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 just under seven year. In 2018, she moved her studio to Lexington, KY and taught there 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, Pendleton Pilates, Stott Pilates, TRX, Mad Dogg Spinning, and ACE Personal Training. In 2017, Lucie was awarded the Leo Medallion for Leadership in Pilates by McEntire Pilates. In January 2018, Lucie was interviewed for the Pilates Unfiltered Podcast, an international podcast celebrating Pilates and Pilates teachers. Lucie was also thrilled to be a presenter at the McEntire Pilates Summit in 2018, 2019 and postponed 2021. Lucie also presented at the Inaugral Brink Pilates Conference in June 2020.
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 pursed 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 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 you are 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: 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: 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