Keryn Bryan’s license plate says it all for her: Hard Core.
As the owner of Core Pilates, she lives and breathes Pilates, an exercise system aimed at strengthening the body’s core muscles.
“I am somewhat obsessed with Pilates,” Bryan said.
Pilates involved breathing, focus, balance, strengthening, and stretching, all aspects that strengthen the muscles at the base of the spine. With that comes an improvement in posture, Bryan said, which allows internal organs to fall into their right place.
She got into Pilates as a way to help with some physical problems. This coupled with encouragement from another Pilates instructor piqued her interest so she began training in the states until she received certification in 2009.
Bryan said she’s happy that’s she’s found something she loves to do and helps people.
Unlike some Pilates instructors, Bryan does the exercises with her clients. And she has some classes in pools to make it easier for those who find the routine challenging.
Bryan has drop-in classes at the Agriculture Station in Coral Bay, at the Westin Resort and Spa, at Mongoose Yoga Center, and at Gifft Hill School. Her classes are at the beginner and intermediate levels and during the winter season she does private sessions at vacation villas.
Now 52, Bryan started out her working life as a graphic artist. Although Pilates is her main focus, she still keeps her fingers in with her Graphic Isle Design company.
Born in North Carolina, she lived in various mainland coastal locations because her mother married a U.S. Navy aviator. She graduated from Tidewater Community College with an associate’s degree in media advertising, art and communication, then took more classes at Old Dominion University.
After working as a creative director for a newspaper and at an advertising agency, St. John beckoned. She first visited in 1982 to help her cousin, Sen. Craig Barshinger, build his house. In 1985, she made the move permanent and started consulting for advertising agencies on St. Thomas. Over the years, she worked for Caribbean Sportswear, heading north to Plymouth, Mass. during the summer to work for advertising agencies.
In 1989, she and Kate Norfleet opened Katydids, a St. John based graphic design company. The two parted company after about eight years, and Bryan started Graphic Isle Design.
Along the way, her family grew to include Doré Culbert, now 22 and living in Washington, D.C., and Vela Culbert, 12 and a student at Gifft Hill School.
When she’s not busy with Pilates she hikes, climbs, takes kick boxing classes, participates in dance classes, and reads. She and her daughter Vela also like to cook together.
“And we do karaoke,” she said.
Those interested can find the full schedule for Core Pilates online at www.pilatesstjohnvi.com. Further information can be obtained by calling Bryan at 715-9754.
