What are the opening hours?

Monday 9am - 8pm Tuesday 7:30am - 8:30pm Wednesday 6:30am - 8pm Thursday 6:30am - 8pm Friday 6:30am - 8pm Saturday 8am - 11:30am

http://www.pilates-defined.com/

Pilates Defined, 1143 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford, CT (2026)

06/11/2026

One of the most blissful moments, and my absolute favorite to witness on a retreat, is the quiet landing right after we finish a movement class.

After moving your body with intention and breath, being completely present with the way your body feels, appreciating the work and the effort you made, you have nowhere to be.

There is nowhere to rush to. No car. No traffic. No one is waiting for you. No dinner to make. You simply stay in that intentional space of being in your body for as long as you like. And slowly, only when you feel ready, do you make your way back to your room, or for a quiet walk on the beach.

And over the course of five days, you feel something inside you start to change. You become present. You feel like you. You return to life.

You don’t just leave feeling better in your body, aches and pains gone. You return home seeing and sensing time differently. You begin allowing yourself moments of pause. You stop treating your body like something you have to deal with. You give yourself permission to care for yourself with intention.

And I honestly don't know what could possibly be more important than that.

Maybe this is why I feel so grateful that two spaces unexpectedly opened for our France retreat in October.

Because two of you now have the opportunity to experience this.

You have my permission to slow down. Your life actually depends on it.
Full details are available here: https://www.movefreeretreats.com/france

Or book a no-pressure discovery call with me to explore it together.
https://calendly.com/pilatesdefined/discovery-call

06/10/2026

Work that feels more personal

A lot of people reach a point where they want work that feels more human.

Less staring at screens. More connection. More conversations that matter. More feeling like what you did all day actually helped someone.

That’s one of the things people love about teaching Pilates.

You spend your time helping people move with less pain, more confidence, and more ease in their everyday lives. You get to watch someone stand taller, connect to their breath, or walk out of the room feeling better than when they came in.

And over time, you build a career that feels rewarding and fulfilling.

Our Mat Teacher Training is built for people who want to learn this work thoroughly and teach it well.

The program combines three in-person (or live virtual) training weekends over the summer—starting this weekend!—with online learning between sessions, so you can keep up with your regular life while you learn.

We keep the group small (6 people or fewer) so you actually get support while you learn. You’ll observe classes, practice teaching, ask questions, and spend time in your own body while you move through the program.

And when the weekends end, your materials stay with you. You’ll have lifetime access to the videos, lessons, and recorded classes so you can keep coming back to them.

Our Mat Teacher training begins on Friday, June 12.

If something about teaching mat Pilates keeps catching your attention, visit our website to learn more about the program.
https://www.pilates-defined.com/instructor-training

P.S: There's still time to join! DM us anytime if you have any questions. I'm here to help.

06/09/2026

Maybe this has been sitting in the back of your mind

Some people already know they want to teach Pilates when they start looking into this.

Others are simply curious about movement and want to see where that curiosity goes…

They know they’re interested in movement in a deeper way.
They pay attention to how people carry themselves.
They want to understand why one person’s back hurts all the time while someone else moves with ease well into their 80s.

And usually, that curiosity sticks around for a while before they do anything about it.

If that sounds familiar, the replay of our Mat Teacher Training virtual open house is a good place to start.

We talk about what the training actually looks like, what you’ll learn, and the kind of support you’ll have while you go through it.

You’ll also get a feel for how we teach. Not just the exercises, but the thinking behind them.

This training is for people who want to understand movement, not just memorize choreography. People who care about helping others feel stronger and more capable in their bodies. (And who wants that transformation for themselves too.)

If you’re curious about what it might look like to become a Pilates Mat teacher, sign up to watch the replay here.
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/KIiHzmy/matopenhousereplay

06/08/2026

I was teaching last week and realized I have been repeating myself. After 26 years of teaching, there are a few things I am used to repeating: breathe, relax, breathe, relax; you get the picture.

And lately, I’ve noticed myself also guiding so many of you to slow down. Really, actually move more slowly. Just like my friends, the sloths in Costa Rica.

Whenever I find myself repeating something this often, I know it must mean that everyone needs it.

I know it also because I feel it too! We are living in the fastest-paced world human beings have ever experienced. Cars, information, people, messaging, everything is coming at rapid fire, and we are expected to respond. It only makes sense that our bodies and nervous systems are adapting at this pace as well.

That means we are also rushing through movement. Exercise has become just one more thing to check off the list so that you can move on to your next thing.

I have some bad news for you. When you rush, you stop feeling. You become disconnected from how your body feels when it moves and how it’s supposed to move. You become prone to injury and even disease.

Joseph Pilates said, “Civilization impairs physical fitness.”

Long before computers, phones, and constant notifications, Mr. Pilates understood that civilization was disconnecting people from their bodies. If he felt that way 100 years ago, I wonder what he would say now!

His book, Return to Life, was a manifesto about returning to your breath, your body, and feeling alive inside yourself.

Our upcoming retreat in Arcachon Bay, France is the opportunity you need to turn away from the screens that are impairing your body and mind, and instead return to your life.

This retreat is not simply a beautiful week in France with Pilates classes and delicious gourmet food. (although those will be there)

It is not just time away from responsibilities, obligations, and all the have to do's. (also still going to happen)

It offers you something increasingly rare: permission to slow down.

And I honestly don't know what could possibly be more important than that.

Maybe this is why I feel so grateful that two spaces unexpectedly opened for France. Because two of you now have the opportunity to experience this.

You have my permission to slow down. Your life actually depends on it.

Learn more here: https://www.movefreeretreats.com/france

Or, you book a no-pressure discovery call with me to explore it together.

https://calendly.com/pilatesdefined/discovery-call

06/06/2026

You can be anywhere this summer and join our Mat Teacher Training starting next week!

With a virtual option and lifetime access to all recordings you can still enjoy your summer plans while you invest in your body and health.

The program is flexible and robust.

If you want to truly understand how your body moves and be in control of your own workouts and practice then this is the opportunity and now is the time.

There’s never going to be a perfect time. The truth is that your body can’t wait. Why would YOU want to?

Comment MATWORK and let’s chat!

06/05/2026

What people actually leave our Mat training with.

People usually come into a mat teacher training thinking about the exercises.

But what they leave with is something bigger than that.

Confidence. A better understanding of their own body. A different way of seeing bodies and movement.

One of our recent graduates (and now teacher and studio manager at Pilates Defined!), Lisa, said it better than we could:

“The program was thoughtfully structured, blending theory, practical application, and plenty of hands-on practice. The environment was supportive and encouraging.

This program has been transformative. I learned not only the principles and repertoire of Pilates, but also how to teach with clarity, compassion, and confidence. Most importantly, I now have the knowledge and confidence to guide others on their movement journey.”

— Lisa

That feeling of support really matters to us.

We keep the training small so people can ask questions, practice, make mistakes, and learn without feeling lost in the room.

You won’t just memorize exercises and anatomy. You’ll spend time understanding why movement works the way it does and how to help different kinds of bodies move confidently, safely, and effectively.

Our Mat Teacher Training starts June 12 and runs over 3 months with in-person weekends—you can join us virtually too—and online learning in between.

If you’ve been curious about it, now’s a good time to take a look:

Visit our website to learn more. You can DM us with any questions you have.
https://www.pilates-defined.com/instructor-training

06/02/2026

A lot of Pilates Mat teacher trainings teach the exercises first.

Memorize the order. Learn the anatomy. Practice the cues.

There’s some value in that. But it’s not enough on its own.

Because real teaching happens when a person walks into the room with stiff hips, an old knee injury, a nervous system running on empty, or a body that just doesn’t move the way the textbook says it should.

That’s the part we care about.

Our Mat Teacher Training teaches you how to work with the unique body in front of you, not the “ideal” version of it. We teach you how to see the whole person, not just isolated muscles or exercises.

You’ll learn how to work with seniors, injuries, special populations, and bodies with different needs, histories, and movement patterns, so that you can teach with clarity, confidence, and compassion.

The program runs over 3 months with a mix of in-person (or live virtual) weekends and online learning in between.

➡️June 12–14
➡️July 11–12
➡️August 7–9

We keep the group small (6 people or fewer) so you actually get support while you learn. You’ll observe classes, practice teaching, ask questions, and spend time in your own body while you move through the program.

And when the weekends end, your materials stay with you. You’ll have lifetime access to the videos, lessons, and recorded classes so you can keep coming back to them.

This training asks you to slow down and really learn the work.

Not just how to teach mat exercises. But how to confidently help people feel better in their bodies.

You can learn more about the training here.
https://www.pilates-defined.com/instructor-training

05/28/2026

Catch the replay here if you missed me live yesterday on

https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/video/entertainment/ct-live/ct-live-pilates-for-gardening/3739659/

Always so grateful to and the wonderful team who supports us in getting our message out that Pilates is for life and longevity!

After 6 hours in my own garden last week, I was inspired with these tips to help you avoid the post weeding, potting, and mulching aches and pains!

Doing just 5 minutes of healthy movement before you do the hard things will help you move more easily and build strength.

All so that you can do it again next weekend! (We all know those weeds don’t really EVER stop growing!) 🤣

05/27/2026

A smarter way to build strength

There’s a point where the conversation around movement begins to shift.

It’s no longer just about staying active.

It becomes about maintaining strength, supporting your bones, and feeling steady in your body over time.

Especially for women in their 40s and beyond.

And for good reason. Strength supports everything from balance and stability to energy, posture, avoiding injury, and long-term independence.

But knowing you should do it and knowing how to do it are two very different things.

A lot of people jump straight into weights without the foundation to support it. Tight hips, limited mobility, or joints that aren’t moving well can make strength work feel uncomfortable or even lead to injury.

That’s where our Strength & Alignment class comes in.

This class is built to help you develop strength in a way that actually supports your body.

You’ll use light weights alongside the Pilates equipment, with a strong focus on alignment, mobility, safety, and how your body moves as a whole.

You’re not just adding resistance. You’re learning how to move well with it.

Over time, that shows up in real ways:

➡️Getting up and down from the floor more easily—whether you’re playing with kids or grandkids, finishing a workout, or reaching for something low without extra effort.
➡️Walking on uneven ground without falling, going up and down stairs with ease, or catching yourself more easily if you trip or lose your balance.
➡️Carry groceries, laundry baskets, luggage, or even just your everyday bags with confidence.
➡️Getting in and out of the car easily, standing up from a chair without strain, or reaching overhead with more energy than before.

And it’s not something you need to wait to start. Whether you’re in your 30s, 40s, 50s or beyond, building strength now makes a massive difference later.

Strength & Alignment
Wednesdays at 7 pm

If strength training has been on your mind, but hasn’t quite felt approachable, this is a good place to begin.

Take a look at the schedule and save your spot.
https://www.pilates-defined.com/scheduling

05/26/2026

Not all teacher trainings are the same

There are a lot of Pilates teacher trainings out there.

Some are fast. Some are fully online (without any actual feedback). Most focus on learning anatomy, memorizing the exercises, and moving through a set sequence.

That’s not how we do it.

Our Mat Teacher Training is built to support you while you learn, and to help you understand how to work with real people in real bodies.

Here’s what that looks like:

A training that fits into your life. Our hybrid format blends online learning with in-person weekend trainings (or live, virtual), so you can stay consistent without putting everything else on hold.

Lifetime access to your materials. Classes, lessons, and videos are yours to return to anytime you need a refresher or a deeper understanding.

A small, intimate group. We keep it to a maximum of 6 people, so you’re seen, supported, and never lost in the room.

Support beyond the classroom. Teacher trainees receive discounted classes and private sessions to keep learning in their own bodies as they go.

Observe classes and sessions anytime. Watch, listen, and start to see what this work really looks like in practice. This is where everything starts to click.

Continued growth after you finish. Ongoing mentorship and continuing education are here when you’re ready for the next step.

This is a thorough, in-depth, and supportive training. We don’t simply teach you mat exercises, sequences, and anatomy. We show you how to help people feel better in their bodies. How to build strength, stability, and mobility that lasts. And how to create real, meaningful change over time. For yourself AND your clients.

If you’re someone who wants to take your time, learn deeply, and actually understand what you’re doing, this kind of structure matters.

You can hear more about all of this inside the Mat Teacher Training Open House replay.

Sign up to watch the replay.
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/KIiHzmy/matopenhousereplay

Pilates Defined

06/11/2026

06/10/2026

06/09/2026

06/08/2026

06/06/2026

06/05/2026

06/02/2026

05/28/2026

05/27/2026

05/26/2026

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Monday	9am - 8pm
Tuesday	7:30am - 8:30pm
Wednesday	6:30am - 8pm
Thursday	6:30am - 8pm
Friday	6:30am - 8pm
Saturday	8am - 11:30am