Pilates Bodies is a fully equipped, client-centered Pilates studio founded on Classic Pilates instruction. We also incorporate modern Pilates exercises and philosophy to create versatile, individualized fitness programs. By combining strength building, stretching, coordination, control and balance, our trained Pilates professionals will help you to mentally and physically re-center your body.

Pilates techniques are so varied and versatile that clients of all ages and fitness levels will benefit from the specialized instruction. Those with injuries or chronic pain will experience reduced soreness and tension in muscle groups. The Pilates Method stimulates muscles in a unique way - every exercise incorporates strength building as well as stretching of the muscles to achieve an overall balanced conditioning of the body.

We at Pilates Bodies are committed to creating an environment that energizes and at the same time relaxes you, strengthens and stretches your body and empowers you to lead a healthy, self-fulfilling life.

Leah Kogen Busam, Owner & Pilates Instructor:

In 2000, Leah began Pilates to decrease chronic lower back pain. A year later, with her lower back issues resolved, her love for Pilates and her enthusiasm for teaching others led her into the training program to become a Certified Pilates Instructor. Leah was trained extensively in Classical Pilates with Hope Petrine, owner of the Pilates of Cherry Creek Certification Center and a Certified Pilates Trainer who studied under Romana Kryzanowska at the Pilates Studio of NYC. Romana is heir to the work of Joseph Pilates and one of the Pilates elders.

After gaining valuable teaching experience at Pilates of Cherry Creek, Leah’s own studio, Pilates Bodies, opened in the summer of 2005. By utilizing spring based equipment and floor work, while incorporating breathing and concentration techniques, Leah will create individualized workout programs for clients wishing to increase core strength and flexibility, improve posture and help prevent injury. Additionally, specializing in Pilates for pregnancy, she will specifically tailor exercise programs for those women embarking upon the journey toward motherhood.

Prior to her Pilates training, Leah worked for ten years as a corporate sales manager in the hi-tech industry selling software applications to Fortune 500 clients. She specialized in customer relationship management software for telecommunications and established strategic alliance partnerships with a variety of technology and consulting partners.

Leah has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Pomona College in Southern California, majoring in Fine Arts and minoring in Economics and is an active member of the Denver Art Museum and Denver Botanic Gardens. Leah continues to learn more about the benefits and techniques of Pilates by attending various workshops throughout the country. In addition to Pilates, Leah enjoys spending time with her new baby girl born in December of 2005 and loves to ski, bike and read.

Laura Gill, Pilates Instructor & Studio Manger:

Laura Gill, a Colorado native, received her Bachelors degree In Human Development and family Studies from CSU and has always been interested in the human body, anatomy, movement and the role nutrition plays in health. She discovered Pilates through a friend and she was immediately hooked. Laura’s pilates instructor at the time, Hope Petrine, was running a certification program and Laura excitedly enrolled. She received her certification in 2004 and her training was classically based. Coincidentally Laura’s training through Hope is how she met and became friends with Leah. Recently after receiving her certificate, she moved to California where she was exposed to even more varieties of the Pilates movement. When working with clients, Laura loves to tailor her workouts to her specific clients needs and she enjoys mixing classical based pilates with a more modern style. She tries to offer a new and innovative approach. She does not want her clients to ever feel like they have fully mastered Pilates. Laura wants her clients to stay motivated and continue to be passionate about the Pilates Method. Laura has been teaching for 7 years and she is still very excited about the evolution of Pilates and how it continues to change to incorporate all bodies. She is thrilled to be back in her home state and become a part of the Pilates Bodies team.

Kerri Reynolds, Pilates Instructor:

Kerri is originally from Lake Arrowhead, California and moved to Summit County, CO during her high school years. She attended Trinity International University in Illinois where she attained her BA in history and graduated in 2002. At Trinity, Kerri was a member of the college volleyball team and she has coached volleyball for many years. Additionally, she has been a personal trainer and a spinning instructor. Kerri's interest in sports, fitness and overall conditioning of the body led her to the PhysicalMind Pilates certification program in Chicago, IL. There she was trained as a Pilates Instructor in all the Pilates disciplines…the floorwork and equipment exercises, as well as earning a unique certification in Standing Pilates work. Kerri also has certifications in Rehabilitative Pilates and Pilates for Pregnancy. She continues to learn more about the techniques and benefits of Pilates by attending various workshops. In addition to doing Pilates, Kerri enjoys snowboarding, biking and hiking.

Chris Jezzini, Pilates Instructor:

A lifetime of athletic endeavors including running, mountain climbing, skiing (snow and water), biking, weight training and yoga led Chris to Pilates. The flexibility and strength benefits she experienced while taking Pilates “privates” made her realize that this was an exercise regimen that could be continued for life. Chris received extensive training in Classical Pilates at the Pilates of Cherry Creek Certification Center and is fully certified as an instructor of The Pilates Method of Body Conditioning as developed by Joseph Pilates. Whatever one’s goal may be, whether it’s resolving back issues for a better golf game, preparing for a ski season or to stand up straighter in order to be able to walk your daughter down the aisle, Chris believes that Pilates movements can enhance everyone’s quality of life.

Jamie Jolley, Pilates Instructor:

Jamie Jolley was born and raised in Colorado. She received her certification as a Pilates Instructor through the Pilates of Cherry Creek Certification Center in 2005 and loves having the privilege of teaching the Pilates Method. She is also a massage therapist and received her training in 2001 from The Colorado School of Healing Arts. She continues to learn more about the techniques and benefits of Pilates by attending various workshops. In her free time, Jamie enjoys biking, Pilates and hiking.

Tammy Wallace, Pilates Instructor:

Tammy’s exploration of the human sciences began early in life studying dance and gymnastics as a young girl. While studying at Florida State, Tammy received her BS in Nutrition and also cheered on their nationally ranked co-ed team.  Heading south to Miami Beach, Tammy studied various manual therapies while working as a Personal Trainer and Nutrition Educator with Crunch Fitness whose name appeared on the list of Top 100 Athletic Clubs in the U.S.  Following her massage therapy training, Tammy headed west and began her professional cheerleading career with the Denver Nugget’s first Co-ed Performance Team. In Denver, she further developed her kinesiology skills with the Polestar Pilates education group. As Tammy’s love for fitness grows, she enjoys a wide range of activities including yoga, Pilates, and weight training. Taking it outdoors, she devours Colorado’s best seasonal sports including rock climbing, downhill skiing, and cycling.

Sarah Hagevik, Pilates Instructor:

A lifetime of athletic endeavors including running, cycling and skiing led Sarah to Pilates. The flexibility and strength benefits she experienced from the Pilates Method made her realize that this is an exercise regimen that can be continued for life.  Sarah received extensive training in classical Pilates at the world renowned Pilates Center in Boulder Colorado and is fully certified as an instructor of The Pilates Method of Body Conditioning as developed by Joseph Pilates.

Heather Wechsler, Pilates Instructor:

Colorado Native, Heather Wechsler, started dancing at the age of 8 years old and from there, as an adult, her love grew for movement, fitness, and health that contained a mind-body-spirit connection. After a dancing injury in 1991, Heather was introduced to Pilates and has been hooked ever since. Her passion comes from how Pilates has rehabilitated her physically, emotionally and mentally. Heather attended C.U. Denver for a B.A. in German and Political Science. In 2007, Heather gave birth to two beautiful baby girls- twins! Through this experience, Heather held onto her Pilates practice and hopes to grow her pre- and post- natal teaching. Heather is a nationally certified reflexologist, and she believes in the holistic approach to health and fitness. After a Pilates apprenticeship at A Fine Balance in Highlands Ranch, she received her Classical / Pilates Method Aligned-Approved Certification at pH7 Pilates in Denver. Heather is excited to teach at Pilates Bodies, and continues her commitment to continuing education in the Pilates and her enthusiasm for sharing this work with her clients.

Tina D'Amore, Pilates Instructor:

Tina has had a lifelong affinity to fitness and wellness. She attended Central Washington University where she majored in Spanish and Communication and worked as a certified group fitness instructor. Her first introduction to Pilates was during a continuing education workshop in 2002. After college and during a sales career in financial services, she sought out physical therapy for chronic neck pain. This led her back to the Mind/Body disciplines of Pilates and Yoga. Tina found much more than physical benefits from both practices and wanted to share these gifts with others. Tina completed the Pilates Instructor Certification at Pilates of Cherry Creek. She also completed a Yoga instructor certification. Tina has been extensively trained in Pre & Post Natal modifications for both disciplines. Tina’s highest reward is seeing clients improve their lives starting with movement. All of the physical results we work toward (strength, balance, flexibility, grace, etc.) are metaphors for enhancing our daily lives. Tina's other interests include hiking, skiing, in-line skating and looking for the next adventure!