LISA YAKEL
- "Pilates enhances the mind, the body and the spirit"
Lisa M. Yakel (owner) has over thirty years in the dance and fitness industry. She earned a B.A. in Dance Performance from Russell Sage College, performed with local dance companies, including Maude Baum & Co. and Dance Eclectic, taught at local dance studios, and Russell Sage College and choreographed for numerous school productions. Lisa also founded In Motion School of Dance, as well as taught fitness classes for many years at The Sweat Shop of Albany.
Discovering the Pilates Method was an "a-ha" moment for Lisa...sensible movement. It gave her an empowering awareness of her body and mind and truly connected the two. While dancing and teaching fitness classes Pilates helped Lisa stay injury free. The Method had such a profound affect on her that she became Mat Certified through The Physical Mind Institute in 2001 beginning her journey of teaching her passion. Yearning for more knowledge she became Comprehensively Certified through Power Pilates of NYC in 2003. She had the blessing of learning the Method from Bob Liekens, a Master Instructor and 2nd generation teacher. Lisa credits Jeanette Somner for nurturing both her knowledge and love for the Method. Lisa believes that Pilates is more than just an exercise program - it is a Method that is the foundation of all movement. It inspires her to watch people gain strength and stamina in ways they never did before. In 2106 Lisa became certified to be a Teacher Trainer for Beacon Pilates Teacher Training Program. Teaching future instructors has added a whole new dimension to Lisa's practice and she finds it very gratifying to be part of their journey.
Lisa is committed to the teachings of Joe Pilates and is passionate about sharing it with her students!
Contact Lisa for more information at 518-727-0271
Email: lisa@corepilatesalbany.com
Casey Dugan
Casey is originally from Providence, RI and has been living in Albany for just about three years. She began her Pilates journey with Beacon Pilates , becoming certified in Mat Pilates first and then continued on to receive her certification with the apparatus. She is currently finishing her training here at Core Pilates. Outside the studio Casey works as a seamstress doing alterations and tailoring! She is also an avid runner and believes Pilates has helped her perform better keeping her body balanced,mobile and strong. As a teacher Casey is encouraging and fun , she is passionate about helping people get strong from within, by following the Pilates principles. She loves how Pilates challenges the body and mind with creative movements. She is excited to be a part of her clients wellness journey!
Kirsten Hernandez
Kirste, a 35-year-old South Bronx native, is the founder of Limber Life, a platform dedicated to stretching, mobility, and balanced fitness. Now living upstate, she launched Limber Life in 2024, combining her love for strength training with certifications in beginner and intermediate mat Pilates. Kirsten enjoys keeping her workouts diverse with hot yoga, boxing, and Pilates, but is also a strong advocate for rest, recovery, and the power of stretching. Her mission is simple: to help others move better, feel stronger, and live limber.
Jessica Martinez
Jessica has always had a passion for movement— from being a kid in love with gymnastics, too often turning cartwheels and practicing hand stands anywhere she could, to being a competitive cheerleader in high school. As an adult, Jessica was drawn to Pilates for its focus on core stability, control, and full-body strength, as well as strengthening the mind-body connection. After earning her mat certification in 2023, Jessica is dedicated to helping clients discover the transformative power of Pilates, guiding them to feel the positive changes in their bodies through this mindful practice.
Pauline Morris M.S.
Pauline specializes in Pilates, corrective exercise, and women’s health. Pauline holds a Master’s Degree in Exercise Science from Concordia University in Chicago. She studied corrective exercise and how it corrects movement compensation and imbalances to improve the overall quality of movement during workouts and everyday life. Pauline is a classically trained Pilates instructor through Beacon Pilates as well as a Women’s Health Pilates Certified Instructor through The Center for Women’s Fitness with the following areas of expertise: Pre and Postnatal Pilates, Diastasis Recti Recovery, Pilates for Menopause, Buff Bones®, and the Pink Ribbon Program Post-Rehabilitative Breast Cancer Exercise. Pauline also holds several certifications for Group Fitness through the Athletics and Fitness Association of America, TRX, and the Pilates Suspension Method.
Eliza Patterson
Eliza is a barre, Pilates, and yoga instructor who believes movement is medicine. She is passionate about the power of fitness and the importance of keeping our bodies moving and mobile, and loves the energy of teaching in-person classes. When she’s not leading a class, she still likes to keep moving - via skiing, roller skating, rock climbing, and long walks with her dog.