A flyer advertising the event to students on campus.
@MU_RECREATION INSTAGRAM
Leyla J. Mercado, Features Editor and Asst. Social Media Editor
On Tuesday, Sept. 8, Lyala Jones, also known as Fashion Hendricks, a Pilates instructor and longtime hairstylist, led an hour-long Pilates class for Manhattan University (MU) students through the Office of Student Engagement.
Pilates, a mind-body exercise method with a history spanning more than 100 years, was initially embraced by professional dancers in the early 20th century.
According to merrithew.com, the full-body, low-impact workout promotes strength, stability, proper posture, flexibility, balance, body control and body awareness. Pilates can also help improve alignment and flexibility while reducing the risk of injury.
Jones described her teaching approach as a blend of two competing philosophies within the Pilates community.
“Online, there’s a big fight between classical and contemporary Pilates,” Jones said. “The classical police are out there fighting against the contemporary police, so I like to add both.”
Jones discussed how she draws from both schools of thought rather than choosing one side.
“I like to mix my classical and contemporary, so nobody’s in a fight, and then I push sculpt in there so we feel a burn and have a little fun,” Jones said. “That’s my style, we’re here to have fun.”
Pilates, often taught through group classes, relies heavily on the energy in the room. Jones explained she pays close attention to that dynamic when running her sessions.
“I pay attention to who came into the room,” Jones said. “I did have a different playlist, but when I saw some people in the room looking like you all had some vibes, I’m like, ‘oh, this is the playlist.’”
Henriette Feldman, a senior international studies and Spanish major, said the class pushed her outside her usual routine.
“Doing this Pilates class really pushed me out of my comfort zone, but it was so worth it,” Feldman said. “I am usually a cardio and yoga girl, but Pilates really pushed me to use more body weight training.”
Feldman added that the shared struggle among participants became part of the experience.
“My friends and I were just watching one another struggle midway through it, so that was one part that really made me laugh,” Feldman said. “It felt right and was overall a really good time.”
Jones said the most valuable part of teaching comes after class, through the encouragement participants give one another, something she considers central to building community in a group setting.
“Pilates is for anybody and everybody,” Jones said. “That’s what I really love about it the most, because the movements all can be modified.”
Jones emphasized that philosophy shapes how she runs her classes day to day.
“I encourage all of that, encourage modifications,” Jones said. “What I love about group classes, you’re feeding off of everybody. I don’t want to quit because the person next to me is not quitting.”
Jones also pointed to benefits of Pilates beyond the physical, describing its effect on participants’ mental well-being.
“Mental, for sure, because it’s mind, body connection,” Jones said. “The endorphins kick up like, tenfold when the class is over. So, if you’re feeling depressed, or down, or something like that, come do Pilates.”
Jones encouraged students who might be hesitant to try a class for themselves.
“For people who feel that Pilates is scary, it’s not, all you’ve got to do is show up to one class,” Jones said. “Movement is medicine.”
For more information on classes, visit Jones’ website, nycmatpilates.com, or follow @nycmatpilates on Instagram.