the origin
Your Body Pilates®
Gretchen’s deep love for movement was always present, but her appreciation grew larger than life after more than a decade as a professional dancer, Pilates teacher, and art model. She founded Your Body Pilates to provide an inclusive and inspirational environment so clients can get the most out of their Pilates practice.
The Mission
Inspiration for Movement
While living and working in Chicago and San Francisco, Gretchen felt that greater respect and admiration for the human body were needed. Consumers, including herself, were being taunted to achieve superficial results instead of being deeply connected and healthy from the inside out.
Gretchen founded Your Body Pilates because she believes the human body should be viewed as a form of art instead of something we need to “change.” At Your Body Pilates, we believe a dedicated practice can help shift your perspective of the human body. More specifically, working on your body and focusing on yourself for even an hour a day can foster deep connection and health from the inside out.
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
Gretchen LaWall
BFA, NCPT, Fletcher Pilates® Faculty
Though Gretchen started practicing Pilates as a young dancer in North Carolina, her passion for the Pilates Method wasn’t realized until she was introduced to the Fletcher Pilates® method in 2009 while training for her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance at the University of Arizona. In the fall of 2011, she began the Fletcher Pilates Program of Study under the direction of Kyria Sabin and Debrah Mendoza.
After thousands of hours of practice and over 13 years of teaching in big cities like Chicago and San Francisco, Gretchen is very excited to own a Pilates studio of her very own. It is Gretchen’s passion to share her love of movement with you and to help educate the next generation of Fletcher Pilates Teachers. Outside of Pilates, you can find Gretchen dancing professionally with Nevada Dance Company, or enjoying the outside with friends, family and dog Chewie.
The Team
Your Body Pilates Instructors
Prattana Kennedy
Prattana is our fully certified Fletcher Pilates teacher. She has a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the Fletcher Pilates method. Originally from Chiang Mai, Thailand. She worked in the tourism field for some years before getting married and relocating to the US more than twenty years ago. After fifteen years as an enthusiastic Pilates learner, dabbling in many different styles of Pilates, she has finally settled on the Fletcher Pilates school. She loves the mind-body connection awareness that can be gained through deep diving into the practice. She is a firm believer that the best teacher is the one who continues to learn. She teaches many classes and works with clients of all ages and special considerations. Her love of learning shines through in her teaching. She loves welcoming everyone and introducing them to the joy of movement through Pilates.
Jonathan David Dummar
A movement professional for over two decades, Jonathan’s love for teaching Pilates stems from his lifelong fascination with the expressive possibilities of the human body and his reverence for the healing potential of movement. As a professional ballet dancer, Jonathan performed internationally with the National Ballet of China and nationally with the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago. He received his comprehensive Pilates certification with Merrithew™ Health and Fitness and is currently studying to become a Physician’s Assistant. Jonathan always aims to create a challenging and rewarding atmosphere. He frequently marvels at the method’s effects on the lives of his clients, and he truly appreciates the fellowship available in the studio.
Aleks Schillmoeller
Aleks originally hails from Chicago where she completed her pre-professional ballet training at the Joffrey Ballet School. She then danced professionally with the Joffrey Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. She began her study of Pilates at the age of 12 through the classical lineage of Romana Pilates first generation instructors in Chicagoland. In her first year of dancing professionally Aleks fractured her spine and spent most of her time in the Pilates studio learning more about her body and how to help it heal itself. This inspired her to complete her comprehensive teacher training in Classical Pilates and later supplement through bridge training from Merrithew Health and Fitness Pilates. Aleks has taught Pilates in Chicago, New York City, and Hawai’i where she owned and operated her own studio. Her passions for teaching Pilates include teaching people how to become more connected and aware of themselves through their own movement and teach how movement enriches their lives beyond just the physical tasks they perform.
Kristine Silva
I am a Comprehensive Pilates instructor, with a passion for functional fitness and mobility. Experienced in working with diverse populations, including athletes and those recovering from injuries. I found my passion for Pilates after experiencing the transformative power of Pilates following a repetitive injury from long distance running, military injuries, and a long career as a Dental Hygienist. I became passionate about sharing this method with others and I’m dedicated to helping clients discover the mind-body connection and achieve a greater sense of well-being. Recently relocating from Arizona, I am grateful for the opportunity to immerse myself in the Reno community. With a love for the outdoors, I enjoy downhill skiing, taking my dogs to Lake Tahoe for a hike, and discovering what Reno has to offer.
The Studio
Come See Us!
Our 3200 sq. ft. Pilates studio is conveniently located in the Plumgate Plaza on the corner of W Plumb Ln and S Arlington Ave. The first thing most people do when they enter this calming and welcoming environment is take a deep, grounding breath. At Your Body Pilates, we’ve considered the small details that transform a space into a community gathering place. From amenities like dry shampoo and self-serve coffee to the folks who greet you at the front desk, we want walking through the door to feel like coming home. See the space for yourself and take a virtual studio tour.
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