Instructors

Mary K. Vogt

Owner and instructor, Mary has been teaching dance and Pilates for the past 20+ years professionally. She graduated from Slippery Rock University where she earned a B.A. in both dance and English Literature. She also earned her M.F.A. in Dance from the prestigious Smith College where she received a full teaching fellowship. During her time at Smith, Mary taught dance and Pilates to undergraduates at Smith College, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Mount Holyoke, and Hampshire College. She has also worked with notable dance companies in different capacities such as Brazz Dance Company, The Dance Alloy, and Troika Ranch, and Roza Dance Company. While living in NYC, Mary was able to work with some amazing choreographers while also creating her own work. She recently hung up her dancing shoes to focus on her family and business.

Mary received her certification in Pilates mat through Terri Steele and her apparatus certification through Pilates Method Alliance and The Lab training heavily under Lawson Harris. Mary has also had the privilege to train under the Pilates elders, Mary Bowen and the late Romana Kryzanowska. Her teaching style is constantly evolving, to help better serve her client’s needs. She draws heavily from her extensive training in dance and anatomy to create sessions that flow organically while correcting posture and strengthening and lengthening the body. Mary has earned numerous awards for her teaching. Her classes focus on breath, clean technique, flexibility, and the joy of movement. She thrives on the progression of her students.

Studio History

5 Springs Pilates is Mary’s 2nd Pilates baby. She founded her first studio, Harmony Pilates, in 2005, in Hoboken, NJ, right across the Hudson River from NYC. She grew this business into a large thriving studio, focused on helping clients achieve their goals. During this time, she worked with numerous professional athletes, and NYC Ballet dancers. ABT had her on speed dial to train their up-and-coming dancers. Her studio also developed a reputation for being open and friendly while offering safe, form-based Pilates which was very popular for clients with active injuries and post-surgery recovery. After 19yrs in business, Mary made the hard decision to sell her studio so she and her husband could move their family back to State College to be closer to family. Luckily, one of her instructors that had been with her for several years, decided to take over and keep the Harmony Pilates spirit going.

Now back in State College, Mary is excited and ready to share her love of and experience in Pilates with her new Centre County neighbors. She takes pride in creating a space that is open and judgement free for people of all ages, where they can work out, get sweaty, and laugh! Laughing always makes a workout more fun and, side bonus, engages the abs! So, here’s to the next chapter State College, 5 Springs Pilates! Mary looks forward to meeting you all on the reformer!!

Polly Chamberlain

Polly Chamberlain discovered pilates while in college as a dance major in the 1990's. She became certified with Stott pilates and Physical Mind in 2004 and has added a personal trainer certification, yoga teacher training, and extensive anatomy and physiology course work to her repertoire. Polly taught at pilates studios in Bethesda, MD and Melbourne, AU before joining the 5 Springs team here in State College. She has travelled to pilates conferences around the country and globe. Polly enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, visiting arboretums, botanical gardens, and national parks. Her guilty pleasure is devouring detective dramas from the UK.