Kim Kuznitz, Bent Pilates Studio Owner

Known as the “Pilates Master”, Kim Kuznitz combines her extensive experience in movement, healing, and the martial arts to provide her clients with a rare fitness experience in a regimented but fun and creative training atmosphere. Kim's instruction is a culmination of her 15+ years of fitness experience as a certified Pilates Instructor.

"I started learning the Pilates technique in 1986, as a required course as a Dance Major at S.U.N.Y Purchase. After graduating with a BFA in Dance from Purchase, I rediscovered Pilates by using it as rehab to recover from a martial arts injury. It was then I realized the benefits of the technique and embarked on my journey to become a Pilates instructor."

Kim trained at the Kane School of Core Integration and became qualified to teach the Pilates method. She furthered her education by studying anatomy with Irene Dowd and studying with great teachers around the city.

She then became fascinated with the kinetics of the human body and moved into a period of post rehab work. She worked under a physical therapist using specific Pilates exercises to help injured Merce Cunningham dancers.

Today, she has studied Muscle Activation Technique (MAT), the Jump Start program and combines that with Pilates. Kim finds that it's a great way to be more efficient to find the body's imbalances. She has been working extensively with Multiple Sclerosis clients and finds it a very helpful for them and a successful combination.

Kim is PMA (Pilates Method Alliance) approved instructor for Pilates trainers. Her unique Pilates instructor training program is a must for instructors who want the best in Pilates education.

Kim has a passion for surfing and snowboarding. But even in the cold, she'll put the wetsuit on and ride a wave over shredding a mountain. Her surfing buddy, Carla Phillips has teamed together to create Surfilates.

Mary Foster

Mary received her certification through The Kane School of Core Integration, New York in 2003. She has been teaching private sessions, group classes, and mat classes in New York City and Long Island for the past three years. Mary firmly believes in structuring her sessions by carefully explaining the core principals of the work, before building up a client's strength to go on to more advanced work.

With a background in classical ballet, which Mary has studied for nearly 30 years in London, Los Angeles and New York, she was initially introduced to Pilates through her ballet teacher in London. She continues her studies in this fascinating work, taking workshops whenever she can. She has also studied yoga and modern dance, and loves to dance Argentine tango.

Megan Spell

Megan was first introduced to Pilates while majoring in dance at University of Arizona.   After breaking her foot in a car accident she learned the hard way that casts and stationary bikes don’t mix.  Subsequently she had to search for a new way to stay in shape and rehabilitate and happily found Pilates.    Certified in both mat and machine by Body Arts and Science International, Megan taught in Chicago before moving to New York.   She has furthered her training through various workshops including Pre and Post-Natal Pilates, SI Joint Form and Function, Scoliosis, and Pilates for Kids.

Keeley Walsh

Keeley’s Pilates training started over 8 years ago at the University of Iowa where she later earned a B.A. in Dance and Journalism.  She recently moved to New York to pursue contemporary dance and is performing with Meg Hebert Dance.  Keeley’s interest in kinesiology and joy of movement influences her classes with thoughtfulness and energy.  Her goal is to bring body awareness and peace of mind with a new sense of proper alignment and self acceptance.

Diarra Cumming

Diarra Cummings (Brooklyn, NY) decided to study and teach the pilates method after a career as a ballet and modern dancer with the Dance Theater of Harlem and Garth Fagan Dance. After earning a B.A. from Columbia University, Diarra completed her apparatus certification through The Fitness Guru Teaching Lab. Diarra is fascinated with the transformative power the mind has over the body and roots her teaching in the belief that physical heath and awareness are essential to reaching one's optimum potential.

Philip Montana

Philip Montana has over 10 years of experience practicing Pilates and eventually began teaching after receiving his certification from the Fitness Guru Teaching Lab. In addition to Pilates, he also works as both a personal trainer and group fitness instructor. He holds a BFA from the University of Florida in dance performance and MFA in dance performance from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. He currently dances for various companies in the city. His own dance company, PM Dance Co, has been presented throughout the city.

Originally from Longwood, FL, Ashleigh grew up dancing, performing, and indulging herself in anything physical and creative. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance from George Mason University and earned the Excellence in Performance Award upon graduation. She immediately moved to NYC to pursue a career in dance and found herself immersed in a whole new passion when she was introduced to Pilates. She was trained to become a certified instructor in both mat and apparatus Pilates here at Bent and currently also teaches for Complete Body Development. Still dancing, she is a member of Amanda Selwyn Dance Theatre which performs at numerous venues throughout the city.

Alice White

Alice received dual degrees in Dance and Business Administration from UC Berkeley in 2004. She has since been living and performing in New York and has been studying Pilates for five years gaining certification in mat, machines, prenatal and postpartum Pilates. Alice has also studied deep tissue and Swedish massage, Rolfing and Feldenkrais and combines her knowledge of many types of body work in her teaching. Her classes combine mindful exercise with concepts of lengthening through the spine and stacking the skeleton in anatomical correctness; ultimately enabling a balancing of muscular groups and strengthening the core to create a grounded fluidity in everyday movement. Alice is excited and honored to be a part of Bent Pilates.