Meridian Flexibility Trainers

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 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 and Strength Training Instructor in the Southeast. 

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.

Cordie Williams has helped achieve optimum health and fitness for the last 10 years. He began his varied career serving his country in active duty for the U.S. Marine Corps for four years. As a Corporal, he designed and implemented a rigorous physical fitness training regimen for the squad under his command. Cordie's passion for coaching others led him to become a personal trainer after completing his military service. He has worked with professional bodybuilders, professional and Olympic athletes as well as fitness beginners.

After participating in Donna Riley's Self Stretch Workshop, Cordie experienced a break-through moment which changed his life. He moved to Atlanta and immersed himself in an intensive Internship. Cordie is directly trained by Donna and Bob Cooley and is quickly proving he is a rising star in RFST. He is currently a Level II Meridian Flexibility Intern and a Pilates Certification Intern. Cordie combines his committment, dedication, and knowledge with his inspiring, caring, and open heart to provide an opportunity for excellence in all his students. His experience with athletes allows him to design sport-specific programs to capture peak performance. Cordie has a B.B.A in Economics from the University of North Alabama.

Donna and Cordie often work together and stretch clients 2 on 1 on a regular basis. It is a synergistic blend of power, skill, experience, passion and mastery that accelerates any functional movement program towards greatness.