Inspiring Life from the Core

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Up Close and Personal: Marcellina Mele

written by Marcellina Mele, Pure Pilates Instructor

One of the benefits of the pandemic is that Marcellina has rejoined the team at Pure Pilates, teaching virtually!  Her energy and positivity is infectious in person and on the computer screen.  Her personality shines through when you read her responses to her Up Close and Personal blog post!

What makes you smile when you get up in the morning? 

When my alarm goes off and I figure out what day it is… I can’t wait to see my two boys! EVERYDAY!  Knowing I get to have a hug and a smile from them (at some point) and see their eyes twinkle, is totally worth getting up for. (Savoring this for as long as it lasts!)  Motherhood has been the hardest job of my life!!  And yet, the MOST rewarding.  I get lots of random but daily “I love you mom” from one and extra snuggles and belly laugh giggles from another.  Ups and downs everyday still with a now 6- & 7-year-old but they warm my heart and give me the strength I need to conquer absolutely anything. I am forever grateful for the joy they bring and for making me work toward being a better person. 

What absolutely excites you right now?

My family is excited to be planning our move this summer to South Carolina! My husband is retiring from the Police Department after 25 years of service.  One of the many reasons we chose South Carolina is because it is home to my husband’s alma mater, Clemson.  I grew up in California, then moved to the Northeast, now we will get to experience and explore the South! Life is very busy right now in preparation and we are building a new house near a lake. We can’t wait!

What kind of music inspires you? 

I feel inspired by music – music that makes me want to dance (in the house or car or even the supermarket!), move my body, be happy or even help to have a good cry.  I feel like music is the backbone of life, it can cause you to remember a moment or a phase of life.  I love ALL music, except for slow jazz and new rap.  The 80’s dance music is still my favorite happy jam though!

Favorite person in the world? 

My brother Dominic is my favorite person in the world!  From the time I can remember life, my brother put me on a high pedestal and treated me like gold and I’ve never been removed. He is 10 years older than me (I have 3 older brothers) and I have always looked up to him.  Not only has he always been there for me but he is the most positive person I know; always encouraging me to look at a situation or life from another angle.  Whenever I’ve been faced with a big decision, he is my go-to person for advice, and he never actually gives advice – he simply asks lots of questions for me to come to my own solution.  He is the best role model and person I know.  Always trying to just do the right thing, very loving, giving and smart.  Living across the country for the past 18 years I still get excited when he calls and excited to see him on the rare occasion of visits.  He has such good energy you just want to be around him and I am so very blessed to call him my brother.

Rapid Fire:

Morning or night person?   MORNING

Left Handed or Right Handed?  RIGHT

Tidy or Messy?  SUPER TIDY

Extrovert or Introvert? INTROVERT

Coffee or Tea? COFFEE

Mac or PC?  PC

Apple or Android Phone? APPLE

Bath or Shower?  BOTH!

Dogs or Cats? DOGS

Sweet or Savory?  SWEET

Beach or Mountains?  BEACH

Coke or Pepsi? COKE!!

Meat or Fish or Vege?  CARNIVORE

Summer or Winter? SUMMER

Texting or Phone Calls? CALLS

Vanilla or Chocolate? CHOCOLATE

Favorite Pilates apparatus or Pilates exercise? 

I can honestly say that I do not have a single favorite. Each apparatus I use, I love in the moment. They all offer something unique and different for my body. As a past dancer, pole vaulter and runner my body took a beating and then later I was diagnosed with Scjogrens (lots of daily joint pain and fatigue).  I crave how the equipment helps ease my pain, allows me to move and stretch the way I did when I danced without the tears, and gives me more energy.    

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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.