Pilates

Pilates Trainer Bios

Sharon Barry

Studio Director

Sharon has been a Pilates trainer for over twenty years. As a former acrobat/aerialist, circus trainer and professional dancer, the study of movement, body mechanics and injury prevention and recovery are a few of her favorite things. Sharon has worked extensively with professional athletes, dancers and circus performers in conjunction with orthopedists, acupuncturists, chiropractors and physical therapists. She is also a Reiki Master, certified in Thai Yoga Bodywork, passionate about Salsa and African dance, currently trying to travel to the world’s most elusive destinations in an attempt to master kitesurfing.

“The most effective workouts combine drive, focus, intensity and precision of movement…when you train with me, laughter and humility are non-negotiable side effects.”

Maggie Foster

Maggie Foster is a comprehensively certified Power Pilates instructor and has taught movement for many years. She holds a BFA in Contemporary Dance performance from the Boston Conservatory where she began her study of anatomy, pedagogy, and many different somatic techniques. After years of teaching ballet and dancing professionally, Maggie was drawn to Pilates due to challenges with a structural spinal issue, and maintains a fascination with how the body can change when correctly informed on alignment. She continues to grow this knowledge through self-study and practice. Maggie is passionate about finding ways to alleviate pain and build strength at the same time, and works with clients of all ages.

Alex Van Buren

Alex is a high school teacher by day and Pilates instructor by night. She first got involved in Pilates after a few sports-related knee and foot injuries. She continued to gain passion for Pilates while recovering from foot surgery as it helped her regain strength and flexibility without creating impact on her foot. Alex became so passionate about spreading the joy of Pilates that she would make her friends do online videos with her in their dorm rooms and would drag them to classes at the local gym. Now, as a certified instructor, Alex loves to instruct Pilates classes because she believes that it is an exercise that any participant at any level can excel in with dedication, hard work, and proper modifications.

Alex speaks Spanish and she loves traveling through the Spanish-speaking world during her vacations. She has been to Honduras, Mexico, Puerto Rico and has lived in Spain and Costa Rica for school… and hopes to add many more destinations to her list! Alex enjoys biking, swimming, cooking (and eating) food, and spending her career as a teacher.

Catherine Nelson

Apprentice Trainer

Catherine started taking pilates classes over ten years ago while living in Minneapolis in an effort to improve strength, flexibility, and overall fitness. She has remained passionate about pilates after experiencing all of these benefits and more, and has enjoyed learning from diverse teaching styles at the various studios she has been a student at. Seeking to take her knowledge and skill level to the next level, she completed instructor training through Balanced Body, taking the Mat 1, Mat 2, Anatomy, and Reformer 1 modules. In addition to pilates training, she works as a learning and development professional, and is pursuing her doctorate in Leadership and Learning in Organizations. Outside of class, you’ll find her traveling, reading, volunteering, and spending time with her husband. As an instructor, she hopes to provide a class experience that is both challenging and restorative to help others increase overall well-being through improved fitness and reduced stress. She is excited to be taking the next step her in her pilates journey as an instructor with the VIM team.

Christy Benincasa

Christy Benincasa is a professional dancer, Exercise Physiologist, and Pilates instructor from Utica, NY – a new transplant to Boston (as of April 2019). She has been dancing professionally in New York since 2013 after her graduation from The College at Brockport – where she received a BFA in Dance, and BS in Exercise Physiology. In 2018, after years of training in Pilates to supplement her dance training, she decided to become certified to teach. Christy is certified on all Pilates equipment with the majority of her training following the BASI and Balanced Body programs. As a Pilates instructor, Christy has worked with a wide variety of clients; from professional athletes training for optimum performance, to training post rehabilitative clients and everything in-between. With a background in dance – she focuses heavily on form, movement efficiency, and functional training. Christy enjoys teaching classes that are physically challenging while deeply restorative and rejuvenating – with the goal of each student leaving with less tension, more energy, and a clearer mind. When Christy is not dancing or teaching Pilates, she enjoys camping, hiking, and traveling with her partner and dog, Indy.

Pilates Session Pricing

PRIVATE

1 Private Session $95

5 Private Sessions $465

10 Private Sessions $900

20 Private Sessions $1740

50 Private Sessions $4250

SEMI-PRIVATE (2-4 PEOPLE)

1 Semi-Private Session $45

10 Semi-Private Sessions $400

20 Semi-Private Sessions $750

PILATES APPARATUS CIRCUIT (10 PEOPLE)

1 Drop-In Class $25

10 Class Package $200

Bring a friend and you’ll both get 10% off your first 10-class package!

INTRODUCTORY PACKAGES

Package 1:

2 Semi-Private Reformer Sessions and 1 Private Reformer Session (60 min) for $120 dollars.

Package 2:

2 Private Reformer Sessions (60 min each) for $120 dollars.

Cancellation Policy: A twenty-four hour notice is required for all cancellations. Client cancellations or rescheduling with less than 24 hours notice or client no shows for scheduled appointments, are subject to the cost of the service. Clients who are more than 10 minutes late for a scheduled appointment may not receive their service.

“I have been going to Sharon for over 10 years and I love every single minute of it. She is my favorite Pilates teacher because of her creativity, flexibility, and sense of humor. Since I began, I have been continuously challenged with new and different ways to increase my core strength and fitness. Sharon kicked my butt and motivated me to get in the best shape of my life for my wedding. She is someone who truly enjoys and has a passion for Pilates and your well-being. Sharon is the best in Boston, and I would recommend her in a heartbeat.” –Laura B.

“I have been a client with Sharon for a number of years, having sessions several times a week. As a former President and CEO of a nationwide company, I know what it is like to balance work with exercise…it’s tough! I have tried a variety of workout routines over the years, but I continue to work with Sharon. She is focused on what you are trying to accomplish and tailors the sessions to your goals, and I see results. I highly recommend her!” –Jim M.

“Before working with Sharon, when people talked about their love for Pilates, I never understood what they were talking about. I had tried most every studio in Boston and various trainers over the years. To be honest, I had lost faith that there was a knowledgable and caring trainer out there who would both watch and make corrections to my form instead of talking about their latest cleanse while I threw out my back.

Sharon definitely knows her stuff and will push you to be the best version of yourself! After the first 10 visits (4-6 weeks), I definitely noticed changes in my body – in appearance and flexibility. After 20 visits, wow… I’m 53 and in the best shape of my life!” –Lisa P.