About our mentor

Mary K Herrera

Studio Owner, Certified Pilates instructor, NCPT, NCPC-PMC, CBE , RPTT

I discovered Pilates after suffering a torn ACL from a soccer injury. Despite months of traditional physical therapy, I continued to feel profoundly weak—simple tasks like walking for more than 30 minutes were painful and exhausting. Realizing I needed a more holistic path to recovery, I turned to Pilates. My goal was not only to rebuild strength in my injured leg but to restore balance and resilience throughout my entire body. Through consistent, mindful practice, I experienced a transformation that surpassed my pre-injury strength and stability—and it forever changed how I viewed movement, teaching, and the human body.

That experience sparked my lifelong passion for Pilates and my desire to mentor others on their own paths of discovery. I began my teacher training journey in 2017 and founded Era Pilates shortly thereafter, creating a space dedicated to movement education, empowerment, and authentic Pilates instruction.

Over the years, I’ve studied with some of the most respected Master Teachers in the industry, including Anula Maiberg, Cara Reeser, Blossom Leilani Crawford, and Jennifer Gianni. In 2023, I completed the Kathy Grant Heritage Training Program, a postgraduate certification that deepened my understanding of classical Pilates and its modern applications.

In 2025, I bridged into the Real Pilates® Teacher Training Program, a lineage-based Classical certification founded by Alycea Ungaro, protégé of Romana Kryzanowska—Joseph Pilates’ own student. After graduating, I became an official Real Pilates Host Studio, proudly bringing this prestigious and accredited Classical education to Indianapolis, Indiana.

Today, Era Pilates stands as one of the only studios in Indiana offering the complete Pilates system—including Reformers, Towers, Chairs, Barrels, and the Cadillac—serving both clients and teacher trainees through every stage of their Pilates journey. My mentoring focuses on developing technically proficient, thoughtful, and inspired instructors who understand the why behind every movement.

I remain deeply committed to education, mentorship, and preserving the integrity of the Pilates method—ensuring that Era Pilates continues to be Indiana’s premier destination for Classical Pilates training, instructor development, and professional growth.

Email: mary@erapilates.com