Nuhar Jaleel is a licensed physical therapist, having graduated from Quinnipiac University in Connecticut. Nuhar started The Pilates Principle in 2003 after completing her full, 600-hour certification in the Pilates Method of exercise through The New York Pilates Studio in Manhattan, under the apprenticeship of Romana Kryzanowska, Ton Voogt, and Michael Fritzke. She completed her GYROTONIC® Level 1 and Level 2 Certification in 2009, and 2011 respectively. She also completed the Jumping Stretching Board, and the Leg Extension Unit certifications for GYROTONIC® exercise.

Nuhar grew The Pilates Principle’s name by teaching 11-hour days in a 400 square-foot studio, while concurrently designing the plans for our custom, 2,500+ square-foot studio, which we inhabited in 2007.

Nuhar received the Business Review’s 40 Under Forty Award in 2014. She served as contributing editor for the Pilates Triadball™ exercise manuals, authored by Michael Fritzke and Ton Voogt. She has served on multiple local Boards of Directors.

Nuhar teaches Pilates and GYROTONIC® exercise, leads a large staff, is a wife, a mother, and was a foster parent in Albany County. She is especially thankful to her immigrant parents who have worked tirelessly, and have been such an inspiration in shaping her compassion, her drive, and her willingness to succeed in love, in life, and in business.

email: km@karenmillard.com

After training as a ballerina, Karen moved to New York City and began teaching at Lotte Berk Method, Broadway Dance Center and various health clubs. In 2001, having become a fully certified Pilates instructor through Power Pilates and studying with Bob Liekens, she studied anatomy and kinesiology with Irene Dowd for four years. In 2002, she became the first manager of the Pilates Studio at The David Barton Gym on Madison Avenue.

In 2005, Karen and her husband relocated to New York’s Capital Region and she joined The Pilates Principle’s team as the first hire for the studio. In 2009 she pursued the GYROTONIC® method training, and she is certified on the Gyrotonic(R) Pulley Tower, Leg Extension Unit and Jumping Stretching Board. She has also completed 500 hours of Yoga training (yup – she likes to keep busy!).

In 2010, she was selected to teach Pilates at the NYSSSA-New York City Ballet program, allowing her to stay connected to the dance profession and teach young dancers each summer, until 2019. She is currently PMA® certified in Pilates, holds an AFFA: Group Exercise Instructor certification and teaches around the country as a Master Trainer for a Pilates certification program.

email: pilateswithsarahg@gmail.com

After experiencing the benefits from regularly attending classes at Nuhar’s studio, Pilates quickly developed into a passion. For Sarah, the Pilates method has offered the ideal fusion of strengthening, stretching, and connecting the mind and body. In 2011, Sarah completed her Beginner and Intermediate Mat Certification under the instruction of Susan Moran in NYC. Sarah became Power Pilates Comprehensive Certified in 2012 after completing her apprenticeship hours at The Pilates Principle and Beacon Pilates. Sarah went on to complete the GYROTONIC® Level 1 teacher training in 2018, and is also M.E.L.T. Method certified (Myofascial Energetic Lengthening Technique). When she is not working out or teaching at The Pilates Principle, Sarah is often found playing at life in Keene, NY, and works as a Visual Merchandiser and freelance Graphic Designer.

email: melissa.dergurahian@gmail.com

Melissa started dancing at age 5. From age 11-18, she studied at The Dance Center of Queensbury under Barbara Tebeau. She received her BFA in Dance Performance from the Boston Conservatory in 2004, performing works by Lar Lubovitch, Jose Limon and Martha Graham. At the Conservatory she trained with Yasuko and Emi Tokunaga (Martha Graham Dance Company), Jennifer Scanlon (Limon Dance Company), Sandy Stone (Paul Taylor Dance Company) and Donna Silva (Joffrey Ballet). She began her professional dance career with The Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company. Ellen’s company has been the resident dance company at The Egg in Albany, N.Y. for over 30 years. After 10 years with Ellen’s Company, Melissa retired to teach dance at The Dance Center of Queensbury, and she holds the title of Choreographer/Rehearsal Director for The Adirondack Ballet Theater. She completed her certification in the GYROTONIC® exercise method in 2016. Melissa is pleased to be a part of The Pilates Principle family!

GYROTONIC® is a registered trademark of Gyrotonic Sales Corp and is used with their permission.

email: ldonato59@gmail.com

Athletics and movement have always been an important part of Lori’s life, which led her to her own Pilates practice in the the late 1990’s. After experiencing the amazing effect that Pilates had on her, she knew she wanted to become a Pilates instructor so she could share her passion for this amazing form of exercise with others. Lori received her Pilates mat certification in 2001 and then went on to complete her Pilates apparatus certifications from Power Pilates, Level I in 2004, and her Comprehensive Certification in 2012. She is an AFAA certified group exercise instructor with additional specialty certifications in Step aerobics, Spinning, Barre, Kickboxing, Kettlebell training, Stability Ball training, Yoga, Aqua Fitness, and Silver Sneakers. She is also an AFAA certified Personal Trainer.

A long time passion of hers, Lori enjoys teaching and sharing the gift of Pilates with her clients, helping them to live healthy, pain free lives through their Pilates practice. She joined The Pilates Principle’s team in 2016.

email: emilyrelyeaspivack@gmail.com

email: nizerpt@hotmail.com

Jennifer Nizer, MSPT

Jennifer joins The Pilates Principle’s team as she continues to complete her 600 hours for the comprehensive Pilates certification, and is excited to share her knowledge and passion for classical Pilates technique.

Jennifer is a graduate of Ithaca College and has been providing Physical Therapy services to children ages birth to 21 for the majority of her 20-year career. After an intensive Internship at the RUSK institute in NYC, Jennifer found her calling in the pediatric community. Jennifer is Pilates mat certified through Power Pilates in NYC and is excited to be continuing her education at The Art of Control in Stamford, Connecticut.

Jennifer is currently an apprentice working toward her full certification under the guidance of second generation, Romana-trained, Simona Cipriani.
Jennifer is also John Barnes certified in Myfoascial Release technique and brings a unique approach to pediatric treatment combining neurodevelopmental technique, myofascial release technique and developmental based positioning.