Pilates Instructors

Experience the professionalism and expertise of the premier Pilates teacher training facility in the Southeast.

Instructors are taught to focus on the whole person. The goal is to utilize movement to develop the mind, body and spirit simultaneously. They are professional, knowledgeable and highly skilled.

In addition to the Pilates choreography, Body Awareness Studios instructors strive to teach correct body mechanics and movement patterns. Instructors have a keen eye for detail and posses a strong knowledge of anatomy, both used to positively guide students. Our graduates are now teaching at many of the leading centers and health clubs in the region.

Body Awareness Studios instructors are all certified in Pilates, with additional movement backgrounds. While constantly updating their knowledge by attending classes, seminars and conferences in the fitness world, instructors are dedicated to meeting the individual needs of each student.

To learn more about Teacher Trainings, please contact Leslie at the studio at 404-252-7550.

Body Awareness Studio Pilates Instructors

Directors

Leslie Clayton

Leslie Clayton is the founder and owner of Body Awareness. Since it's opening in 1993, Leslie has been commited to bringing the Body Awareness philosophy to the Atlanta community. Leslie has a professional ballet and modern dance background, as well as having Polarity Therapy and Polarity Yoga training, is a Reiki Energy Healer, and a Crystal Healer.

Leslie began her Pilates training with Ramana Krysanowska in New York, and has studied with teachers from San Francisco, Santa Fe and Colorado. She combines her knowledge of dance, Pilates, Yoga and gentle body therapies to create effective programs for all therapeutic and fitness levels. Leslie brings Pilates trainers, fitness professionals and health care practitioners together for continuing education and to maintain the highest standards of fitness, health and well being for her trainers and her clients. Leslie is also a Level III Meridian Flexibility & Strength Training Intern.

Donna Riley

Donna Riley has a bachelor of fine arts degree in dance from Rutgers University and holds 5 nationally recognized certifications in the fitness field. For the past 20 years she has dedicated herself to studying various movement techniques and conditioning programs including ballet, modem dance, jazz, Pilates, Alexander, and physical therapy based rehabilitation exercises. Donna is gifted in the art of analyzing and teaching movement in a way that helps her clients understand and train their body on a deeper level than ever before. Donna has a profound level of respect for the body because she believes that it is the most exquisitely designed machine on earth. "I am passionate about helping people experience the thrill of being strong, flexible, balanced, and centered," she says. "This process begins with an awareness of the body as an integrated whole. Ultimately, my goal is for them to truly own and celebrate their bodies! I utilize a sensible and balanced approach so all my clients feel a sense of accomplishment and success." Donna's years of experience with dance and fitness combined with her creative, unique, and inspiring style helps to ensure that her clients discover the joy of movement. Donna is also the only Level V Meridian Flexibility & Strength Training Instructor in the Southeast.

Trina Bordere

Trina Bordere is a certified Pilates, Gyrotonic® and Gyrokinesis® instructor and has been teaching in Atlanta and surrounding areas for the past 5 years. Her study of the Gyrotonic® and Gyrokinesis® methods has taken her across the U.S. and to Europe. With an ongoing dance career (thanks to Pilates and Gyrotonic®), Trina Bordere remains active, performing most recently in Spain. With over 12 years of dance and fitness teaching experience, she provides training for therapeutic to advanced fitness levels in both Pilates and Gyrotonic® and offers specialized training for pre-professional and professional dancers and athletes.

Certified Instructors

Cynthia Marshall is a native of Rockford, IL. She is a certified Pilates Instructor, as well as a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor.  She is certified and a member of several organizations including Power Pilates, Physicalmind, and Pilates Method Alliance. Her group classes focus on core stabilization and strength as well as helping the individual improve their posture, balance, and coordination.  Cynthia is also qualified to instruct private pilates sessions for a more personalized workout.  Cynthia's pilates training philosopy is that "No two bodies are alike. Whether you are a professional athletic or recovering from an accident, everyone can benefit from Pilates. Everything begins and ends with a strong core. This is where I come in. I start by helping the client reconnect with there powerhouse and from there I design a workout based on the individual body to help them receive the best results."

Christi Robinson

Christi Robinson has a M.Ed from Oglethorpe University and a BSEd from the University of Georgia. Christi has been in the education field for the last six years. She has taught high school and middle school at public and private schools in the Atlanta area. Christi is a Body Awareness Studio certified Pilates instructor and has studied with trainers from New York, Colorado and Atlanta.

Cory Garner

Cory Garner became a student of Pilates six years ago while completing her BS in Industrial Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Her classes utilize a blend of classic and contemporary Pilates philosophies. She views the Pilates Method of exercise as a vital component in the creation and maintenance of balance, strength, and efficient movement in the complex systems of the human body. Cory was trained in classic style Pilates and has done numerous continuing Education workshops at Body Awareness. She has also studied in Atlanta, Chattanooga, and Colorado. Cory is also a Level II Meridian Flexibility & Strength Training Intern.

 

 

 Elizabeth Brown is the founder/director of Elizabeth Brown Pilates in Rome, GA., and a BALANCED BODY UNIVERSTIY Certified Instructor.  She holds Certifications in Group Exercise Instruction, personal training, yoga instruction, and has been in the health and wellness field for 19 years.  She has previously worked in the medical field in several different capacities while pursuing her love of health and wellness.  Her passion for Pilates started 16 years ago while attending a workshop presented by Elizabeth Larkam, the renowned co creator of Polestar Education.  That weekend changed the course of her life, and began a lifelong desire to learn and teach Pilates.  She has further her education to include a BBU Comprehensive Certification, the Powerhouse Institute, and attended continuing education with such noted Instructors as Lolita San Miguel, Julian Littleford, Brent Anderson, and Rebecca Leone.  She continues to study at and take private sessions herself at Body Awareness Studio in Atlanta, Gad.  Her goal and desire is to bring the benefits and body changing experience of Pilates to her clients and students.  Pilates is truly movement for life!  It’s intelligent exercise that produces dramatic results!

Jeannine Corbell

Jeannine Corbell is a Body Awareness Studio certified Pilates instructor and combines her knowledge of dance and body conditioning in her classes. She received a degree in musical theater from the University of Frankfurt, Germany and performed, professionally, with the Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Company of Chicago. Jeannine was head of the dance department of St. Margarets Episcopal School in San Juan Capistrano, California and was on the dance faculty of Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, California. Jeannine is also a certified Gyrotonic teacher. Jeannine is also a Level I Meridian Flexibility & Strength Training Intern.

 

 

Jennifer Yellin is a certified Pilates Instructor through Body Awareness Studio and is a Yoga Instructor.  Her philosophy is:
"I believe holistic wellness requires a balance of proper exercise, a whole foods diet, and relaxation; I'm happy to be in a position to offer options for all three aspects.  I have an approachable and adaptable teaching style for various body types and age groups with additional specialties in Pre/Post-Natal and chair-based Yoga, as well as beginner and intermediate Pilates.  I update my education consistently in order to be able to better address the individual needs of each student."  

Sara Sammons-Ulmer

Sara Sammons-Ulmer was first introduced to Pilates in 2001 while completing her BFA in interior design at the University of Georgia. After graduation, Sara began training to become a teacher because she wanted to share the amazing benefits of Pilates with others. Sara is a Body Awareness Studio certified instructor as well as a Balanced Body University certified teacher trainer.  She has been teaching Pilates for over 5 years and combines her knowledge of Pilates, anatomy, dance, and gymnastics to create effective programs for all her clients.

Susan Frenzel

Susan Frenzel is a graduate of Georgia State University with a B.A. in Theater and Dance. A former professional dancer, dance teacher and director/choreographer, Susan has been part of the fitness industry since 1983 and holds certifications in Group Fitness from AFAA, Personal Training from ACE and Piltes from PMA. She received her Pilates training from Polestar Pilates Education. Susan is a SilverSneakers Master Instructor, and an Instructor Coordinator for Healthways SilverSneakers, Inc. "As a baby boomer I identify with anyone who feels challenged by joints that are not as young as they used to be. Pilates is made for us."

Peggy Brown

Peggy Brown is Certified in Mat, Reformer and Apparatus. She has been involved in Pilates since 2003. Focused, physical and mental training is part of Peggy’s lifestyle, in part, because of her extensive training in martial arts. Since 1989, she and her husband have had a Mixed Martial Arts program at the Ravinia Athletic Club in Atlanta. Her philosophy in teaching Pilates is to ‘make a difference’ with each person she works with. Her objective is to improve each person’s strength, flexibility, posture, overall fitness level and how they feel about themselves. Peggy is a Certified Exercise Technologist from the American College of Sports Medicine. She has an MBA and had a successful career as a Healthcare Professional.  She has a certification in Pilates from Body Awareness Studio and Balanced Body University.

Caroline Macke

Caroline Jones Macke is a certified Pilates Instructor, certified by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She was a professional Ballet dancer, having danced Principal roles in many major companies throughout the U.S. and Europe. She first experienced the Pilates Method in her dancing training and saw the value of it in prevention of injuries and rehabilitation. Her training in Pilates includes anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology. She works to develop body strength, flexibility, and foster uniform muscle development with all her clients. She evaluates each person individually and structures a program to meet the individual needs utilizing the Pilates Method along with other fitness techniques and equipment.