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.

Emily Gunlock, Pilates Instructor:

Emily Gunlock grew up in Dayton, Ohio and attended the Ohio State University. Living in Colorado since 2001, she has taught Pilates for 2 years. She received her training locally through the PhysicalMind Institute based out of New York and also has certifications in Rehabilitative Pilates, Pilates for Pregnancy, and Pilates for the Athlete. She continues her education by taking several courses every year. In her free time, Emily enjoys skiing, mountain biking, Pilates and Yoga.

Kristin Robbins, Pilates Instructor:

Kristin is originally from Tucson, Arizona and came to Colorado to attend the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1995. She graduated in 1999 with a degree in Kinesiology. It was through this interest in human movement along with a strong background in dance that she became interested in practicing Pilates. After experiencing the benefits of the Pilates method in her own body, she decided to take it to the next level and trained to be a Pilates Instructor at the well renowned Pilates Center in Boulder She graduated in May of 2004 and has been teaching Pilates since this time. She continues to learn more about the techniques and benefits of Pilates by attending various workshops. In addition to doing Pilates, Kristin enjoys yoga, ballet, skiing and hiking.

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.

Lainie Belitz, Pilates Instructor & Studio Manager:

Lainie Belitz began her career in the corporate world, working as a Project Manager for a Fortune 500 Company (AON). During this time, she began taking Pilates as treatment for low back pain.  After her ten year anniversary with AON Corporation and five years of Pilates training, Lainie decided to make a drastic change in her life and entered a Classical Pilates Teacher Training Program in Los Angeles, studying under Jill Cassady, who mentored under Romana Kryzanowska. In October of 2005, Lainie and two fellow Pilates instructors decided to open a studio in Beverly Hills. Estrela Pilates is still open and having great success. In July 2006, Lainie moved to Denver to begin her future with her loved one and to enjoy a better quality of life. She enjoys helping people feel better about themselves and loves to see clients accomplish what they thought was possible. She is excited to be part of the Pilates Bodies team, both as an instructor and office manager!!

Nicole, Pilates Instructor:

Nicole is a Classical Pilates instructor and yoga aficionado. She received her formal Pilates training through Hope Petrine at the Pilates of Cherry Creek Certification Studio.  Nicole’s keen interest in Pilates and yoga began while living in NYC working for the Momentum Aids Project and in order to keep a positive perspective she turned to Bikram Yoga and Classical Pilates.  Her study of Pilates continued in San Francisco while working for a yoga apparel company, Lululemon Athetica.  Her position required her to frequent all yoga and Pilates studios in the Bay Area.  In 2005 Nicole began training with Samantha Rudofsky, certified Stott Pilates instructor and then completed her Pilates certification here in Denver.  Nicole holds a degree in Anthropology from San Francisco State University allowing her to fully appreciate Joseph Pilates’ approach in creating an exercise routine that speaks to the human psyche.