The Allure of Pilates
by Wendy Yang Clark
A deliciously 90s teaser
As a teenager growing up in Hong Kong, my mother subscribed to Allure magazine. I had reasonable access to British and Australian teen mags (I read a lot about choosing the right color of lippy, snogging techniques, & avoiding being naff at all costs), but American women's magazines were a rare treasure, and I devoured every page. Something about Allure felt particularly sophisticated and sexy. In those glossy pages, I unknowingly stumbled upon something that would eventually become a huge part of my life: Pilates. Or “Pie-lates”, as I was certain it was pronounced.
There wasn’t much internet to speak of, and certainly no Pilates studios in Hong Kong at the time, so there was no one around to tell me otherwise. It was like how you had to invent your own pronunciation of ‘Hermione’, until she sounded it out for Viktor Krum three or four books in.
Intrigued with Pie-lates, I tore out those pages and started teaching myself the mat exercises.
In the very early aughts, I got my first real jobby-job at a nightclub called APT in New York City. APT was one of the first hidden-door nightclubs in the Meatpacking District of Alex Forrest and Samantha Jones, the original IYKYK. There was no sign, or marked entrance. People would call, asking how to find the door, and we wouldn’t tell them. The music pulsed through your bones and the air was thick with cigarette smoke and pheromones. When we emerged from the club after closing, shielding our eyes like vampires from the morning light, we’d see actual meatpacking workers in their long white bloodstained coats, shimmying through swinging slabs of beef. I worked coat check and sometimes manned the front door. (Every time I've been rejected from anything in the past twenty years, I blame it on the bad karma I accumulated there from turning people away ). Somehow in the daylight, our manager Kim found her way up the street and into the world of Pilates, training at the prestigious Kane School of Core Integration in Chelsea. Part of her training was to give a number of hours of private classes, so one by one, all the staff at APT learned to engage their cores. Bartenders, cocktail waitresses, bar backs, and bouncers learned how to imprint our spines, find a neutral pelvis, pull in and up on our pelvic floors, and better carry those big buckets of ice or unwieldy trays of Grey Goose and orange juice for bottle service.
A bartender, Darcy, followed with her own teacher training, and lucky me, I fell into many hours of free private Pilates sessions. Pilates was still somewhat esoteric in the early 2000s - usually reserved for elites, celebs, and injured dancers and athletes. Kim went on to open a beautiful, but short-lived studio in South Williamsburg, Brooklyn called The Well, which I still think is a genius name for a Pilates studio. (I love a pun, especially a multi-layered one like that). It was a little ahead of its time.
Love these old pictures so much! Apparently Joseph Pilates as keen on wearing his fitness briefs everywhere, including the streets of Manhattan. Also, take a moment to appreciate the developments society has made in stretch fabrics!
Pilates, developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century (he too, was waaaay ahead of his time), focuses on core strength, flexibility, and overall body awareness. This practice enhances muscle tone, balances musculature, supports correct posture, and teaches you to move with ease and grace. Joseph Pilates originally called his method "Contrology," emphasizing the mind’s control over the muscles. He developed it as a form of rehab during WWI and later brought it to New York City, where it gained popularity among dancers and athletes. Today, Pilates is practiced worldwide, renowned for its ability to improve physical fitness and mental well-being.
Now, as the owner of The Pearl, I’m thrilled to introduce Broxites to the practice that once captivated me through those torn-out magazine pages. Bringing group Reformer Pilates to The Bronx and making it accessible to more people is a mission close to my heart. Our borough deserves cool, nice things just as much as any other part of the city. Even Staten Island has multiple Pilates studios. No offense, Staten Island. It's vital to me that we offer these classes at prices that are affordable(-ish as possible). People should have the opportunity to experience the transformative power of Pilates without feeling like they need a celebrity bank account to do it.
I’m excited that we’re now offering a variety of classes that cater to all levels. Our new Pilates Reformer Fundamentals class is perfect for beginners or anyone looking to refine their practice. In this class, you’ll learn the basics of Reformer Pilates, focusing on alignment, core strength, and controlled movements. It’s designed to build a strong foundation and boost your confidence on the equipment.
Speaking of building foundations, we’re also excited to host Pilates Teacher Training this fall in collaboration with EYT. If you’re passionate about Pilates and want to dive deeper, the comprehensive program covers anatomy, teaching techniques, and the core principles of Pilates. It’s a fantastic opportunity to turn your love for Pilates into a fulfilling career.
If you’re curious about Pilates or are looking to deepen your practice, I invite you to join us at the studio. Whether you're stepping onto the mat or Reformer for the first time or you're a seasoned practitioner, there's always something new to discover and enjoy. And who knows? Maybe you'll fall in love with it just as I did all those years ago.
Come and experience the magic of Pie-lates with us. Let’s build strength, flexibility, and community together.
Sireena leads her class at the studio