Ernie Fossa
Owner and Studio Director
Ernie has been a leading educator of the Pilates Method of Exercise since 2004 and has trained hundreds of Pilates students to become Certified Pilates Teachers. He created the Gramercy Pilates NYC Teacher Training Certification Program with an integrated approach to anatomy, biomechanics, and movement in mind. This integrated approach has facilitated the learning process for prospective Pilates teachers and allowed them to focus more on the science behind how and why pilates exercises really work. The Pilates Certification Program teaches the classical choreography foundation with a contemporary approach and provides in depth knowledge of why exercises work for all types of clients, including those with medical conditions and physical restrictions. He received his Pilates Certification from the Kane School of Core Integration, known for its anatomical and biomechanical approach to fitness. He also holds Certifications in Gyrotonics including the Gyrotonic Tower Expansion System and Jumping and Stretching Board. He also has a Certification to teach the Core Align. Ernie has also created and taught many Pilates workshops on Pilates Props and Advanced Pilates Choreography focusing on correct biomechanics while offering an abundance of movement progressions and modifications.
Helen Mango
Director/Teacher Trainer
Helen Mango began her Pilates journey 15 years ago as a participant. Her love of Pilates slowly grew into a passion and her decision to become a Pilates Teacher took flight two years ago. Helen researched other studios, she chose Gramercy because of its strong Teacher Training Philosophy. Helen believes that the best students of Pilates are those that really have a love of the technique and want to be continually challenged and also believe in a healthy lifestyle. Helen is married to the artist, Robert Mango and has worked and lived in the Tribeca neighborhood of New York all of her adult life. While raising her two, now grown, children, Helen worked at the non-profit organization Manhattan Youth. Helen looks forward to beginning a new career as a Pilates instructor at Gramercy.
Elisaveta Stoeva
Expert Pilates Teacher
Elisaveta is native Bulgarian. She has a Masters degree in Accounting from the University of National and World Economy, Bulgaria. She moved to the US in 2010 and began a career in the hospitality industry. Working in a fast-paced environment with lots of bending, lifting and shifting , she realized the importance of core strength in preventing injuries, especially to the lower back. She found that Pilates was an amazing method of exercise in helping to improve not only her core strength, but overall body conditioning. Wanting to know how and why Pilates really worked, she enrolled in the Mat and Equipment Teacher Training Certification Program at Gramercy Pilates NYC. She received her Comprehensive Pilates Certification in September of 2019 and is now an Expert Pilates Teacher at the studio. She teaches all types of clients including those seeking to improve their posture, balance and strength to those with injuries. She believes that a deep mind-body connection using the Pilates method of exercise can bring new awareness of people's bodies and retain back the health and vitality.
Mikayla Petrilla
Expert Pilates Teacher
Mikayla is a NYC based performer who integrates her experience and joy for theatre with her Pilates practice. With 10+ years experience leading major stage productions in New York City, Off-Broadway and across the country, understanding the "why" behind the movement is a core value in her work across the board. From protecting performers from injury and fulfilling the demands of an 8 show work week to helping humans of all ages and stages feel aligned, positive and empowered, Mikayla is here to elevate your fitness journey.
Nieve Corrigan
Expert Pilates Teacher
Nieve Corrigan, 22, is a member of New York City Ballet’s corps de ballet. She was born in New York, New York and began her ballet training at the age of nine at the School of American Ballet, the official school of NYCB. Ms. Corrigan is a recipient of the 2017 Mae L. Wien Award, showing outstanding promise and dedication to her work in her graduating year. In August 2017, Ms. Corrigan became an apprentice with the Company and in July 2018 she became a member of NYCB’s corps de ballet. She has furthered her ballet career with Pilates training and has now became a teacher at Gramercy Pilates to pass on her love and passion for Pilates.
Alexandra Nyurgechova
Expert Pilates Teacher
Sasha loves being active as it pushes the boundaries of possibilities every day. She enjoys different types of movement, especially cycling and running, as it gives her a chance to explore the nature, to build mental strength and physical endurance, She was introduced to Pilates after running injury 5 years ago. Pilates helped her to build a base of strength and stability, improve her posture and flexibility, which lead to better running form and spirit. Encouraged by her progress, she wanted to share Pilates with others. She completed the Mat and Equipment Training Certification Program at Gramercy Pilates NYC in June 2021. She believes more precision in the movements results in better execution of the exercises and loves nothing more than helping others become healthy and strong.
Tommy Reichling
Owner and Studio Director
Tommy brings over 20 years of experience in the health and fitness fields as both a Pilates Teacher and Personal Training Specialist. Tommy created the Gramercy Pilates NYC Teacher Training Program. He also founded and created the Gramercy Pilates Institute. He obtained his formal Pilates Teaching Education through the Kane School of Core Integration and his certificate of Health/Fitness Personal Training Specialist through the American College of Sports Medicine (ASCM) and the American Council on Exercise (ACE). As a fitness professional, he has extensive rehabilitation and injury prevention experience working in several Physical Therapy Clinics. He is also a certified Boxing and Kickboxing Instructor with competitive ring experience and has prepared several athletes for competition in Football, Hockey, Kickboxing, and Baseball. He is a graduate of Columbia University, where he received a degree in Economics, as well as a minor in Pre-Physical Therapy.
Sam Paulik
Expert Pilates Teacher
Samantha discovered the Pilates method as a way to supplement her training as a dancer in New York. An active dancer who also holds an office job, she found that Pilates both strengthened her dance technique and helped release muscle tension and tightness brought on by long days in front of a computer. She fell in love with the practice and began teacher training at Gramercy Pilates in September 2019. Sam's classes are designed to incorporate traditional Pilates exercises in a flow that works naturally with the body and leave you feeling simultaneously more open and more centered. Sam brings a dancer's perspective to her classes and believes that a strong Pilates practice can be a major component of a healthy lifestyle.
Yuki Hasegawa
Expert Pilates Teacher/Teacher Trainer
Yuki is a Pilates instructor, contemporary dance choreographer, and Thai Yoga Practitioner. She had performed professionally in musical theaters as a dancer in Tokyo for 7 years before she moved to NY in 1998. She obtained her MA in Dance and Dance Education at NYU, and was certified in Pilates through Kane School of Core Integration where she had taught as an expert instructor for 5 years. Currently, she teaches Teachers Training Programs at Gramercy Pilates. She is also a faculty member at Peridance Capezio Center, and teaches Pilates to many dancers all over the world.
Katherine Graham
Expert Pilates Teacher/Teacher Trainer
Katherine has been practicing classical and contemporary Pilates for ten years. As a dancer, she found Pilates improved her form and strength and as a runner, it eased the pain in her joints. Katherine received her Comprehensive Pilates Certification from the Gramercy Pilates NYC Certification School. She is currently working as an Expert Pilates Teacher and Certification Program Teacher Trainer. She holds a BA from Lehigh University, an MA from Brooklyn College, and also has experience teaching dance classes in a variety of styles to a wide age range of students. Katherine believes Pilates can be truly transformative and adapted to individual needs, whether you’re looking for a physical change, rehabilitation for an injury, a better mind-body connection, or just a great workout.
Alison Mathis
Expert Pilates Teacher
Alison received her Mat Pilates certification through Gramercy Pilates Certification School-NYC. She is currently finishing her requirements for the Comprehensive Equipment Expert Teacher Certification. Alison is a classically trained dancer and Magna Cum Laude graduate of The University of Alabama with a B.S in Marketing and a B.A in Dance. Pilates has assisted Alison in her rehabilitation process after a meniscus repair and has helped her rebuild the strength and flexibility that she lost. Alison believes that Pilates is not only a way to lengthen, strengthen, and tone the body, but also an excellent form of exercise that provides injury prevention and rehabilitation for the body. Curious by nature, Alison is driven to continue learning and growing in the area of fitness, wellness, and the mind-body connection. She is motivated to help her students achieve a healthy body, reach their personal goals, and attain the incredible benefits that Pilates provides!
Kayo Kobayashi
Expert Pilates Teacher
Kayo has been involved in the arts from a very early age and began her dance training at the Tachibana Ballet School in Tokyo, Japan. Her passion for dance led her to New York where she continued studying ballet as well as many other dance styles. Upon expanding her continuing studies to include acting and singing, she then spent years performing in numerous productions on both stage and television. More recently, she found her way to the Pilates studio as part of her fully recovering from injuries including torn meniscus and a wrist fracture. In addition to believing in the therapeutic aspects of Pilates, she has also learned the value of Pilates and its ability to help improve and maintain proper posture for dancing and simply everyday life. She hopes to utilize her collected experiences and education to help a variety of clients find their way to better health and happiness through Pilates.
Anastasiya Bougades
Expert Pilates Teacher
Anastasiya is originally from Ukraine where she received her Master's Degree in Linguistics. She moved to the United States 10 years ago. She's always led an active lifestyle and especially enjoyed kickboxing which unfortunately affected her posture. Seeking a way to correct it, she tried Pilates and discovered it's many benefits beyond just helping her postural issues. Her love of Pilates led her to a passion to get certified to teach it. She found the perfect Pilates Certification Program at Gramercy Pilates NYC. She is now an expert certified teacher at the studio and believes that everyone should be doing Pilates as their foundation for fitness. Her clients now have increased body awareness and body control which is invigorating, empowering and life-changing.