Palma Pilates
Our Story
Flex like a palm, flow like the sea.
At Palma Pilates, we channel the perseverance of a palm tree and the strength of a coconut. Whether it’s swaying through life’s storms or thriving wherever you’ve landed in Brooklyn, we’re here to help you build resilience with a tropical twist. Think sunny vibes, strong cores, and the kind of energy that keeps you grounded.
Palma Pilates is your urban oasis in the heart of Ocean Hill, the first and only Pilates studio in our corner of Bed Stuy.
We bring a touch of the tropics to your wellness routine, with lights, music, and island greenery. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting your journey, our welcoming community and expert instructors are here to guide you toward your fitness goals.
Come say hello!
How to Get Here
Address:
70 Hull Street, Brooklyn NY, 11233
(Corner of Thomas S. Boyland)
Nearest train stations:
A/C - Rockaway Av (50 feet away)
J - Chauncey St (5 min walk)
L - Broadway Junction (10 min walk)
Citibike:
Fulton & Saratoga (2 min walk)
Somers & Rockaway (2 min walk)
Need to get in touch?
Meet the Team
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Lina O’Dowd discovered Pilates in 2017 and has been hooked ever since. As a former dancer, Lina enjoys the precision of Pilates to target specific muscle groups and fine tune her fitness practice. While working in corporate marketing and analytics, Lina received her MBA from NYU Stern School of Business and gained her Pilates certification from the Fit In.
Palma Pilates is Lina’s passion project, combining her business background with her love of Pilates and desire to make an impact in her community. As an Ocean Hill resident, she founded Palma Pilates with the intention of promoting resilience and mindfulness in an area that has historically been considered a wellness desert. She hopes that Palma Pilates will help the people of Ocean Hill thrive in their personal and professional lives by giving them a serene, yet tropical escape from city life.
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A native New Yorker, Lake Escobosa is of Puerto Rican and Dominican descent and is a healing practitioner within her Brooklyn, NY community. Lake has a passion for creating connections that foster rejuvenation and core activation in Educational, Corporate and Wellness spaces.
A bilingual, creative, patient and respectful teacher who honors the divine in each individual practitioner. An expert in exploring new ways of learning for body awareness, integrative body & mind discovery and intuitive learning.
With 10 years of teaching experience and over 20 years of training in Dance, Yoga, Pilates & Aerial Yoga, as well as sound bowl therapy, Lake encourages the goal of moving the body as a way to gain control of the mind & free the spirit.
Lake’s joyous essence and dynamic movement will help you feel longer & stronger! Her words of affirmations coupled with her knowledge of the body’s energy centers and muscle release methods creates the level of healing we all desire.
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Elizabeth Gonzalez-French has been a full time Pilates instructor for over 6 years. She was certified in both classical and contemporary Pilates and uses a mix of both in all levels of her classes. Elizabeth is passionate about Pilates specifically because of the emphasis it puts on finding an intentional mind/body connection and using that to become stronger in many different and unexpected ways. Elizabeth lives with her partner, her daughter, her 2 cats—Lenny and Luna—and too many beautiful fish to count.
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Roxie became obsessed with Pilates in 2006, when she took her first mat class on the Greenpoint YMCA basketball court. She went on to receive her mat and reformer certifications from Stott/Merrithew in 2014. Her teaching style has a strong focus on form and the belief that small, targeted movements and integrated breath can make a noticeable difference. A former dancer, she is known for her creative programming and choreography, and for incorporating lots of props into her sessions to keep things interesting and fun.
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Originally from Birmingham, AL Brittany moved to NYC in 2021. Her passion for fitness began with the discovery of competitive tennis at the age of ten years old, and she never looked back. She began her wellness journey as a Pilates student, per the advice of her physical therapist, to aid with posture and alignment. As a student she found joy with the control and intention of each movement as she watched her body transform.
Brittany graduated from The University of Alabama with a B.A. in Elementary Education. Brittany’s biggest pleasure in teaching is seeing people's progress and the difference it makes in their lives. After ten years in the classroom she chose to peruse other teaching opportunities. Brittany’s goal was to incorporate her love for teaching with total body wellness, and becoming a Certified Pilates Instructor was the next step along the way towards helping others. Brittany deeply values the information she is able to share with clients, by helping them connect to their mind-body by moving with intention and intelligence.
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Shields Way is thrilled to be on the dynamic team at Palma Pilates. Shields received her Pilates Education at the esteemed Kane School in NYC. “Pilates is more than just a fitness routine; it's a therapeutic methodology that fosters wellness not only for the body but also for the mind.” Her journey to becoming a Pilates instructor took a fascinating turn from a decade-long career as a fashion historian. Seeking a more direct and meaningful impact on individuals, Shields embarked on a career pivot, finding fulfillment in helping others achieve their wellness goals through Pilates. Shields takes immense joy in working with a diverse range of people and bodies, passionately sharing her love and deep understanding of Pilates with her clients. She shares her life with her husband and their two goofy dogs, adding an extra touch of warmth to her holistic approach to well-being.
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Ashley would sum herself up as a creative spirit whose realm is all things spiritual, mental, emotional and physical health.
Ashley has her B.S. in Community Health from CUNY - Hunter College, but life has truly been her teacher. Through letting much of life's baggage go, she relearned to prioritize her well-being and on that journey found Pilates. After taking one Pilates mat class that left her feeling centered and strong, she was hooked.
Wanting to know why this method worked so well, she enrolled in a Comprehensive Teacher Training program at The Kane School and began to truly understand the modality.
Ashley is excited to share what she has learned in the hopes that it will help others enjoy moving their bodies and commit to looking and feeling good long-term!
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Miranda is a Boricua former dancer turned Pilates instructor. Growing up in the ballet scene in Puerto Rico, she started teaching dance at the age of 15—around the same time she started doing Pilates to supplement her dance training. Throughout college, Miranda moved away from dancing but never stopped teaching movement based classes. By the time she finished her bachelors, Miranda had completed the East River Pilates (now Spring. Movement) Mat Pilates and Anatomy Teacher Training. She then paused her teacher training to pursue a Masters degree at NYU, where she taught Mat Pilates at the university’s gyms. After graduating with an MA in Media, Culture, and Communication in May 2024, Miranda went on to complete her Reformer certification with Spring. Movement and is on her way to become a Cadillac, Chair, and Barrels certified instructor by the end of 2025.
When she’s not at the Pilates studio, Miranda works as a videographer and DP for independent Puerto Rican musicians (she just directed her first music video for Guada, Dualidad). She likes to spend her free time reading Latin American Classics, taking her dog Joaquin to the beach, going to concerts, and watching Formula 1.
Our Equipment
Who says you can’t have it all?
Palma Pilates has six V2 Max Reformers, with a complete collection of props. NYC’s Pilates babes love these industry-leading machines. Sleek and adaptable, just like you.
