June Hines Pilates

08/30/2026

08/04/2026

Joan Shore truly embodies what it means to live life with joy and vitality. For 27 years, Joan has made Pilates a cornerstone of her wellness journey, beautifully combining her weekly practice with a love for walking. She is a heartwarming reminder of how dedication to movement can nurture a healthy, vibrant life. This month, we celebrate Joan as a beautiful example of how to age gracefully, stay strong, and keep the joy of Pilates alive.

Inspired by Joan's inspiring journey? We invite you to book a private session today to create your own personalized path toward aging gracefully and feeling your absolute best.

07/12/2026

July Summer Special
☀️ Pilates on the move:
Summer private & mat specials!

Private Lesson & Mat Class Bundle: Perfect for personal alignment and group energy. $100 (value of $130)

Magic Circle & Thera-band Set: Portable props on sale now for easy packing. $40 (value of $47)

Purchase by 7-31-2026 use by
9-30-2026

07/12/2026

We are thrilled to feature one of our most beloved community members, Stewart Low! If you have ever crossed paths with Stewart in the studio, you already know he has an incredible vigor for life, a deep passion for learning, and a truly inspiring story to share.

A Decade of Dedication
While Stewart joined our studio with Greg in 2019, he is about to celebrate an amazing milestone: 10 years of Classical Pilates practice! For Stewart, Pilates is a vital tool for healthy aging and managing Cerebral Palsy. He is deeply committed to exploring how the full system—from the large apparatus to the smallest specialized pieces—can elevate his workouts, mobility, and overall wellbeing.

History and Community
Today, Stewart brings that brilliant energy to his sessions with Yuliya at our Jenkintown studio. Long before he was mastering the reformer, Stewart spent his career as a National Parks tour guide right here in historic Philadelphia. He has endless stories about his adventures guiding school groups through our city's rich history.

Next time you see Stewart at the studio, or chat with him at one of our upcoming community gatherings or workshops, be sure to ask him to share a hidden historic gem of Philly!

Thank you, Stewart, for bringing your bright spirit and dedication to our community every single day.

07/09/2026

Pro Tips
🌊 Pilates Mat Exercises: From the Studio to the Shore

Classical Pilates mat exercises focus on core control, spinal mobility, and fluid movement. Many of them share names and shapes with the natural world, making them perfect to recreate during your summer adventures.

🦀 1. The Crab (Spinal Massage & Playful Agility)
The Move: You sit tucked into a tight ball, cross your ankles, and grab your feet. Next, you roll back onto your shoulders, switch your feet at the top, and roll forward until your head lightly touches the mat.
The Summer Vibe: Channel your inner beach crab dodging waves. It builds the agility you need to scurry across hot sand or dodge a stray beach ball during a game of volleyball.

🦭 2. The Seal (Balance & Coordination)
The Move: You balance on your tailbone in a tuck position, dive your hands through your legs, and grab the outside of your ankles. You clap your feet together three times, roll back to your shoulders, clap three times again, and roll forward.
The Summer Vibe: Picture a joyful harbor seal basking on a sunny dock. The rhythmic clapping mirrors the pure energy of splashing into a cool pool on a scorching July afternoon.

🧜‍♀️ 3. The Mermaid (Side Stretch & Flexibility)
The Move: You sit with your legs folded to one side in a "Z" shape. You extend one arm high and reach up and over, deeply stretching the side of your torso, then counter-stretch to the opposite side.
The Summer Vibe: This is the ultimate lakeside lounging pose. It mimics the effortless, fluid grace of a mythical creature warming up for a sunset swim, or stretching out on a plush yacht towel.

🏊‍♂️ 4. Swimming (Back Extension & Stamina)
The Move: You lie flat on your stomach with your arms and legs extended. You lift your chest, arms, and legs off the mat, then rapidly flutter your opposite arm and leg up and down while breathing deeply.
The Summer Vibe: This is literally your open-water training on dry land. It strengthens the entire back body, priming your muscles for a real afternoon of snorkeling, paddle boarding, or catching ocean waves.

✨ Take Your Practice Beyond the Studio!
Summer is the perfect time to take your Pilates practice outdoors.
We invite you to refine your form during our mat classes, and
then put your strength to the test in the sunshine!
Whether you are perfecting your Crab on the sand, channeling your inner Seal by the pool, or finding length with the Mermaid on a dock, we want to see your moves.

07/07/2026

📸 Join the Summer Challenge:
Snap a photo of your favorite beachside mat exercise.
Capture your best "Traveling Teaser" in front of a fun vacation landmark.
Send us your pictures directly via email or message.
Post and tag us on Instagram or Facebook:

We cannot wait to see where your Pilates powerhouse takes you this summer!

06/21/2026

Romana's Advice:

Do 5 exercises every day

This advice she gave to her teachers is good advice for all of us. Romana encouraged movement and moving with grace and ease. She shared with teachers this tip that you should do at least 5 exercises each day.

We don't always have time for a full workout but we can do at least a few movements each day. These 5 exercises could be the wall, The Hundred, Single Leg Stretch and Spine Stretch Forward. The exercises you pick should agree with your body. Romana likened choosing your Pilates exercises to shopping for clothes — you browse, try things on, and keep what fits. Pick the five exercises that feel best in your body, and make them your daily practice. Just be sure to mix it up now and then, so the work stays fresh.

06/11/2026

We celebrate the incredible life and legacy of Romana Kryzanowska this month. 

True Protégé of Joseph Pilates
Romana was introduced to Joseph Pilates in 1941, when her mentor George Balanchine introduced her because of an ankle injury. She quickly found the amazing benefit, noticing not only the improvement in her ankle, but the overall improvement of her dancing. Her love and commitment was evident early and she continued her commitment to Joseph and Clare Pilates until July 1944, when she got married and went to live in Peru until 1958.

During her time in Peru she did not stop teaching. She kept in touch with “Uncle Joe” and Clara throughout her time there and visited them in NYC. Uncle Joe actually made baby leg springs for her son Paul Mejia. She continued to teach her son and daughter in Peru to help them also become strong and flexible. When she moved back to NYC, Joe said to them that they were his “Pilates babies.”

She continued to work closely and extensively with him learning the method until his death in 1967. Romana continued to work with Clara for another 10 years and upon her death in 1977, it became the natural transition for Romana to keep the studio and the method going.
Romana is unquestionably the Protégé of Joe Pilates and has been acknowledged by the most famous instructors as being their teacher, mentor and steward for the true Pilates method. Over the course of her lifetime she has traveled extensively inspiring new instructors around the world, and across Europe, Central/ South America, North America, Asia and Australia. At 90 she passed away on August 30, 2013 . Her legacy will continue for generations to come through her protégés.

We are all so grateful for the knowledge. She has passed down to all of us, a love of movement and helping other people feel their best. 

06/07/2026

Romana's Birthday & Legacy

“In reflecting on Romana Kryzanowska's birthday, on June 30th which would be her 103rd birthday, I can still hear her voice and feel her energy that she gave to so many people who studied with her. She visited our studios twice and befriended many of our clients who still remember her wonderful energy, inspiration to move and her love of life. I thank Romana, her daughter Sari and granddaughter Daria for sharing with me the work they are passing forward from Joseph Pilates. This gift I share with my team of teachers and all the clients who come to learn the wonderful work that Joseph Pilates created." -June Hines