Meet the Instructors

Meet Justyna.  A caring, grounded, and skillful instructor whose journey with Core Pilates started long before she ever stepped into the role of teacher.  After becoming a mom, she began taking Pilates  classes  consistently, and over time, her dedication, natural body awareness, and curiosity for movement made it clear that she was meant to teach. She recently completed her instructor training, and our members have absolutely fallen in love with her thoughtful, encouraging style.

Justyna brings a unique blend of expertise to the studio. 

With five years of experience as a dental hygienist, she has a strong foundation in holistic health and understands the importance of proper alignment, posture, and mindful movement. In her Pilates practice and teaching, she combines these principles beautifully — helping clients build strength, improve flexibility, enhance posture, and move with more confidence in their everyday lives.

Her classes offer a fun, relaxed, and welcoming environment where you can be fully present, reduce stress, and reconnect with your body. Justyna’s approach is supportive and uplifting, whether you're brand-new to Pilates or looking to deepen your practice.

She believes in lasting confidence and movement for life, and she embodies that philosophy in every session she teaches.

We’re so grateful to have Justyna on our Core Pilates team, and we know you’ll feel her warmth, mindfulness, and passion the moment you meet her.

She is a Core Pilates trained Instructor by the Core Certify Comprehensive training program, in training to be nationally certified.  

Meet Teresa.  She began her pilates journey in 2018 and has been practicing conteporary Pilates since. What started as a personal practice quickly grew into a passion for discovering discipline, mindful movement, proper form and helping others feel confident in their own bodies.   Her approach emphasizes alignment, precision and building strength from the inside out. 

Known for her upbeat energy and attention to detail, Teresa loves guiding clients to connect deeper with their core and move with intention.  If you’re looking for a challenge, she is particularly passionate about jump board classes and values the unique combination of control, cardiovascular work, and dynamic movement. 

Whether you’re new to Pilates or refining your practice, Teresa aims to create a welcoming space where everyone can feel strong, capable, and inspired. Teresa brings a calm, focused presence to her sessions, creating an environment where clients feel supported, challenged, and encouraged to progress. 

She is a Core Pilates trained Instructor by the Core Certify Comprehensive training program, in training to be nationally certified. 

 Meet Jane.  Another incredible member of our Core Pilates community who has transformed from dedicated client to inspiring instructor. A proud Shelton resident, Jane began her Pilates journey just over a year ago and quickly realized how powerful intentional movement can be. What started as a hobby for her soon grew into a passion, and ultimately a part-time career she truly loves.

Outside the studio, Jane works full-time as a float nurse at St. Vincent’s Medical Center. Her medical background gives her a unique and valuable perspective on how the body functions, moves, and heals. Being both a registered nurse and a Pilates instructor allows her to support clients in a deeply informed and compassionate way.

Jane is grateful to be able to combine her love for helping others with her love for Pilates. Her kindness, body awareness, and calm, welcoming presence make her an exceptional instructor and a wonderful addition to our team.

We’re so excited for you to meet Jane and experience her thoughtful, intentional approach to movement.   

She is  a Core Pilates trained Instructor by the Core Certify Comprehensive training program, in training to be nationally certified.   

Meet Beth. A lifelong mover whose passion for intentional, sustainable strength makes her an incredible addition to our Core Pilates team. Movement has been woven into Beth’s life from the very beginning. She spent over 15 years dancing ballet, tap, jazz, and pointe, and later became an avid runner throughout college and adulthood.

After having her son and daughter, Beth embraced life as a stay-at-home mom while supporting her husband’s career in law enforcement. She devoted herself to raising her family, volunteering in their schools and sports programs, managing their home, and even launching her own blanket design business. During this busy chapter of life, she discovered Pilates — and everything changed.

Years of dancing and running had taken a toll on her body, and Pilates became the safe, strengthening practice her body was craving. It supported her through a meniscus repair in 2020 and major hip reconstructive surgery in 2023, helping her build strength before surgery and recover with confidence afterward. Pilates didn’t just help Beth heal physically — it helped her reconnect with herself through mindful, purposeful movement.

Beth loves the foundational exercises and classical principles of Pilates, and you’ll often see the Hundred, teasers, and other classic mat work sprinkled into her classes. Her teaching style is supportive, grounded, and deeply informed by her own healing journey.

When she’s not teaching or taking Pilates classes, Beth is usually chauffeuring teens to volleyball, soccer, and dance, trying not to burn dinner, designing blankets, or taking long walks while listening to true-crime podcasts. Ideally, her evenings end with a warm fire, a cozy blanket, and a Hallmark Christmas movie.

We are so excited to have Beth on our Core Pilates team — her warmth, resilience, and passion for healthy, sustainable movement make her a gift to our community.   

She is a Core Pilates trained Instructor by the Core Certify Comprehensive training program, in training to be nationally certified.

Meet Stephanie! Growing up right here in Shelton, she is genuinely excited to support our Core Pilates community on their wellness journeys. Stephanie works as a registered nurse at Griffin Hospital, where her dedication to caring for others is truly unmatched. Before becoming a nurse, she studied Exercise Science at CCSU, so fitness, health, and human movement have always been a meaningful part of her life.

Stephanie’s athletic background runs deep. She began cheerleading at just five years old and continued all the way through college, eventually discovering a passion for CrossFit and Olympic weightlifting. She competed for several years and loved the strength and community those sports brought into her life. But over time, she found herself looking for something that aligned more closely with her long-term wellness goals.

That’s when Pilates found her. She began practicing in early 2024 and instantly fell in love. As a nurse, Stephanie connects deeply with Pilates’ focus on intentional, meaningful movement—and she loves helping clients improve their health, strength, and confidence through the practice.

Outside of nursing and teaching Pilates, Stephanie cherishes time with her family and friends. She’s also a proud dog mom to a three-year-old German Shepherd named Cash, who brings endless joy and energy to her days. When they’re not out and about, you can usually find them curled up with a good book or working on a puzzle.

We are so excited to have Stephanie on the Core Pilates team, and we know you’ll feel her warmth, passion, and genuine care the moment you meet her. 

She is a Core Pilates trained Instructor by the Core Certify Comprehensive training program, in training to be nationally certified.  

Meet Jason.  He brings strength, discipline, and passion to Core Pilates. A dedicated fitness enthusiast since his teenage years, Jason has always prioritized physical wellness and personal growth. After serving as a U.S. Army Veteran, Army Ranger with the 82nd Airborne Division, he developed a deep respect for movement, body mechanics, and injury prevention.

In 2014, Jason was introduced to Pilates by his wife, Liza, just when he thought his core was already at its strongest. Pilates quickly humbled him and opened his eyes to the deeper layers of strength, stability, and control. Since then, he has become a true advocate for the method.

Jason is a Core Certify Comprehensive–trained Instructor and is currently working toward his national Pilates certification. He has spent years learning how the body moves, adapts, and heals, and he blends that knowledge into every session he teaches.

While Jason enjoys working with all clients, he has a special passion for introducing men to Pilates, helping them build the strength, mobility, and core stability they didn’t know they were missing. He also loves teaching on the Pilates Chair and will be expanding his offerings to include TRX and Strength/Weight Training classes.

With his military precision, supportive coaching style, and genuine enthusiasm for Pilates, Jason brings empowering and motivating energy to every class.

Jason is a Core Pilates trained Instructor by the Core Certify Comprehensive training program, in training to be nationally certified.  

Meet Mina.  A vibrant and uplifting presence here at Core Pilates. Mina fell in love with Pilates for the same reasons so many of us do: it helped her feel grounded, confident, and deeply connected to herself. That experience shaped her teaching style, and it’s exactly what she hopes to bring to every client who walks through our doors.

Mina teaches with a warm, supportive energy, blending intentional movement with just the right amount of spice to keep her classes challenging, dynamic, and fun. She has an incredible ability to make clients feel comfortable while also motivating them to discover their strength.

Outside the studio, Mina is living her best mom life—usually with a latte in hand, doing Target runs with her toddler, and constantly jotting down new ideas and sequences to keep her classes fresh and inspiring.

We’re so excited to have Mina on our team, and we know you’ll love her energy, creativity, and welcoming spirit.

She is  Club Pilates trained and certified comprehensive Instructor.  In training to become nationally certified. 

Meet Karen. A remarkably skilled and deeply experienced movement educator whose passion for Pilates and the human body shines through in everything she teaches. With over 40 years of involvement in movement-based programs, 

Karen has spent her life instructing, coaching, training, and designing programs for individuals of all ages. Her journey began as a young gymnast, where she first discovered the power of alignment, control, and mindful movement — foundations that naturally led her to the Pilates method.

Karen’s teaching is rooted in a strong understanding of anatomy and a commitment to safe, functional, mindful movement. Through both Pilates apparatus and mat work, she helps clients improve balance, enhance coordination, build core strength, and move with greater ease and confidence. She deeply believes in the core as the powerhouse, supporting every movement we make. Her approach integrates breath, alignment, and focused awareness to create flow, improve performance, and enhance overall well-being.

Karen brings an exceptional level of training and professionalism to Core Pilates. 

She is certified in both Classical Pilates and Contemporary Pilates, having completed advanced training with respected organizations such as MeJo Wiggin (Classical Syllabus Master Trainer) and STOTT Pilates (Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, Barrels, and Injury & Special Populations). Her extensive background also includes certifications in Yoga, Barre, Zumba, Dance Fitness, Group Fitness, and Gymnastics Coaching, making her one of our most versatile and knowledgeable instructors.

In addition to her teaching career, Karen has an impressive athletic and coaching background. She served as the Varsity Head Coach for Weston High School Gymnastics, earning numerous awards including Rookie of the Year, Outstanding Coach, and helping lead her team to Regional and National Championships. As an athlete herself, she was Team Captain at Keene State College, an All-American, and a proud inductee of the Keene State Athletic Hall of Fame.

Karen brings wisdom, encouragement, and a lifetime of movement experience to every session. Her classes are thoughtful, empowering, and deeply supportive — and we are honored to have her as part of the Core Pilates team.

Meet Teuta.  Aa quiet, calming presence whose strength and focus shine through the moment she steps into the studio. Teuta began her Pilates journey over four years ago and instantly connected with the grounding, strengthening, and confidence-building benefits of the practice. It didn’t take long for her passion to grow into a desire to teach, and she has become a truly cherished part of our Core Pilates instructor team.

Naturally soft-spoken and serene, Teuta creates a peaceful, supportive environment where clients can tune into their breath, move with intention, and feel fully present in their bodies. Her classes are thoughtful and balanced, blending mindful movement with the perfect amount of challenge. She loves a strong class — and she brings that same energy to her teaching, encouraging clients to deepen their practice safely, build strength, and discover what they are truly capable of.

Teuta is passionate about wellness, grounded movement, and helping others feel centered, confident, and empowered through Pilates. Whether you’re stepping onto the Reformer for the first time or refining your technique, her goal is to make every session accessible, uplifting, and deeply rewarding.

We are so grateful to have Teuta on our Core Pilates team — her gentle spirit, dedication to the practice, and genuine care for her clients make her an exceptional instructor and a beautiful presence in our community.

She is a Core Pilates trained Instructor by the Core Certify Comprehensive training program, in training to be nationally certified. 

Meet Dina! She is someone who holds a very special place in our Core Pilates community. Dina has been a dedicated client for almost two years, and watching her transformation has been truly inspiring. Her passion for wellness, her positive energy, and her genuine care for others made it clear that she would be an incredible addition to our team.

Dina joins Core Pilates as a Sales Associate, but she brings so much more than a title. She is deeply committed to helping people feel strong, confident, and connected — both physically and mentally. Pilates has made a meaningful impact on her as it truly transformed her life. Dina is ready to show you that it’s never too late (or too early!) to try something new. She would love to help you kickstart your Pilates journey and discover just how empowering it can be!

What we love most about Dina is her ability to make every person feel welcomed, supported, and encouraged. 

Whether you’re beginning your journey or looking to deepen your practice, she is here to support you, cheer you on, and help you feel empowered every step of the way.  

Meet Jenna. A bright, enthusiastic presence in our Core Pilates community and one of the newest members of our sales and marketing team. Jenna recently became a true Pilates enthusiast, and you’ll often spot her in the early-morning classes practicing right alongside her mom. Her dedication, positivity, and love for movement made her a perfect fit for our studio.

Outside of Pilates, Jenna works as a full-time Realtor, helping clients find their ideal homes with the same warmth and professionalism she brings to the studio. She’s also a proud dog mom to her golden retriever, Lucy — who keeps her active, endlessly entertained, and frequently steals her Pilates socks!

Jenna brings a strong background in marketing and sales, and she’s excited to help the studio grow, connect with the community, and welcome more people into the Core Pilates family. Her passion for health, fitness, and bringing people together shines through in everything she does.

We’re thrilled to have Jenna on our team, and we know you’ll feel her positive energy and genuine care the moment you meet her.

Meet Annie. A truly special addition to our Core Pilates team. With over 30 years of experience creating meaningful experiences and building communities through marketing and events, Annie has always had a natural gift for bringing people together. Her ability to connect with others, inspire them, and curate memorable moments is something that has defined her entire professional journey.

About a year and a half ago, Annie discovered Pilates — and it changed everything. What began as a new wellness practice quickly became a transformative part of her life, strengthening not only her body but her mind, confidence, and overall well-being. Pilates brought her back to herself in a powerful way, and that personal transformation is what led her to join Core Pilates Shelton.

Annie is now combining decades of professional expertise with her genuine passion for Pilates to help grow and nurture our community. Her hope is to share the same life-changing benefits she experienced with others, creating a space where everyone feels welcomed, supported, and empowered to become their strongest selves.

Warm, thoughtful, and deeply committed to uplifting the people around her, Annie is a beautiful fit for our Core Pilates family. We are thrilled to have her on our team.