g r a s s h o p p e r p i l a t e s
downtown
 



Trainers
 

Owner Gina Papalia was born in Pittsburgh, Pa. in 1971. After graduating from the Conservatory of Dance at SUNY Purchase with a BFA in Dance and a minor in Arts Management, she moved to New York City where she continued her training at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center and danced with the Dance Theatre of Harlem and the Ohio Dance Theatre, among other companies.

While pursuing her career as a professional dancer, Gina studied Pilates under the two icons of today’s world of Pilates, Romana Kryzanowska and Bob Liekens, earning certification from the Pilates Studio of New York in 1996. Gina opened her first studio in 2000 at Tribeca Sports Center, which bloomed into her own studio that opened in Tribeca 2003, Grasshopper Pilates Downtown. Grasshopper has now moved to a new beautiful, airy, 2000 square foot loft in Soho and has joined forces with ZenGirl Fitness and DD Fitness.

Gina embraces each client individually and unconditionally, balancing a serious approach with a fun, friendly attitude. Her intention: to stay true to the traditional tenets of the Pilates method and to follow closely the logical learning process as originally conceived by founder Joseph Pilates.

Gina, a professionally trained dancer, is particularly knowledgeable about the anatomy and the musculature of the human body. She knows precisely how the body works, how to learn to use it most efficiently—and how to make Pilates a pleasurable learning experience that’s simple, thorough and effective. Gina has appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman, in several issues of Pilates Style Magazine, the New York Times, Point, Self and Vogue.

 

Jennifer Nyp
has had a successful fitness career in New York City for over ten years. She is currently an avid runner and regularly practices yoga and Pilates. physical activity has always been a vital part of her life.
Originally from Nebraska, Jennifer found her first mentor at The University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Bob Chase. An innovator in the fitness industry for over 20 years, Bob taught her to pursue personal health and fitness with a passion. Shortly after moving to New York City, she met Thomas Hogan, her Yoga mentor and teacher. Thomas took her under his wing and changed her life through the wonder and wisdom of the practice of Yoga.

She found a third mentor in Bob Liekens, with whom she studied classical pilates at Power pilates. Bob, is a true inspiration for all that know him. He reminds Jennifer to always ask more of herself and of her clients.
During her time at Power pilates, Gina and Dean came into Jennifer’s life. She immediately felt connected to each of them and cherishes them both as friends and associates.

Jennifer has multiple fitness certifications, has taught group fitness, pilates and yoga classes throughout the city and has a dedicated private clientele. Her training philosophy is based in core work and cross-training. She's also a big believer of cardio to enhance results, health benefits and get that happy "buzz" that it comes with.

She is so grateful for all the beautiful people in her life and can’t wait for all the new people she will meet in the new SoHo Studio!
www.zengirlfitness.com

 

Dean Dufford
draws on a varied and diverse background as a professional dancer and teacher to implement effective and individualized training methods. Dean uses kettlebells, body weight, balletic and gymnastic exercises in and endless variety of ways to keep his clients interest and motivation high.
www.RedBarnFitness.com

 

 

 

 

Jessica Green
has recently returned to NYC from touring with Cirque du Soleil. Working closely with the physical therapists and athletic coaches, she trained the acrobats in Pilates and body conditioning. She also performed as a clown! Jessica is a dance and theatre artist. Previous to running away with the circus, she maintained an in-home personal training business in NYC, which included clients ranging from women with Parkinsons to pregnant women to men looking to get into shape to senior citizens. Jessie also worked with the highly acclaimed international theatre ensemble, the Flying Machine and various contemporary choreographers for several years. Jessica is certified through Power Pilates and also maintains an ACE personal training certification, an AAHFRP post-rehabilitation certification and a BFA in Dance from SUNY Purchase College.

 

 

Emily Roberts
was first introduced to the Pilates method through dance. She began her dance training at the age of six and has been dancing professionally for the past seven years. Pilates has helped her to remain free from injury throughout her dance career. Emily completed her full comprehensive classical certification, which includes beginner, intermediate, and advanced level mat and apparatus work, through Power Pilates. She has worked at various pilates studios throughout Manhattan, including Power Pilates and currently Grasshopper Pilates. She has worked at Theramotion, a physical therapy clinic located in Bayside, Queens, where she used pilates as a method of rehabilitation for all types of injuries. Most recently, Emily has founded Pureform Pilates, a company designed for on-site personal and corporate fitness training. Her vision through the pilates method is to help people improve their quality of life.

ph: 212.431.5225