About Us
Welcome to Dear Pilates, where the art of classical Pilates comes alive in the heart of NYC!
We’re all about preserving the original Pilates method while making it accessible, dynamic, and downright enjoyable for everyone.
Whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned pro, we’ve got you covered with personalized private sessions and energetic group classes designed to strengthen, align, and empower.
At Dear Pilates, we’re not just a studio—we’re your space to grow, move, and feel amazing. Let’s make magic on the mat together!
Jane Rim
From overcoming chronic pain to running a successful business, Jane’s journey is one of resilience and transformation. Born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, she studied theater—embracing the art of song, dance, and performance. After immigrating to the U.S., Jane launched and ran her own clothing business for 10 years, until chronic pain and stress pushed her to reevaluate her path.
Finding Pilates
Amid her search for healing, Jane discovered Pilates—and everything changed. The philosophy of connecting mind, body, and spirit not only transformed her physical health but also helped her rediscover peace and balance in life.
Empathy and Understanding
Having lived with chronic pain and experienced the daily grind of entrepreneurship, Jane understands her clients’ challenges on a deeply personal level. She brings empathy, care, and a genuine desire to help others find relief and strength through Pilates.
Sharing the Gift of Pilates
Now, as a certified Classical Pilates instructor (Core Pilates NYC 600-Hour Comprehensive Program) with additional pre/postnatal certification, Jane is on a mission to help others unlock their potential, heal their bodies, and embrace a healthier, more balanced life.
Founder/Senior Instructor
Meet the Team
AT Dear Pilates, our instructors are comprehensively trained in the classical Pilates method, grounded in the original work of Joseph Pilates. Each member of our team has completed rigorous, full-spectrum training across all apparatus, including Mat, Reformer, Tower, Chair, and Cadillac. Their deep understanding of classical principles allows them to deliver thoughtful, personalized instruction that supports clients at every level—from beginners to advanced practitioners. Passionate, attentive, and highly skilled, our instructors are dedicated to helping you build strength, balance, and body awareness in a supportive, welcoming environment.
Lead Instructor (Senior)
Nikki Hung
Nikki received her Pilates certification through Core Pilates NYC's 600-hour Comprehensive Program in 2018. After graduating, she joined the CPNYC teaching staff and completed additional training to become a teacher trainer. Since then, she has been fortunate to teach and mentor both students and aspiring teachers as instructor and faculty.
Nikki discovered Pilates while searching for a low impact fitness modality that would complement her love for weight lifting. She found that classical Pilates was beneficial as a standalone exercise, and also that it supported and enhanced other types of movement; she continues to incorporate cross-training in her own practice and through her teaching. She enjoys helping her students improve their strength and confidence, no matter their fitness level or experience.
Prior to Pilates, Nikki worked in different fields including publishing, event management, and museums. She graduated from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Film & Television Production and English Literature.
Tatiana Perez
Instructor
Tatiana, although a research scientist by trade, has long been a lover of movement. She came to find Pilates to better complement her aerial journey and remedy her aerial dance injuries from over the years. From her experience, she was convinced that the Classical method would be a long lasting rehabilitation method she could use for life and wanted to be able to share with her community.
She completed her Mat and 600-hour Comprehensive Pilates certifications at Core Pilates. Tatiana’s teaching style is warm, personal and challenging. Her goal is to have you leave her sessions feeling stronger, more mobile and light both in body and spirit.
When she’s not teaching bright and early, you can find her hanging out with her beagle, Charles, or spreading her wings on aerial silks/pole.
Michelle Berry
Instructor
Michelle discovered Pilates after volunteering to be a practice body for a friend doing teacher training. She fell in love with classical Pilates and the impact it had on her body and chronic pain. After practicing Pilates for nearly a decade, she decided to become certified as a Pilates instructor herself, obtaining her 600 hour certification from Real Pilates.
Michelle works with a wide variety of clients, but is particularly passionate about teaching those with chronic pain and helping to find healing through movement.
Kristia Lui
Instructor
Kristia first started taking Pilates classes in 2014 as a low impact way to keep her body moving while dealing with a knee issue. She fell in love with Pilates and decided to take her first Pilates Mat Training with Equinox Pilates Training Institute in 2016.
She has been teaching Pilates ever since and enjoys helping people get stronger and healthier.
Kristia further pursued her passion and received her complete (apparatus and mat) 600-Hour Comprehensive Program Pilates certification through Core Pilates NYC in 2021.
As a first-time mother, she was even more amazed by how practicing Pilates had helped her to have a healthy pregnancy, manageable labor and delivery, and smooth postpartum recovery.
She teaches with positivity, encouragement, and warmth and is very excited to share the transformative benefits of Pilates with others.
Demetra Balodimas
Instructor
Growing up in NYC, every fitness trend was available, but Demetra always came back to Pilates. She decided to further her knowledge and love of Pilates by completing the Comprehensive Training program at Classical Studio "Core Pilates NYC" after having completed the Mat Training program earlier.
Demetra loves the controlled rhythm of classical Pilates and there’s no better feeling than realizing you’re getting stronger each session. She believes Pilates is healing and a key ingredient to a healthy lifestyle.
She wants people to leave her sessions feeling stronger, more centered and wanting more! Off the reformer you can find her hiking upstate, watching my beloved New York Rangers and enjoying some local NYC pizza.
Annie Barget
Instructor
Annie is a comprehensively certified classical Pilates instructor, trained through Core Pilates NYC’s 600-hour Comprehensive program. Having been introduced to Pilates at a young age, the practice has been a foundational part of how she understands movement and the body.
Her teaching is rooted in the classical system, with a focus on precision, alignment, and mindful flow. Annie finds the most fulfillment in helping clients discover just how strong and capable their bodies truly through dynamic, challenging classes. Her classes emphasize intentional movement, alignment, and mobility, always prioritizing form and the safety of each client.
Her goal is for every session to leave you feeling stronger, free from tension, and more connected to your body than when you walked in
Hanna Golden
Instructor
Hanna received her 600 + hour comprehensive certification from Core Pilates NYC. Her training is rooted in the classical form, but she is interested in how classical from can become an athletic practice.
She was first introduced to Pilates over a decade ago as a part of her professional dance training. As a current dancer, she most recently used classical Pilates to recover from a spinal fusion surgery. Consequently, Hanna is passionate about the benefits of Pilates as a recovery and injury prevention tool.
Hanna aims to tailor her sessions to each client’s individual needs, as well as challenge each body in front of her. Her ideal session leaves the client feeling mobile, mindful, taken care of, and pushed past what they thought they could do.
FAQ
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Pilates is more than just a workout—it’s a movement practice designed to strengthen your body, improve flexibility, and connect your mind and body in a way that leaves you feeling amazing. Created by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century, this method focuses on controlled, precise movements, proper alignment, and mindful breathing to build strength from the inside out.
At its core (pun intended!), Pilates targets your “powerhouse”—the muscles around your core that support your entire body. Whether you’re flowing through mat exercises or using specialized equipment like the Reformer, Pilates helps improve posture, boost mobility, and relieve stress, all while creating a strong and balanced physique.
Pilates is adaptable and versatile, making it an incredible practice for those seeking to strengthen, align, and reconnect with their bodies. Ready to feel strong, centered, and empowered? Let’s get started!
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Joseph Pilates was the visionary behind the Pilates method—a groundbreaking approach to exercise that focuses on strengthening the body while connecting the mind and spirit. Born in Germany in 1883, Joseph faced numerous health challenges as a child, including asthma, rickets, and rheumatic fever. Determined to overcome these struggles, he devoted his life to studying fitness, anatomy, and various movement practices like yoga, gymnastics, and martial arts.
During World War I, Joseph began developing his unique method to help injured soldiers regain strength and mobility. He used minimal equipment and improvised with what was available, even rigging hospital beds with springs to create resistance—a concept that later inspired the famous Pilates Reformer.
In 1926, Joseph immigrated to the United States, where he and his wife, Clara, opened their first studio in New York City. There, they trained dancers, athletes, and others looking to build strength, improve flexibility, and recover from injuries.
Joseph’s method, which he called “Contrology,” emphasized precise movements, proper alignment, and the connection between the mind and body. Today, it’s known simply as Pilates, and it continues to inspire people worldwide to move better and feel stronger.
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We absolutely love meeting clients who are completely new to Pilates and watching their progress as they grow stronger, feel better, and connect with their bodies in new ways. It’s such a rewarding journey!
To get the most out of your Pilates practice, we strongly recommend starting with 2–3 private sessions. This will help you become familiar with the exercises and the equipment, setting you up for success before joining group apparatus classes.
You can also begin with our mat classes, which are a great way to learn the foundational exercises in a supportive environment.
If you have any injuries or are pregnant, please let your instructor know so we can tailor the sessions to your needs. Your safety and comfort are always our top priority!
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Private/Duet Sessions: Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours in advance.
Group Classes: Cancellations must be made at least 12 hours in advance.
Late cancellations will not be refunded.
Please check our Studio Policy here
Contact Us
Get in touch.
Curious about pilates or Dear Pilates? Send us your questions in our contact form and we will get back to you pronto.
Dear Pilates
126 5th Ave Suite 805
New York, NY 10011
212 772 0712 (Text Only 7am-8pm est)
info@dearpilatesnyc.com