Your Instructor Karyn

More About Rise Instructor Karyn W.

A PMA-certified Pilates instructor for 16+ years and a practitioner for more than 35 years, Karyn attended The Articulate Eye Pilates Teacher Training Program in Rockville, MD. She works with clients ages 10-90, and has also worked with many conditions, including Parkinson’s & Alzheimer's, Arthritis, Spinal Fusions, Post Polio Syndrome, Joint Hypermobility, Endometriosis, Amputation, Obesity, Athletic Injury, Neurological Injury, Chronic Pain, Prenatal & Postnatal, & Breast Cancer(she is Pink Ribbon Pilates Certified). Karyn’s clients include professional dancers, musicians, athletes, and student dancers & athletes.

A former professional dancer & history teacher, Karyn’s keen eye for detail, creativity, and passion for helping others live & feel better drives her work. Her Classes include: Foundations, Foundations open level, Progressions, Jumpboard, Mat Pilates, & Private Pilates. Most recently, Karyn is hoping to grow the Rise Through Recovery Program, a Program focusing on movement and mobility for those at any stage of their breast cancer journey. We recently sat down with Karyn to talk about Pilates.

Instructor Karyn W. and a group of dance students who completed the Rise Dance conditioning program.

On Private Pilates

"I love that it's tailor-made for them, what their specific issues are, and what they need specifically. And then if they're the only person in the room, my eyes are on them. I can see more than I could necessarily address in a class setting when I'm also trying to have my eyes on four other people.  So with private sessions, we can get very personalized, and very specific for each person. This also rolls over into group classes (as they continue) and it's and wonderful mix to have someone who takes group classes and private sessions-its the best of both worlds and truly creates a full Pilates practice."

Why Pilates Works

"When meeting one-on-one, we create a movement plan that is designed specifically for you. Your strengths, your weaknesses, your goals, what you like, what you don't like, all of that. So the goals could be anything from just balance to flexibility, to strength, to just being able to complete the sequence from a Pilates class.  I often have private clients who have a goal of being able to comfortably get down on the floor and play with grandkids. There are many personal goals that Pilates can help with, especially the day-to-day or even what many consider regular movement.  Maybe it's getting in and out of an airplane. I know that sounds silly, but airplanes can be very compact. Many people are concerned with flying because they simply cannot manuever the boarding and flight process.

So working with clients, and working on their specific goals, concrete goals is what I want to help people accomplish. "

Pilates for Internal Goals

"The concept of a physical goal can seem pretty straightforward, but it can also be more of an abstract, or internal goal. Some clients just want to have a goal of a routine, or they may need a way to stay accountable. Others want the discipline, and they want the weekly practice of Private Pilates sessions and Reformer Group Classes as a way to ad that discipline and consistency to their practice.

When meeting with someone new, I always talk about fitness goals, personal goals, what promoted them to begin, and what they are truly hoping to get out of a Pilates practice. "

Pilates Modifications

"There are clients who may not be able to do a movement they see others doing, or maybe they are limited to the type of movements they can do because of a previous or current injury. The one that comes to mind immediately is a client with spinal concerns or issues.  We always have to be careful we are not just expecting them to complete each movement that could hurt them later. I am always looking for the latest information and education on treating these kinds of concerns.  In fact, this is why accreditation and certification are really important.Ultimately, I know that people are putting a lot of trust in me that the movement I am guiding them through will not injure them. I take it very seriously with all of my clients, and I try to be so detail-oriented and careful because even thought they may have physical or mental goals, my goal is that they need to feel better when they leave. "

Karyn’s clients include professional dancers, musicians, athletes, and student dancers & athletes,  and as aformer professional dancer & history teacher, her keen eye for detail, creativity, and passion for helping others live & feel better drives her work.

Her Classes include: Foundations, Foundations open level, Progressions, Jumpboard, Mat Pilates, & Private Pilates. To learn more about the Rise for Recovery Program, or to begin private sessions with Karyn, schedule a private session today.