Ellen-Marie Leach began practicing Pilates as a way to help manage her back pain, which is what inspired her to become an instructor and open her studio.

"It transformed more than just my body—my physical and mental being so profoundly changed that I wanted to share that experience with everyone,” Leach said.

Leach opened The Pilates Shoppe & Wellness Studio in May 2021 after immigrating to the United States from Harrismith, South Africa.

What they offer

The studio offers an array of Pilates classes, including Reformer Pilates, which uses a balance body reformer machine for full-body workouts. Pilates is a full-body exercise that helps with core strength, flexibility and posture, Leach said.


The business offers Pilates classes for individuals with spine injuries or Scoliosis and pre and postnatal Pilates. The studio also offers Rehab Pilates or Rehab Therapy for individuals recovering from knee, back or neck surgery, an illness or breast cancer.

“We also have a lot of ladies who are recovering from breast cancer who come and use Pilates as a form of exercise to help them build strength again. It also helps with your body-mind connection, circulation and increases energy,” Leach said.

Notable quote

People of all ages visit the studio, with the youngest being 16 years old and the oldest being 86 years old, Leach said.


“We encourage people to know it doesn't matter what your body type is, what your age is, to just come and move your body because it's going to make you feel good," she said.

What else?

The Pilates Shoppe & Wellness Studio began offering Mommy and Baby classes on May 16. The class is offered twice a month and allows mothers to bring their babies and practice Pilates.