in Ridgewood, New Jersey

Meet The
Founder

Mankind Pilates founder, Kristin Mann, has over twenty-five years of experience instructing students of all levels and continues to study with well-respected classical master instructors and other industry specialists. Always a student herself, Kristin is regimented about her own daily practice and continuous study.

Scroll to read more about Kristin’s style, philosophy and certifications.

Meet Kristin

Mankind Pilates Founder & Instructor

Mankind Pilates founder, Kristin Mann, has over twenty-five years of experience instructing students of all levels and continues to study with well-respected classical master instructors and other industry specialists. Always a student herself, Kristin is regimented about her own daily practice and continuous study with many first and second generation classical Instructors: Mejo Wiggin, Blossom Leilani Crawford, Sonje Mayo, and Pam DeJohn.

Throughout, Kristin has been sought out to work with professional golfers, tennis players, dancers and ballerinas, and string musicians. All were seeking the balancing magic and injury prevention of the Method. Kristin works in tandem with area physical therapists, chiropractors, and various doctors to continue safe strengthening of clients pre and post surgeries. Osteoporosis, scoliosis, and many spinal conditions that have become common in the modern day spine have become large areas of focus and study for Kristin. With the support from the apparatus and wonderful modifications of the Method, we can keep all of those various conditions of the spine safe while continuing to strengthen.

The variety of clients Kristin teaches – and their individual needs – is what makes Kristin so passionate about her work. Her clients range from men and women suffering with severe back pain, scoliosis, osteoporosis, and Parkinson’s to professional athletes, prenatal and postnatal moms, young adults and senior citizens alike. Kristin gives each student a safe, yet challenging workout by focusing on the needs of each unique body. She understands the true progression of exercises to strengthen and rebalance the body to help it function at its optimal level. And she understands how universally this method benefits ALL MANKIND . . . for body, mind, spirit & sport!

Kristin's Story

Kristin has been so fortunate to share the Pilates Method with a myriad of body types and ages. After spending many years working in corporate finance, Kristin used the Pilates method to help correct her own postural deviations. it was then that Kristin realized the Pilates Method was INTELLIGENT exercise and she needed to study it and bring it to other people’s lives!  The Pilates Method has truly become a “way of life” for Kristin herself. Kristin suffered from several major running injuries which the Pilates Method was instrumental in rebalancing and minimizing pain for Kristin. The birth of Kristin’s first child resulted in two pelvic fractures causing great instability in her pelvis. Again, the Pilates Method guided Kristin back into pain-free movement and great strength, stability and flexibility.  Kristin lives as an example of how the Method has proven over and over again to be a key to intelligent movement healing the body. 

Our

Training & Certifications

In 2005, Kristin was classically certified through Keeping The Method Pure™. She trained, taught, and studied for over 800 hours under two direct apprentices of Romana Kryzanowska’s. Kristin is also certified through the Pilates Method Alliance® and Power Pilates®. In 2017, Kristin completed The Classical Syllabus® with Mejo Wiggin and continues her study with Mejo monthly. Kristin was accepted in 2014 to study and work with The Vertical Workshop’s Shari Berkowitz in her 18-month long Intensive Program, while also studying alongside Pilates professionals from around the world.

Kristin obtained her Pre and Postnatal Pilates Specialist certifications with Carolyne Anthony of The Center for Women’s Fitness® and Anne Martens of Bella Bellies®. In 2014, Kristin continued to study with Leah Stewart for several months and obtained The Prenatal Pilates Doula certification and in 2016, Kristin became a certified practitioner of The Center Method for Diastasis Recti Recovery under the tutelage of Carolyne Anthony, yet again. With this detailed expertise, Kristin was very honored to teach prenatal and postnatal Pilates classes for The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, New Jersey for over five years. Kristin also is Pink Ribbon® certified to help advance the post-operative rehabilitation of breast cancer patients to enhance their recovery.  Kristin also spent time studying with Rebekah Rotstein and is licensed in the Buff Bones Program for safe and effective osteoporosis and osteopenia training.

“Every moment of our life can be the beginning of great things.”

~ Joseph Pilates