Brendan Drake
Specialties: injury & surgery rehab, beginners, athletic cross-training, dancers, pre/post Natal, osteoporosis/arthritis, LGBTQ+ affirming care
Hometown: Amherst, MA
Education:
University of California, Los Angeles: MFA in Choreographic Inquiry
University of Massachusetts at Amherst : BFA
Kane School / Kinected : Comprehensive mat & Pilates Apparatus Certification
Pronouns: they/them
Why I Practice:
Shortly after moving to New York, I tore my labrum while showing off in a dance class. I was 22 years old and working in retail for minimum wage. Pilates mat classes were my only affordable means of rehabilitation. What started as a way to keep my dancing body in check quickly became an obsession (as well as an incredibly fulfilling career). Pilates has not only strengthened my body in immeasurable ways but informed my dance practice by inspiring me to stay curious about the moving body.
Why I Teach:
I teach pilates to provide a challenging, yet positive movement experience for my clients, forefronting exercises that don't create pain but rather generate vital pathways to give the body new experiences. I believe finding power and strength through movement can foster not only body positivity, but a deeper sense of body autonomy, curiosity, and empathy. Movement to me breads possibility. Teaching pilates has allowed me to be a conduit for my clients to find vitality, independence, and confidence within their bodies.