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We believe the union of Classical Pilates and Yoga can bring this revolution of self. Choosing grace in moments of darkness allows us to persevere.

A mission to spread grace.

In life the more we overcome, the more we transform. Our desire is to hold a sacred space so our clients can choose grace in moments that challenge them. We believe the union of Classical Pilates and Yoga can bring this revolution of self. Choosing grace in moments of darkness allows us to persevere. When we choose grace, we invite courage; we cultivate strength and gratitude.

With our clients we create strong bodies and peaceful minds, and encourage them to share their stories. These are the stories that connect us, heal us, sustain us, and allow us to open to Grace.

about bio

Alix Schaubhut Founder Grace Pilates + Yoga

A self-proclaimed “Pilates Nerd,” Alix Schaubhut left her career in nursing to pursue teaching classical Pilates in 2013. The Auburn University Alum, wife, and mother of two is deeply passionate about the preservation of the original work of Joseph Pilates. Alix began her education with a Power Pilates Comprehensive Certification. Shortly after completion, she was accepted to Real Pilates certification program studying under acclaimed second generation teacher Alycea Ungaro. As a third generation teacher, Alix is on a mission to continue to spread classical Pilates to the greater New Orleans Area. The long time dream to open Grace with partner Brigitte Martin came after Alix’s husband Carl was diagnosed with stage IV inoperable cancer for the second time. Alix emphatically credits both Pilates and Yoga as her “saving grace” through a very challenging time. Her dream is that Grace will become that place of refuge for all those seeking change, a place to honor the body, mind, and spirit.

about bio

Brigitte Martin Founder Grace Pilates + Yoga

Brigitte Martin is a dedicated and ever evolving mom, wife, yoga student, and teacher. She is the co-owner of Grace Pilates & Yoga. She has also for the past two years served as the Mentor to Michelle Baker of the 400 hr Swan River Yoga Teacher Training at Swan River Yoga. Some of the lineages that influence this training are Sivananda, Jivamukti yoga -with founders Sharon Gannon and David Life, and Ram Dass. She is grateful to teach yoga full time in New Orleans for the last 5 years and to have continued her training to include Restorative Teacher Training and Advanced Teacher Training.

Her mission is to offer healing and refuge to people who are in need. The ability to teach breath, build strength, and to cultivate gratitude for a healthy body is something Brigitte takes great pride in. Brigitte also received a certification in NYC in trauma sensitive yoga. She desires to work with veterans who suffer from PSTD to honor the life of her father Larry E Smith who was a Vietnam war hero.

Brigitte is honored to have the privilege of teaching yoga and looks forward to sharing this gift with others.

about bio

Instructors

Mary Martha Quinn

LEAD PILATES INSTRUCTOR

Mary Martha, wife and mother of three young adults, took her first Pilates class in 2003 and knew she had found the answer to her challenge with core strength. Katrina interrupted her Pilates practice, but she soon returned to Pilates and in 2010 earned her Mat Pilates certification through Power Pilates. She continued her studies and completed her 600+ hr comprehensive Pilates certification in early 2013. Last year she discovered the teaching of renown second generation Pilates teacher and author Alycea Ungaro. She was so impressed with a new depth and breadth of information as well as the new depth of work in her body that she bridged into a new comprehensive certification with REAL Pilates. She currently has over 1000+ hours of training.

She is a runner and has had a passion for fitness most of her life and in the last few years she has competed in endurance races, participating in marathons (including the 2009, 2012 & 2017 Boston Marathon), half-marathons, triathlons and a half ironman. Her latest accomplishment is the "Boston to Big Sur Challenge: 2 Marathons, 2 Coasts, 2 Weeks."

Mary Martha believes that she is an educator at heart, receiving a BA from Newcomb College and then elementary education certification at Tulane. It is her hope that through teaching her clients the principals of Pilates, they are able to gain strength and confidence in their bodies and therefore in themselves.

marymartha@choosegrace.org

Nicole Waguespack

PILATES INSTRUCTOR

Nicole is happily married and the mother of two teenagers. She loves all physical fitness and has been practicing Pilates for nine years.

She first certified in Power Pilates mat and recently completed her Real Pilates Comprehensive training after discovering a deeper mind and body connection.

nicole@choosegrace.org

Chelsea Pierce

PILATES INSTRUCTOR

Chelsea, traveler, scuba diver, music festival reveler, discovered Pilates as a Complimentary Alternative Medicine while studying for her Masters of Occupational Therapy in St. Augustine, FL. After graduation, she knew she had to learn more about Pilates. While working as a pediatric occupational therapist at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, TX, she completed Level I and II comprehensive certification through Peak Pilates. She later went on to complete Peak Pilates Level III comprehensive certification in South Carolina finishing her full comprehensive certification.

After moving back to Louisiana in 2015, she began working Children’s Hospital of New Orleans Outpatient Rehabilitation Clinic and continued teaching Pilates in New Orleans. She has seen the benefits of Pilates not only in her own body, but also within her practice as an occupational therapist and in rehabilitation. In 2018 she graduated and earned her certification from Real Pilates making her a 3rd generation Pilates Instructor under Alycea Ungaro. She has chosen two careers that foster a lifetime of continuing education. She loves to learn to improve her skills as a rehab therapist both in the clinic and in the studio.

Jessie Bowen

PILATES INSTRUCTOR

After trying many different types of fitness and never really sticking to anything, Jessie took her first Pilates class about four years ago. Initially she was just looking for a workout that she liked enough to stick with, but found so much more in Pilates. For her, Pilates is a way to connect with and strengthen her body and clear her mind. It is the time during the day that she can commit to herself without concern for day to day stressors. Because the practice affected her so positively, Jessie became interested in learning Pilates more deeply. Initially, she began a mat Balanced Body certification and while looking for a studio that taught mat classes, she stumbled upon Grace Pilates and Yoga. She took her first class with Alix and knew that day that there was something special about this studio and the REAL Pilates method. It did not take long for her to decide she wanted to switch courses and become a Real Pilates apprentice. In 2018 she graduated from Real Pilates making her a 3rd generation Pilates Instructor under Alycea Ungaro. She is very excited to have worked with the best training program in the nation and in her (unbiased) opinion, the best people and instructors in New Orleans! 


Jessie is originally from Michigan and moved to New Orleans in 2010. She works full time at Entergy in Supply Chain Management. She holds a BS in Supply Chain Management from Michigan State and an MBA from Loyola New Orleans. In her spare time Jessie enjoys shopping, traveling with her husband, Matt and exploring all of the food, festivals and fun that New Orleans has to offer!

Harmony Schaubhut

YOGA INSTRUCTOR

Harmony has been taking yoga about three years and enjoys that yoga connects her to her inner self, and also connects her to the community around her. Yoga gives us the ability to heal and nourish ourselves, so that we can take care of others more fully. She thinks that yoga can play a very important part in people’s lives.

Harmony graduated from Swan River’s 400 hour Teacher Training in Mid-City. She would love to expand her knowledge even deeper into yogic philosophy and the seven chakras. She is looking forward to continuing her education and to learn how to teach restorative and beginner classes as well.

Harmony spends her free time with her husband and his family and loves reading yoga books that she can gain more knowledge with. She also loves to travel and to meditate.

harmony@choosegrace.org

Michael Quintana

YOGA INSTRUCTOR

Michael has been flirting with the yoga practice on and of since he was a teenager. He is a retired dancer and has performed on stages all over the world, but truly feels drawn to the grounding and steadiness of yoga. He completed the 350hr Swan River Teacher Training in 2014 and has been teaching consistently ever since.

Ashtanga is his earliest and greatest influence, but his class style has grown to include a strong focus on alignment and modifying the practice to fit the practitioner. May all beings have the opportunities to be who they truly are.

Rebecca Carter

YOGA INSTRUCTOR

Rebecca was born and raised in New Orleans (well most of her life). She has tried to move away several times and the city always calls her back. She love the people and the attitude and how everyone comes together and still stay’s true to themselves.  

Rebecca is a yoga nerd and not ashamed to say it and wear it proudly! After practicing on and off for 30 years, yoga became an integral part of her life in 2013. After a job change and a mind shift, she realized she needed more balance in her life and yoga spoke to her. Transform NOLA’s 200 Hour YTT found her and made her realize how much she wanted to share yoga too. Now she is looking to spread the word about yoga and its healing benefits to everyone.  

She loves to bring high energy to her classes, with a variety of music and usually some witty repartee to keep the atmosphere light but the yoga intense. As a Certified Reiki Master, she also brings energy work and chakra study into all her practices.