone experienced in Pilates. This is just one exercise where she shines in her Standing Mat Against the Wall, that’s part of our OnDemand Library. 

Katie loves teaching Mat, but when asked what her favorite exercise or Pilates apparatus was she exclaimed, “The Chair! I have one at home and it has completely kept me sane (during covid) this year. Longing for days in the studio, having a small apparatus at home has allowed me to not only work out, but connect with other teachers, past mentors, and create and explore exercises for my clients.”

Here’s another great exercise that you can do at home with just a chair. Katie recreates the popular Mermaid exercise, without the Wunda Chair that you would find in our studio.  The Mermaid focuses on side bending and twisting, a great stretch when you’ve been at your desk for far too long. Give it a go. You won’t regret it!

Every Thursday night in February, join Katie for her Express Mat Class at 7:30pm.  The virtual class will flow with movement allowing you to create blood flow through your body, sending energy to all joints and tight muscle groups.  Stretches will be incorporated throughout the flow workout, as well as a bonus stretch and breath series to finish. All levels are welcome.  This is a live class and no replays will be available. Sign up for all 4 workouts or drop-in for one or 2. Click here to register.

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Katie is a passionate mover who was brought to Pilates through dance. After a professional dance career, Katie discovered her love of teaching-connecting the mind and body, and working with students of all ages and levels. Her appreciation and understanding of everyone’s ever changing body and needs only became greater as her own body went through pre and post natal stages, an experience which has helped Katie navigate problem solving, and bring a freshness to each session making them feel personal and specific to each body’s needs. Her sessions are full of flow and aim to challenge clients with a sense of comfort, and often a little humor, all of which she has brought to Pure Pilates since 2016. Katie thinks the gift of movement and self care is one of the best things one can do for overall wellness, and is thrilled to seek and fulfill milestones and goals with each of her clients. When she’s not at the studio, Katie is taking care of her three little humans- another job that also makes her smile, laugh, and challenges her on the daily.
Eighteen years ago I discovered my love for Pilates. After having my two children, I felt the need to move my body again. At the time I was living in North Carolina, and worked through many different exercise and training programs. I discovered Pilates, and instantly knew it was right for me. Forteen years later, and a move to New Jersey, I decided to share my love of Pilates with other people looking for some way to move their bodies. Pilates has also been a way for me to keep me strong and flexible to continue many activities. My family loves to be active, and I often find when we are all together (mostly vacations) our days consist of activity and movement such as hiking, kayaking, or skiing(more on this later). As I have gotten older I find it even more imperative now that I keep my body strong. Recently I was in a skiing accident that left me with many knee injuries and ultimately having to go into surgery. I found being able to do light Pilates a few weeks after surgery kept me sane and ultimately helped with recovery time. Pilates has not only helped me be able to keep up with my children, but has also provided me with a body that is able to function at peak performance. My approach to Pilates can be described in one, simple word: movement. Movement can help you, both physically and mentally. Movement, and Pilates, is ultimately about self care. Having a built in time to focus on your body and movement can help relieve yourself of feeling tired, anxious, and stressed. Movement awakens you. Even after one session you can leave feeling calmer and energized.
Enjoyment of life through movement is a vital part of Kathy’s philosophy. When not in the studio she leads an active lifestyle trail running, cycling, skiing and hiking. She also loves connecting with people while traveling with family and friends. One of her favorite cycling trips was riding along the coast of northern California. Learning new things and sharing knowledge is also important to Kathy. She has a passion for food, likes to cook for her family and experiment with new recipes. She is currently trying to achieve the perfect pizza. She is also an avid reader of historical fiction and biographies. Her latest endeavor is learning to play golf.
Carol M. Crincoli, owner Pure Pilates studio, has been in the fitness industry since 1990, with experience in corporate and commercial fitness, recreational programming and teaching as an adjunct professor. She began practicing Pilates in 2003 and received Pilates training through the PhysicalMind Institute in New York, NY. She holds certifications from the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) and the American Council on Exercise (ACE) as a group exercise instructor, personal trainer and lifestyle and weight management consultant. She was also accepted into the IDEA-PFT Recognition System as an Elite Level Personal Fitness Trainer. She is the only trainer in the NY-metro area for Trent McEntire’s Arcus equipment. Carol graduated from the Boston Conservatory of Music with a BFA in musical theater and a minor in dance. Opening Pure Pilates is the culmination of a lifetime dream, and her mission to "inspire life from the core" is a holistic approach to health and wellness—from exercise and nutrition, to stress management and self-care. Carol is also the inventor of 8th Avenue Rail, an organizing solution for Tower springs.