Conversations with Friends: Kayla Principato

1. First things first, tell us a bit about you.

• Occupation: Pilates Instructor + Founder of Mnd Bod Pilates
• Location: NYC
• Zodiac sign: Gemini
• Current obsession: Long walks and fresh flowers in my apartment—those tiny luxuries completely shift the energy of a space.
• Personal motto: Listen to your body—it always knows the answer.

2. We’re such admirers of Mnd Bod. Can you share a bit of its origin story? How did you end up founding your own studio?

That’s so sweet! Honestly, everything unfolded really organically. I was living in Europe, playing professional volleyball, when I suffered a serious knee injury. Every doctor said surgery was the only option, but I trusted my body and chose a different path: reformer-based PT, nourishing food, and mindful movement. That journey not only healed me, but opened my eyes to Pilates as a holistic practice—and ultimately led me to create Mnd Bod as a space for others to reconnect with themselves.

3. What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned since Mnd Bod began?

That connection is everything. When you really tune into your body—its rhythms, signals, and energy—you start to move, eat, and live with so much more intention.

4. How does Sakara fit into your daily wellness and self-care?

My days are packed—private sessions, group classes, meetings—so Sakara is my anchor. It gives me clean, lasting energy and takes the decision-making out of food, which frees me up to focus on my clients and the studio.

5. At Sakara, we’re all about supporting beauty from the inside out. What’s one thing you do when you instantly want to feel more beautiful or comfortable in your skin?

Honestly, it’s about what I consume—whether that’s food, energy, or even the people I surround myself with. A quiet night in feels like the ultimate reset: lighting candles, doing skincare, and creating a little spa moment at home. It’s grounding, luxurious, and reminds me that beauty is as much about how you feel as how you look.