About Center For Movement

The mission of Center For Movement is to create a warm, inviting atmosphere for no-nonsense training in classical Pilates and Gyrotonic for students of all ages, abilities and levels of fitness.

Two cousins, a dancer and a businesswoman, united over a common love of Pilates, and Center For Movement was born. Founded in 1998, CFM is the creation of Elle Jardim and Donna Singer, both of whom trained under the legendary master Romana Kryzanowska, one of Joseph Pilates’ proteges.  “Romana’s legacy promotes a balanced lifestyle through Pilates principles that inspire us to excellence in teaching every day at our studios,” says Donna.

Elle and Donna are pioneers in bringing Pilates to the public. Their flagship studio in Scarsdale was one of the first in Westchester to offer classical Pilates, and quickly developed a reputation for its welcoming atmosphere, excellent instructors, results-oriented program, and commitment to the principles of classical Pilates. Soon, two more studios were born, this time on Manhattan’s Upper East Side – a bustling studio on 2nd Avenue and an intimate space on Lexington Avenue.   “And we’ve grown alongside our clients,” says Elle, whose love of the Gyrotonic method helped expand the studio to include training in Gyrotonic in 2001.

In 2003, CFM launched the Pilates Teacher Training Program.  Recognized for excellence by the leading Pilates authorities, the Pilates Teacher Training Program is widely regarded as one of the most distinguished in the industry. Over the last decade, CFM’s Pilates Teacher Training Program has certified more than 100 program participants, and is proud of its role in training new generations of teachers to take the classical Pilates tradition forward.

Elle Jardim, co-founder Pilates and Gyrotonic instructor

It was as a young dancer that she began absorbing the Pilates method.Elle launched her career as a full-fledged Pilates instructor in 1996, becoming certified by the Pilates Studio of New York. Her mentor in that training program was the renowned Romana Kryzanowska, a disciple of Joseph Pilates and legendary master instructor. Elle trained, too, with other Pilates icons as well, among them Bob Liekens, Sari Meja Santo, Lolita San Miguel, Alan Herdman, and Ron Fletcher. In 2002 Elle earned certification in both the Gyrotonic Method and Gyrokinesis from their founder, Julio Horvath. Elle has devoted a good part of her life to studying the body and its movement. She has taught in various settings – businesses, schools, exercise studios, health clubs – in the U.S. and abroad.

Elle studied at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, from which she holds a bachelor’s degree in fine arts. She also received a master’s degree in exercise physiology. She brings to her teaching a wealth of knowledge that encompasses Pilates, Gyrotonic, yoga, dance, and traditional forms of exercise. A longtime devotee of yoga, she became in 1997 a Reiki practitioner – overtones of that regimen being evident in her holistic approach to hands-on teaching. She began, early on, establishing a reputation as a sought-after exercise instructor as well as a corporate health and fitness administrator, and she was a pacesetter in introducing the Pilates Method to students in Westchester County. She won notice in Westchester Magazine as one of the “best of” Pilates instructors in that region, and was mentioned, too, in such other media outlets as New York Magazine, Pilates Style, the Journal News, AM New York, and Parent T.V.

Donna Singer, co-founder and Pilates instructor

As a young businesswoman at a global consumer products company, Donna Singer quickly climbed the corporate ladder. She graduated university degree in business management, but fitness had long been a centerpiece of her life. When Donna left the corporate world to enroll in the renowned Pilates certification program led by Romana Kryzanowska, she turned this passion into a full-time career.

After earning her Pilates certification in 1998, Donna, and her cousin Elle, went into business together. They established the first Center For Movement studio that year in Scarsdale, and Donna has been growing alongside the business ever since.

Donna applied her unique background in both fitness and management to ensure the highest standard of quality at Center For Movement. As both an in-demand teacher and co-founder, she is committed to ensuring the best student experience both within and outside the classroom. She has contributed to numerous articles and publications promoting the benefits of Pilates. Donna spreads her passion for healthy lifestyles through her teaching, outreach, and contribution to Center For Movement’s Pilates Teacher Training Program.

Outside of the studio, Donna enjoys yoga, exploring New York City, and spending time with family and friends.

Meet Our Instructors

Lynne BallietteLynne Balliette has been a certified Pilates instructor since 1998, receiving her initial training from Romana Kryzanowska in New York, NY. She holds certifications from Romana’s Pilates, The Pilates Studio, and The Pilates Guild, and is a gold-certified instructor and member of the Pilates Method Alliance, an international professional association for the Pilates method. Lynne was the first full-time Pilates instructor in the Dance Department at Goucher College, Maryland, where she taught from 1998 to 2001. In addition to teaching Pilates in the US and abroad, she has appeared in television news programs, newspaper articles, and an instructional DVD on Pilates. Prior to her Pilates training, Lynne received an M.F.A degree in dance performance and choreography from the University of Michigan and danced and choreographed professionally in New York. She has studied anatomy and kinesiology with Irene Dowd, among others, and she completed a Master of Arts degree in movement science from Teachers College, Columbia University, in May 2009.

Marcia GreenMarcia received her certification in 2007 at Core Pilates in NYC. In a former life she was a dancer with torn miniscus’ in both knees. As a lifelong avid health and fitness person, the gym was not enough to keep her flexible or her pain at bay. She found Pilates when a friend recommended she try it. After 6 months, seeing and feeling amazing results, she decided to cancel her second knee surgery and pursue teaching Pilates. Marcia specializes in working with those who have had spinal, hip and knee issues. She has also trained several clients pre and post natal and enjoys working with the elderly. As a former special events professional Marcia planned events for foundations, nonprofits and corporations. She knows what officers and employees experience physically, and can address chronic concerns of those who sit for too many hours on a computer and in daily meetings.

Shaneen is a a certified GYROTONIC® Level 1 & 2 trainer and is certified in Jumping Stretching Board and Gyrotoner. Additional courses taken are GYROTONIC® for Equestrians, Psoas Principles, The Fascial Body, The Interconnected Thorax. Shaneen is also a certified BodyCode System® trainer in the MasterStretch and Elvis the Body Key devices. She is a certified practitioner of Active Isolated Stretching and has been a student of many movement modalities including the Alexander technique. Shaneen is an accomplished Dressage horse rider and trainer. She is also a Fashion Accessories designer with her own brand.  CFM Instructor since 2012. Shaneen Huxman

Anna Moy, Pilates instructor, Center MovementAnna first experienced Pilates in 1998 while on vacation at Canyon Ranch in Tucson. Upon returning to New York, she began taking private sessions at Tribeca Bodyworks (now known as Real Pilates) owned by Alycea Ungaro. She connected with the methodology so much that she applied for and was accepted into the Teacher Certification Program at the Pilates Center of New York located at Drago’s Gymnasium (now known as True Pilates or Romana’s Pilates). Leaving the corporate world of advertising behind, Anna completed the certification program in the fall of 2001 and has taught for Center for Movement since 2002.In 2007, Anna began exploring with movement in the Gyrotonic Expansion System and in 2009, completed her certification in that methodology as well adding to her versatility as a movement instructor.Outside the studio, Anna can be found taking a ballet class, a Gyrotonic Tower class, tap dancing or reading a murder mystery. *CFM Instructor since 2002.

Melissa WoyshnerMelissa began studying the Pilates Method as a student in 2004. She loved the results that Pilates had on her own body and decided to increase her understanding of the method by enrolling in a comprehensive certification program. In 2007 she completed Core Pilates Comprehensive Certification. In addition she has been certified in Pre-Natal and Post-Natal care. *CFM Instructor since 2007.

JeanneJeoung-nam earned an MA in dance in Higher Education at New York University in 1995. She danced as soloist and a choreographer in various dance companies in US and Italy. She has been guest dance instructor at the University of Ohio, University of Akron, and Adjunct  Dance Professor in the Art Communication Department at Bergen Community College in N.J from 1996-1999.

In 2000, she became a certified instructor in both Gyrotonic® and Gyrokinesis®. She studied with Gyrotonic® system founder, Juliu Horvath, master trainers Sebastain- Plettenberg, Juergen Bamberger, Debora Rose and Hilary Cartwright. In the following years she studied with Pino Carbone, founder of the Body Code System® and attended several workshops on the use of Art Form Equipment (Elvis, Pegasus and Master Stretch).

She is a certified for Gyrotonic Level 1-2, Gyrokinesis Level 1-2 and Gyrotonic Specialized Equipment including Jump/Stretch Board, Ladder, Archway, Gyrotoner and the Leg Extension Unit. She has successfully completed several Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis Workshops in Golf Conditioning, Dynamic Trunk Stabilization, Breathing Techniques and specialized course for the application of Psoas Principles.

By applying the teachings of the Gyrotonic Expansion System she has increased her clients’ strength and flexibility in body, mind and spirit. She has trained her clients on how to open their energy pathways to reach optimal physical and and mental condition integrating physical exercise, meditation and breathing patterns. She has been working with a wide array of clients including professional dancers, non dancers with various of backgrounds, professional and non-professional athletes, always focusing on each client individual needs and goals.

Barbara began studying classical Pilates in 2007 at Rhinebeck Pilates in Rhinebeck, NY. She quickly fell in love with the system and with its positive effects on her focus, control, strength, and conditioning. She became a loyal (some might say, ‘religious’) participant in Rhinebeck Pilates Saturday and Sunday classes while spending her weekends in the Hudson Valley. Beginning in 2011, after moving to the Upper East Side, she studied Pilates at Uptown Pilates East. Regular practice of Pilates helped counteract the harmful effects of her stressful weekday schedule as an executive in NYC. It also helped strengthen and tone her middle-aged body! Through the years, her love of Pilates translated to a commitment to performing a regular daily mat workout at home, working out at Real Pilates, taking private sessions with Elaine Ewing in Rhinebeck and Jennifer DeLuca in Brooklyn, and pursuing continuing education classes with Shari Berkowitz, Simona Cipriani, and Enja Schenck. In late 2015, Barbara decided to transition to a career as a Pilates Instructor, and she enrolled in the 2016 teacher training program led by Jennifer DeLuca, owner of BodyTonic Pilates Gymnasium in Brooklyn. Barbara was an apprentice instructor at Rhinebeck Pilates since 2016. She is now a certified Pilates Instructor and is very excited to be joining the staff at the Center for Movement.