CLASS SCHEDULE
CLASS SCHEDULE
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.
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. In 2010 she earned her Mat Pilates certification, continued her studies with the 600+ hr comprehensive Power Pilates certification in early 2013. In 2017 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 depth of work in her body that she bridged into a new comprehensive certification with REAL Pilates. She currently has over 1200+ hours of training.
She is a runner and has competed in various triathlons, half marathons and full marathons including the 2009, 2012 & 2017 Boston Marathons (during the Boston to Big Sur Challenge: 2 Marathons, 2 Coasts, 2 Weeks) and the 2016 Augusta half ironman.
Mary Martha believes that she is an educator at heart, earning 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 mind AND body.
PILATES INSTRUCTOR & ASSISTANT MANAGER
Lexi, originally from Alaska, moved to New Orleans in 2021 where she joined our studio as an apprentice of Real Pilates. In October of 2021, she completed her certification making her a 3rd generation Pilates Instructor under Alycea Ungaro. She has quickly adjusted to living in the South and loves finding new spots around town for food and drinks. Lexi graduated from Butler University Jordan College of the Arts with a BFA in Dance-Performance. She then danced professionally with Fort Wayne Ballet before retiring and pursuing her career in Pilates.
PILATES INSTRUCTOR
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!
STUDIO MANAGER, YOGA INSTRUCTOR & PILATES INSTRUCTOR
Harmony fell in love with yoga and after practicing for two years, she decided to take the Yoga teacher training. She loved the way that yoga calmed her mind, challenged her body and connected her to the breath. She knew that she wanted to hold space for others in this same way. While in yoga training, she started taking Pilates privates twice a week and absolutely loved the way that she felt during and after her sessions.
A year after her yoga training, she decided to take the Real Pilates Teacher training in the fall of 2018. She loves to help her clients along their wellness journey. Harmony has a great rapport with all of her clients. She loves to watch their bodies change and their confidence in themselves grow. Harmony never stops learning new facets of both modalities and is certified to teach beginner, restorative and pre-natal yoga. Harmony continues to grow her Pilates knowledge daily by observing her mentors and auditing cycles of the Real Pilates Teacher Training, and always gives her best to both her Pilates and yoga clients.
If you know Harmony, you know Stormy her rescue boxer! You can catch her walking Stormy in Audubon Park, practicing yoga & Pilates, reading, watching movies or hang out with friends.
harmony@choosegrace.org
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.
Brand Strategy & Operations Specialist
Every company needs an integrator. A bridge gap between a brand's strategy and the operations that ultimately becomes the brand- that's where Jami comes in.
When she's not working, you'll find her scoping out new restaurants or new walking trails. Working or not, my medically challenged 8 month old is always teaching me something new!
jami@choosegrace.org
Alison, originally from Ohio, moved to New Orleans nine years ago with her husband and two children. She left her career as a Physical Therapist Assistant to be a stay at home mom. She found yoga after she had her second child and was having difficulty getting back into running. Yoga has been a passion of hers ever since. It’s a place where Alison is challenged mentally and physically. As her love of yoga grew she knew she wanted to teach everyone how amazing yoga is. Alison got her Group Exercise Certification and taught yoga at a small gym in Destrehan. Recently, she graduated from Free To Be 200hr yoga teacher training to pursue her dream of teaching in yoga studios. Alison loves teaching yoga and watching people improve in their practice. She’s always available for any questions about yoga. Namaste.