Frequently Asked Questions

How can I book a class at PRAXIS PILATES?

Classes at Praxis Pilates are booked exclusively through our online scheduling system, Acuity. You can simply click any “Book Now” button on our website to view the current schedule, purchase a class or package, and reserve your spot.

All bookings and payments must be completed in advance of class time. Praxis Pilates does not accept payments in the studio, so we recommend booking ahead to secure your place. Online booking allows clients to manage reservations easily and ensures a smooth studio experience for everyone.

Where is PRAXIS PILATES located in New York City?

Praxis Pilates is located at 55 West 28th Street in the NoMad neighborhood of Manhattan. The studio is centrally located and easily accessible from multiple subway lines, making it convenient for clients throughout New York City.

Our NoMad location offers an intimate, thoughtfully designed space dedicated to classical, mat-based Pilates.

What types of Pilates classes does PRAXIS PILATES offer?

Praxis Pilates currently specializes in classical mat Pilates, with classes designed to build strength, control, mobility, and body awareness using minimal equipment. Our signature mat class, No Springs Attached, is rooted in Joseph Pilates’ original method and emphasizes precision, breath, and intentional movement.

As the studio grows, Praxis will expand to include small-group equipment classes that stay true to classical principles while supporting modern bodies.

Does PRAXIS PILATES offer any introductory discounts for new clients?

Praxis Pilates periodically offers introductory options and limited-time packages for new clients to experience our mat classes. These offerings are designed to make classical Pilates accessible while preserving the integrity of the work.

For the most up-to-date introductory pricing and availability, clients are encouraged to check the booking page or join the Praxis mailing list.

What are the benefits of practicing Pilates without equipment?

Practicing Pilates without equipment places the focus entirely on the body, breath, and mind. Mat Pilates helps develop deep core strength, improved posture, coordination, and control without relying on springs or machines for assistance.

By working solely against gravity, students build functional strength, mobility, and body awareness that translates into daily life. Classical mat Pilates also encourages concentration and precision, making it both physically and mentally grounding.

Are there any Pilates studios in NYC offering classes based on Joseph Pilates’ original exercises?

New York City is home to a number of studios that teach classical Pilates. While these studios share a commitment to traditional principles, they often differ in how they interpret and emphasize the source material.

Not all classical studios actively study or choose to teach the original 34 mat exercises as a cohesive framework within the wider Pilates system. At Praxis Pilates, the 34 are approached as a valuable map rather than a rigid checklist. Studying the mat work in this way allows the exercises to be understood in relationship to one another, revealing how strength, control, and coordination are meant to develop over time.

This approach treats the mat not as an entry-level substitute for equipment, but as a rigorous, foundational practice that reflects Joseph Pilates’ original thinking while remaining relevant to modern bodies.

How do I find a Pilates class in NYC that focuses on building strength and control through mat exercises?

Pilates is a complete movement system made up of over 500 exercises performed across the mat and multiple pieces of apparatus, many of which use spring-based resistance. While resistance can increase challenge, it can also act as assistance, supporting the body and making certain movements more accessible.

Mat Pilates removes that variable. By stripping the work down to body weight and gravity alone, the mat reveals imbalances, habits, and compensations that equipment can sometimes mask. This is why mat work is often considered the most honest expression of the Pilates method. It demands true strength, control, coordination, and precision without external support.

When searching for a mat-focused Pilates class in NYC, look for studios led by experienced instructors who understand the full Pilates system and can teach mat work as a rigorous, intelligent practice rather than a simplified workout. Strong cueing, intentional sequencing, and respect for classical principles are essential.

Praxis Pilates offers classical mat classes in New York City that honor the depth of the Pilates system, using mat work as a foundation for building strength, control, and embodied awareness.

Can you recommend a Pilates studio in NYC that emphasizes classical Pilates methods?

If you are seeking a Pilates studio in NYC that emphasizes classical methods, look for studios with teachers trained in the original lineage of Pilates and a curriculum grounded in the traditional mat and apparatus work.

Praxis Pilates offers classical mat classes rooted in Joseph Pilates’ original system, with a focus on thoughtful progression, technical clarity, and embodied practice.

Where can I find a Pilates studio in New York City that focuses on mat exercises?

Pilates studios that focus on mat exercises can be found throughout New York City, though they are less common than equipment-heavy studios. Look for studios that highlight mat Pilates as a primary offering rather than an add-on.

Praxis Pilates is a New York City studio dedicated to mat Pilates, offering classes designed to build strength, control, and resilience through intentional, equipment-free movement.

Who is the founder of PRAXIS PILATES?

Sarah Popkowski approaches Pilates as both a study and a form of creative expression. Praxis Pilates is her brainchild, born from years of fascination, discipline, and deep love for this work.

She created the studio to be a space where movement is treated as both an art and a science, and where each class is an opportunity to explore movement with an open mind. Pilates, for Sarah, is not just a practice but a way to translate thought into motion. Praxis is the realization of her passion for helping others experience that same connection.

She is comprehensively certified through the National Pilates Certification Program and completed over 600 hours of training at Power Pilates in New York City. With five years of teaching experience, Sarah prioritizes continual growth and learning. She studies regularly with Jerome Weinberg, a second-generation teacher who trained under Romana Kryzanowska, and through this mentorship she is shaping her own path as a third-generation teacher.

Her teaching emphasizes precision, awareness, and mindful engagement, offering each student a practice that honors the classical foundations of Pilates while inviting individual interpretation and discovery.