Tara Kashyap
Tara has been practicing and teaching pilates for over 20 years. She holds an Associate of Occupational Studies in Massage Therapy from Pacific College of Health and Sciences. Tara applies a whole body approach to her teaching with an emphasis on form to alleviate undue stress on the spine and overworked joints. She has helped people overcome chronic pain, rebuild core muscles after pregnancy and sort out some bad knee and hip issues! As a massage therapist, she is able to work with her clients throughout the strengthening and recovery processes, combining specifically targeted manual therapy work with an appropriate strengthening regime.
Diana Emerich
Diana is such a gift to students everywhere, Crown Heights is blessed to have her at Lula Body Pilates!
Like many teachers Diana’s path to Pilates came from necessity. After years of training Kyokushin karate, working sedentary jobs and a family history of spinal stenosis, Diana noticed the significant toll it was taking on her body. This prompted her to try her first Pilates class, and so her Pilates journey began.
Diana received her Pilates certification in 2008 and has tremendous experience working with populations of all ages, and all levels of fitness. She possesses a natural curiosity and has built a deep and rich understanding of the human body and its amazing capacity to rejuvenate, and self heal.
Diana has helped people to achieve their goals, whether to relieve chronic pain or win the next marathon. Diana has her black belt after many years of dedicated training. She is a truly inspirational teacher to learn from and work with.
Diana currently teaches Privates, Duets, Small groups and classes at Lula Body Pilates on Saturdays.
Ilana Gabriella
Ilana Gabriella is a New York City-based Pilates Instructor and Musical Theatre Artist. Ilana received their Reformer and Mat Certification through Balanced Body and continues their education at The Space. They are so excited to continue inspiring clients at Lula Body Pilates .
Ilana’s approach is to use Pilates as a means to help everyone feel comfortable in their body. After recovering from many injuries sustained through dancing, Ilana knows the importance of balanced strength and flexibility within the body. Ilana has used their experience and knowledge to help others avoid new injuries and keep old injuries at bay. To achieve this mission, Ilana is determined to make Pilates accessible for everyone, of every age and fitness level.
Ilana teaches class Monday through Thursday. You can schedule a private with Ilana by clicking the link below!
Kay Ottinger
Kay came to Pilates as a professional dancer and through bartending. There are many modalities that offer a way into learning about our structures mechanics but one day a fellow dancer and regular at the bar offered her a Pilates private and that was that. She received her Pilates certification through the Kane School in 2015, and continued to study under her mentor Eleanor Hullihan and with Clarice Marshall. She has taught at Finetune, Julliard, Sarah Lawrence College, New York Pilates, Dynamic Bodies Pilates, and for the American Ballet Theatre summer intensive. Kay has also completed Pre and Postnatal trainings with Dianne Graci, hypermobility with Ashley Mathews and continuing education workshops with Irene Dowd and Stephen Williams.
Kay was co-founder of 2nd Story Pilates + Yoga in Jackson Heights, Queens. The classes she developed at her former studio allowed students a space to develop strength, confidence and curiosity by finding a self practice. Students started to incorporate exercises into their daily lives by practicing them at home as well as in the studio. She loves receiving inspiration and requests from students to incorporate into each class or session because it helps her offer exercises that are directly related to the students goals and interests. Her sessions are detailed and incorporate different techniques like self massage and stretching to create more awareness and openness in the body for when we start to strengthen and move into harder Pilates movements.
Kay teaches class on Wednesday mornings. You can schedule a private on Wednesday or Thursday evening with Kay by clicking the link below!
Kaitlin Niewoehner
Kaitlin is an experienced movement instructor, having taught dance, theater and fitness for many years before expanding into Pilates. As a professional dancer, she found pilates as a lifeline to help with injury prevention and recovery. Her teaching style is holistic, inviting some elements of strength training, yoga, meditation, and mindful breathing. She believes strongly in the power of movement to heal bodies, hearts, and minds, and is so grateful to be sharing that art with the Crown Heights community.
Kaitlin received her classical pilates certification in Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, and Barrell, through Pilates For Performers (PFP) started by Twyla Tharp and Broadway performer Barbara Hoon. She incorporates both classical and contemporary elements in her classes. In classes or privates with her, expect to be challenged, encouraged, and more in touch with your body.
Odessa Jacobson
Odessa Jacobson is a compassionate, thoughtful and creative Pilates instructor, dancer and all around artist. Odessa was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, where she has been dancing all her life. As she sought to heal through injuries and live with hyper mobility, she found her way to Pilates as a rehabilitating exercise practice. Odessa completed the Kane School of Core Integration’s Comprehensive Pilates Training Program, including Mat, Reformer, Barrel, Cadillac & Chair. Odessa loves using Pilates to help her clients experience their bodies in new and empowering ways. As a teacher, Odessa values meeting clients where they are at and listening to what they need. She values compassion, challenge and growth. In her sessions, Odessa likes to balance rehabilitating, anatomically grounded movement with flowing satisfying exercise. Outside of pilates you can find Odessa dancing, playing with ceramics and herbal medicine in spaces all over Brooklyn.