The initial seeds of an idea were planted on a sunny afternoon during a caffeine-fueled discussion about how prohibitively expensive Pilates can be. We asked ourselves if there was a more affordable way to bring this training to a larger audience.
Could we do it without diluting the integrity of the work? Would we be able to dispel the myth that Pilates is only for skinny women and graceful dancers? How could we make this corner of the fitness industry a place where elitism and gatekeeping don’t exist? Could we encourage people of all genders, backgrounds, and sizes to try integrating Pilates into their lives?
The Pilates School is our way of sharing the transformative experience of Classical Pilates with a larger audience. Our mission is to give you the tools you need to keep your body strong, safe, and balanced no matter where life takes you. Classical Pilates is a journey of self-discovery, and we want to guide you along yours.
Owner: Lead Teacher & Teacher Trainer
“I believe that hard work and dedication to your training pays off. My greatest strength as a trainer is I have a no-nonsense approach and thrive with clients that are ready to change their life and fitness.
I tend to train the clients on the “ends of the bell curve”, like someone coming back from major injury or inactive lifestyle, or a high intermediate to advanced client looking to fine tune their training.”
• Pregnancy, recovering from injury, seniors, pain management
• Weight Management- based Pilates training
• Pilates for Athletes/ Advanced Pilates Training
• Transitioning to a high Pilates system (Basic to Intermediate)
Ray has worked in the fitness, health, and intercollegiate sports industries for over 26 years. Aside from her Classical Pilates certification, she holds advanced degrees in Kinesiology, as well as numerous certifications in pretty much every thing but Yoga. Although you will never catch her calling herself “Dr. Salahuddin”, you will often find her dorking-out over the latest exercise science research with everyone in her class. And speaking of dorking out, a little known fact about Ray is that she’s a *huge* Star Trek fan. She even named her daughter Deanna after one of the main characters in the Next Generation series. But when she’s not rewriting Star Trek trivia questions, Ray is in the studio, always pushing you to be your very best. She wants to make sure you get every bit of squeeze, stretch, and lift out of each class or session. So yeah, be ready for that! She may not be coaching volleyball anymore, but we still call her “Coach Ray” for a very good reason.
Owner: Lead Teacher, Associate Teacher Trainer
I love working with clients dealing with complex body stuff. My life experience of living with hypermobility and pain management greatly informs my approach to teaching. Sometimes you just need to meet the body where it is that day, you know? Few things give me as much joy as seeing a client who was in constant pain get to a place where they feel strong and body confident.
I revel in the nitty-gritty of the basic and intermediate systems, and never feel the need to rush through to the end.
• Pilates for Hypermobility and EDS
• Pilates for Chronic Pain and Pain Management
• Pilates for Beginners
• Corrective Movement Training
• Bad puns and dad jokes
Rae is a queer, burlesque-performing, Pilates glamazon whose hairstyle is known to change a little too often. Her life revolved around shoe design and costuming until she suddenly collapsed, having dislocated her hips, SI, sacrum, tailbone, and lumbar spine all at once. That was when she learned she was hypermobile, just shy of an Ehlers Danlos diagnosis. After years of living with pain so severe she could barely walk, she found that Pilates was the key to healing her body and getting her life back. Rachael earned her Classical Pilates teacher certification with the goal of helping others who suffer from life-altering pain, especially those in her LGBTQIA+community, and other under-served communities that don’t have access to Pilates. No stranger to weight fluctuations, she is obsessed with spreading body acceptance in the fitness world. She may specialize in the careful training of chronic pain and hypermobility, but she knows exactly how and when to push you to the next level. One session is all it takes to see why her clients gave her the nickname “The Pilates Domme”.
Lead Teacher, Teacher Trainer
Jessica’s passion for Pilates and fitness started at an early age. She become certified in Classical Pilates over 12 years ago. She hold a wealth of other fitness and training certifications. Jessica believe in a focused approach to her teaching treating the whole person and empowering her student toward “getting the Pilates in their body”.
Jessica is a virtual teacher for us. She teach private, duet, trios and quad sessions. In-person student have the option to use the in-studio equipment with Jessica teaching virtually.
Following the births of her daughters, she found it difficult to lose the weight and feel comfortable in her body. Jessica explored many modalities of diet and exercise however nothing was changing. Shortly after this she began training in Classical Pilates where she saw and felt differences she never experienced before. Within one year of rigorous training, Jessica was in the best shape of her life.
She became a certified third generation Authentic Classical Pilates teacher as soon as she realized this method can strengthen, lengthen, and preserve the body. After teaching for several years she was promoted to lead teacher and teacher trainer. Jessica has also been certified through ISCA in boxing and kickboxing, ACE in group fitness, and NASM as an Elite personal trainer. Jessica is also first aid and CPR certified.
Jessica believes that Pilates is the fountain of youth, the key to longevity, and a way of life. In the words of Joseph Pilates, “Ten sessions you will feel the difference, twenty sessions you will see the difference, thirty sessions you will have a whole new body.”
Our newest instructor.
We will update her bio soon!
Aimee first tried Pilates in 2014, with her wife, after developing plantar fasciitis from years of being on her feet as an Arts Educator. Despite her long athletic history, the sedentary nature of the pandemic brought back her symptoms. It was a wake up call to return to Pilates with more consistency. She decided to align her practice with teachers who shared and reflected her values of diversity, access, and body inclusion. Aimee firmly believes that every person who wants to try Classical Pilates should have the access to do so because we are all capable of tapping into our core strength – inside and out.
Tj’s wellness and health journey started in high school because of chronic back and neck pain. Over the course of 20years she tried various ways to address the pain and found the world of Pilates and yoga. She has been practicing Pilates for the past 18 months, and practicing yoga for over 10 years. Her goal is to help others on their journeys towards a healthier lifestyle. When not in the studio TJ loves to bake and cook, spend time with her partner and their cats Mochi and Sushi, volunteer, and explore the outdoors.
