Fuse Pilates

Specialties

Fuse Pilates group mat and apparatus (reformer/​tower, jumpboard, and chair) classes are a fun and effective combination of traditional Pilates, isometric barre exercises, and core stability training. These hardcore fusion classes are choreographed on the spot to music and around three body parts as requested by the students. Fuse Pilates works abs, arms, legs, back and glutes to build long, lean, functional and flexible bodies. Fuse also offers apparatus private classes, including work on the reformer, cadillac, spine corrector, and chair, as well as prenatal group classes.

In terms of private instruction, staff teachers have a variety of specialty training including, but not limited to, pre and post-​natal, Pilates for athletes, multiple sclerosis, brain injury, fibromyalgia, breast cancer recovery, and Pilates for men.

History

Established in 2005.

Fuse Pilates began at Flow Yoga Center when teacher Mariska Breland started changing her traditional Pilates class by adding variations in the movements and their order, incorporating Pilates machine work modified for the mat, and integrating additional core exercises. To keep the classes continuously varied, she started taking student requests and building each class around three body parts on which students wanted to focus. Barre floorwork was added, as was high-​energy music, and the Fuse Pilates method became what it is today. Fuse Pilates continues to grow in its its repertoire and its popularity — now including group apparatus classes. Music is a highlight of the class, with everything from hip-​hop to Bollywood making an appearance. The Fuse Pilates Playground in Dupont, located a half block from the Dupont North Metro, boasts 2 group apparatus studios, 1 mat studio, a private studio, and a comfy lounge.

Meet the Business Owner

Mariska B.

Business Owner

Fuse Pilates’ founder began her fitness journey in 2002 following a life-​altering medical diagnosis. She received her initial certification from New York City’s Power Pilates, and began teaching traditional Pilates mat classes in Washington, D.C. in 2003, which evolved over her 2,500+ hours of teaching experience to Fuse Pilates.

In 2006, Mariska received her certification and began teaching PureBarre, an offshoot of the Lotte Berk Method. She has additional training through i=MX, Peak, and Balanced Body Pilates and completed her comprehensive apparatus training through BASI.

Mariska is also a graduate of New York’s Institute for Integrative Nutrition and a certified holistic health counselor. She is a member of the American Association of Drugless Practitioners, BASI and IDEA Health and Fitness Association. She is the founder of Fuse Health, an organization committed to teaching the bioindividuality of nutrition and exercise.