Jillian Hessel

Qualifications: Certified by the American Council on Exercise (A.C.E.) and the American College of Sports Medicine (A.C.S.M.).

Personal History: I first discovered the benefits of Pilates when my professional dancing career was sidelined by a back injury in 1981. I began to study with Kathy Grant, a New York-based movement coach specializing in the technique of corrective exercise and body conditioning developed by Joseph Pilates. I recognized at once that the goals of this therapeutic conditioning system are full body control, an extremely high degree of abdominal strength, greater range of motion, and most significantly, the combined power of the body and mind. Within a few months, I began teaching Pilates and developed my own training practice. Since then, I've tutored countless students in the finer nuances of Pilates exercise. Throughout this time, I've developed and constantly honed my own unique approach to teaching Pilates.

Workout Philosophy: Each day is a new day.  Tune into your body and determine how you feel. Is it going to be a day to work out hard, or simply a day that you're glad you're able to exercise? Treat your body with respect and you’ll be rewarded with years of enjoyment and satisfaction, in the form of robust health, and a zest for life.