International Association of Dance Medicine and Science
Founder of The Functional Pilates Institute of NY
Marilyn specializes in finding solutions to complex physical issues that have confounded the traditional medical approach. She jokingly refers to herself as "Obi-wan", as many clients come to see her after other treatment methods were unsuccessful in dealing with their chronic pain. She excels in working with clients who require detailed attention to specific issues, be they orthopedic, muscular, or neurological in nature. In addition to working with standard issues such as chronic back, hip or knee pain, she has success working with traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, stroke, and Cerebral Palsy. She is available for private or partner lessons and consultations both at her studio in Peekskill, NY and also in New York City.
Her History: Having been introduced to Pilates at the University of Utah and continuing throughout her professional dance career in Utah, Oregon, and San Francisco, Marilyn recognized the benefits of Pilates early on. "After doing Pilates I returned to the stage dancing better than before I got injured." In San Francisco, Marilyn had access to the Center for Dance Medicine at St. Francis Hospital, a program developed by James Garrick, M.D., a leader in the field of dance medicine. There Pilates instruction was part of a post rehabilitation aspect of her physical therapy. She was privileged to have had some great instructors, most notably Elizabeth Larkham, now head of Balanced Body's Pilates Education Department and regular contributor to Pilates Style Magazine.
Marilyn's personal experience doing Pilates in a post-rehabilitation setting sold her on the benefits of Pilates, particularly in muscular strengthening and alignment. After her dance career came to an end, due in large part to many long-standing injuries she became certified with the American Council on Exercise as a Personal Trainer in 2000, and completed her Stott Pilates Comprehensive Instructor Training Program in 2003. In 2015 she became a Pilates Method Alliance Certified Pilates Trainer, and in 2017 became a Teacher Trainer for Pilates Academy International. Additionally, in 2016 she began studying David Weinstock's Neurokinetic Therapy. Nuerokinetic Therapy has been the single-most successful rehabilitation modality she has ever tried in her long journey to recovery and wellness. Its intensive focus on correcting and strengthening the core dovetails perfectly with the goals of Pilates. Having now completed all levels of training in NKT, this additional modality has had a dramatic positive effect on they way she works with clients.