lynsey mclaughlin

Owner/Instructor

Lynsey’s appreciation and love for classical Pilates began after her first class. She immediately noticed how the classical exercises of Joseph Pilates challenged her in ways that were unique from any other exercise system. She states that, “because Pilates works the body holistically, the result is balanced muscle development and a decrease in injury and chronic pain due to misaligned posture and muscular imbalance.” The emphasis on posture and spinal alignment also resonated with Lynsey. A well-aligned spine is essential to a safe and effective Pilates practice making this an ideal way to improve posture. In addition to aligning the spine, the exercise series moves the spine through flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation, increasing the mobility of the spine.

Originally from Jackson, TN, Lynsey holds a Bachelors of Science in Communication from the University of Tennessee, an Masters of Business Administration from Bethel University and an Associates of Science in Nursing from Jackson State Community College. Lynsey began her career in the fitness industry over 16 years ago as a yoga instructor. She has a 200-hour yoga certification through YogaFit, as well as a 300-hour certification in yoga therapy by The Yoga Teachers School of Excellence. After teaching yoga for several years, she began her Pilates training through Peak Pilates under the tutelage of Master Instructor Sonje Mayo. Lynsey is comprehensively certified through Peak Pilates.

Bernadette Brown

Instructor

Bernadette started taking Pilates classes from her mother and sister when she was 14 years old, so she practically grew up in a Pilates studio. She would take as many classes from them as she was able to starting when she was in high school, so it was only natural for her to go through training to become a instructor. Bernadette completed her comprehensive training (600 hours) in 2016 with Power Pilates based in New York. She taught for two years in Ohio and relocated to Florida where she taught for 5 years before relocating to Tennessee. Over the years, Bernadette has worked all different types of people.  She continues her education with workshops. Bernadette has attended workshops with Kathi Ross Nash, Dana Santi, Chris Robinson and Larry Gibas. 

Catie Panagakos

Instructor

Catie is a certified Classical Pilates Teacher through The Pilates Center in Boulder, CO. She decided to become a teacher after her first Classical Pilates class, and hasn't looked back. Having grown up as a gymnast, she has always had a deep love of fitness and of learning what the body is capable of accomplishing. Once she discovered Pilates, she fell in love with the method and the balance that it brings to the body and mind, the way it heals and prevents injuries, and the way it truly "returns to life" as Joseph Pilates would say. She received certifications on the Mat and Reformer with Beth Downey at Body Precision Pilates in Philadelphia, PA. She most recently completed a comprehensive certification through The Pilates Center in Boulder, CO. She is committed to working with individuals' unique needs and strengths in order to bring life and healing to each and every body she encounters. Catie has three young daughters, and is experiencing firsthand the need for a strong and flexible body and mind to tackle everyday life!

Joanne Coorts

Instructor

Joanne is a Certified Power Pilates Instructor/ Personal Trainer and Professional Dancer. Originating from the UK she graduated with a Bachelor of Performing Arts Degree from the Northern School of Contemporary Dance. Following came an extensive professional dance career, working in musical theatre shows, contemporary dance companies and television, in the UK and abroad. It was at this time she first became introduced to Pilates. Throughout her dance career she has experienced and witnessed its many benefits.

Her love of anatomy and movement led her to become a Certified Sports Massage Therapist and Fitness Instructor in the UK. 

Moving to Nashville, in 2011 she began her 600 hours of training to become a Certified Power Pilates Instructor. She became an ACE Certified Personal Trainer, trained with Aaron Mattes in Active Isolated Stretching and completed her 200 hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training in 2016.

Lauren Perry

Instructor

Lauren was born and raised here in Nashville, TN. From the time she was 5 years old, she was trained as a dancer and always wanted to pursue that path. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance Performance from Southern Methodist University in 2009. After college, she lived in New York for 10 years where she danced professionally for companies such as Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Bad Boys of Ballet, and the Metropolitan Opera. She discovered her love for Pilates during her first year there and decided to go deeper into the work and become a certified instructor. Lauren received her certification from True Pilates New York in 2012. After leaving New York, she spent 3 years in Dallas where she was a dancer with Bruce Wood Dance, a guest teacher at her alma mater SMU, and continued her Pilates career at Park Cities Pilates Center. She is now retired from dancing and back in her hometown. She is enjoying the opportunity now to share her love of Pilates with all her beloved Nashville clients.

SUSAN STANTON

Instructor

Originally from Oak Ridge, TN, Susan began her Pilates journey in the early 90s when she moved to Atlanta.  She began taking classes at Body Awareness Pilates to complement her active schedule in corporate sales and her lifelong passion for teaching dance. After leaving Atlanta and moving back to Tennessee, she became certified in Mat Pilates through Balanced Body in 2016 at Simply Balanced and began taking classes from Sonje Mayo in Nashville. In early 2022, she graduated from Alycea Ungaro’s renowned Real Pilates Teacher Training of New York City, through host location, Pilates Fit Studio in Louisville, KY.

Susan has experienced the unmatched benefits of Pilates resistance training in her quest to stay fit and strong. Having faced multiple injuries, she understands firsthand how Pilates challenges the body safely - increasing symmetrical strength, stamina, flexibility and coordination unlike any other system or exercise program. With an unwavering desire to maintain an active lifestyle, her mission is to empower students to try new things, work hard, and trust the process.

In addition to a lifetime of formal dance training and Pilates, Susan has been practicing yoga for over 25 years and is a RYT-200 hour yoga instructor.