Welcome to Upward Spiral Studio. Our studio is the oldest certified Pilates studio in Massachusetts. Founded in 1993 by Martha Mason, the studio, located at 185 Green Street in Central Square Cambridge, offers the highest quality instruction in both Pilates and the Gyrotonic Expansion SystemŪ. We specialize in giving the required attention to each individual - from elite athletes to people with special needs injuries - so that our clients make enormous progress in reaching their fullest potential.

We are an affiliate studio for POWER PILATESŪ, based in New York City. Apprentice teachers in training can fulfill hours of observation in our studio.

In Pilates, we offer private sessions (one-on-one with you and an instructor) as well as duet and trio sessions on the equipment, where you work out with one or two partners and an instructor. Choose to work privately with an apprentice instructor for a more economical workout. We also offer group Pilates mat classes, private sessions in Gyrotonic and group classes in Gyrokinesis.

MEET THE INSTRUCTORS AT OUR STUDIO:

BESS WHITESEL, a classically trained dancer in both ballet and modern dance, brings a special knowledge of how the body moves to her teaching. In dance, she has trained with the School of American Ballet, Joffrey Ballet School, Parsons Dance Company, performed with Ballet Theatre of Annapolis (now Ballet Theatre of Maryland), and was a member of Boston's internationally touring Snappy Dance Theater 2000-2007. After earning a Philosophy degree from Chatham College, in Pittsburgh, Bess moved to Boston and managed an office at WGBH while reigniting her dance career. Pilates helped her develop core strength and stay in top shape for performing. In 2003, Bess became certified in the classical style of Pilates through POWER PILATESŪ, studying with veteran master trainers from New York City. In Boston, she trained with Clare Dunphy of Progressive Bodyworks and Martha Mason and Patrishya Fitzgerald of Pilates at Green Street. In 2007, Bess became certified in GYROTONICŪ Level I. She continues annual workshops with world-travelling master teachers. Bess believes Pilates and Gyrotonic are an effective supplement to any sport, dance, and life in general. She believes building a strong core in one’s body contributes to overall health and well being. Bess' teaching style emphasizes precision in movement as she encourages one to reach new levels. She also practices power Vinyasa Yoga, and enjoys moving with her one-year-old son Max.

PATRISHYA FITZGERALD is a certified instructor of The Pilates Method of Body Conditioning (2000), having trained with Master Teacher Romana Kryzanowska, and a certified Level One GYROTONICŪ instructor (2006), having trained with Master Teachers Kathy Van Patten and Adrianna Thompson. With years of dance training, performance experience, and extensive study in anatomy and kinesiology, Patrishya specializes in working with dancers to perfect their intrinsic sense of movement and technique, as well as, rehabilitation from injuries. Patrishya's client base includes musicians, actors, and clients needing rehab due to various injuries. Patrishya Fitzgerald's early ballet training was in Australia and Brazil. She has performed with the San Diego Dance Theatre, Dorothy Herskowitz and Dancers, New England Dinosaur, The Jacob's Pillow Dancers, The Boston Liturgical Dance Ensemble, and was the principal dancer for DanceVisions for six years under the direction of Margot Parsons. Her choreography has been presented with DanceVisions, in the Massachusetts Choreographers Showcase, the University of South Carolina as Artist-in-Residence and The Carolina Ballet Junior Company for the Spoleto Festival. She has twice been awarded scholarships to the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival. Patrishya holds a BFA Cum Laude in Modern Dance from the University of Utah, and was awarded a teaching fellowship to gain her MFA in Dance Choreography and Performance from Smith College. Patrishya takes daily dance classes, practices Vinyasa Power Yoga, and thrills in raising her two amazing children. Fall 2007 began her 19th year on the faculty of the Boston Ballet Center for Dance Education.

KARYL MAHERAS is certified in Pilates and GYROTONICŪ and GYROKINESISŪ.

PAULA SPINA has been a practitioner and devotee of the Pilates method for over ten years. She is certified in the classical style through Peak. She has studied with various Guild Certified instructors and received her certification under master trainer Clare Dunphy and senior trainer Pam Garcia. Paula's interest in movement was sparked in the '80s when taking dance classes with former Boston Ballet dancer, Jimmy Raye, and the late Thomas Molinaro of New York City. Paula's mission is to stay true to the method the way Joseph Pilates intended. Her philosophy is to let the system unfold and watch the magic as the client becomes stronger, more flexible, and their bodies aligned. Paula's teaching experience is varied from working with the elderly, athletes, and clients who simply want to get and maintain fitness.

AMY STEARNS has been practicing classical Pilates for four years and is certified in Peak PilatesŪ Level One. She is currently apprenticing at Upward Spiral Studio, Pilates @ Green Street.