Kim Kuznitz, Bent Pilates Studio Owner

Known as the “Pilates Master”, Kim Kuznitz combines her extensive experience in movement, healing, and the martial arts to provide her clients with a rare fitness experience in a regimented but fun and creative training atmosphere. Kim's instruction is a culmination of her 15+ years of fitness experience as a certified Pilates Instructor.

"I started learning the Pilates technique in 1986, as a required course as a Dance Major at S.U.N.Y Purchase. After graduating with a BFA in Dance from Purchase, I rediscovered Pilates by using it as rehab to recover from a martial arts injury. It was then I realized the benefits of the technique and embarked on my journey to become a Pilates instructor."

Kim trained at the Kane School of Core Integration and became qualified to teach the Pilates method. She furthered her education by studying anatomy with Irene Dowd and studying with great teachers around the city.

She then became fascinated with the kinetics of the human body and moved into a period of post rehab work. She worked under a physical therapist using specific Pilates exercises to help injured Merce Cunningham dancers.

Today, she has studied Muscle Activation Technique (MAT), the Jump Start program and combines that with Pilates. Kim finds that it's a great way to be more efficient to find the body's imbalances. She has been working extensively with Multiple Sclerosis clients and finds it a very helpful for them and a successful combination.

Kim is PMA (Pilates Method Alliance) approved instructor for Pilates trainers. Her unique Pilates instructor training program is a must for instructors who want the best in Pilates education.

Kim has a passion for surfing and snowboarding. But even in the cold, she'll put the wetsuit on and ride a wave over shredding a mountain. Her surfing buddy, Carla Phillips has teamed together to create Surfilates.

Mary Foster

Mary received her certification through The Kane School of Core Integration, New York in 2003. She has been teaching private sessions, group classes, and mat classes in New York City and Long Island for the past three years. Mary firmly believes in structuring her sessions by carefully explaining the core principals of the work, before building up a client's strength to go on to more advanced work.

With a background in classical ballet, which Mary has studied for nearly 30 years in London, Los Angeles and New York, she was initially introduced to Pilates through her ballet teacher in London. She continues her studies in this fascinating work, taking workshops whenever she can. She has also studied yoga and modern dance, and loves to dance Argentine tango.

Megan Spell

Megan was first introduced to Pilates while majoring in dance at University of Arizona.   After breaking her foot in a car accident she learned the hard way that casts and stationary bikes don’t mix.  Subsequently she had to search for a new way to stay in shape and rehabilitate and happily found Pilates.    Certified in both mat and machine by Body Arts and Science International, Megan taught in Chicago before moving to New York.   She has furthered her training through various workshops including Pre and Post-Natal Pilates, SI Joint Form and Function, Scoliosis, and Pilates for Kids.

Keeley Walsh

Keeley’s Pilates training started over 8 years ago at the University of Iowa where she later earned a B.A. in Dance and Journalism.  She recently moved to New York to pursue contemporary dance and is performing with Meg Hebert Dance.  Keeley’s interest in kinesiology and joy of movement influences her classes with thoughtfulness and energy.  Her goal is to bring body awareness and peace of mind with a new sense of proper alignment and self acceptance.

Diarra Cumming

Diarra Cummings (Brooklyn, NY) decided to study and teach the pilates method after a career as a ballet and modern dancer with the Dance Theater of Harlem and Garth Fagan Dance. After earning a B.A. from Columbia University, Diarra completed her apparatus certification through The Fitness Guru Teaching Lab. Diarra is fascinated with the transformative power the mind has over the body and roots her teaching in the belief that physical heath and awareness are essential to reaching one's optimum potential.

Originally from Longwood, FL, Ashleigh grew up dancing, performing, and indulging herself in anything physical and creative. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance from George Mason University and earned the Excellence in Performance Award upon graduation. She immediately moved to NYC to pursue a career in dance and found herself immersed in a whole new passion when she was introduced to Pilates. She was trained to become a certified instructor in both mat and apparatus Pilates here at Bent and currently also teaches for Complete Body Development. Still dancing, she is a member of Amanda Selwyn Dance Theatre which performs at numerous venues throughout the city.

Benjamin E Oyzon is an aerial acrobat, dancer, martial artist, fire-spinner, performance artist, and surfer. A freak skateboarding accident in 2001broke Ben's leg and tore three ligaments in his ankle. Bored of traditional physical therapy, he found Pilates to be an extremely effective form of rehabilitation and exercise system. Ben received his certification from Kim Kuznitz here at BENT in 2003. Ever since, he has completely changed the way the thinks about and with his body.

Duane began practicing Pilates mat and apparatus while earning his BFA in Dance from the University of Akron in Ohio. After graduating, Duane moved to NYC to join the contemporary modern company Jennifer Muller/The Works and has taught and performed internationally with the company. While in NYC he received his Pilates teaching certification at The Fitness Guru and has been teaching all over NYC since. Duane's teaching focuses on directing energy flow throughout the body to strengthen the mind-body connection and to sculpt the perfect physique.

Teri began her career as a ballet dancer with The Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, followed by a long career in Musical Theater. Since then she has become an accomplished Choreographer of Stage, Film and Industrials. For the past two years, Teri travelled all over the world staging Vegas style shows for Jean Ann Ryan Productions. In her early dance career, Teri found Pilates while she was at Point Park University as a dance major. She then realized its benefits and continued to practice it throughout her career. She loved it so much that when she moved into choreography she decided to get certified. She researched a lot of studios for the perfect program and then she found one that fit her teaching philosophy: the Bent Pilates Teacher Training Program, located in midtown west in NYC. She joined the Bent staff after she was certified. She is a true believer that you can change your outlook on life to maintain a sound body and lifestyle