About Pilates for Life

Janis Stillings

Janis’ background in dance and theatre, both as a performer and teacher, instilled in her a love of movement as a way of life. As a dancer, Janis recognized the benefits of Pilates for strengthening her muscles in a movement-based, effective way. Janis holds certifications from Polestar on Reformer and Comprehensive Mat and Equipment through the Kane School of Core Integration with Kelly Kane. When faced with low bone density and the rising fear of moving, Janis’ search for new ways to adapt the classic Pilates exercises to her condition led her to Rebekah Rotstein and Pilates for Buff Bones®. Janis was one of the first to become a licensed Pilates for Buff Bones® instructor. She has a strong desire to help others with similar issues find their way to a meaningful movement experience. Janis stays fresh through continuing education courses with Elizabeth Larkam, Marie Jose Blom, Rebekah Rotstein, Jennifer Milner, Cathy Baldasserini as well as the innovative faculty at the Kane School. She is also a certified instructor in the Bohdi Suspension System. Pilates for Life is the only studio in the DFW area with certified instructors in the Bohdi system. Courses like Pre/Post Natal Pregnancy Pilates with Deb Goodman and Smart Spine with Marie Jose Blom equip Janis to continue expanding her practice. Janis’ clients come from all walks of life and fitness levels and she uses training and experience to encourage, explain and challenge them. Janis is also a certified Postpartum Doula PCD(DONA).

Cailey Brandon

Beginning her path as a pre-professional ballerina at Chamberlain Ballet, Cailey Brandon found a passion for Pilates that widened beyond the boundaries of cross-training. She has experienced firsthand how injuries leave dancers putting in overtime and individuals managing a less than ideal quality of life. Pilates, an incredible way to stabilize both the core and balance receptors, helped Cailey retire from pointe shoes to become a comprehensively certified Pilates instructor who believes in the power of the mind-body connection. Aspiring to prove how movement can aid in both physical and mental wellbeing, she accomplished her undergrad in Cognitive Psychology and is continuing a Masters in Applied Cognition and Neuroscience. Specializing in both pain and neurological injury, Cailey wants to further implement her clients’ understanding of embodied cognition and neuroplasticity through a healing form of controlled movement and exercise.

Niesha Smith

Niesha grew up dancing since the age of two. She started dancing at the local dance studio in Plano,TX. She did competitive dancing from the ages of five to fifteen. Winning numerous scholarships and awards. From there she was accepted into the prestigious arts school, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. At that point, she decided to leave competitive dancing to focus more seriously on her dance training and learning at BTWHSPVA. She studied concert dance and danced on a company. Upon graduating, she was given the opportunity to travel with the dance convention The Pulse On Tour assisting top choreographers such as Brian Friedman, Laurie Ann Gibson, Dave Scott, Gil Duldulao and Tyce Diorio. After this life changing experience, she decided to move to Los Angeles and begin dance professionally full time. She has danced in numerous music videos, concept videos, television shows and live stage performances. She has danced for artist such as Jason Derulo, Kimberly Cole, Justin Bieber and Pentatonix. She has danced on shows such as American Idol and The American Music Awards. During her time in Los Angeles, she discovered Bodywork. She holds certifications in Classical Pilates and Vinyasa Yoga. While dancing professionally, She taught Classical Pilates and Yoga to many different body types to understand the methods better. Through self-practice and teaching she has developed her own style of teaching that helps dancers and athletes achieve more strength, mobility and flexibility. She has the ability to choreography multiple styles such as hip hop, heels, contemporary, jazz funk, contemporary ballet and jazz technique. She is excited to share her choreography, love for dance and knowledge about the body with the Dallas Area! 

Tanya DeNeve

Apprentice

Sidra Benator

Sidra is passionate about teaching yoga so that people can live better lives. She began practicing yoga in 2003 as a way to balance the stress on her body and mind from long hours of studying. She has since become an RYT 200 and a NASM-CPT. She is honored to be a part of the Pilates for Life team.

Natalie Tuggle

Certified in Vinyasa Yoga (RYT-200) and Yoga Nidra, Natalie enjoys balancing effort and rest as a means to personal growth both on and off the mat. Natalie also enjoys incorporating breathwork (pranayama), Yin Yoga, and Restorative Yoga. In 2019, Natalie received her Yoga Teacher Certificate and immediately started teaching Vinyasa for beginners and advanced students. In 2021, She made the faith-based decision to go full-time as an instructor. From the beginning, her joy has been to see students grow in physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness as they learn useful tools to do so in yoga.

Julie Erickson

Julie Erickson has been practicing massage therapy since 1993.  After reading an article about Yamuna Zake’s work, she knew Body Rolling would be beneficial for her overtaxed body, and began using Yamuna balls in 2006.  In 2016 she became certified as a YBR instructor.  Julie believes the YBR work is the best self-care tool she’s tried in her 30-year career, and loves sharing it with others. 

Jane (Evgeniia) Solovyova

Master trainer of the Pilates Mat program, as well as a Pilates coach with small and large equipment. She is a graduate of the Institute of Functional Integrative Dietetics, a practicing nutritionist.

Evgeniia has many years of experience in fitness and a healthy lifestyle. She was born, studied and worked in Russia. She has a medical education. She started her career in fitness as a coach of group programs. She taught classes in aerobics, step aerobics, dance, strength training and stretching.

In 2003  Evgeniia took the Pilates course of Michael King, director of the Pilates Institute in London. Michael King came to Moscow to conduct a training course, after which Evgeniia fell in love with Pilates.

Since 2003 Evgeniia has worked on the Pilates system and teaches classes "Healthy movement" "Healthy Rehabilitation fitness" In 2019 she graduated and received a certificate in studio Pilates. She is a certified trainer of Polestar Pilates for working with large equipment. Evgeniia was a presenter of international and Russian fitness conventions.

Lesley Snelson, MFA, PMA-CPA 

A unique Pilates and REDcord Trainer, Lesley has nearly 30 years of experience teaching a wide variety of different movement styles to people of all ages with diverse goals and needs.  Her most recent achievement is becoming a CES (Cancer Exercise Specialist). Lesley Snelson first initiated her comprehensive Pilates certification while attending graduate school for Dance Performance and Choreography at Texas Woman's University.  She completed her certification in 2001: “The Method: Shapes in Space” which is a Comprehensive Mat & Equipment Certification organized by Colleen Glenn, now known as the PEAK Pilates Certification. Lesley served as the Dance Conditioning / Pilates Coordinator for TWU's Dance Department, 2001-2004.  As with any good steward of the Pilates method Lesley is always on quest to deepen her understanding of Pilates work, thus she began the Bridge Certification program with Power Pilates in 2005 and completed Mat and Level I. Following certifications include REDcord© Suspension Training completed 2010- 2011 through Get Reformed Pilates. She supported Get Reformed Pilates as Educational Instructor for Staff from 2011-14.  Lesley is a Pilates Method Alliance Trainer (PMA©), certified in 2013. She continues to study through diverse continuing education programs outside and within the Traditional Pilates community such as “For Better Health” organized by Donna Fisher as well as the academic studies of International Association for Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS) and others.  Lesley has taught both dance and Pilates in Universities and Colleges all over North Texas: Collin College, Tarrant County College, University of North Texas and Texas Woman’s University. As Executive Director of Muscle Memory Dance Theatre, in Dallas, she has taught and performed all across the United States and studied internationally. 

Alexis Baldasserini

Bohdi Suspension Certified
Pilates for Life Manager 
SmartSpine Product marketing and Manufacturer coordinator