The Dawn Theater is now offering Pilates classes. Courtesy | Alan Beeker

The Dawn Theater last month began hosting Pilates classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. 

Leah Novak, lecturer in sports studies at the college, has taught the classes since Labor Day. Gianna Green, general manager of the Dawn Theater, said she asked Novak to teach the classes to make use of the theater’s space. 

“Leah Novak is a local who does a lot of Pilates and yoga classes in the area and at the college and we were looking to fill our theater during the weekdays,” Green said. “We have such a nice big open space that I figured would be a really opportune time to have some sort of community workout class in the theater during the day.” 

One class costs $8, while two cost $15. Between five and eight people come to each class, Green said. 

“It’s definitely starting to grow,” she said. “It’s still a pretty small group. So it’ll feel really nice and intimate and really like a one-on-one with your instructor, which is really nice. So it’s not like a huge class where you’re fighting for math space.”

Novak said she has taught Pilates classes since 2008. 

“I found Pilates very challenging, even though I was active and fit, and danced for Tower Dancers,” Novak said. “But it fascinated me that through the coordination of concentration, movement, and breath, I could find both a great workout and some mental clarity and space. I told my teacher toward the end of that term that I wanted to learn more, and it wasn’t long after that that I pursued a certification so I could teach when the Pilates instructor in my area asked me to take over the class.”

Novak has loved teaching at the Dawn this past month, she said.

“We do mostly traditional mat Pilates exercises, though I throw in stretching and some fun movements from time to time,” she said. 

Green said she has received positive feedback from students. 

“The best kind of feedback that we can get is people bringing their friends to join us,” Green said, “and so we’ve had a lot of people that I have started bringing guests, which has been really wonderful.”

The Dawn Theater Facebook page is the best way for students to keep up with changes to the class schedule, Green said. 

Senior Lucy Fernandes said she was excited to hear about the classes.

“I appreciate that Pilates is both difficult and relaxing at the same time,” Fernandes said. “You finish the class and feel all the muscles in your body, but you don’t have the same exhaustion that you would after a run or intense cardio workout.”

Fernandes is a student in a Pilates II course offered by the college.

“It’s a very unique and fun form of exercise, and having another opportunity for it at the Dawn Theater is a huge blessing,” Fernandes said.

Novak said Pilates strengthens the core, helping students control every movement they make, from walking to sneezing to standing up off the floor. 

“Pilates is meant to help with functionality in the day-to-day, and is great for everyone,” she said.