Business Details
18 Years
experience
Your Pilates Studio for Mind-Body Wellness in Albany, NY
Founded in 2008, Core Pilates Albany has been dedicated to providing authentic Pilates instruction rooted in Joe Pilates' original method. Our studio is led by Lisa M. Yakel, a seasoned professional with over three decades of experience in dance and fitness, who brings a deep understanding of mindful movement to every session. We specialize in Classical Pilates, offering private, semi-private, and group classes designed to meet individual fitness needs while fostering mind-body connection. Our team of comprehensively certified instructors is trained through rigorous programs and committed to delivering personalized attention in every session. We believe Pilates is more than exerciseit's a transformative practice that enhances physical strength, mental clarity, and emotional well-being.With a maximum of seven clients per class, we ensure focused instruction that adapts to diverse abilities, including those recovering from injuries or managing chronic conditions. Our mission is to empower clients through movement education that builds core stability, improves posture, and enhances overall quality of life. We maintain strong ties to the Pilates Method Alliance and adhere to the highest standards of teaching integrity. Our studio serves as both a local wellness hub and a certified teacher training center through Beacon Pilates. By combining technical precision with compassionate guidance, we help clients achieve sustainable health improvements that extend beyond the studio environment.
Services
Private Sessions
Group Classes
Teacher Training
Injury Rehabilitation
Mat Certification
Details
- Year established: 2008
Highlights and features
- We offer Classical Pilates instruction certified through Beacon Pilates and Power Pilates programs
- Our instructors provide personalized attention in sessions capped at seven clients maximum
- We specialize in adapting Pilates for injury recovery and chronic condition management
- Our owner brings 30+ years of dance and fitness industry expertise to every session
- We combine technical precision with compassionate guidance for sustainable results
What people say
Individual attention
Knowledgeable instructors
Chronic pain relief
Mindful movement
Personalized modifications
Services
Private Pilates Sessions
Customized Pilates instruction tailored to individual fitness goals and physical limitations. Our certified instructors provide focused attention to refine technique, address specific needs, and track progress through personalized workout plans. Ideal for beginners, injury recovery, or those seeking accelerated skill development in a private setting.
Group Pilates Classes
Small-group instruction limited to seven participants for optimal attention. Classes include Mat and Tower formats following Classical Pilates principles. Sessions emphasize core strength development, postural alignment, and mind-body connection through structured sequences that challenge all fitness levels while maintaining technical precision.
Teacher Training Program
Comprehensive Pilates instructor certification through Beacon Pilates. Our 500-hour program includes mat and apparatus training, self-study requirements, and mentorship. Graduates receive certification to teach Classical Pilates at beginner through advanced levels, with specialized modules for working with special populations.
Injury Rehabilitation
Adaptive Pilates programs for individuals recovering from injuries or managing chronic conditions. Our instructors collaborate with healthcare providers to create modified exercises that promote healing, improve mobility, and rebuild strength safely while maintaining Pilates' core principles of controlled movement.
Mat Certification Workshops
Specialized training for certified instructors seeking advanced skills. Workshops focus on sequence variations, rhythmic adaptations, and specialized techniques to enhance group mat class instruction. Participants earn continuing education credits while expanding their teaching methodology within Classical Pilates framework.
People
Lisa M. Yakel
Owner/Instructor
Certified Pilates instructor with 30+ years in dance and fitness. Founder of In Motion School of Dance, trained through Power Pilates NYC, and Beacon Pilates trainer. Specializes in mind-body connection and therapeutic applications of Pilates.
Casey Dugan
Instructor
Beacon Pilates-certified instructor combining Pilates principles with running performance training. Focuses on balanced strength development and mindful movement patterns for improved athletic performance and injury prevention.
Kirsten Hernandez
Instructor
Founder of Limber Life platform, certified in mat Pilates and mobility training. Integrates Pilates with hot yoga and boxing to create balanced fitness programs that emphasize functional movement patterns and recovery practices.
Jessica Martinez
Instructor
Mat-certified instructor with background in gymnastics and cheerleading. Specializes in core stability training and mind-body connection, helping clients discover Pilates' transformative effects through progressive skill development.
Pauline Morris
Instructor
Master's degree in Exercise Science with specialization in women's health Pilates. Certified in pre/postnatal Pilates, diastasis recti recovery, and Buff Bones method. Focuses on corrective exercise and movement pattern restoration for special populations.
Questions
What Pilates experience levels do you accommodate?
We serve all levels from complete beginners through advanced practitioners. New clients start with private sessions to learn fundamentals before joining group classes.
Do you offer specialized Pilates for medical conditions?
Yes, our instructors work with clients recovering from injuries and managing chronic conditions like back pain, osteoporosis, and postpartum recovery using modified Pilates techniques.
What should I wear to a Pilates session?
Wear comfortable workout clothes that allow movement. We practice barefoot or in non-slip socks, and provide equipment sanitization between sessions.
How often should I attend Pilates classes?
Most clients benefit from 1-2 sessions weekly. Consistency matters more than frequency - even one well-executed session weekly creates progress.
Can Pilates help with posture improvement?
Yes, our focus on core strength and spinal alignment naturally improves posture. Clients typically notice postural changes within 4-6 weeks of regular practice.
Do you offer Pilates equipment classes?
Yes, we teach apparatus-based Pilates using reformers, cadillacs, and specialized equipment in private and semi-private sessions for comprehensive muscle engagement.
