April Silverman
Certified Pilates Trainer, Founder
she/her
April became interested in movement when she realized that regular conditioning can not only aid in everyday life, but can enhance creative movement and breath. She studied Theater Arts at Portland State University and went on to complete a degree in Music at Hunter College in Manhattan. April witnessed all of her educational skills come together when she completed the Comprehensive Teacher Training Program with the world renowned Ellie Herman at her Brooklyn studio. Pilates enforces and sharpens many important tools April used in dance, theatrics, and vocal performance. She learned to be aware of the body, breath, and alignment through an even more precise avenue.
April continues her studies with workshops in both Manhattan and Brooklyn. She sharpened her rehabilitation training working in physical therapy with injured clients and members of our US olympic teams.The idea that Pilates is not only a practice, but a lifestyle has helped her to introduce new clients to the repertoire as well as challenge more advanced clients with their practice. “When we start to feel our brain and body communicate to make us consistently live in a better space everyday, we are always succeeding.”
Dr. Annemarie Stupi
Chiropractor
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Dr. Annemarie is originally from Ohio, but spent the last six and a half years practicing in sunny Singapore. There she managed a large family practice where the youngest patient treated was two weeks old and the oldest was 85! Dr. Annemarie has much experience with pre and post natal care, post surgical cases, scoliosis, various spinal fractures, mild to severe degeneration and disc cases, and more.
Dr. Annemarie holds a doctorate in Chiropractic care. Some other credentials include a degree in Biology from Ohio State University, CCEP (Certified Chiropractic Extremity Practitioner; which means additional coursework and training to treat the joints/muscles in the upper and lower limbs, TMJ, etc), and FRC (Functional Range Conditioning) certificate.
Dr. Annemarie is excited to be treating patients in Williamsburg Brooklyn.
Naiomie Kemraj
Studio Manager
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Naiomie has been working as an admin assistant, manager, and in customer services for more than 15 years. Naiomie skills include marketing, outreach, insurance reviews, and management of day-to-day operations. She loves to provide great customer service and enjoys the challenges and rewards that come with the daily operations of an office.
Sarah Dames
Certified Pilates Trainer
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Sarah hails from Louisville, Kentucky and has been in New York since 2013. Sarah got her pilates certification from Ellie Herman Pilates in 2015 and has been practicing ever since. She has trained and studied alongside Pilates rehab and Pelvic floor specialists. She is deeply interested in collaborating with her clients to help them gain awareness in their own bodies. Using Pilates as a way to explore how movement can be used as a functional and restorative practice, translated into everyday life. Sarahs background is in dance, and since moving to New York has found a deep love for gardening alongside her Pilates teaching. She lives in the lower east side with her partner and two cats.
Juan De La Rosa
Certified Pilates Trainer
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Juan discovered Pilates during his dancing days as the perfect warmup for dance rehearsals and performances. It didn't take long for Juan to use Pilates as a rehabilitation tool for his dance related injuries. Juan then went on to complete the comprehensive Balanced Body Training at EHS Pilates. Now a retired dancer, Juan continues to teach Pilates with a focus in rehabilitation, body awareness, and functionality. He recently completed the Good Day Academy mat and reformer certification- a Pilates program based on Physical Therapy principles. He is currently a student at Columbia University's Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Megan Medley
Certified Pilates Trainer
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Megan Medley was born and raised in Kentucky where she grew up dancing. Her loves of movement, dance, and theatre led her to the movement intensive program of Butler University (BA-Theatre, French), through which she was able to study abroad in France, becoming fluent in the language and falling in love with the culture. From there she moved on to her graduate studies at the Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland Play House MFA Acting Program. During this program, she discovered Pilates and the myriad benefits it brought into her life. Megan's Pilates training specializes in mindful movement, coordination of breath within movement, cultivating intimate mind-body connection, and implementing these disciplines in the performing arts. Pilates has brought knowledge, freedom, and joy into Megan's life, and she can't wait to share it all with you!
Nico Gonzales
Certified Pilates Trainer
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Nico is a dancer and performer who came to Pilates as a means of injury recovery and was amazed by the depth of knowledge it offered him about his body. He decided to further his understanding of Pilates at the Kane School of Core Integration where he received a scholarship to pursue his certification. He is deeply interested in the restorative power of guided movement and release. Focusing on presence through breath, proper biomechanics and the innate joy of movement, he seeks to create an environment for his clients to tap into their own potential for empowerment through self-knowledge and exploration.
Luisa Figuera
Certified Pilates Trainer
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Ten years ago Luisa stumbled upon a small hole-in-a-wall studio with three reformers in Caracas, Venezuela where her Pilates journey began. After suffering from reoccurring injuries, Pilates was the one medium that seemed to resonate with her both mentally and physically. Here she learned to heal, support, and rehab through functional core based movement. Luisa was so inspired, that she decided to embark on a Pilates career. After a bout of teaching on the west coast, Luisa is continuing to sharpen her skills as a trainer here in New York. Luisa is focused on precise and safe movements that will not only protect the body, but make it stronger, one pulse at a time.
Rachel Simhon
Certified Pilates Trainer
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Rachel is a movement educator and manual therapist based in Brooklyn who found Pilates after a lifetime of trying to stabilize her joints and experiencing the chronic pain that not really understanding how to use them created. She studied ballet until getting injured in her teens, ran competitively through her 20s, then began teaching yoga and gravitated toward working with others like her who were on their own journey addressing pain and injury, which led to a career as a licensed massage therapist. Despite training in several different modalities, Pilates brought her the greatest insight into how her own body moved, so she was eager to learn everything she could about the practice and continued her Pilates exploration. Rachel was trained in NYC at The Kane School for Core Integration and participates with continuing education regularly.
Sara Zucchinalli
Certified Pilates Trainer
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Sara hails to us from Northern Italy. There she studied languages and tourism at the University of Bergamo, and went on to complete her masters in Hospitality Management.
After moving to NYC in 2017 Sara discovered Pilates and the profound benefits the practice, equipment, and specifically the reformer had on her. While still learning about how Pilates was helping to improve her quality of, posture, and general body awareness, she decided to deepen her studies and become certified. Sara studied at both Gramercy Pilates and Reforming Pilates NYC through Balanced Body.
Sara strongly believes that Pilates is for every body, shape, and size and she encourages everyone to give it a try!
Hannah Seiden
Certified Pilates Trainer
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Hannah Seiden, from Boulder, CO, is a freelance dance artist based in New York City. She has cross trained with Pilates since she was 12 years old, and later became certified in Classical Pilates Mat and Classical/Contemporary Machine Work. She has been teaching classes, privates, and physical therapy sessions throughout New York City for the past decade. Hannah graduated with honors from NYU Tisch School of the Arts with a B.F.A. in Dance. Along with live performance, she has danced and choreographed in music videos, films, and ads for numerous artists and companies. Most recently, she finished filming Mean Girls, the Musical. Hannah choreographs and teaches various styles of dance and Pilates to people of all ages around the world. She is elated to join the April Nicole Studios family!
Maria Yamschykova
Licensed Massage Therapist
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Maria Graduation in 2018 from the Swedish Institute. Her specialties include; deep tissue, sport, TMJ oral massage, and the use of kinesiology tape. Maria customizes her sessions to meet client needs using a multitude of different techniques, including trigger point, myofascial release, stretching, and movement.
Maria believes massage therapy can help guide the body into faster recovery for healing.
Simone Weiss
Licensed Massage Therapist
she/they
Simone has been practicing neuromuscular therapy for over 15 years. She is a passionate massage therapist and acupuncturist, dedicated to helping her patients find alignment and ease of mobility using integrated techniques with an inquisitive, heart-centered, results-based approach.
As a graduate of Tristate College of Acupuncture and Swedish Institute of Health Sciences, she is well-trained in myology, kinesiology, acupressure, and trigger point therapy. She went on to further her education with additional certifications in PNF stretching, craniosacral therapy, and prenatal/postpartum massage. On the weekends she enjoys creating fine art and dancing to live music.
Joanne Sachs Ambia
Certified Pilates Trainer
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Joanne was born and raised in NYC with Peruvian indigenous roots. She is a seasoned Pilates instructor with a passion for guiding her students through functional and awareness in movement. She received her pilates mat and apparatus certification from Balanced Pilates NYC in 2015, as well as prenatal and postnatal training. Her teaching style offers challenges along with modifications tailored to individual needs, ensuring a rewarding and inclusive experience for all participants. Joanne firmly believes that movement should be both empowering and enjoyable, striving to leave her students feeling taller and stronger after each session. She is pursuing her Massage Therapy License at the Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences, with an expected completion date in May 2025.
Claudia Maciejuk
Pilates Trainer
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Claudia, originally from Sweden, ventured to the US following her graduation from the Royal Swedish Ballet School. While enhancing her dance skills at the Ailey School in New York City, she uncovered the transformative power of Pilates. Her journey began with a scholarship at the Kane School, but she completed the majority of her certification through Balanced Body with Lesley Powell. Continuously seeking to expand her expertise, Claudia attends workshops and seminars. She values the diverse benefits and personal growth fostered by Pilates, seeing it as a practice suitable for every body. She is excited about guiding you on your own Pilates journey.
Samantha Goodwin
Licensed Massage Therapist
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A 2014 graduate of the Swedish Institute of massage therapy here in NYC, Sam has been a favored massage therapist with Strive for over 6 years. Sam specializes in Prenatal massage and Shiatsu.
Emily Jarvis
Front Desk
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Emily is the director of first impressions at Strive Wellness. She is the first helpful face you’ll see upon entering and is in charge of booking and scheduling appointments. Originally from New Jersey, Emily has resided in NYC for the past 7 years. Before joining the April Nicole Pilates + Strive Wellness team, Emily was an elementary school teacher in Brooklyn, NY.
Emily loves spending time in all of the different parks that NYC has to offer, especially those by the water. Outside of work, you can find Emily enjoying an outdoor reading session accompanied by a great picnic.
Daniel McKenzie
Licensed Massage Therapist
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A native of Brooklyn, NY, Daniel studied at the Swedish Institute of Massage Therapy and has been practicing since 2012.
Daniel specializes in therapeutic, sports, healing and circulation. Daniel bravely served our country in the Marine Corps from 2002 to 2006 with oversea stints in Iraq and Kuwait.
When he is not practicing massage therapy, Daniel’s hidden passion is singing. In addition to being a talented massage therapist, Daniel is amazing with plants. He is responsible for tending to the beautiful orchids in our studio!
Cici Zheng
Acupuncturist
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Coming soon!
Casandra Oquendo
Licensed Massage Therapist
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Casandra strives to emanate that healing energy is attainable through positive intention and compassion from both the client and practitioner. She is dedicated to supporting you on your wellness journey. Casandra’s work is enlightened through ongoing exploration of shiatsu therapy, eastern philosophy, energy healing techniques, meditation, and yoga. She specializes in shiatsu therapy and integrates the five element theory of Chinese medicine into her work and her daily life. You will find that her work encompasses an intuitive approach, utilizing techniques like acupressure point work, deep tissue, passive stretching, and energy healing. Working through an awareness of compassion, she creates a nurturing space where clients can unwin and reconnect with themselves, fostering a harmonious balance across their physical, mental, and emotional bodies.
Sneha Menon
Physical Therapist
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Sneha Menon is a licensed Physical Therapist, a certified Performance Enhancement Specialist, and a certified Corrective Exercise Specialist. She has a Masters of Exercise Science from Long Island University and a Bachelors of Physical Therapy from M.S. Ramaiah Medical College.
Following her undergraduate studies, Sneha was a spine consultant who managed a small team of physical therapists and conducted numerous corporate workshops.
In September 2018, Sneha relocated to the United States to obtain her Masters whilst simultaneously working at a mixed martial arts gym where she crafted and scheduled regiments for amateur, semi-pro, and professional athletes, including: agility training, power training, plyometric training, and neuromuscular integration training.
Sneha obtained her license for Physical Therapy in September 2020.
In November 2021, Sneha joined and is currently practicing at Strive Total Wellness in Brooklyn, New York. Outside of work, Sneha enjoys dancing, yoga, playing her ukulele, and hiking with her puppy.