Schedule Instructors Class Types Pricing Policies
M Pilates and Yoga provides a fitness studio focused on building strength, nurturing a healthy lifestyle, and bring balance to your life.

Instructors

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Leanne Kacsur

Studio Owner

Leanne is passionate about teaching good, healthy movement and helping clients reach their goals of improved health and wellness. She is a Balanced Body trained and certified Pilates instructor and has a dual degree in athletic training and exercise science as well as a doctorate in physical therapy from Sacred Heart University. Her medical training and exercise knowledge enhances her Pilates repertoire and ability to teach and adapt Pilates to best fit her clients. She has a special interest in teaching Pilates to clients with orthopedic, neurological and other special considerations as well as working with athletes and people looking to improve their level of fitness.

As the owner of M Pilates and Yoga NJ, Leanne is committed to providing a welcoming studio for all people to attend to explore movement and improve their health and fitness. She believes the value of being in a small studio is in the individualized attention each client receives. Leanne believes that everyone has the potential to improve their wellness starting with exercise and movement that will translate into other healthy decisions throughout daily life.  

Leanne is also a physical therapist and owner of Mindful Physiotherapy, focusing on manual-based and Pilates-based interventions. She has taken her knowledge and experience of 10 plus years working in dance medicine as well as her sports medicine background to provide individualized care for her patients. She has a special interest in patients with orthopedic issues, chronic pain, and lymphedema. 

 All M Pilates instructors are trained in Joseph Pilates’ Six Essential Concepts: control, breath, concentration, flow, centering, and precision.

Instructors are required to continue their education to enhance both personal and professional development.

Instructors
JESSICA FINK
JESSICA FINK

Jessica has been practicing Pilates for 15 years and teaching since 2016. She has completed all comprehensive training courses for Mat, Reformer, and Apparatus through the prestigious Balanced Body program.

Jessica loves teaching Pilates because it aligns with the ideals of her previous career as a licensed clinical social worker. She particularly enjoys working with beginners and watching their progress as they become more confident and comfortable in their bodies. “I love working with a new client, getting to know them and assessing the areas they need to develop. That involves finding out whether they have any injuries or illnesses, observing posture and alignment, and getting a sense of their strength and flexibility. From there I make a plan as to how to help clients to develop those areas. It is infinitely rewarding watching client progress and gain confidence.”

The small group classes at M Pilates allows for each client to get the individualized attention they deserve. Jessica also works with students privately and in duets.

SHERILYN COGNETTI
SHERILYN COGNETTI

Sheri has been teaching Pilates for 16 years . Sheri is certified by the Physicalmind Institute and the Pilates Method Alliance. She is also a certified member of the Yoga Alliance. She is a Personal trainer certified by NETA and ACE. She also holds specialty training in Pink Ribbon Pilates for cancer survivors, Balanced Body Core Roller and TRX.

Sheri loves the integration of the total body in movement and alignment and the quality of movement that is part of the Pilates Method. Sheri embraces the fundamental mat work of core engagement applied to the strength and stretching that the apparatus provides the participant. Sheri loves that this unique training modality people leave working with her feeling balanced and invigorated.

KATE HEWSON
KATE HEWSON

Kate has been involved with the Pilates Method for over twenty years. As a student, she quickly fell in love with the positive effects that Pilates had to offer. In 2003, she began teaching Mat Pilates while attending FIT in NYC, and received her Mat Certification through Power Pilates, NYC. She later on received her Comprehensive Certification through the Physical Mind Institute as well as a Pre and Post Natal Certification through Bella Bellies. Throughout the years Kate also became certified in Yoga, earning her RYT-200 certification from Yoga Manjari. She teaches Vinyasa as well as Restorative Yoga and Kids Yoga, and has been teaching both Pilates and Yoga in various studios around the area. As a side job to her job in the fashion industry, she found Pilates and Yoga has helped her unwind mentally and physically, and loves sharing her knowledge and passion with others. Kate is always looking for a challenge and yearns for more knowledge. She is a true believer in the saying that the best teacher is also a student and that “in learning you will teach and in teaching you will learn”.

JANE HELCK
JANE HELCK

Ever since childhood, Jane has loved to move! She has been able to turn her hobby of dance into a lifestyle and a fulfilling career to share with others. She began dancing at the age of 3 and two decades later was enrolled at Hofstra University among the first graduating class of Dance Educators. At Hofstra, Jane was able to study and work alongside Lance Westergard, Robin Becker, Karla Wolfangle, Giada Ferrone and Amy Marshall. Ms. Helck graduated in May of 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in Dance Education. Upon her graduation, she has performed works by Claire Porter and the contemporary modern dance company Freespace Dance.

While continuing her dancing, Jane was introduced to Pilates and took a job as an instructor at Khore Studio. She was professionally trained in the Lottie Berk Method to teach barre and her attention to alignment, providing modifications and mindfulness of client’s needs was noticed by the studio owner who sent Jane to study Balanced Body Pilates with Marcy Shafler.

As of November 2020, Jane has become certified in Holistic Health Nutrition and also obtained certification as a Holistic Health & Wellness Coach. Jane has applied her knowledge of anatomy, kinesiology, Pilates and dance to successfully run two dance programs, create her own LLC and teach to students young and old. When she’s not teaching you can find her outside with her family and pets or snuggled with a book and cup of tea.

ANITA KURANI
ANITA KURANI

Anita took the not so traditional route of going from an Economics and Gemologist background to becoming an occupational therapist and pilates instructor!

While working in the business world, Anita felt a sense of feeling as though something were missing. So she changed careers and studied Occupational Therapy at the University of Southern California. While she worked with patients with neurological and orthopedic impairments, she felt the strong sense of working in wellness and prevention. This led her to train with Polestar Pilates to become a pilates instructor and an ergonomics specialist through the Back School.

Anita's teaching style has a strong emphasis on athletic and functional movement. Her goal with her clients is to keep them strong and as functional independent, as possible!

MEGHAN BARBIERI
MEGHAN BARBIERI

Meghan began practicing Pilates 12 years ago, and immediately loved the discipline and benefits of the practice. After taking classes for many years, she made the decision to go through the training process to become an instructor. Meghan enjoys helping others reach their fitness goals through private and group sessions. In addition to her Pilates practice, Meghan loves to ride her Peloton and playing tennis. Meghan earned her Bachelors Degree in Communication Studies at The University of North Carolina at Wilmington and currently works as a Key Account Manager in the luxury consumer goods industry. She lives locally with her husband and two children.

BRYANNA MURRAY
BRYANNA MURRAY

Bryanna was born and raised in New Jersey. After her first Pilates class, she was hooked and began her certification process while in school, through Club Pilates. She loves helping clients meet their fitness goals. Before becoming a Pilates instructor, she had instructed athletes of all ages and levels in speed, agility, and strength as a coach. “Pilates has helped me to improve my knowledge on how I could implement the restorative properties into my training regimen. Learning how to work the small, intricate muscles, connect to our transverse abdominals, and use breath through movements was the key to improve my clients athletic performance.” Since completing her Reformer training program, she is more passionate than ever about sharing her pilates knowledge with those around her. Bryanna loves to add in athletic moves that can be translated to the weight room or other activities and sports. Her hope is that each person comes to class ready to be challenged and willing to push through any of their mental obstacles and physical limits. Expect to leave every class loving YOURSELF a little bit more. Because loving and accepting yourself is where true transformation begins.

Guest Instructors

Featured
BLASE SYLVESTER
BLASE SYLVESTER

Blase is a Chopra certified Primordial Sound Meditation instructor and Reiki Master hailing from the beautiful Caribbean. Raised with a holistic upbringing, she embraces a deep connection to the natural world, which inspires her approach to healing and well-being.

Blase is dedicated to empowering others to find balance and harmony in their lives. Her unique blend of meditation, Reiki, and holistic wisdom helps individuals tap into their inner strength, cultivating a sense of inner peace and resilience.

Blase believes that the journey to wellness is a personal one and is committed to guiding her clients with compassion, understanding, and an open heart. Through her diverse background and experience, she aims to create a supportive and nurturing environment where everyone can experience the transformative power of meditation and energy healing.

MARY ROTH
MARY ROTH

Mary has found that yoga and a healthy lifestyle have given her positive energy and balance, even in hectic times. She is passionate about sharing her love of yoga, good food and healthy living.

Mary has been a Registered Yoga Teacher since 2006 and a Registered Dietitian since 1993. There is a yoga path for every age and every fitness level and Mary enjoys encouraging others to tap into their own energy for optimal health.

Mary trained in Soul Sweat Asana with Wendy Gross-Pinto and is a certified Relax and Renew Trainer in Restorative Yoga through Judith Lasater. She is certified to teach kids yoga through Next Generation with Jodi Komitor. She currently teaches many styles of yoga including vinyasa flow, basic, gentle, chair, restorative and kids yoga.

Mary emphasizes the importance of taking time to unplug from our busy lives to slow down, breathe deeply, and move mindfully. When Mary is not teaching yoga, she enjoys cooking, reading, and hiking. She treasures spending time with her husband and three children, her extended family and friends and her favorite four legged pups Charli and Lacey.

JOELLE ANDERSON
JOELLE ANDERSON

Joelle Anderson, a lifelong student of movement, is a professional dancer, choreographer, teacher and a registered yoga instructor.

A graduate of The Ailey School, Joelle’s performance credits include works by Sidra Bell, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Amy Hall, Ray Mercer, Matthew Rushing and Judine Somerville. More recently, she performed in a production of In The Heights directed by Luis Salgado at the Axelrod Theater. She is a former recipient of the New Jersey Governor’s Award in Arts Education, Excellence in Dance. In addition to performing, Joelle is currently a dance educator and choreographer for Middletown Dance Academy where her work has received multiple choreographer awards throughout the years.

While engaged in her dance training, Joelle began to explore and connect with the practice of yoga, leading her to complete a 200-hour yoga teacher training through OM Factory NYC under the tutelage of Taryn Vanderhoop and Blair Ritchie, as well as a 30-hour “Spirit Speak” certification under the direction of internationally recognized Seane Corn.

In Joelle's yoga classes, she hopes to help others connect with their most buoyant and authentic selves. She believes the effects of yogic breath and physical practices are magical. She is inspired by the continuous evolution of yoga and can't wait to share with those who take her class!