About The POGA Method
The POGA Method is a mobile studio that blends Pilates (contrology), yoga, meditation, and mindfulness into a powerful curriculum.
Our programs reach over a thousand students weekly in Los Angeles, New York City and virtually. From in-classroom lessons, professional development workshops for teachers, afterschool classes, 1:1 family private sessions, summer camps, and wellness retreats, POGA helps children and teens build self-regulation, strength and focus - while supporting educators, school culture, and parents with lifelong tools for wellbeing.
Each lesson begins with a mindfulness practice—often centered on a social-emotional learning theme, breathwork to regulate the nervous system, and a mindset tool to help students visualize actionable steps toward becoming their best selves.
At the core of every session is our signature POGA Method (Pilates + Yoga):
Pilates, originally known as Contrology, teaches impulse control, mind-body awareness, coordination, core strength, and concentration—skills that help students return to academic tasks more focused and grounded.
Yoga introduces poses, flows, and breath-linked movement to build flexibility, balance, and whole-body strength. Through these practices, students process emotions and energy in a healthy, embodied way.
Lessons close with meditation—offering guided visualization, self-reflection, and a moment of stillness to deepen self-awareness and inner calm.
To keep sessions developmentally engaging, we incorporate age-appropriate games, songs, books, partner challenges, and group discussions. The result is a calm, focused, and joyful learning environment where kids feel empowered to move, connect, and grow.
Mary Montague was born and raised in Townsville, Australia with a strong background in Ballet and dance. Mary’s mother is Australian and her father is American, so with dual-citizenship, Mary and her four siblings moved one-by-one to the US for University. Mary earned her Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees in Special Education with an added Autism teaching authorization. She worked as a Teacher for the Beverly Hills Unified School District for almost a decade teaching Kindergarten through 5th grades. During this time, Mary found her own Pilates and Yoga practice, regularly taking early morning classes before work, and showing up to her classroom feeling focused, lengthened, and strong (inside and out). “If only my students could do Pilates with me before school!” This was on her mind.
Based on what Mary felt was missing in the academic classroom and from what her students actually needed and desired, Mary created The POGA Method™ in 2015 (originally called M and M Pilates). She felt called to enhance their classroom learning, focus, and wellbeing with innovative techniques. Mary completed the Pilates Method Alliance teacher certification through Equinox, the Yoga Alliance 200-hour registered yoga teacher certification through Corepower Yoga, and the Mini Yogis teaching certification for children. She also trained in Transcendental Meditation and The Science of Well-Being for Teens through Yale University and took deep interest in fitness, wellness, and mindfulness classes at top studios around the world.
Mary’s unique talent and passion is to take the core principles of Pilates, Yoga, Meditation and Mindfulness created for adults and to strategically scaffold this education for children and teens. She does this by incorporating age-appropriate games, engaging language, memorization challenges, songs, partner poses, team cooperation, social-emotional learning themes, neuroscience, and many creative techniques. Her business is built on teaching self-regulation and healthy habits from a young age.
About The Founder
The POGA Method Teachers
Each team teacher brings an additional skill set and value to our curriculum and clients. The POGA teaching team has degrees ranging from public health and nutrition to expertise in trauma-informed breathwork, choreography, and sculpt training.
Since 2015 we have continued to innovate and expand with the growing needs of children and teens in our rapidly changing world.