The Pilates Principle

Nuhar Jaleel, P.T. (proprietor) is a native of Loudonville, NY. She received her authentic Pilates certification through the New York Pilates Studio in Manhattan in 2003 under the apprenticeship of Michael Fritzke and Ton Voogt. Nuhar is a licensed Physical Therapist in the state of New York and California. She received her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Quinnipiac University in Connecticut. Upon graduation from college, she practiced Physical Therapy at the Center for Disability Services in Albany, where her practice entailed aquatic therapy, as well as land-based modalities, such as myofascial release and orthopedic rehab. She worked for California Children’s Services while living in southern California from 2000 to 2002. Nuhar has served as a contributing editor to the Exercise Manual for the Pilates Triadball, authored by Ton Voogt and Michael Fritzke. She has been teaching Pilates in Latham since 2003. She received her GYROTONIC Foundation Training in 2009 under Master Trainer Cori Doetzer. Since then she has also completed the Level 2 GYROTONIC training, and the specialized equipment trainings on the GYROTONIC Jumping Stretching Board and the Leg Extension Unit. Nuhar is thrilled to have built the studio to the status it has today, carrying a reputation for highly educated fitness instruction for the discerning customer.

Karen brings years of dance training and teaching experience in a variety of disciplines to The Pilates Principle. She trained her eye for alignment at The Tampa Ballet Company, achieving soloist level before becoming a dance major at The University of South Florida. Moving to New York City, she began her teaching career at the prestigious Lotte Berk Method, and then worked with Jim Wharton at his clinic, Maximum Performance International. Becoming an expert Active Isolated Stretch technician, she took this technique into the dance world through Broadway Dance Center (Michele Assaf now teaches the class Karen originated) and Steps Studio. Karen taught A.I.S. master classes at numerous highly esteemed workshops including Dance Alliance Workshop (Joe Lanteri) and Sheila Barker Dance Workshop. Health clubs welcomed the A.I.S. technique and she taught at Chelsea Piers, Crunch, Equinox, and New York Sports Club. She became fully certified in Pilates through Power Pilates and taught at their upper west side location. After her anatomy studies with Irene Dowd, she was invited into the Kinesiology class. Karen became the first manager of the Pilates Studio at The David Barton Gym on Madison Avenue, and received her certification with National Academy of Sports Medicine while working there. She participated in weekly workouts with Bob Liekens. Karen welcomed a change of pace when she moved to the Capital District in 2005, and she is honored to be a part of The Pilates Principle team. Teamwork being all important, she will offer any Tampa Bay Buccaneer or Ohio State Buckeye football fan one free session! Are YOU ready?

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. When she is not working out or
teaching at The Pilates Principle, Sarah is a full-time Graphic
Designer, amateur photographer, and food enthusiast.

Niki's career as a Pilates instructor is a result of two chance happenings. The first is a discovery of a congenital defect in both of her knees. Niki underwent numerous surgeries, and an actual cartilage transplant in her right knee. A year of physical therapy, pain, and non-weight bearing brought her to Pilates. The Pilates method helped her finally realign and she began to heal. After meeting Nuhar, the idea of teaching others the benefits of Pilates soon became Niki's goal and passion. Niki completed her certification through Power Pilates in Boston.

Susan Stewart, Certified Pilates Instructor, has been a student of the body since certifying as a massage therapist with the Bancroft School of Massage in Worcester, MA in 1992. In 2001 Susan certified as a Facial Rejuvenation Practitioner at the Institute for Burnham Systems Studies in Santa Fe, New Mexico. While later living in Alaska, she worked as a massage therapist and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of Alaska at Fairbanks. She has completed continuing education credits in lymphatic drainage, neuromuscular therapy, and shiatsu. She came to study Pilates with the desire to improve the health of her spine and joints, and was inspired to become an instructor after feeling the benefits of Pilates. She was certified by Power Pilates in 2004 under the instruction of Bob Liekens and Susan Moran. She taught Pilates in Alaska until moving to the Capital District in August 2005. Susan brings to Pilates a love and respect for the human body and intent to assist people on their journey to greater well-being.