Laura grew up dancing, playing tennis, and doing martial arts. Being active was always a big part of her life, until she developed Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction (asthma) and had to take a step back from many practices. After her dance journey ended, Laura went to school for journalism and became a freelance sports writer, and continues to this day. However, it was time for a new challenge that would give her a chance to move her body without triggering her EIB; that’s when she discovered yoga and Pilates, and fell in love instantly. Teaching fitness wasn’t on Laura’s mind, despite having a passion for moving her body – it wasn’t until she suffered a neck injury that changed her mindset and personal goals. After months of rehabilitation, Laura realized she wanted to take what she learned and help others. She received her certification in hatha and aerial yoga, barre, reformer, and STOTT mat Pilates.

Although Laura wants to help members reach their fitness goals, her first lesson is reminding others to love themselves. It’s alright if you didn’t have the workout you initially set out to achieve. Instead, remember that you had the motivation to move your body. Thank yourself at the end of the day.

Laura is a self-proclaimed comedian and enjoys making people laugh, but she is also an advocate for reducing the stigma around mental health. You are not alone. Check yourself, express yourself. Thank you for joining her on this journey.

Laura grew up dancing, playing tennis, and doing martial arts. Being active was always a big part... Read More

Apprentice

Sabina discovered Pilates years ago and immediately loved the method and benefits. After taking lessons for a number of years, she decided to take her training to the next level and get certified to become a STOTT Pilates Matwork and Reformer instructor. She is looking forward to working with clients to help them reach their fitness goals and discover the benefits of Pilates that she has experienced first hand.

Sabina’s background is in marketing and she has been in the corporate world for 15 years working for Fortune 500 companies. Staying active and keeping fit has always been an integral part of Sabina’s life and she also practices yoga, strength training, swimming and enjoys hiking with her husband and little one.

Apprentice Sabina discovered Pilates years ago and immediately loved the method and benefits. Af... Read More

Danielle Ching is a young artist with a strong passion for dance and fitness. She began her training at the Canadian Dance Company where she learned ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, tap and more. Training competitively is what formed her technique and versatility into what it is today. She then switched to Latin Ballroom and trained at The ItFactor Academy. Her ballroom coach Edgar Hernandez gave her the opportunity to become a Professional Latin Ballroom teacher and she has been teaching for multiple years now. To expand her dance training and education, Danielle studied at Ryerson University and received her BFA in June 2021 and she is now a fully certified Pilates instructor as of September 2022. She will specialize in training dancers, rehabilitation and injury prevention.

Danielle aspires to keep improving herself as an artist/pilates instructor, and she wants to continue spreading her passion through teaching and performing.

Danielle Ching is a young artist with a strong passion for dance and fitness. She began her train... Read More

Being active during childhood Aline has practiced many sports and was always involved in physical activities. She decided to get a Bachelor degree in Physical Education to have more knowledge  about how movements act in the cognitive, social- affective and motor human behavior, and after that, concluded a post-graduation in Personal Training and Weight Lifting. Her journey through The Method Pilates started when she injured a shoulder to the practicing of a passion: Tennis. She fell in love immediately. Short after, Aline was fully certified in The Method Pilates through Physicalmind Institute being able to teach all levels of Pilates Mat and Equipment and later on she got certified in Standing Pilates.

With 18 years of experience in fitness, functional training and Pilates Aline likes helping clients reaching their needs and goals believing in the concept of functionality, health and longevity that the method brings to our lives which reflex in the quality of the human being movements.

Being active during childhood Aline has practiced many sports and was always involved in physical... Read More

Brazilian, Canadian Permanent Resident, Medical Doctor, Physiotherapist, Master Trainer in Pilates; Fascial Fitness Trainer; former Ballet Dancer and for the past ten years a competitive Tango Dancer. Certified in Ideokinesis by the Dance Notation Bureau, weds the somatic approach to the body and movement; Master Degree in Performing Arts and in Communication and Semiotics; Certified in Pilates by the PhysicalMind® Institute; in the Gyrotonic® Expansion System; in Myofascial Liberation and in Fascial Fitness. These Certifications are important Fundamentals that guide Dr. De Markondes in clinical research and teaching and lecturing using movement as a means to guarantee health, autonomy, and longevity to clients and patients. As a pioneer in the introduction of the Pilates Method in Brazil is considered in her country a Brazilian Elder. She represents the PhysicalMind® Institute by certifying new Pilates teachers all over the country. She selected the Institute because of their focus on the Fundamentals® using their step by step progressions to enable complex movements. She is known clinically and in her teaching by her emphasis on body perception and sensorimotor re- education promoting new movement strategies for global functional restoration. President of DeMarkondes Pilates® for 22 years, she regularly participates in Training and Continuing Education courses offered by

PMI® such as: Pilates Matwork, Pilates Apparatus, Standing Pilates®, Pilates Rehabilitation, Tye4® Workout, Circular Pilates®, Bone UP® among others. Currently, her course VECTORS & MOVEMENT – a fascial approach - discusses fascia training concepts and principles of movement for Pilates, dances and sports.

Her pioneer Pilates studio in Brazil – Núcleo do Corpo® - has for the past 26 years focused on rehabilitation using movement guidelines to manage musculoskeletal disorders and control symptoms for many populations such as: ballet dancers; orthopedic and neurological patients; patients in hospital; and clients in general. She has participated in physiotherapy councils and Pilates groups to discuss and apply Pilates Method parameters in Brazil in the ABRAPI’s (Pilates Brazilian Alliance), as Vice-President and President. Dr. Elaine de Markondes regularly, teaches, by invitation, and lectures, doing workshops and courses at various national and international events and in postgraduate courses subjects regarding Pilates Method, Dance Science, Dance Kinesiology and Physiotherapy. She recently represented PMI® and Brazil in the well-known international Pilates conference in Seoul – PIA – Pilates in Asia.

Brazilian, Canadian Permanent Resident, Medical Doctor, Physiotherapist, Master Trainer in Pilate... Read More

Melissa Gaudreau began her Pilates journey in 2010 when she was researching exercises aimed at increasing flexibility, strength and toning. She developed an interest in Pilates, and decided to enroll in private lessons. From her very first session, she fell in love with the exercise and realized she could combine her passion for fitness and health and make a positive impact on the lives of others. Originally from the Marketing sectors she decided to make a major career change and began her teacher training course at the Pilates Body in Mississauga in 2015.

Melissa is STOTT Pilates trained in Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Barrels, Chair and Barre. She is also a certified specialist in Athletic Conditioning and Pilates for Neurological Conditions such as MS, ALS and Cerebral Palsy. She is always looking to improve her teaching experience through innovative courses and workshops. With her caring, upbeat personality and attention to detail, Melissa’s love for Pilates shows through each individual session helping clients improve alignment and body awareness. Her training will completely change the way you feel about health and physical activity! 

Melissa Gaudreau began her Pilates journey in 2010 when she was researching exercises aimed at in... Read More

Elizabeth is a mom of two young boys with a passion for fitness and wellness, and has recently completed her Stott Pilates Matwork and Reformer. Previously, she worked in the mortgage industry for 15 years enjoying the fast paced environment of the financial sector on Bay Street.

She has always stayed active training in and practicing ballet, spinning and running. She was first introduced to Pilates Matwork after having her first son, and really doubled down after the birth of her second baby. Wanting to get moving again and having to be mindful of diastasis recti, she found Melissa nd Pilates Vitality and Wellness who helped her continue along her fitness journey.

Elizabeth hopes to use her acquired knowledge to help others along on their own paths to Wellness.

Elizabeth is a mom of two young boys with a passion for fitness and wellness, and has recently co... Read More

Jade is a Personal Trainer and Stott Pilates Instructor with nearly 20 years of experience working in the Fitness Industry. Before finding Pilates and recently moving to Toronto with her Canadian husband in 2018, Jade taught high-impact, high-energy, Group Exercise classes since 2003 followed by Personal Training in 2009. The common thread Jade noticed amongst the majority of people coming to her wanting to get fitter and stronger seemed to be restrictions in certain movements and exercises due to injuries. With that also came a loss of confidence and low expectations as to what they could potentially do both in the gym and through daily living. This peaked her focus towards how to help train her clients move in a way that not only strengthened them physically but gave them freedom of movement, rebuilding self-confidence in their physical capabilities. Jade went on to certify in Stott Pilates Matwork in 2012 and with this gained a wealth of knowledge she was able to incorporate not just in her Pilates classes but also into her client’s programming. Pilates revealed just how intricately related each muscle worked with each other, how posture can be corrected to release muscle tension and weaknesses, and how sport performance could be optimized through knowing which muscles needed stabilizing, strengthening and lengthening. From 2017, Jade certified in Dynamic Reformer, and worked with esteemed, five times Tatler Award winning Pilates and Physiotherapist Group, Ten Health and Fitness, in Chiswick and Mayfair, London. She has worked alongside physiotherapists specializing in strength-based Reformer and Matwork Pilates and continues to train clients one-to-one in Strength Training and Functional Fitness.

When Jade isn’t in the studio teaching classes or helping clients, you can find her in her local gym weight lifting with her husband Michael, geeking-out on all things strength and Pilates related and enjoying coffee (with an occasional chocolate fudge brownie…)

Jade is a Personal Trainer and Stott Pilates Instructor with nearly 20 years of experience workin... Read More

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