Our Story
Welcome to Art of Pilates
Long Island
discover the perfect balance of mind & body as one. We host our
classes in a small intimate group setting which ensures a
personalized workout with highly effective results.
Pilates is a safe and effective whole body workout for all ages and levels of fitness. The source of all movement in pilates flows from the center of the body creating strength and a sense of calm and well being. The Pilates Reformer is an exercise machine used to incorporate the Pilates exercise technique for a challenging and intense workout. Springs, leverage, and body weight is used as a resistance while performing movements targeting specific muscle groups. Workouts consist of controlled, flowing movements working your muscles through a full range of motion. The reformer adds increased resistance to the movement. By working to overcome this resistance, training results in increased fitness levels.
- Corrects posture and alignment.
- Assists in the prevention of osteoporosis and injury through resistance training.
- Strengthens, tones and elongates all muscles in the body.
- Increases range of motion and flexibility.
- Achieves greater results than yoga or weight training alone.
- Builds a stronger, leaner, and healthier body.
- Develops core strength without adding bulk.
- Improves posture and balance
- Injury rehabilitation and prevention.
- Pre and post-pregnancy abdominal strengthening.
- Reduces stress.
OUR TEAM
Kathy Affrunti
Owner
Meet Kathy, a single mother who defied the odds and built a thriving Pilates studio, despite having no prior business experience or formal education. What Kathy did have, was an unwavering passion and drive to succeed.
After facing financial difficulties, Kathy was determined to become self-sustaining and find a way to support herself. With a lifelong love of fitness and wellness, she decided to go into the Pilates industry.
Kathy has worked tirelessly to create a welcoming and supportive environment for her clients at Art of Pilates. She puts their needs above all else. “When you do what you love and make your clients and employees your number one priority, financial success is inevitable. Kathy’s dedication and passion has quickly paid off, as she now owns and operates two locations.
With the help of her instructors Kathy has built a loyal following and continues to strive for excellence in all she does. “I love hearing the clients rave about the positive impact that Pilates has on their lives. It is what motivates me to provide them with the best experience possible!”
Kathy believes that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of following your dreams.
Instructor
Tara Kavanagh
Instructor
Tara received her training at the Pilates Academy International in NYC. She first discovered Pilates while dancing and pursuing a career in performance. She began movement classes at an early age, continuing to Ballet, Jazz, Modern and Tap, and continuing to branch out to lesser known practices including: Mitzvah Technique, Feldenkrais, Danskinetics, Alexander Technique, and Delcrose Eurythmics.
Although Tara maintained an active lifestyle, she was obese. Determined to change, she lost 100lbs and continues to seek the best health options for her body, mind and spirit. It is her joy to help others discover their road to recovery. She is a natural born encourager and has a passion for helping people. Her life experiences inform her teaching style, which she desires to improve constantly.
Instructor
Gail Dipalma
Instructor
Aside from being a Horse Trainer & former VP in Office Furniture, Gail has several Fitness & Pilates Certifications, was certified through Polestar & has Physical Therapy experience. She has developed &/or managed programs for several top fitness companies.
Eliza Tappan
Instructor
Eliza received her mat and equipment Pilates training at the Kane School of Integrated Movement in NYC, where she continues to take training and education workshops to deepen her knowledge and understanding of Pilates, anatomy, and alignment. Informed by her experience as a dance artist, Eliza takes a mindful approach to Pilates in which she aims to lead clients to cultivate mental and physical presence to sense the internal shifts that she considers to be key elements of physical and mental transformation.
Instructor
Lorna Sophcleous
Health & Wellness Coach
Bio Coming Soon..
Lisa Wiggins
Instructor
Bio Coming Soon..
Jennifer
Instructor
Stefani Kavner
Instructor
Stefani has combined her background as a Clinical Social Worker and worked with her love for health and nutrition. Stefani helps women focus on self care through nutrition, movement and mindset.
A graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, she believes clarity of mind starts with what you eat. Stefani believes many autoimmune diseases, joint pain, brain fog and emotional unrest stem from systemic inflammation. She helps her clients reclaim their bodies and minds and manifest the life of their dreams through diet, mindset and exercise.
Taking a very whole body wellness approach, Stefani believes in a very individualistic plan to diet, meaning no one size fits all solutions. Through elimination diet, she and her clients figure out what foods work best for their individual bodies. Because change in diet is a mental game, Stefani helps her clients through the toughest of times to help them succeed in their weight loss goals.
Stefani is an ISSA Certified Personal Trainer and Pilates Instructor and thinks that having a mind body connection is imperative to a whole body approach to wellness. She helps her clients maintain long term health changes by teaching them sustainable methods to reach their aspirations.
