A LITTLE EASIER TO NAVIGATE ⚓

We started this place two years ago on City Island with a handful of classes and instructors, and now, with Mott Haven up and running (for a whole year!) and Riverdale otw, we’ve gathered quite a collection of class names, formats, & teaching styles. Each one came from a teacher with something to share, and we love them all. But I’ll admit that, read all together, the names don’t always tell you much about what a class will actually feel like.

I’ve been thinking a lot about how to make our schedule easier to navigate, especially for someone who’s new to Pilates or yoga. If you’ve ever stood at the front desk trying to figure out which class is the right fit for you, we're here to help make that a little easier. Our teachers each bring their own personality & expertise to the studio, and that’s a huge part of what makes The Pearl special. I also want you to walk through the door feeling confident about what you’ve signed up for. 

So we’re introducing a more consistent naming system across our classes, with a little inspiration from our City Island roots and life on the water. Certain words will now tell you something about the pace, intensity, or style of a class, on the mat, on the Reformer, and in yoga.

 Launch is our gentlest pace. These classes slow things down, with thoughtful cueing and plenty of attention to the fundamentals, so you have time to really feel each movement and build confidence. It’s a perfect place to start if you’re new, and just as rewarding if you’ve been practicing for years and want to reconnect with the basics.

Headway means you’re moving forward. These are our open-level classes, with a balanced, moderately challenging practice and options to make movements easier or harder depending on how you’re feeling. Headway is the kind of class you can return to again and again, finding something new as your practice grows.

Full Sail is where we turn up the intensity. These are our more athletic, strength-focused classes, with resistance, muscular endurance, and a little more heat. Think Pilates sculpt or power yoga. Full Sail doesn’t mean advanced technique, it means a more energetic workout. You don’t need to be an expert, just bring your stamina!

Windward is for those ready for a greater technical challenge. The name comes from sailing into the wind, which takes a little more skill, strength, and control. These classes are designed for experienced students with a solid foundation who are ready for more complex exercises, coordination, and precision. You’ll see Windward on our Reformer schedule, where technical experience matters most.

And then there’s Flow, a word many of our yogis already know & love. Flow describes a style of movement rather than a level, with breath and movement connected through continuous, intentional sequences. A Slow Flow will be gentler and more spacious, while a Vinyasa Flow may be more dynamic. These yoga terms already mean something, so we’re keeping them (promise I won't force everything into sailor speak 😅).

Some of our specialty formats, like Classical Mat or Candlelight Restorative Yoga, are keeping their names too, since they already describe something specific about the practice. And other classes like, Full Body Boogie Down, Bronx Bounce, and The Get Down, are staying exactly as they are, because some names are just too fun to change. 

None of this is about making every class the same. One of my favorite things about The Pearl is how different our teachers are and how much of themselves they bring into the room. We want to hold onto all of that while adding a little clarity across the studios. Headway with one instructor might feel different from Headway with another, but the overall pace and focus will be familiar.

You’ll start seeing these changes on the schedule over the coming weeks as we work with our instructors on the transition. My hope is that it makes it easier to explore new classes, try different teachers, and find the kind of movement that feels right for you on any given day.

And if you’re not sure where to start, remember that every great journey begins with a Launch.

See ya on the mat 💙