Pilates Instructors

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 & Strength Training Instructor in the Southeast.

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.

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 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.

 

 

       Debbie Cristi's devout journey in fitness, health & wellness has led her to become a passionate Pilates Instructor and respector of the Pilates Method. After studying and practicing classical pilates for 7 years, Dbbie completed and attained her pilates comprehensive training certifcation this year. She began practicing authentic Pilates in 2002. Debbie obtained her Personal Trainer Certification in 2003 and worked as an apprenctice, teaching PowerCentering with Dr. Peter Gratale, DC. Debbie helped produce, promote, and market the PowerCentering video. In April 2006, she received her Power Pilates certification for Mat and has been honing her pilates work ever since.

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.

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. She is excited to be back at Body Awareness after teaching at Pilates of Amelia Florida for the last 2 1/2 years. Sara is currently a Body Awareness teacher trainer apprentice and is assisting as well as actively teaching in the 2007 teacher training program. Sara combines her knowledge of Pilates, dance, and gymnastics to create effective programs for all her clients. Sara is also a Level I Meridian Flexibility and Strength Training Intern.

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 in the fitness industry since 1983 and holds a certification in Group Fitness from AFAA and Personal Training from ACE. She received her Pilates training from Polestar Pilates Education. Susan is the Senior Advisor for SilverSneakers at Cosmos Fitness, a SilverSneakers Master Instructor, and serves as an Instructor Coordinator for Healthways SilverSneakers, Inc. In addition, Susan teaches Yogalates and Yoga for Seniors.

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.

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.