All of the teachers at Rhinebeck Pilates regularly take a high level of continuing education, as well as earned additional certifications in health and fitness such as Nutritional Counseling and Barre. We love learning about health and wellness and sharing that information with you!
Elaine Ewing
Elaine is owner of Rhinebeck Pilates, and a third generation, certified Authentic Pilates teacher and Certified Teacher of Teachers through the New York Pilates Studio®. Elaine is also the owner of many pieces of original equipment from Joseph Pilates’ 8th Avenue Studio, which can be found within Rhinebeck Pilates.
Elaine has studied pilates extensively through lessons with Sean Gallagher, Pam Pardi, Steve Giordano, Cynthia Shipley, and Bob Liekens, to name a few. She teaches daily in her Rhinebeck studio, both in person and virtually, and also taught at The New York Pilates Studio® in New York City for four years. She has also taught mat classes at Jacob’s Pillow, the same place where Joseph Pilates famously taught his original mat classes.
Together with Sean Gallagher, Elaine presents workshops based on Joseph Pilates’ original method and apparatus. In 2018 Elaine worked along side with Sean Gallagher to help create the yearly conference at Jacob’s Pillow, Pilates at The Pillow™. They continue to host and teach this twice-yearly conference and that has been the first in the pilates community to present “lost” apparatus and original work, such as: The Lost Art of The Resister™, The Lost Art of the Ped-o-Pul™, and The Lost Art of the Bench Mat™. Elaine was thrilled to present The Lost Art of The Resister™ inside Joseph Pilates’ original Berkshires studio, (the property is owned by Sean Gallagher)- the first time a workshop had ever been presented within that historically significant location.
Elaine enjoys researching pilates history and maintains a webpage devoted to openly sharing accurate pilates history titled: Pilates History Research Archive.
Elaine can be found on Pilatesology teaching matwork, Gratz Push Up Devices, Archival Ped-o-Pul, the Resister®, and along with Sean Gallagher, Joe’s Four Original Airplane Boards.
Sean P. Gallagher
Sean P. Gallagher (BFA, PT, CPT, CFP, EMT, MS) is the owner and master physical therapist of Performing Arts Physical Therapy, as well as Teacher of Teachers and owner of The New York Pilates Studio® in NYC. He developed the first teacher training manual along with Romana Kryzanowska for Authentic Pilates™ and was instrumental in getting the Pilates method recognized and taught around the world. Sean is also the owner of the largest collection of Joseph Pilates’ archival material and has three published books, “The Pilates Method of Body Conditioning,” “The Collected Works of Joseph Pilates,” and The Joseph H. Pilates Archive collection. He has taught pilates mat classes at Jacob’s Pillow for the past 17 years.
Sean has provided back stage Physical Therapy care at over 120 Broadway shows. With over 35 years of dance and physical therapy experience he has developed the most comprehensive injury prevention and self care program available to performers today. Sean is an adjunct professor for Anatomy, Somatics and Authentic Pilates™ at Marymount Manhattan College and has taught anatomy and Authentic Pilates™ at the New School for 12 years, and was adjunct professor for gross anatomy at NYU’s Physical Therapy program for 9 years.
Sean is a New York State certified Emergency Medical Technician and has recently completed his masters in Clinical Nutrition from Bridgeport University. He also collects old books on medicine, exercise and health.
Shannon Flynn-Boenig
Shannon Flynn-Boenig graduated from DeSales University with a BA in Dance and a BS in Psychology. After experiencing the benefits of regularly attending Pilates classes, Shannon’s curiosity grew. This interest led her to study the Pilates Method in depth for her final senior project.
Shannon had the privilege of studying the classical system under Bob Leikens, Phoebe Higgins, Susan Moran and many other senior instructors at Power Pilates. Shannon is a certified teacher through Power Pilates in New York City.
Shannon has been teaching at Rhinebeck Pilates for 19 years.
Virginia Brown
Virginia transitioned to Pilates after leaving a successful career in telecommunications to focus on raising her two daughters. With a rich background in various dance styles and fitness activities, she sought a form of exercise that could challenge her while managing injuries from years of physical activity. Pilates was the answer. It enabled her to focus, challenge herself, and increase her stretch, strength and control through graceful movement. She was particularly amazed by how her aches and pains diminished as she grew stronger.
After dedicated study for several years in Westchester County, NY, and NYC, Virginia earned a Romana’s Pilates Certification under Sari Mejia Santo. Before joining Elaine Ewing at Rhinebeck Pilates, she taught at LECOM Fitness and Wellness Center in Erie, PA, and Pilates Symmetry in Stamford, CT. Virginia continued her Pilates education by attending Romana’s Pilates workshops and seminars, learning from renowned instructors such as Sari Mejia Santo, Cynthia Shipley, Anthony Rabara, and Michael Levy. She also participated in workshops by Sean Gallagher and Elaine Ewing, including “Wringing out the Lungs,” “Pilates at the Pillow®,” “Pilates Education Workshop for Certified Instructors,” “Understanding Joe’s Contrology,” along with studying Basic Anatomy.
To deepen her connection to Joseph Pilates work and enhance her instructional skills, Virginia completed the Authentic Pilates Certification Program. She feels honored to have benefited from extensive training by universally recognized Master Instructors and to work on historical equipment at the unique and inspirational Rhinebeck Pilates studio.
Virginia’s teaching philosophy comes from her heart, combining her dedication as a resolute student, the discipline of a serious practitioner, and the passion of a committed instructor. On a personal level, she loves her family, dance, sports, the outdoors, reading, and making a positive difference wherever she can.
Marie Larson
Marie Larson is an apprentice in The New York Pilates Studio® Teacher Training program, taught by Sean P. Gallagher, PT and Elaine Ewing at Rhinebeck Pilates.
Originally from Texas, Marie grew up dancing and competing in equestrian competitions. Her mom was a fitness instructor and dietician for over 37 years which very much informed her movement practice and respect to form from an early age. She came to Pilates 10 years ago when looking for an exercise modality that prioritized functional movement no matter age, physical ability or body type.