The Pilates
Nook

If you’re someone who likes light and airy spaces, you have a few options. First, move to LA. We heard the weather there is great. Second, buy a bunch of white paint and head to IKEA and pray the result sort of resembles something you saw in Arch Digest. Third, accept that you live in New York, your apartment is not a showroom, and making small spaces seem light and airy is hard. Then head to The Pilates Nook.

The Pilates Nook accomplishes two rare feats. The first: they have managed to make a few hundred square feet resemble a tiny oasis; the studio features lots of white and lots of light. The second feat is hands-on personalized instruction in a city where pilates studios tend to either offer jam-packed classes or expensive private sessions. The Pilates Nook also offers privates, which don't come cheap. But, we’re here to talk about their semi-private classes, which are capped at only a few people.

Like most studios, mat and equipment classes are offered. The Pilates Nook is new to the block, and right now, all classes are taught by founder Rowena Villanueva. Rowena is incredibly sweet and her encouraging nature and gentle modifications will put your mind at ease while your muscles shake. The exercises build on themselves, rather than taking the burnout approach of doing the same repetitive movement for what feels like forever.

If you like pilates and frequent the East Village, we think The Pilates Nook could end up being your go-to spot. If you’re new to the game, we recommend taking the Mat and Springboard Fusion class, which gives you a taste of both formats. The atmosphere here is relaxing and while the moves can be a challenge, it’s not the hardest Pilates class we’ve ever taken.

The calming environment, quality instruction, and affordability are the best things about The Pilates Nook, but if we're tossing out extra points it would be for Rowena's dog Walter, a very adorable mini Golden Doodle. Time your workout right, and you may just end up with a new fluffy pal.