Our Studio

About Twist

Located in the heart of Dupont Circle, Washington D.C., our light and bright studio offers traditional Pilates with a contemporary twist. We believe in the magic of the original method developed by Joseph Pilates – and we recognize that our understanding of anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics has changed a lot in the last 100 years. That’s why we apply functional movement principles to the tried and true method to bring you group classes, private and semi-private sessions tailored to your body. 

Our goal is to provide an inclusive, empowering environment where you can focus on your physical and mental wellbeing. The studio has everything you need for an effortless experience – state-of-the-art Balanced Body equipment, changing room, filtered water-bottle filling station, lockers, and a serene, plant-filled studio space. And we cap our group classes at five students so our teachers can personalize their instruction to meet the needs of your unique body – while challenging you to improve your form, build strength, and increase mobility over time.

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1606 20th St NW,
 Second Floor,
 Washington, DC 2000

Telephone:
(202) 290-1275

 

Our Teachers

Ryan Hodgkinson | Head Teacher
Owner & PMA® CPT, Ace CPT

  • Ryan was first introduced to Pilates by his sister Heidi, a licensed Physical Therapist and certified Pilates Instructor, to help him with ruptured disks he suffered as a result of numerous abdominal surgeries.

    Recognizing the benefits that Pilates provides towards overall health and physical fitness, he completed his 750 hour comprehensive Pilates Machine and Apparatus​​.

    Certification in 2008 and has been teaching Pilates full-time ever since. In addition to teaching Pilates, Ryan is a Certified Personal Trainer, TRX Instructor and has 23+ years practicing and teaching martial arts. Ryan draws from all aspects of his training and years of experience to create tailored programs for individual client's needs. ​

Naomi Perry Lipperman
Balanced Body® CPT

  • Naomi began practicing Pilates to support her body with low-impact exercise in recovery from a disc injury. She quickly fell in love with the practice after experiencing transformative health benefits, including reduced pain and increased mobility. 

    Naomi’s mission as a Pilates instructor is to share functional, feel-good movement tailored to your unique body and needs. Her classes emphasize form, flow, and mind-body connection, blending foundational exercises with creative variations for all levels.

    Naomi is a Comprehensively Certified Pilates Teacher through Balanced Body. She specializes in pre- and post-natal Pilates and has completed the Pregnancy and Postpartum Pilates training with Pre Dumke, M.A., PH.D., of Movement Design Lab and also works with women with chronic illness & autoimmune conditions such as POTS, hEDS, Lupus, etc. She lives in DC with her husband and her adorable pup, Kale.

Mariana Diehl | Head Teacher Stott® Pilates instructor / MSc. Biodynamics of Movement and Sports

  • Mariana is a former dancer with a master’s degree in the Biodynamics of Movement and Sports and a bachelor’s degree in Dance, Arts and Sport. She is passionate about the Pilates’s method, body awareness and anatomy.

    With a comprehensive approach, she focuses her work on injury prevention and rehabilitation guiding her clients to body awareness development and well-being improvement.

    Mariana's main goal as a Pilates instructor is to make clients confident of their own body and capacities and to help them to be independent in life.

Kendall Steinmetz
Instructor

  • Kendall has been earning her Balanced Body comprehensive certification over the last two years while instructing at a studio in Austin, Texas. She recently relocated to Washington, DC, for her fiancé’s law school and is excited to join Twist Pilates in our upcoming expansion. Kendall's practice centers around creative flows that break down advanced moves, ensuring everyone has a starting point to build from together while also elevating foundational moves to increase the challenge. 

    Outside of Pilates, Kendall enjoys exploring new passions, from triathlons to painting to ice skating. She believes Pilates is a core staple for sustaining the health needed to enjoy all the fun experiences life has to offer and is excited to bring this approach to her classes at Twist. 

Beau Dobson
Instructor

  • Beau Dobson began taking Classical Pilates at the Governor’s School for the Arts in 2003. He continued throughout college and afterwards as a strengthening/rehabilitation method for dance-related injuries. In 2017 while biking home in New York City after rehearsal, he was hit by two vehicles and after months of physical therapy, began his journey as a 3rd Generation Classical Pilates Instructor.

Kate Kern
Instructor

  • ​Kate is a PMA® Certified Pilates Teacher who just recently moved back to the DC area. She taught for many years in Houston, DC, and her hometown of Milwaukee. She remembers being introduced to the “100” for the first time in a mat class at the YMCA and thinking, “This is fun and challenging. I have to tell other people about it!” Her enthusiasm for practicing Pilates quickly grew into a love for teaching. She has worked to build a knowledge base specifically to help her clients free themselves from chronic pain, and build the strength and flexibility necessary to prevent future injuries. It is her goal to help others find the confidence and joy that comes with a body that moves effortlessly through space.

Teaching Philosophy 

Each of the instructors at Twist Pilates brings their own style and flair to our signature classes. However, all of our instructors are comprehensively trained Pilates instructors or currently undergoing training towards their comprehensive certification – meaning they are qualified to teach the Pilates method across all apparatus. We believe in the value of a comprehensive certification because Pilates doesn’t just happen on a reformer. By understanding the complete system, our teachers can tailor their instruction and classes to meet every body where it’s at – without compromising the integrity of your practice. 

Our teachers provide a welcoming, supportive environment for your Pilates practice. You’ll never hear us talk about “summer bodies” or “slimming down” – instead, we focus on helping you find movement that feels good in your body. Our teachers welcome feedback and always seek to improve their teaching so you can get the most out of our classes. 

Our Values

We’re more than just your neighborhood Pilates studio. We’re a community of teachers with a passion for helping others find movement that feels good, and keeps you feeling good for years to come. When you walk into our studio, you’ll be welcomed by friendly instructors who are committed to meeting you where you’re at – wherever that might be today. 

Our team is dedicated to creating a welcoming environment to support your wellbeing through a commitment to:

  • We welcome all bodies, ages, genders and abilities in our group classes and private sessions.

  • We believe every body is unique and are committed to personalized instruction, appropriate modifications and challenges in our group classes and private sessions.

  • We believe that Pilates is about feeling good, not looking good. Our goal is to provide Pilates programming that supports your body for today and the rest of your life.

  • Our teachers are committed to professional integrity by continuing to take courses, continuing education credits, and specialty courses to stay up-to-date on