Inspiring Life from the Core

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Up Close and Personal: Laura Kerwick

written by Laura Kerwick, Pure Pilates Instructor

What’s your story?

My story… I grew up in Medford, NJ.  Went to college at Hofstra University and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing. Graduated and worked as a Fashion Rep for a number of different lines in the Northeast.  Went on to take my Viticulture and Vinification course and become a Sommelier.  Worked as a wine distributor for 5 years until becoming pregnant with Brody, now 8.  When  I was 6 months pregnant I left that industry to become a full time Mom.  I always knew my next step was to get certified in Pilates.  After my second son, Nolan, was about 2 years old and Carol mentioned that she would be teaching a certification course,  I knew that was my next step.  I looked up to Carol as an instructor and knew there was no one else I wanted to learn from.

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

When I wake up in the morning my children are the first thing that make me smile…  They are also the first thing that I curse because they wake me up way too early!  I love to sleep with my window cracked whatever time of year because the fresh breeze and smell of the outdoors brings me joy.

Last book you read?

Recently I read the book Untamed by Glennon Doyle.  It was so inspiring and empowering.   It is a story about empowering people.  Women, Moms, children, humans…  and pointing out societal judgements and predispositions about many issues in life that are just that.  It’s a book I recommend to everyone.  

Famous person you want to sit next to at a dinner party?

Famous person I want to sit next to at a dinner party is  Morgan Freeman, and I was lucky enough to meet him ten years ago or so at a wrap party for a movie my husband worked on with him.  I sat down next to him and he was the most humble, incredible man.  I shyly told him how I hated going to meet people that my husband worked with because they were all just people, and it felt odd.  But that I had to tell him how much I respected his work and how incredible he was….  He simply looked at my husband and said “Thank YOU for bringing her”.    So grateful to have met him, as other celebrities I have met have been very disappointing!

Favorite type of food or meal?

My favorite food is pizza.. and Doritos but I maybe only let myself indulge in those once a year! 

Rapid Fire:

Morning or night person? PRE KIDS: NIGHT….SINCE KIDS: MORNING

Left Handed or Right Handed? RIGHT

Extrovert or Introvert? EXTROVERT

Coffee or Tea? COFFEE

Bath or Shower? SHOWER. I try to take a bath and get too overheated!

Sweet or Savory? SAVORY OVER SWEET ANY DAY

Beach or Mountains? BEACH ALL DAY

Texting or Phone Calls? LOVE TEXTS but phone calls are super important

Dogs or Cats? DOGS AND CATS

Mac or PC? MAC

Favorite Pilates apparatus or Pilates exercise? My favorite is the Reformer. I love so many of the exercises but Short Spine is the first thing that pops into my head.  I love how the exercise not only opens my spine but immediately connects my core, my legs… it draws everything in together. It’s such a cohesive exercise.

Have to end with a true belief that we create our own reality, hence my tattoo.  Life throws things at us we never saw coming.  Only we can determine how to respond to those things.  Always be positive and see the best in things 🙂

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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.