Welcome to SUrprise Pilates!
We are a boutique Wellness Studio and WE believe Pilates and movement ARE for everyone!
We’ve all been to classes where we were surrounded by strangers, the instructor never made eye-contact, surely didn’t know our name, and we did the same workout as the last class. Sound familiar?
That’s where Surprise Pilates is different even surprising if you will! We get to know our students by name, by body, and by likes and dislikes. We tailor our classes and sessions to the bodies in front of us. For that reason, no two classes are ever quite the same. We take requests. We address body issues and personal goals.
We accommodate all levels so you never feel like you are in over your head or getting a mediocre workout because of newer students in your class. We offer a variety of options from Pilates to Barre to Suspension Training to Yoga and even Nutrition Coaching!
We are friendly studio and community of people! You’ll make Pilates friends, and you’ll look forward to seeing them in class. You’ll hold each other accountable and you’ll laugh and inspire each other! If you don’t like people – this may not be the place for you! You’ll see your body transform, your mood improve, and your emotional well-being rise. Chances are good you’ll even sleep better! We like to think you’ll surprise yourself with how your life will improve with a regular Pilates and movement practice.
To help you reach your goals, we encourage a regular, consistent practice. At Surprise Pilates, we’ll sit down with you and figure out what is the best plan for you, your goals, and your lifestyle.
We offer a variety of membership options to meet just about everyone’s needs. We are happy to help you decide which one is best for you.
At Surprise Pilates Studio we are committed to continued learning and growth. Our instructors regularly attend workshops and conferences, and bring all that goodness back to the studio and our Surprise Pilates family.
PILATES 101
What is Pilates and is it right for you? You have questions and we have answers! It can be hard to describe all the magic of the Pilates but we've taken a stab. Still have questions? Want to know more about our other offerings? Head over to our contact page and send us a message. We'd love to chat with you!
WHAT IS PILATES?
Pilates is an amazing and intelligent method of movement created by Joseph Pilates. What makes Pilates so special and unique is the ability to tap in to and recruit our smaller stabilizing muscles as well as the large global muscles all the while using your core, mind, and breathe. Pilates helps to create balance, strength, and length in the body. The benefits go far beyond physical body tone and condition. Pilates has been shown to significantly improve balance and posture as well as emotional well-being, concentration, and even sleep habits.
Who is Pilates foR?
Pilates is safe and effective for the young and old regardless of current fitness level. Men and women both benefit from the mind-body practice of Pilates. Many with back pain have found relief and avoided surgery with Pilates. This practice can be used to rehab an injury, avoid surgery, improve chronic conditions, as well as safely workout during pregnancy and postpartum. At Surprise Pilates, we are happy to take guidance from your Doctor, Physical Therapist, Massage Therapist, or Chiropractor when designing your sessions.
What are the Benefits of Pilates?
Pilates is a mind-body exercise that is challenging yet gentle. This workout is ideal for all ages and skill levels, from the professional athlete to the post rehabilitation client, or new mom. The reformer assists or resists the client depending on his/her physical condition and can be performed well into the senior years. Pilates meets the students where they are and adapts and responds as their fitness improves. Pilates increases strength, flexibility, balance, and posture while toning the body without "bulking". Over time clients will develop a solid core, long/lean muscles, sculpted arms, and a strong back allowing the body to move in a more efficient pattern of movement.
Pilates will change your body and your life!
INTRODUCTORY Private SESSION
Every introduction starts with a conversation. We want to know you, your goals, what’s held you back, what excites you, and what challenges you. The better we know you, the better we can create a plan to get you to your goals and maybe even exceed them, too! At Surprise Pilates we believe everyone is unique and special in their own way … so we address the person. Our classes are personalized, our approach is personal, and our results are personally rewarding!
Let’s start that conversation! We want to know you and answer all your questions!
Surprise Pilates recommends that all new students complete an Initial Private Session. This initial session is designed for you to get to know our instructors, our equipment, our vocabulary, and the principles that make Pilates amazing. Just as important, it’s designed for our instructors to get to know you, your body, your goals, and modifications or challenges that would be ideal for you. We’ll also do an assessment of your body (don’t worry there’s no scale at Surprise Pilates!) and help define your goals.
So what if you’ve done Pilates before? If you are an experienced student - excellent! You are still welcome to do an intro private with us so we can get to know your body but if you feel that group classes are for you - we'll take your word for it and look forward to having you join one of our groups.
Not sure what to do? Call the studio to discuss if you like.
OUR INSTRUCTORS
LUCIE: INSTRUCTOR/STUDIO OWNER
Lucie fell in love with Pilates 15 years ago and knew she needed to learn more and share Pilates with others. She wasn't new to the fitness world though, as she was already a Spinning and group fitness instructor since 2000 and a former college athlete having competed in track and cross country at Centre College. In 2009 she received her Pilates Certification and began teaching in Cincinnati, Ohio before moving to Nashville, TN. Lucie owned and taught at a successful studio in Nashville, 12South Pilates for almost seven years. In 2018, Lucie moved her studio to Lexington, KY where she taught for a little over three years. In 2021 Lucie pursued a dream of living in Arizona and moved to Surprise.
She currently holds certifications from the Pilates Method Alliance, Stott Pilates, Pendleton Pilates, TRX, Mad Dogg Spinning, and ACE Personal Training. In 2020, Lucie enrolled in the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and is completing her Health and Nutrition Coach Certification this Spring. In 2017, Lucie was awarded the Leo Medallion for Leadership in Pilates by McEntire Pilates. Lucie has presented at the McEntire Pilates Summit in 2018 and 2019 and upcoming in 2021.
Her Pilates philosophy – Pilates is for everybody and it’s the teacher’s responsibility to find the right movements for each student’s unique body and needs. She takes a very personalized approach and believes everyone can shine with Pilates.
Lucie has pursued training in Prenatal and Postpartum Pilates, as well as Pilates for chronic conditions and rehab, and Pilates for low back pain and pelvic stability.
SAM: Instructor
Hi there! My name is Sam and I just moved to Surprise in July 2022 with my fiance, Chandler, where we bought our first house to live in with our chocolate lab, Bronx, and kitty named Remi. We will get married this June!
I fell in love with pilates my sophomore year of college after following many strong women on social media, but took my first actual class in January 2021. I decided to enroll in a teacher training program a year later and have now been a full-time Certified Pilates Instructor since June. I absolutely love teaching and practicing pilates. The way your mind can enhance your workout even more than the equipment is inspiring to me and I love the results that I see, as well as when my clients nail a new move or share their exciting discoveries about their body because of pilates.
DAVINA: INSTRUCTOR
Hey there, my name is Davina but most people call me D. I'm a born and bred Arizona girl. My birthday is July 29th, a true leo. I have a teenage son, Alex, he's a sporty boy and loves Volleyball.
I started my Pilates journey in March 2016 and immediately fell in love with it and realized I wanted to make it a career and teach. I decided to go through a teacher training program and became certified. I’ve been teaching now for more than 4 years. My favorite thing about teaching Pilates is that I get to help clients feel better and become stronger and healthier in their body. A healthy spine is my goal for every client. I would describe my teaching style as alignment and core focused with a dash of playfulness and fun. I enjoy watching my clients achieve their goals and setting new ones. Their progress fills my cup.
DIANNE: INSTRUCTOR
Hi everyone! I’m so excited to have found a new Pilates home!. I just moved here from Southern California. I’ve been on a fitness journey for over thirty years. I started as a certified Group Fit teacher, which evolved into Personal Training. When I joined a new fitness gym and Spa they had a Pilates Studio. I was hooked and became a Certified Pilates Trainer. My passion lies with Pilates and helping people become in tune with their body and how amazing you feel when finished with a session.
I’m so happy to be here, on this new life journey, in beautiful Arizona, with my labradoodle, Gracie, and my Dad!
Rudi: Pilates Instructor
Rudi discovered Pilates in 2018 while looking for help improving her ability to recover after playing intense tennis matches several times a week. She immediately loved the discipline and benefits of the practice. After a few years of taking classes and learning the Pilates method, she made the decision to go through the STOTT Pilates Intensive Reformer training program to become a certified Pilates Instructor.
Her appreciation for the mind-body connection of Pilates is reflected in her teaching practices. She is an empathetic
and compassionate instructor that recognizes that everyone comes to Pilates with their own unique challenges and goals. Rudi looks forward to working with clients privately and in groups and is committed to helping clients reach their fitness goals and discover the benefits of Pilates.
Jenny: Pilates Instructor
Jenny Milani is a freelance dancer currently based in the Valley. She graduated from Point Park University in 2019 with a BA in Dance and and BS in Business Administration. Jenny was first introduced to Pilates as a young teen to help supplement her dance training and fell in love with it as a young adult. In 2023 Jenny decided to pursue Stott Pilates Teacher Training and completed the program at Surprise Pilates.
When she's not dancing or practicing her Pilates, Jenny loves spending time with family and friends and her pitbull Bernie