Candise Zepherin, INstructor

Candise Zepherin is a dedicated Balanced Body Comprehensive Apprentice determined to guide her clients as they embark on a transformative and enjoyable yet personalized fitness journey. With a background in bodybuilding spanning a decade, she seamlessly harnesses the power of Pilates to foster balanced muscle development and enhance mindful mobility.

Candise embarked on her Pilates journey in 2019 as cross-training for bodybuilding. The experience deepened her awareness of her body and cultivated a heightened connection between muscles and mind. She went on to pursue her Pilates certification in 2023, solidifying her commitment to help others discover their best selves through mindful movement. Through her holistic approach and approachable demeanor, Candise aims to dispel the intimidation often associated with exercise. Her refreshing perspective on whole-body movement guarantees improved mobility, mindfulness, and overall vitality.

To unwind, Candise finds joy in everything wellness-related, along with her love for travel and spending quality time with her daughter. Whether you’re a seasoned Pilates enthusiast or a newcomer seeking to indulge in a fully-balanced Pilates lifestyle, Candise offers a welcoming space for you to explore its benefits.

Grace Allerdice, Senior Instructor

Grace Allerdice is a Balanced Body certified comprehensive instructor who specializes in helping people recover from injuries and open into new possibilities for freedom and movement. She has also completed two 200-hour yoga teacher certifications both of which emphasized alignment-based yoga principles in addition to teaching our bodies as part of a holistic system of well-being.
In Grace's classes and sessions you can expect a curated and creative mix of movement with thoughtful cues and a dose of laughter. She likes to take your goals seriously while also helping you have a good time, work safely and do things you never thought possible.

Grace o’Gara, Instructor

An Atlanta, GA native, Grace grew up dancing at Atlanta Ballet. There, she found a passion for dance that led her to summer intensives with Boston Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre, Texas Ballet Theatre, and City Ballet of San Diego. Upon entering TCU to pursue her B.F.A. in Ballet, Grace was exposed to Pilates as a degree requirement, where she quickly fell in love with the knowledge and control of her body and movement practice offered by a Pilates practice. This led her to move forward with the TCU Pilates Teacher Training Certificate Program. Through the comprehensive program, Grace completed 700 hours of training in history, philosophy, ethics, functional anatomy, and physical practice under Susan Douglas Roberts, Sarah Newton, and Laura West Strawser. Now graduated with her B.F.A. in Ballet, B.A. in Political Science, and Pilates Teaching Certificate, Grace is excited to be back in Atlanta, close to her family, teaching Pilates and dancing!

While Grace comes to Pilates as a ballet dancer and movement artist, she deeply values the lessons it holds about alignment in motion and mind-body connection that can be applied to any individual. Grace is excited by teaching because of the opportunities to improve clients’ lives, help them meet their movement goals, and find deeper connection to their bodies. She hopes to impart to clients useful and positive body knowledge, helping them understand their limits and where they can achieve more or challenge themselves, in a safe and nonjudgmental space. Grace wholly believes in the mind-body connection and sees Pilates as a fantastic tool for a healthier life.

JACKIE ROSENTHAL, SENIOR INSTRUCTOR

Jackie has been a fitness instructor and trainer for over 30 years teaching everything from water fitness to step, high impact, boot camp, HIIT, stretch and sculpt classes. She is certified by the American College of Exercise (ACE).
In 2000, Jackie received her 600-hour comprehensive mat and apparatus certification in the Pilates Method of Body Conditioning under the tutelage of Katy Roelle from Reformation Pilates. She has received additional training from Balanced Body and STOTT Pilates, and constantly engages in continuing education opportunities from many known classically trained and first generation teachers here in Atlanta and all over the country.
Jackie, who has a Master’s Degree in Health Policy, works full-time for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the area of Global Health. In her free time, Jackie loves to exercise and especially enjoys taking other teacher’s classes and trainings in an effort to stay current and innovative.

Jefflyn Wallace, Apprentice Instructor

After undergoing abdominal surgery in 2021, I found myself disconnected from my body despite being active most of my life. Pilates became my gateway to rediscovering body awareness and achieving new levels of physical control. Despite my gratitude for the guidance of several amazing instructors, I noticed a lack of representation in the studios. Driven by a profound love for Pilates and the transformative results I experienced, I pursued comprehensive teacher training to deepen my practice and help others find their own connection to their bodies. My mission is to share the benefits of Pilates with people of all shapes and backgrounds- enhancing their athletic performance, everyday life, and joy in movement.

JENNA HOWELL, OWNER/SENIOR INSTRUCTOR

Born and raised in Indiana, Jenna attended Indiana University to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Ballet with an outside field in Exercise Science. While at Indiana University, she became interested in Pilates through her ballet training. Jenna found that Pilates was the best form of conditioning while enduring long days in the ballet studio. In 2008, Jenna took her growing love for Pilates to the next level and completed her 800-hour comprehensive Pilates certification under Corinna Cosentino at Lotus Pilates Center L.L.C. in Bloomington, Indiana.
In January 2009, after leaving Indiana University to join Atlanta Ballet, Jenna began teaching for Intown Pilates Atlanta, where she taught for ten years before deciding to open Contour Pilates ATL in December of 2018. While at Intown Pilates, she had the privilege of working with a variety of populations including pre- and post-natal, geriatrics, cancer survivors, performing artists and athletes to name a few. Jenna bridged her comprehensive Pilates certification over to Balanced Body in December of 2015 and has completed numerous continuing education workshops over the years, including a workshop with the late Master Instructor, Bob Liekens.
Jenna received her Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from Georgia State University in May of 2019, and her Exercise Physiologist certification through the American College of Sports Medicine in April of 2019. While at Georgia State, Jenna developed an interest in studying neurological conditions, such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, and Stroke. She decided that she wanted to enhance her Pilates knowledge around neurological conditions and completed a Pilates for Neurological Conditions course with Mariska Breland in April 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. Upon completion of the course, Jenna earned the certification of “Specialist in Pilates-Based Exercise for Neurological Conditions.” In her final semester at Georgia State, Jenna was offered a research internship with the Biomechanics Department, where she assisted with ongoing research that studied the effects of whole body vibration on gait patterning in children with Cerebral Palsy and Down Syndrome.
In addition to her love for Pilates, Jenna is passionate about supporting women in the Atlanta community and just recently completed the Inspire Atlanta program with the Atlanta Women’s Foundation. She also enjoys traveling, sharing good food with great friends and spending time with her husband, Brian and their two pups, Molly and Hobie.

Laura Rossini, Instructor

A comprehensively certified Balanced Body Pilates instructor and life-long dancer, Laura explores ways to bring more ease, grace, and power to movement. She challenges her body daily striving to increase both flexibility and stability. Laura is committed to meeting clients where they are, designing individualized programs that facilitate progress toward their unique goals.
Laura enjoyed a successful career dancing with Donald Byrd/The Group and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater based in NYC and touring internationally. In 2004 she left full time professional dance to pursue her interests in the visual and physical arts, getting a BFA in Graphic Design and assisting others to develop their physical capabilities. In addition to teaching dance to students across a range of levels and skill sets she is also an E-RYT 200 Hatha Yoga instructor. She brings both professional training and expertise from yoga and dance to her Pilates teaching.
Laura appreciates the power of Pilates to support, align, and challenge the body to work more efficiently, building strength and enhancing quality of life. She is passionate about empowering others to experience these transformations for themselves.
“Change happens through movement and movement heals.” Joseph Pilates

Leilani Miller, Senior Instructor

Leilani has been a mover almost all her life. Her love for movement started with the study of various forms of dance starting from age 8, continuing to high school where she attended what was then called Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Performing Arts. After taking a hiatus from any significant amount of dancing to attain my B.A. in Psychology from William Paterson University of New Jersey, she rediscovered my love of movement.

She simultaneously started dancing in Monarch Dance Company, and taking Pilates classes in 2010. With Monarch Dance Company, Leilani performed at places such as the Ailey Citigroup Theater and in front of the Lincoln Memorial in D.C. She fell in love with Pilates because she noticed it made her dancing stronger and eliminated most of her knee pain that she'd previously experienced from dancing. She also loved the effect Pilates had on her stress levels while she was finishing up school. In 2011, she completed the Ron Fletcher Program of Study.

Now located in Atlanta, Leilani began teaching Pilates in Pennsylvania and taught at various studios throughout the Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia area. She views movement, much like life, as an ever evolving learning process. Though Fletcher certified and based, she uses her studies in various forms of Pilates, dance, yoga, and other movement modalities to inform and inspire her teaching methods. Her passion for teaching is rooted in her love of helping each person feel most comfortable and powerful in their unique body, as well as moving for the pure love of movement!

Lois Benson-Talley, Apprentice Instructor

Lois’ love of Pilates grew out of her love for movement which began as a high school performer. College years in New York were filled with opportunities to study and perform while earning a B.A. in dance and a B.A. in communications from Adelphi University. Following graduation, Lois continued her studies with many notable personalities in the dance world, some leading to performances, in modern, Jazz, and ethnic genres.
Since then, Lois has consistently pursued her health and fitness goals by participating in modern dance classes, Jazzercize, Zumba, Barre exercise, tap dancing, Cross Fit, and Pilates which she enjoys the most.
Lois began her journey to become a comprehensively certified Pilates instructor through Balanced Body in 2022. As an apprentice at Contour, she looks forward to completion of the 500+ hour program and receiving that coveted certification.
Her current interest lies in functional Pilates and how it enriches the lives of men, women and youth by increasing their capacity to perform everyday activities with ease, economy, and efficiency. Lois believes that Pilates is for everyone and loves the fact that most of the repertoire in Pilates can be modified or progressed to meet the individual needs of the student. She looks forward to providing fun and challenging classes for the students at Contour Pilates.
In her spare time, Lois enjoys travel with her husband, good food and cheering on their grandson in his various athletic endeavors.

Meaghan Novoa, Instructor

Meaghan (she/they) is a dancer, choreographer and certified Pilates instructor originally from Metro Atlanta. In 2016, they completed their 500 hour comprehensive Pilates certification through Lolita’s Legacy, Lolita San Miguel's program, under the tutelage of Mary Ann Briggs at The Pilates Loft Of Newnan. After completing an apprenticeship at the Pilates Loft, Meaghan continued teaching in the Atlanta area before relocating to the Pacific Northwest in 2018.
They have spent the last four years teaching Pilates & Core Align at multiple studios in Portland, OR & Boise,ID where they have continued to pursue continuing education, most recently completing workshops from Tom McCook, Lisa Graham, Erin Meyers, and more.
They are passionate about helping their clients improve overall movement mechanics and feel more at home in their bodies. When Meaghan isn’t teaching Pilates, they enjoy cooking vegan cuisine, practicing single point trapeze and spending time with their partner Cameron and cat, Ginger.

Nanette Hill, Instructor

Nanette studied dance in NYC (Dance Theater of Harlem, Joffrey Ballet, School of American Ballet, Performing Arts/LaGuardia High School …the FAME school). In the 1980’s, because of a knee condition, her doctor recommended she do Pilates to strengthen the muscles supporting her patella. Consequently, she was extremely fortunate to have practiced Pilates personally with Carola Trier, at her NYC studio. Carola was one of the original 14 people (known as the “elders”) who Joseph Pilates, himself, personally trained to be instructors.
Even though Nanette has a comprehensive contemporary Pilates certification (as well as a Classical Mat certification), she comes from a Classical background and am guided by the principles and form of Contrology (the art of control.. the original name Joseph Pilates gave his practice). She believes that the principles of Pilates: **Movement**, **Centering, Concentration, Control, Precision, Breath, and Flow**, apply to instruction as well as to the practice itself.
Nanette loves being a guide for and assisting clients through their journey as they manifest connecting to their bodies; transforming their practice, gaining better flexibility, mobility, strength, confidence and overall well-being for themselves.
She continues to be a student of Pilates (She is, presently, finishing her Comprehensive Classical certification). Like her clients, she also takes private classes with experienced instructors. It helps her in her own practice and with her own body. It also helps her to be a better instructor.
Nanette believes, as humans, it is important in life to have things which bring us joy; things/experiences that make our hearts smile from the inside. Being a Pilates instructor is a very joyful, mindful experience for her. She finds that when she finishes a session with a client, she feels energized and happier than she did beforehand (even if she felt great to begin with).
No matter what your physical condition is at the start, Pilates is a challenging practice. Yet, through every level, it develops us in the best ways (physically, psychologically, emotionally) and Nanette believes, with consistency, we end up better off for having experienced it.

Norris Tomlinson, Senior Instructor

Norris is a native Atlantan returning to his home after living in Chicago for 22 years where he served as the national director of fitness services for one of the nation’s largest health club chains, Bally Total Fitness, and owned and operated his own business, Sirron Pilates studio for 14 years. Since 2003, he has been teaching Pilates to individual clients, small groups and instructor trainees across the country. He specializes in designing specific programs for individuals based on needs, challenges, and goals. Balanced Body Pilates; ACE; AFAA; M.A. in Education Administration, Ohio State University and B.A. in Spanish, Clark Atlanta University. During his first life in Atlanta, Norris taught Spanish at Dunwoody High School for ten years where he was named Teacher of the Year.

Sheneka Winston, instructor

Sheneka is a comprehensively certified Balanced Body Pilates Instructor, Certified Personal Trainer (NFPT) and former dance fitness instructor.

For the past 13 years, Sheneka has trained people from all walks of life. As an instructor who focuses on functional fitness, she believes fitness is less about aesthetics but ultimately feeling stronger, healthier and moving better in your body.

Sheneka looks at fitness from a holistic point of view - as an act of self-care. She has always been fascinated with movement, and it's a big part of who she is. She wants to share her passion for movement with others so they, too, can find more strength, flexibility and mobility in their bodies.

Sheneka also holds a BS in Psychology from Louisiana Tech University and an MBA in Marketing from Kent State University. In her free time, you can find her outdoors, exploring new hiking trails, gardening, riding her bike, or traveling, trying new foods and learning about different cultures.