Team Pilates

 Lead Instructor of Metro Pilates Studio, Ashley Capenos was born and raised in Syracuse, NY. Metro Fitness is a family business that she was lucky to grow up in to  have early access to fitness and learn the business of a small boutique health club. She played softball as a pitcher and utilized Pilates throughout her athletic career to rehabilitate and prevent injuries as well as develop flexibility, mental dexterity, and strength. She quickly realized after a change of heart during her college studies that teaching others to support their lives with a dedicated movement practice such as Pilates, was her dream job. She began Pilates teacher training in 2016 under the mentorship of fellow instructor, Kathleen Frizzi. In 2017 she relocated to Colorado where she worked full time for several Pilates studios while finishing her comprehensive Pilates education to become Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher in 2019. She became the Lead Instructor for Club Pilates Castle Rock (ranked 17th nationally) and managed the instructor team, held specialized workshops, and worked 1on1 with a range of client needs. Ironically she completed her Prenatal/Postnatal certification just before finding out she was pregnant with her son in 2020.
The pandemic pushed her to move back to Syracuse, where she took all her knowledge of Pilates and running a studio to create Metro Pilates Studio. Since 2021 she has had two children and Pilates has helped her stay strong to and through it all. “Pilates has helped me in every chapter of my life, that’s why I want to help others learn this amazing method of movement.” Ashley will be pursuing her Master Pilates Education 2025.

Emily is a Certified Pilates Instructor from Syracuse, NY. She earned her comprehensive certification to teach apparatus and mat Pilates methods while living in Pittsburgh, PA in 2018.  

 Emily’s passion for Pilates grew slowly and steadily from the first moment she placed her feet on the footbar. Since then, Pilates has become a constant reminder to Emily of the body’s ability to rebuild and restore.  Some of Emily’s clients have said things like, “I can tell I’m getting stronger,” or “How did you know I’d be able to do that?” because she strives to find a balance between the client’s comfort level and her confidence in their strength and capabilities.  Join Emily in a group class or for a private training session and you’ll learn just how capable you are. You’ll also hear about her lovable rescue dog, Toby, and how much she loves coffee, hiking and listening to podcasts.  

 Kathleen Frizzi is a certified Pilates Instructor from Syracuse, NY. She earned her comprehensive Pilates apparatus certification from Balanced Body in Manhattan in 2013. Kathleen is also a certified Yoga instructor for over 20 years.  Kathleen started studying Pilates in 1995 at as a Modern Dance Major at SUNY Brockport. Studying movement methods including Somatics (certified Level 1), Feldenkrais Method, Alexander Technique, Tai chi, Qi Gong, and Capoeira, Yoga, Pilates, Dance, Fitness, and Personal Training.  In 2010, Kathleen returned to studying Pilates intensely with Joy Karley in NYC. She then worked with Metro Fitness for six years in The Pilates Studio from 2010 to 2017.   Kathleen’s knowledge of movement and anatomy is deep, and she’s very comfortable working with clients going through rehabilitation, pre and post surgery, chronic pain and ailments, injury prevention, lifestyle changes, and functional movement training. She offers one-on-one sessions on Reformer and all apparatus. Or check the schedule for her classes.

Cara was born and raised locally in Manlius, NY.  She received her Balanced Body comprehensive Pilates apparatus instructor training from Master Instructor, Jessica Moss, at the Pilates Core Center in NJ in 2021-22.  She is currently working towards her national certification exams as well as continuing to expand her scope of practice & education in Pilates.  

Cara began practicing Pilates over 20 years ago as a preteen with a couple VHS tapes in her bedroom which eventually evolved into group mat classes locally at a gym and continuing her passion for Pilates in college while completing her bachelor's degree in Psychology from LeMoyne in 2010.  Cara accredits & relies on Pilates for consistently providing relief from chronic knee & back pain since childhood due to physiological conditions and past injuries.  For the last 7 years, she has been practicing with another local Balanced Body instructor in Fayetteville, NY until becoming a regular fixture in Metro Pilates Studio reformer classes upon opening in October 2021. 

In 2018, Cara also completed a certification as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in NYC.  She is passionate about sharing her knowledge & experiences in following a largely plant based lifestyle and always finding more ways to enjoy fresh & local produce in every meal! 

Outside of the studio, Cara enjoys spending her time at home with her two big dogs, cat & rabbit. She enjoys being creative in her kitchen, working on household projects, various fiber crafts & watching documentaries, as well as getting out on the water during the short Syracuse summer months on her paddle board.  Whenever possible, she also enjoys traveling and spend time with her loved ones!