Ellen Nalaboff
Master Pilates Teacher
ROCK Pilates founder and owner Ellen Nalaboff has a uniquely holistic and transformative approach to Pilates. With over 30 years of teaching experience and having owned a fitness studio for 25+ years, she brings knowledge that elevates her instructors and enriches her clients. Her expertise extends beyond classical Pilates; as a certified strength and conditioning coach, meditation coach, a certified life coach and a nutrition counselor, Ellen integrates these disciplines into her teaching style. She enhances physical fitness and nurtures mental well-being by introducing meditation into her sessions when she feels her clients will benefit. Through a joyful spirit, she encourages her instructors to always teach to the highest level, guaranteeing every client a safe yet challenging workout.
By providing a solid foundation, Ellen has created a studio where people can gain strength, flexibility, and balance in a fun and welcoming community of friends
Karina Klein
Staff Pilates Teacher
Karina enjoys a healthy lifestyle through training mind and body. Pilates has helped her manage her own physical vulnerabilities and inspired her to help others. Karina earned her certification from Power Pilates and Core Pilates in NYC in 2011. She has continued her education with various master trainers. In addition, she has studied a series of BodyReading courses which are aimed at refining her seeing skills in posture and movement. Currently, she is going through Polestar comprehensive Pilates rehabilitation and fitness certification.
Rory Bonavita
Staff Pilates Teacher
Rory’s path to Pilates started when her parents convinced her to try a Pilates class at their local gym in Louisville KY. She was hooked immediately. Combining her background in competitive dance and gymnastics, along with her intrigue/love for the belief that movement heals and provides longevity… she became a Certified Peak Pilates Instructor. She taught throughout college and after until she decided to move to New York City to pursue a career on Wall Street. After 12 fun years in Finance, she moved with her young family to the suburbs and realized that her true passion was still Pilates. Revitalizing her teaching career at ROCK Pilates encouraged her to get her second certification with Real Pilates. While teaching the Classical System, Rory blends her love of Pilates with her background in performing to deliver energetic, funny, and challenging sessions to her students.
Allison Mayer
Staff Pilates Teacher
Allison Mayer has been teaching Pilates since 2009. She began practicing the method years before after sustaining injuries from a car accident. It proved to be the only thing that helped in healing her body. She started out teaching classical Pilates Mat classes at Ellen’s Pilates and Fitness studio in Plainview and quickly decided to continue her comprehensive training through Power Pilates in Manhattan. She studied under Susan Moran-Sheehy, Bob Liekens, and Juan Estrada. She has been with Rock Pilates since its opening in 2014. Aside from teaching Pilates, she is a full-time Art teacher with a BFA & master’s in educational leadership from Bank Street College and The New School University. Her love of teaching is innate and seeing her students succeed, whether in school or Pilates, is her main goal.
Marina Cancro
Staff Pilates Teacher
Marina Cancro is a certified Real Pilates instructor whose path to fitness began unconventionally – racing motocross at age 11 and later competing professionally, earning multiple regional and national titles. To stay in peak condition, she discovered Pilates and pursued Health and Wellness Coach certification through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. After retiring from racing, Marina swapped motocross boots for Pilates socks, joining Rock Pilates where she thrives as an instructor and coach. She loves motivating clients to grow stronger with every session and witnessing them achieve results. They never thought it possible.