Owner of Grasshopper Pilates NYC for 25 years. Second Generation Pilates Instructor, certified in 1996 at The Pilates Studio in NYC under Romana Kryzanowska and Bob Liekens. She was hand-picked by Bob Liekens to be the Regional Director of The Pilates Standard (TPS) USA and one of the lead Teacher Trainers. Gina’s very passionate about being a part of The Pilates Standard (TPS) Teacher Trainer team, to share her love and knowledge of Classical Pilates method “Contrology”, which was mentored and nurtured by Romana Kryzanowska, Bob Liekens, Phoebe Higgins, and Cary Regan over the past 29 years. She is an Internationally recognized Master Pilates Teacher Trainer, teaches for Pilatesology.com, and is PMA Certified.

Recently, Gina has furthered her knowledge of the body by training with Dr. Antonio Stecco, Dr. Stephan Oswald, and Dr Warren Hammer, in the Stecco Fascial Manipulation Method (FM) for the past 4 years and has been Level 3 certified, working towards becoming a Stecco Fascial Manipulation Specialist. With this knowledge of the body's intricate fascial webbing structures, she looks for the densifications and dysfunctions of the fascial lines, and then will work to restore the glide and the proper function of the area.

Gina was a professional dancer for many years and still dances for fun. She has experienced pregnancy twice and has formal training in pre and postnatal Pilates. She enjoys sharing her knowledge with her clients to help them learn more about their bodies. This way, clients can work more efficiently and effectively. Gina makes Pilates a pleasurable learning experience that is simple, thorough, and effective. This is where change happens.

Pilates + Fascial Manipulation is a global approach to restoring the body's proper alignment which will help the body recover from injuries and poor biomechanics, and help prevent injuries.

“I love teaching Pilates because it allows me to share my passion for movement and wellness with others. There's something incredibly rewarding about helping individuals connect with their bodies, build strength, and improve their flexibility. I enjoy creating a positive and supportive environment where everyone can feel comfortable and empowered to challenge themselves. Watching my students progress and gain confidence in their abilities is inspiring, and it motivates me to continue improving as an instructor. Pilates also encourages mindfulness and body awareness, which I believe are essential for overall well-being. Being part of my students' journeys toward improved health and self-awareness is what makes teaching Pilates so fulfilling for me.“ Movement heals ~

See you in the studio - xx Gina

Nuno, a native of Portugal, has a background in Mechanical Engineering. After a slow recovery from spine surgery, Nuno’s PT suggested trying a Pilates session. One session is all it took for Nuno to realize that Pilates focused on the same postural muscles that protect the spine from the injury he had suffered, and thus the practice of Pilates would help overcome the body’s imbalances and compression that lead to spinal or other joint problems.

Realizing the dramatic changes in his body in so little time, he left his engineering career in early 2006 to become a Pilates Instructor, moved to The Netherlands and began the Romana’s Pilates Certification Program at The Pilates Studio The Hague, under the tutelage of Master Teacher Marjorie Oron and Jane Poerwoatmodjo. In late 2006 he moved to New York to finish his Certification at True Pilates under Joseph Pilates protégé Romana Kryzanowska, her daughter Sari Santo, and granddaughter Daria Pace, and was invited to teach alongside them.

After working in New York for a time he decided to travel around the world teaching Pilates at Certification Centers and various Pilates studios in Sydney, Oxford, London, Champaign and Miami. This experience allowed him to work alongside multiple teacher trainers and enabled him to work with clients of all levels, from professional athletes to people who are recovering from injuries, and those who just wish to improve their health and fitness levels so they can live their best lives.

Nuno is fluent in English, Portuguese and Spanish.

In 2014 he moved back to New York, a place he definitely calls home.

Bianca is a classically trained instructor and received her Comprehensive Pilates Certification from Core Pilates NYC in 2018. 

She has been a Pilates enthusiast and practitioner since being introduced to it through her background as a dancer while treating a back injury in high school. After many years as a student she decided to pursue certification and has been loving teaching ever since.

Holding onto the belief that Pilates is for everybody and every body, Bianca is very passionate about the power that Pilates gives you, your body, and your mind regardless of skill level or experience. When not in the studio, she loves going to the movies, cooking and being at the beach.

Julia Jimenez is a Pilates teacher trained in The Pilates Standard (TPS) at Grasshopper Pilates under Gina Papalia and Tricia O'Donnell. Her passion for Pilates began when she discovered how the method helped balance her mind and body, both on and off the mat/apparatus. The challenging workout not only brought peace to her mind but also created space for greater focus in her personal life. Originally from Houston, Julia moved to New York in 2017 to pursue a career in Advertising. After more than seven years in the industry, she is excited to embark on this new journey, embracing a movement-focused career dedicated to helping others.

Julia teaches Pilates to help others experience the same benefits she has: enhanced strength, clarity, and overall well-being. For Julia, Pilates is not just about physical fitness; it’s about cultivating balance and peace within the body and mind. Through fun yet focused sessions, she is grateful to guide her clients on their journey to better health and is continually inspired by how movement can transform lives.

Comprehensive Certified Teacher - The Pilates Standard

Teaching Apprentice

Pilates apprentice at 73 | Leadership coach to global change-makers | Believer in lifelong curiosity

For decades, I’ve coached global CEOs and world leaders to lead with confidence, communicate with impact, and inspire a better future.

Now, I’m bringing that same passion to the studio—training as an apprentice instructor at Grasshopper Pilates as I pursue a Classical Pilates International Certification rooted in Joseph Pilates’ original method and equipment.

Since first discovering Pilates some 25 years ago, I’ve come to learn that Pilates—like great leadership—lifts us up in a world that can often weigh us down. It builds the strength, stamina, stability, and stretch we all need to create meaningful change in life My goal as an instructor is to bring wisdom, curiosity, and deep respect for the method to every client session—and to inspire change along the way.

Master Teacher

Cary Regan began her training in the Pilates Method at S.U.N.Y. Purchase in 1975, under the direction of Master Pilates teacher Romana Kryzanowska. Cary received her B.F.A. In Dance from S.U.NY. Purchase and continued her Pilates training at the original Pilates Studio in New York City. Cary has been teaching the authentic Pilates Method since 1981. Over the years she has worked, both in New York and Seattle with physical therapists, chiropractors, orthopedists and dance companies. While on staff at RE:ab Studio in NYC. Cary served as Brooke Siler’s assistant for her Authentic teacher training certification program. Now a teacher for over 40 years, Cary still endeavors to teach the work of Joseph Pilates, so that the benefits, both preventative and rehabilitative, will become an integral part of our daily lives!