Pilates Classes
At CCD, we prioritize our dancers’ well‑being through Pilates classes designed to support both body and mind. Our in‑house Wellness Center offers exceptional care, helping students build strength, balance, and resilience.
Fall 2024 Pilates Schedule
Evolved from concepts and movement techniques created by Joseph H. Pilates more than 80 years ago, the Pilates Method dramatically improves core strength, flexibility, coordination, and posture. It creates a body with elongated muscles, flat abdominals, and a strong back. With systematic practice of specific exercises coupled with focused breathing, participants gain improved body awareness, balance, strength, and flexibility. Practicing Pilates alleviates pain and injuries and re-balances the body from the physical stresses of dancing or everyday life. Private sessions focus on the individual’s needs, making Pilates ideal for people of all ages, fitness levels, and physical conditions.
| 45 Minute Class | $70 | $90 | |
| 60 Minute Class | $92 | $110 | |
| 90 Minute Class | $130 | $150 |
Cancellation Policy: 24 hours notice, or students are required to pay for the lesson.
Pilates Class Instructors
Karen Shanley
Karen’s lifelong passion for dance and movement has kept her joyfully immersed in the art form since childhood. She studied ballet with renowned teachers including Evelyn LeMone, Wilson Morelli, Yasuki Sasa, Margaret Craske, Antony Tudor, El Gabriel, and Larry Rosenberg, and trained in modern dance with Betty Jones, Viola Farber, and Jeff Slayton. She holds a BA in Dance from UCLA and an MA from Ohio State University, where she focused on modern dance and dance history.
Karen has taught ballet and modern at institutions such as the University of Nebraska (Omaha), University of Hawaii, Brooklyn College, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, Cal State University Long Beach, and American Dance in San Luis Obispo. She has also taught at summer intensives with Sun Valley, ID and Anaheim Ballet, CA. Before relocating to Colorado in 2007, Karen served for 24 years at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, CA, where she taught ballet and modern and chaired the Dance Department for 17 years.
In addition to her extensive teaching career, Karen is a certified Pilates and GYROTONIC® instructor. She owns and operates Jasper Peak Pilates in Lafayette, where she continues to share her expertise and love of movement with students of all ages.
Laura Whitby
Laura Whitby has been teaching Pilates for over 10 years, receiving her certification from Lotus Pilates in Bloomington, Indiana after completing 600 hours of training in the Joseph Pilates method. She has enjoyed teaching students of all ages and abilities in group and private settings in mat, reformer, chair and tower pilates. Laura also trained in ballet for many years and danced professionally with Houston Ballet, Colorado Ballet, Charlotte Ballet, and Sacramento Ballet. Alongside her Pilates certification training, Laura has a BS in ballet from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music and is a Certified Physical Therapist Assistant. She has a passion for movement, anatomy, and problem solving. Laura looks forward to customizing a Pilates workout to supplement your dance technique, decrease your risk of injury, and feel stronger and healthier.
