Century Pilates Midland, TX
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Century Pilates Midland, TX
  • Home
  • Instructors
  • Private Training
  • Group Class
  • ELDOA®
  • Studio Etiquette
  • Instructor Training
  • Athletes
  • Press
  • Contact

Now open. By appointment only.

Now open. By appointment only.

Now open. By appointment only.

Now open. By appointment only.

Now open. By appointment only.

Now open. By appointment only.

About Century Pilates Midland

Our Story

Century Pilates® was founded in Arlington, Texas in 2019 & we have grown into a globally recognized & trusted brand for our expertise in the classical Pilates method. Century Pilates Midland is the 3rd Century Pilates® studio to open in the state of Texas. We are Midland Texas' first & only fully equipped classical Pilates studio & we are committed to client results. 

Our Instructors

Our team of instructors are career professionals with a succinct passion for quality education.  They all boast at minimum, a 600 hour comprehensive classical Pilates certification with lineage ties. 'Lineage' means our instructors were mentored & trained closely by teachers with 1 or 2 degrees of separation from Joseph Pilates' & his most trusted protégés. When you have the opportunity to apprentice with the Pilates 'elders' you become a part of a family tree of classical Pilates practitioners who are tasked with preserving the authenticity & integrity of Pilates for future generations of teachers and students. Our training is extensive. 

Our Mantra

We are the real deal. Joseph Pilates method is brilliant & he was a genius. We don't reinvent his method, we hone it. 


We Keep Pilates Classical.

Meet our crew

Get to know owner & Master Instructor, Emily Urbanosky Wills

Internationally recognized studio owner & founder of Century Pilates® & Century Pilates Instructor Training Program, CPIT®

Emily was trained in the classical Pilates Method & continues to teach in that tradition. In 2011 while living in Alpine, TX, Emily came to know Pilates’ method after seeking alternative solutions to better cope with her scoliosis. The results empowered Emily to pursue her first 600 hour comprehensive certification through the distinguished Power Pilates® teacher training program headquartered in New York. Soon after, Emily pursued her second comprehensive Pilates certification by bridging to the prestigious and rigorous, Alycea Ungaro Real Pilates® teacher training program, becoming a 3rd generation teacher of the Romana Kryzanowska lineage. Emily is also certified in the internationally recognized Vbarre® method created by Texas native, Veronica Combs. Emily is also proficient in the Pilates Suspension Method, PSM®. 


To better serve her clients, in 2023 Emily took the leap to becoming a level 2 Eldoa certified practitioner, under the mentorship of Legacy Sports & Wellness owner & globally recognized, Scott Herrera in the techniques and teachings of Guy Voyer's, ELDOA. Eldoa's are highly specialized & specific myofascial  postures used to target & decompress the space between vertebras, otherwise known as spinal decompression. 


In October 2025, Wills'  obtained a formal prenatal & postnatal classical Pilates certification to better tailor to her clients needs during & after pregnancy through the reputable 'Mama Like Me" program. 


Emily's client list has grown to encompass elite level professional athletes from various modalities including NFL Philadelphia Eagles defensive ends, XFL defensive ends, Professional Hockey players, F-Series drivers,  & Peloton and ESPN sports reporters. 


Emily is the owner, creator and Master Instructor of the highly regarded, Century Pilates Instructor Training Program, CPIT® which is  one of few worldwide to qualify for global accreditation by the Pilates Method Alliance through their International Teacher Training Accreditation Program, ITTAP. CPIT® is a 4th generation, 600 Hour or 8 month classical Pilates instructor training program which ensures its graduates with trade specific skills & reputation to enter into the workforce as a sought after Pilates professional. 


Emily has had the opportunity to learn from fellow peers & known experts in the field such as, Ray Kurshals, Sonje Mayo, Brett Howard, Moses Urbano, Alycea Ungaro, Rachael Lieck Bryce, Lolita San Miguel, Bob Liekens, Colleen Glenn, Benjamin Degenhardt, Chris Robinson, Kyria Sabin Waigaman, ChaCha Gurrero, Juan Estrada, Keren Feingold, Daniel Lyon, Joel Crosby, Tela Anderson and more. 


Will's has a keen insight into the anatomy of injuries, biomechanical problems, and chronic illness from sedentary lifestyles, and the impact they have on the overall wellness of the body and mind. Emily feels Pilates is the perfect long term & lifelong fitness modality due to its unwavering ability to be modified to compliment where we are at any given time in our lives. Emily finds it immensely fulfilling to apply her degrees in both nursing and psychology to better serve her clients through Pilates’ original method. Emily strives to keep clients mindful of each movement and insures they get the most out of their time in the studio. Every private lesson or group class is designed to meet the needs of the individual student by taking into account differing physical abilities, body types, and learning styles. 


Emily creates an all inclusive and welcoming environment that allows each person to work at his or her own level with confidence. Emily’s goal is, and will always be, to empower her clients in safely achieving strength beyond the limits they place on themselves.


When not in her Midland, TX studio, Emily can be found being the goddess wife to her husband, Grant, and spending time with their two fur baby's Australian Sheperd's, Piper Lynn & Quilliam Shatner, or traveling the world.


¡Pura Vida!

CONTINUE SCROLLING TO MEET, Lacey Asher...

Get to know the "world traveled" Lacey D. Asher

4th generation comprehensive classical Pilates instructor

  

Lacey’s passion for movement started long before taking her first Pilates class. Born in Anchorage Alaska, the great outdoors molded Lacey’s adventurous spirit and enduring nature. From a very young age, Lacey’s intrinsic draw to competitive sports helped her to hone her mental fortitude, specifically sports that tested her self-endurance and performance, like swimming & skiing. Adventure played a huge roll in Lacey’s movement background, especially growing up in New Mexico, Arizona & Montana competing in equine Gymkhana and O-Mok-See competitions. In high school, while living in Kuwait, Lacey competed in badminton, tennis, and volleyball taking any opportunity to travel through school events that afforded her expeditions to Jordan, Egypt, India, Switzerland, & Bahrain to name a few, not to mention her time in ‘Model United nations’ where she spent time in Amsterdam. She never realized classical Pilates would be the adventure that gave her life the greatest purpose beyond the highest calling of being a mother to three beautiful daughter’s and nurturing her  marriage to David, who she’ll be sharing a 20 year wedding anniversary with this year!


When her youngest went into kindergarten, like most nurturing mothers, she had a calling to seek a purpose beyond the household for many reasons but chiefly, her sanity.  Pilates came at the perfect time in her life when she needed to fill her time with a healthy pastime. She began working at a local Pilates studio as ‘front desk’ and soon thereafter began her career in the contemporary Pilates realm. It wasn’t long before Lacey had the opportunity to take classical Pilates from a 3rd generation master instructor that she began to notice the power and effectiveness of the classical Pilates method. That was the turning point in Lacey’s practice & her career. This January 2025, Lacey stepped into the strenuous and highly regarded 600 hour Century Pilates Instructor Program, CPIT® a globally accredited 3rd generation comprehensive classical Pilates certification (right here in Midland, TX) under the mentorship of Master instructor and creator, Emily Urbanosky Wills.  


Lacey has had an educational renaissance the past two years and she’s not slowing down any time soon, racking up anatomy and movement principles training through Balanced Body®,  pursuing & comprehensive classical certification and continuing education with 2nd generation classical teachers. This May, Lacey attended workshops and private training by Jay Grimes protégé, Joel Crosby, of Vitality Method & Contrology Academy, in Arlington, TX at the original Century Pilates location. 


This October, Lacey will be further elevating her expertise by pursuing a classical Pilates Prenatal & Postnatal certification through 3rd generation Master instructor and creator of ‘Mama Like Me’ instructor training, Keren Feingold, also faculty for Alycea Ungaro’s Real Pilates New York.
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As a running coach in 2021 and a WOR obstacle course “battle bunny” advocate, Lacey’s intrinsic ability to empower her students was the catalyst that powered her into carrying people across the finish line with unwavering encouragement. Lacey is a natural teacher and her years spent as a CNA and home health caregiver confirms her natural expertise in bodily assessment. This medical background compliments  the skill we refer to in the industry as, 'Pilates Sight' which is the capacity to identify the bodies asymmetry, and tailor towards it. Her love language is bringing balance to the body. Her ravenous appetite for quality classical education and understanding makes her a force to be sure. Lacey wants her students to leave feeling and knowing  they got a strenuous and effective workout ensuring a feeling that space was created throughout the entire body. Her hope is for her students to leave in better spirits & boasting a strong sense of wellbeing while feeling accomplished and empowered. Lacey believes Pilates is not just stretch, and strives for her students to embrace that classical Pilates is, in it's purest form, strength training.


Nowadays Lacey’s draw to obstacle course racing and love for half marathons have magnified the need to keep her body in uniformed shape, sharing how “months into a consistent Pilates practice dramatically changed her body’s composition”. This newfound posture and core strength helped alleviate  pain in her knees and ankles. Classical Pilates profound impact on Lacey’s life and lifestyle has been the greatest driving force and factor in her faith of this brilliant method. 


When she’s not in the studio, the Ashers love to spend time on their Ranch in Trent, TX. Taking the camper and boat to Elephant Butte Lake and love spending any free time in the British Virgin Islands and Cozumel. It won’t be out of character when they eventually decide to travel around the world on a catamaran of their own.  Lacey is an avid knitter and crocheter and has attributed this practice to helping her live  semi-sober life. 


“Pilates is good for my mental health and doesn’t hurt my body. I don’t want to work out to be skinny I want to work out to be as strong as possible for as long as I can.”

CONTINUE SCROLLING TO MEET, Kelly Jeffreys...

Get to know our resident Aussie, Kelly Jeffreys

4th generation comprehensive classical Pilates instructor

Kelly started practicing mat Pilates 16 years ago, seeking a safe and effective modality while pregnant with her first daughter. 11 years later, Kelly expanded her Pilates practice to the Pilates reformer at Hills House Pilates in Kalamunda, Western Australia Australia. 


In 2023 when she moved to Midland, TX, Kelly felt embraced into the strong and tight knit community West Texas is regarded for. She found a local group class Pilates studio where she immersed herself into Pilates, exploring the idea of becoming an instructor herself, she pursued an online reformer certification in 2023 and soon thereafter embarked on her first instructor training through the contemporary group 200 hour Pilates training program at J Pilates in early 2024. 


In true Kelly fashion, she wanted to increase her knowledge and skills in Pilates so she could gain a sense of mastery, and understand the foundations of what was behind the word, Pilates. She wanted to become a stronger, more well rounded instructor to provide a larger body of work to her clients. In January 2025 when master master instructor, Emily Urbanosky Wills, creator of CPIT® launched the first Midland, TX cohort for her Century Pilates Instructor Training Program, a globally accredited 600 Hour comprehensive classical education program, Kelly jumped on board and is now a 4th generation classical Pilates instructor of the Romana Kryzanowka lineage. Kelly attributes her extensive 8 month long classical apprenticeship to building the confidence and extensive knowledge she was seeking in order to provide high level private training to her clientele. 


2025 has been the year of leveling up her teaching skills. In addition to being enrolled in CPIT® comprehensive training program, Kelly attended additional Arm Chair training gaining an additional Arm Chair certification through CPIT®. In May, Kelly traveled to the original Century Pilates studio location in Arlington, TX for a two day continuing education workshop with 2nd generation Jay Grimes lineage master instructor, Joel Crosby, founder and creator of Contrology Academy. This enriching workshop covered, Arm Chair Intensive, Wunda Flow and the physics of spring resistance and how best to challenge your clients through “The Genius of the Springs”. 


In October of 2025 Kelly will be furthering her education to encompass, ‘Mama Like Me’, a prenatal and postnatal classical Pilates certification, through master instructor, Keren Feingold. Keren is a celebrated 3rd generation classical instructor and faculty staff for Alycea Ungaro’s Real® Pilates Teacher Training Program, headquartered in New York. 


As a native Australian, Kelly has always led a passionate fitness lifestyle, the Perth Pilates scene contributing to that greatly. Her mind often explored the idea then, of becoming an instructor herself in her late 30’s, but felt it may be out of her league with all of the much “younger” instructors in her demographic. Knowing how Pilates can be for any body at any age, when she moved to Texas, she attributes her own peers as inspiring & encouraging her to enroll in her first teacher training. This was just the beginning of Kelly’s hunger to learn the roots and integrity of Joseph Pilates original method, Contrology.


To know Kelly is knowing everything she does is done with expertise and passion. Her intrinsic draw to better health and elevated wellness is what fuels her greatest calling; to help people. Pilates changed her body composition and her mind, body, and muscle connection. “To be able to gift that to others is invaluable. You have to start somewhere to progress & to see growth in your Pilates practice, and feel the difference in your body and your mind”. 


Among her accomplishments being a Mom and in Pilates, Kelly ran a not for profit women’s fitness group in Onslow, Western Australia this legacy, existing long after her departure. All proceeds went to St. John Ambulance, where Kelly also worked for 2 years as an EMT. Kelly ended her corporate career in IT people and performance in 2016 to delve deeper into health and wellness in the online space and be Mom to her two daughters at that time. Kelly has two beautiful teenage daughters, an amazingly supportive husband, Tom, who she has been married to for almost 18 years and a sweet Labrador Australian Kelpie, Airlie. Kelly absolutely loves to cook good clean whole food for her family and believes everything is better by the water. Being outdoors, traveling and making new adventures is the soulful recharge her family craves. 


Kelly worked on a superyacht in Italy in her 20’s and attributes this unique experience as supporting her voracious appetite for traveling the world, having travelled to 24 countries to date and living in Perth, Western Australia, and the Pilbara, Viareggio Italy, Hampshire in the UK, Auckland New Zealand, and now Midland Texas, USA. 


Kelly wants her clients to leave feeling better than when they walked in, mentally and physically, comfortable in her presence and yet challenged during their session, and of course fully addicted to classical Pilates.

CONTINUE SCROLLING TO MEET, Ashlyn Johnson...

Get to know Ashlyn JOhnson

4th generation comprehensive classical Pilates Apprentice

Ashlyn came to know  the classical Pilates method in 2023 while living in Dallas. Equinox offered a free trial one-on-one private lesson and her curiosity was heightened  after seeing such a well equipped studio boasting such a large variety of equipment she’d never seen before. She immediately researched the Pilates method and swiftly decided she had to give it a try. Her instructor tailored her lesson to the Cadillac and ended with the High Chair. She remembered her legs shaking  during the session and being memorably sore the next day which is why High Chair is still her favorite apparatus to this day. She was hooked.


A year later after having her first child she wanted to “heal her core and selfishly wanted her body to look the way it did prior to pregnancy. It turns out, it looks even better and I am the strongest I have ever been!”


Ashlyn’s love for fitness and an active lifestyle led her to pursue a degree in Kinesiology and Psychology from Belmont University, Nashville, TN. Ashlyn got her feet wet as a personal trainer by first pursuing a Les Mills BodyBalance® certification. BodyBalance® is a low-impact, full-body class draws inspiration from yoga, Pilates, and tai chi, the methodology focuses on posture, balance, core strength, and flexibility while encouraging breath awareness and mental clarity. 


With a mind to level up her skills and dive head first in to becoming Pilates certified, Ashlyn did her research. “There were a few certifications offered in Odessa/Midland, so I looked into each one individually but nothing compared to the quality standards , lineage and degree of separation from Joseph Pilates, and comprehensive approach of Century Pilates® program.” She immediately was motivated to apply and enroll. “Most importantly, for me, it was classical and I wanted the real deal. I did not want a weekend training and to be certified on potentially dangerous equipment. I wanted to know everything in depth and that is what the CPIT® 600 hour certification guaranteed me.” Ashlyn is a 4th generation classical Pilates apprentice teacher of the Century Pilates Instructor Training Program, CPIT®. CPIT®, created by Master instructor, Emily Urbansoky Wills, is globally accredited by the Pilates Method Alliance and is a proud lineage certification of the Romana Kryzanowska style of classical Pilates. It takes 8 months to a year to complete and ensures sought after career professionals.


Ashlyn’s full-time job, at present, is Director of Customer Service and labeling manager at  REXtac LLC in Odessa. REXtac is an adhesives company whose product is quite literally in everything from diapers, to cars, and even roofs or candles.

Ashlyn is the epitome of your modern day “trad wife” finding fulfilment in the loving care of her family. She as a happily married wife with a one year old daughter and a son on the way in July 2026. Ashlyn craves spending valuable time with family and friends, fine dining, adn exploring her own culinary prowess. Ashlyn is a classically trained singer but now  is shifting her focus to Jazz and R&B. Ashlyn is now an expert level sourdough baker so there’s no point in competing with her. Her sourdough double chocolate chips cookies are better than yours. She loves being outside when our West Texas weather cooperates & blesses us with those perfect warmer days. There’s nothing better than he simple pleasures of kicking up her heels and reading classic novels, or going on hikes. Ashlyn’s heart strings still pull for the beauty of the Tennessee  mountains and lush greenery, but Odessa is home.  


Ashlyn’s hope is that people leave her classes feeling both stronger and more connected to their bodies. Her goal is for her students to move with intention and  understanding of why they’re doing each movement, and feel confident modifying or progressing as needed. She strives to provide an intelligent, safe, and effective lesson- where alignment, breath, and control matter just as much as the workout itself. Ultimately, I want people to walk out feeling accomplished, grounded, and more aware of how their body moves, not just tired..

CONTINUE SCROLLING TO MEET, AJ Wackerly...

Get to know AJ Wackerly

4th generation comprehensive classical Pilates Apprentice

Anita’s first introduction to Pilates was group fitness at J Pilates in Midland in 2022.  It immediately stood out to her that she could work out without aggravating her back. At the same time, a dear friend of hers relocated to Houston where they started a regular Pilates practice, AJ witnessed it completely change her life for the better, physically and mentally. The combination of pain-free movement and visible transformation drew AJ into the exploring Pilates as a lifestyle and a career.


“Classical Pilates has significantly improved my posture and helped relieve pressure from spinal compression. I also noticed a major shift in how my body looks and feels. I no longer carry the bulk I had from bodybuilding, and instead feel leaner, more balanced, and more supported in my movement.”


In her 20s, AJ completed some fitness-related courses, though she never pursued teaching at that time. She struggled with motivating people to commit to the work, which ultimately led her to step away from that path until she found Pilates.

“Pilates resonates with me because it simultaneously strengthens and stretches the body in a way that feels intelligent and sustainable. I chose Century Pilates instructor training program because it represents  and upholds the highest standard in classical Pilates education. My first experience attempting to teach Pilates elsewhere did not value the methodical and systemic approach to authentic Pilates, and the lack of proper understanding & instruction left me overwhelmed and discouraged. That experience actually clarified what I didn’t want—and ultimately pushed me to pursue authentic classical training with the best program available.”


Anita is a 4th generation classical Pilates apprentice teacher of the Century Pilates Instructor Training Program, CPIT®. CPIT®, created by Master instructor, Emily Urbansoky Wills, is globally accredited by the Pilates Method Alliance and is a proud lineage certification of the Romana Kryzanowska style of classical Pilates. It takes 8 months to a year to complete and ensures sought after career professionals.


October of 2025 AJ furthered her education to encompass Mama Like Me prenatal and postnatal Classical Pilates instructor training by creator and master instructor Keren Feingold. Mama like me has National Pilates Certification Accreditation. 


Anita manages several part-time roles that together function as a full-time workload. She own’s and operates a small business focused on catering, baking, and canning. She’s also pursuing a bachelors degree in business accounting and works part-time as an accounts manager for a natural gas compression service company. AJ’s days are structured, busy, and require strong time management.


My life revolves around my husband, Jimmy, and our three dogs—our Doberman sisters, Riot (chocolate) and Onyx (black) , and our apricot Yorkipoo, Penny who has the meanest underbite you’ve ever seen.

AJ is originally from Tombstone, Arizona. She doesn’t have children of her own but is a stepmom, and a bit of a quiet genius in the kitchen who makes her lasagna completely form scratch. Traveling is AJ’s highest priority. Her passion for exploring new places, experiencing different foods and drinks, and connecting with new people is the love language her soul requires. “I’ve built a career in business, sales, and operations, and I’m also a business owner and accounting student. Pilates is a meaningful extension of that life experience, bringing balance, intention, and purpose into how I move, teach, and show up for others.”

AJ’s sincere hope is to have her students leave their tailored sessions with her bosting a newfound sense of power, more confident, and more at home in their bodies. “I want them to experience that rewarding feeling of moving well and recognizing their own strength and capability.”

CONTINUE SCROLLING TO MEET, Mayra Baeza..

Mayra Baeza

4th generation comprehensive classical Pilates Apprentice

Mayra first came to know the Pilates method after she sat out on a quest to research the Pilates certification options locally. Mayra, who hails from Andrews, TX, knew her best bet would be to look toward the Tall City for options. Her first session was a private lesson in December of 2024 with Emily Wills. “The first time I tried Pilates I fell in love with it. It was a full body workout. My body felt decompressed.”

“I love that there is so much variety and endless potential withing the classical Pilates methodology to tailor unique and engaging lesson plans.” Mayra set out on her Pilates journey with her initial goal being to uniformly tone her body.


Several years ago, Mayra sustained injuries causing pain in her shoulder, back and hips. “A regular Pilates practice has drastically improved my shoulders. I’m a side sleeper which would cause debilitating pain in my shoulder by morning. My hip’s are finally strong and mobile allowing me to finally be able to squat down to pick something up without my hip locking up on me.” Mayra’s diagnosis of pelvic congestion syndrome has hysterically caused excruciating pain detouring her from a regular fitness regimen, and Pilates has been the only form of fitness that elevates her pain entirely.


Mayra has been a medical assistant for over 2 decades. Her extensive career in bedside palliative care is a testament to her intrinsically nurturing nature. “I wanted to shift form beside healthcare and continue to help people in a way I felt would have a more lasting impact on them have a positive outcome, having a more worthwhile impact of their quality of life in the long term. “I wanted to integrate my compassion and empathetic virtues to help change peoples lives through the tried and true classical Pilates method”. 


Mayra has had a love for movement and has been an athletic & in shape person her entire life. She admittedly doesn’t enjoy going to the gym. “I just felt uncomfortable all the time. I also didn't want to build bulky muscle. I wanted something that would work out my entire body not focus on just legs one day or arms another day and cardio another day etc. I would work out at home but felt like I needed a challenge. All I wanted was to tone my full body.”  While relaying on workout videos Mayra had always heard trainers reference the Pilates method. After extensive research, Mayra was quickly aligned with Century Pilates in Midland, TX. After her first private lesson she immediately fell in love with Pilates. Mayra is “the type of person who likes to learn the right way to do things so knowing the background and where it originated from is something that intrigued me.” 

By January 2025, Mayra began her journey as a 4th generation classical Pilates apprentice teacher of the Century Pilates Instructor Training Program, CPIT®. CPIT®, created by Master instructor, Emily Urbanosky Wills, is globally accredited by the Pilates Method Alliance and is a proud lineage certification of the Romana Kryzanowska style of classical Pilates. It takes 8 months to a year to complete and ensures sought after career professionals.


October of 2025 Mayra furthered her education to encompass Mama Like Me prenatal and postnatal Classical Pilates instructor training by creator and master instructor Keren Feingold. Mama like me has National Pilates Certification Accreditation. 

Being from the same nursing background as Emily Wills, owner and founder of Century Pilates “I asked Emily if I could take her 600 Hour training program knowing I had never taught in my life, she took a chance on me and has given me something to look forward to.”


Mayra has been happily married to Urbano for over 14 years and they share three children with a grandbaby on the way. They also have their Shih Tzu princess, Sophia, who runs their house.


Mayras favorite pastimes are going to the lake, getting out of town for a fun weekend away, volleyball and spending quality time with her husband and kids.


Mayra strives for her clients to feel great after a hard workout, feeling decompressed and good about themselves that they accomplished their work out goals.

meet our Guest Instructors who visit from Dallas & Lubbock

Get to know senior instructor, Leah Ogle

3rd generation comprehensive classical Pilates instructor & Level 2.0 GYROTONIC® practitioner.

Leah Ogle is an intuitive, upbeat instructor with more than a decade of diverse teaching experience spanning movement education and public academics. Her background includes work across multiple disciplines and levels—from Classical Pilates and Contemporary Dance to the ç Method and middle school education. Her certifications include GYROTONIC® Level 1 and completion of the Fort Worth Classical Pilates Teaching Program under the mentorship of Master Instructor, Laura West Strawser, a respected figure in the field.


Leah’s journey with Pilates began at age 12, when it was introduced at her dance studio, KJ Dance in Plano, as a form of cross-training and injury prevention. Captivated by its corrective magic and mind-body connection, Leah made Pilates a cornerstone of her training, crediting it with helping her develop functional movement habits that fueled her success as a professional Modern dancer. This dedication earned her the prestigious Nordan Fine Arts Scholarship to Texas Christian University (TCU), where she refined her skills before performing with several professional dance companies across Texas.


Leah backed up her practical experience with targeted coursework in Anatomical Kinesiology, Anatomy for Dancers, Physiology Workshops, Dance Pedagogy, and Movement Analysis during her time at TCU. These classes gave her the science and teaching tools to match her passion for movement. Combined with thousands of hours spent in ballet and modern technique classes, Leah’s training sharpens her creativity, discipline, and ability to tailor instruction in ways that are as effective as they are inspiring.


Over the years, Leah has taught for a variety of movement and wellness studios including Fort Worth Classical Pilates, Somaspace, Soul Body Works, City Club Fort Worth, Omni Pilates, and now Century Pilates®. Meanwhile, she has danced with Contemporary Dance companies such as imPULSE Dance Project, Out on a Limb Dance Theater, The Theorists, Chaddick Dance Theatre, Kathy Dunn Hamrick Dance Company, Flatlands Dance Theater, and Zion Dance Project.


As an educator, Leah brings warmth, precision, and empathy to every session. She has worked with clients from ages 16 to 93, addressing everything from arthritis to fibromyalgia and visual impairments. Her highly personalized approach empowers clients to reduce pain, improve mobility, and build lasting strength for daily life.

Years of intensive dance training have tuned Leah’s body awareness and given her a keen eye for movement nuances. After countless classes and workshops, she’s developed a knack for delivering spot-on, personalized corrections that help anyone—from beginners to pros—move more efficiently and pain-free. She communicates clearly and intuitively, making her a highly effective teacher no matter the student’s background.


Leah's passion for intelligent movement & lifelong commitment to optimizing technique is evident in her approach to tailoring to your individual needs. 

Continue scrolling to meet, Guest Instructor Shannon Johnson

Get to know Lead Senior instructor, Shannon JOhnson

4th generation comprehensive classical Pilates instructor & faculty for Century Pilates Instructor Training, CPIT®

Shannon Johnson began taking Pilates in early 2018 and immediately fell in love with the well-rounded frame of work, experiencing remarkable results in her body and craving the constant challenges it provided. As she developed into consistent practice, she began to realize that there are different methods of Pilates and found herself exclusively gravitating to the classical method that was taught by a talented and passionate instructor, Emily Wills. 


The classical method stood out from the contemporary methods, being a much more challenging full-body workout, with flow and an emphasis on technical form. A year into her Pilates practice, Shannon transitioned to private practice, training solely with Emily Wills, revealing a deeper level of Pilates benefits when the exercises are performed correctly, modified as needed, and the workouts are tailored for her own unique needs and goal. 


Shannon’s private practice fast-tracked into an exciting blessing and journey when she was presented with the opportunity to study under her talented mentor. Elated and honored, she jumped at the invitation to enroll in the Century Pilates Instructor Training in the fall of 2021.


While working on her Pilates certification, Shannon enrolled and completed Vbarre instructor training in March of 2022 and successfully finalized her 600-hour comprehensive Century Pilates Instructor Training apprenticeship in May of 2022. Shannon continues to expand her study and knowledge of the Classical Pilates method engaged as a mentor for Century Pilates Instructor Training, with 1200+ audit hours. In 2023, to better serve her clients, Shannon broadened her wellness studies by becoming ELDO II certified under the mentorship of Legacy Sports & Wellness owner & globally recognized, Scott Herrera, in the techniques and teachings of Guy Voyer’s, ELDOA. ELDOA is a highly specialized & specific set of myofascial postures used to target & decompress the space between vertebras, otherwise known as spinal decompression.


Born and raised in the DFW area, Shannon is a wife and the proud mother to a beautiful daughter and a dog mom to three spoiled fur babies. Outside of her passion for Pilates, she holds a demanding, professional business career and has a love for the outdoors, baking, and travel. One of Shannon’s hidden talents is planning epic vacations.


She feels blessed to have a home studio to nurture her practice. Shannon is devoted to continuing her Pilates and ELDOA education and life-long practice, sharpening her skills as an instructor, and making long-term plans to be a full-time instructor and trainer as a retirement career.


Shannons passionate about sharing her love for Pilates and ELDOA® with her clients to create profound change. When taking one of her classes, Shannon strives to bring you an empowering, positive, and effective workout experience, focused on your specific needs peppered with some fun and challenging variations, humor, and joy.

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