Sirkka Svanoe • Senior Faculty
After recovering from hip surgery at age 18, Sirkka changed her major to kinesiology and started practicing Pilates. She graduated from the University of Colorado (Boulder) and then began her training at the Pilates Center in Boulder, where her studies included an internship at the School of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences in Des Moines, Iowa. Sirkka received her Pilates certification in 1995 and, inspired by the new doors opening for her in Pilates and dance, moved to New York City.
Her exploration of her passions for Pilates, dance and movement has led her to Louisiana, Seattle, and Vail, where she taught Pilates and danced professionally. Her mentors in New York are Irene Dowd, Robin Janis at the Iyengar Institute, and Kelly Kane from the Kane School of Core Integration. Sirkka and her husband moved to Saugerties, NY in 2001.
Sirkka teaches Pilates and is the principal repertoire teacher in The Moving Body’s Pilates Teacher Training Program; she also practices yoga, African dance, and Continuum.
What I love about working at The Moving Body is the non-competitive atmosphere, the unique and fabulous clientele, and the encouragement and inspiration to always keep learning and expanding my horizons. I am very excited about our ever-evolving Pilates Teacher Training Program and our involvement with the Pilates community at large.
When I’m teaching, I feel free to incorporate several styles of Pilates and movement disciplines while always honoring the underlying genius of the Method itself. I have been told that I am a compassionate teacher - but can also kick some bootie if I need to!
I started coming to The Moving Body to repair a frozen shoulder and hip and poor posture. I improved each week; progress was regular.
Susan Goldman