Kristen Avila

Certified Romana’s Pilates Instructor

Originally from South Florida, Kristen moved to Texas in 2016. When she found Pilates she was amazed at the changes she immediately felt and saw in her body. She decided to start the rigorous 700 hour-plus Romana’s Pilates International Teacher Training Program and completed certification under the guidance of Katie Puder and Amanda Owens in Dallas, TX. Kristen enjoys traveling to learn from senior and master instructors within the organization to continuously further her education and training.

Prior to teaching Pilates, Kristen was a high school math teacher and cheerleading coach. She incorporates her hands-on learning approach from the classroom, as well as her knowledge of movement from her coaching experience, into her Pilates practice. Kristen and her husband, Omar, are proud to live in New Braunfels with their two dogs, Lulu and Cash.

History of the Method

The Pilates method of exercise, originally named “Contrology”, was invented by Joseph H. Pilates almost 100 years ago and what he described as, “complete coordination of mind, body and spirit.” This system of over 500 exercises uses spring-based apparatuses, invented by Mr. Pilates himself, to help strengthen and stretch the body with proper support, as well as help to improve coordination, flexibility, balance, and control. The Pilates system of exercises centers around the following 6 principles that are present in each exercise: Control, Centering, Concentration, Precision, Breath, & Flow.

Originally from Germany, Mr. Pilates and his wife, Clara, taught “Contrology” from their New York City studio starting in the early 1920’s. Romana Kryzanowska, one of Pilates’ students, was chosen to continue to teach his method and it quickly spread throughout the world. Romana’s Pilates International was created to provide the highest quality instruction and Teacher Training Program available, from some of the most highly sought out Pilates instructors in the world.