Meet Our Instructors
Founder/Director
Leslie Clayton, the owner and operator of Body Awareness Studio, is a distinguished figure in the Pilates community. Her extensive background in Pilates, professional dance, creative movement, yoga, and energetic healing modalities found the perfect outlet in 1993 when she opened the first Pilates exercise studio in Atlanta.
Leslie discovered Pilates by accident in 1992 after surviving a traumatic car accident. Traditional physical therapy yielded marginal results, so she cautiously tried Pilates on a friend’s recommendation. The results were immediate and profound. A year later, Leslie began her Pilates training in New York with Romana Kryzanowska, a student of Joseph Pilates, and continued her studies with other luminaries in the field.
With numerous certifications from esteemed Pilates organizations, Leslie is a Balanced Body Master Instructor and a National Certified Pilates Teacher. Her training includes Advanced Movement Principles with Nora St. John and the Heritage Program with Cara Reeser. Beyond Pilates, Leslie is dedicated to holistic wellness, running the Joyous Heart Network and exploring Sonic Anatomy and Qi Gong. She is also a published author and public speaker, sharing her insights on Pilates, wellness, and spirituality.
Leslie’s passion for Pilates and movement is evident in her teaching and her commitment to nurturing the next generation of Pilates professionals. Through her leadership, Body Awareness Studio has become a beacon of excellence in Pilates education and holistic health, fostering a supportive and transformative environment for both clients and trainees. Leslie has also been a member of several highly respected professional dance troupes, including the Ballet Concerto of Miami, the Carl Ratcliff Dance Theatre in Atlanta, and the Lee Harper Dancers of Atlanta.
For Leslie, Pilates united her love of movement, passion for helping others heal, and personal discovery. Her first Pilates Teacher Training program brought her a sense of peace and transcendent bliss, solidifying her purpose: to help others find their path to freedom and bliss through Pilates.
Founder/Director
Susan Frenzel
Susan Frenzel enjoys working with a variety of clients of all ages and abilities, but especially with clients who have been limited in their exercise due to injuries or challenges, making previous exercise regimens difficult to continue. Working on the Pilates apparatus is the answer providing both assistance and resistance to increase strength, flexibility, and balance. As Joseph Pilates said, “Pilates will develop the body uniformly, correct wrong postures, restore physical vitality, invigorate the individual, and elevate the spirit.”
Susan is a summa cum laude graduate of Georgia State University with a B.A. in Theater & Dance. She is a former professional dancer, dance teacher, and creative dramatics teacher. Susan has been part of the fitness industry since 1983 & holds certifications with the Pilates Method Alliance and the American Council of Exercise. She received her Pilates training from Polestar Pilates Education. Susan is a bone safe exercise practitioner for osteoporosis and is also a SilverSneakers Master Instructor.
“The body changes as you age, sometimes resulting from genetics, old injuries, surgeries, or other issues. An exercise routine should be modified to adapt to those changes and limitations in order to become a new you. After my neck surgery, I was losing strength, unable to lift weights, take a yoga or Pilates mat class. I needed an alternative to the classes and my usual gym workout. The Pilates apparatus gave me a new world of staying mobile and allowed me to exercise with joy again. I love sharing my experience with clients.”
Nancy deGorter
CHES
Nancy is a lifelong athlete who is passionate about health, fitness, nutrition and wellness and takes a personal interest in helping her clients reach their goals. “What I love most about working with my clients is seeing how far they can progress. It’s amazing to watch their transformation as they become stronger and more flexible, and feel better overall through regular Pilates sessions “.
Nancy holds a Comprehensive Pilates Certification from Balanced Body University, completing certificates in Movement Principles, Mat Pilates 1, 2, 3, Reformer 1, 2, 3, Tower/Cadillac, Pilates Chair, Arc/Barrels, and Anatomy. She has also completed training in the Konnector Method with Viktor Uygan, Suspension Method Pilates with Rebecca Beckler in addition to attending numerous workshops at Pilates on Tour.
In addition to being a certified Pilates instructor, Nancy holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Science/Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and a minor in Psychology from California State University in Fullerton, California. She has earned certifications in Health Education (CHES) from the National Commission on Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC) and in Health Coaching (CHWC) from Real Balance Global Wellness Service, Inc.
Susan Walker
With over 15 years of experience in the fitness industry with certifications in Personal Coaching, Group Exercise, Pilates, and Yoga, Susan Walker is passionate about guiding individuals towards holistic wellness. Under the mentorship of Leslie Clayton and Tim Miller, Susan specializes in Pilates and Yoga, blending ancient wisdom with modern practices. Her educational background in Sociology complements her holistic approach, allowing her to understand human behavior and wellness from a comprehensive perspective.
Studying Ayurveda has profoundly influenced Susan’s approach to wellness, particularly in women’s health. She integrates Ayurvedic principles to help regain her clients’ health, focusing on hormonal balance, reproductive health, digestion and overall well-being.
Her mission is to inspire others to move and transform their lives through holistic practices. With a focus on empowerment and lasting wellness, Susan invites you to join her on a journey of self-discovery, vitality, and well-being.
Candice Yoo
Candice Yoo was first introduced to Pilates in 2005. Her love and passion for Pilates deepened after she was in a car accident and her physical therapist primarily utilized Pilates principles to successfully rehabilitate her injuries.
This experience gave her a greater appreciation for Pilates, and became her reason for training to become a Balanced Body Pilates Instructor. To further her knowledge of movement and fitness, she studied and became a certified Personal Trainer and Corrective Exercise Specialist. Candice blends all three trainings to help her clients maximize their performance, and more importantly to move better.
Jana Tarnovska
Jana Tarnovska changed her life from being an accountant and recreational dancer to the movement teacher when she experienced GYROKINESIS® and GYROTONIC® Method.
She calls it – “The journey through the spine” started in 2011 with GYROKINESIS® training from M. Barbosa – Master Gyrokinesis/Gyrotonic teacher in Martha Graham School NY and Alvin Alley Dance Theater.
From endless therapies with double scoliosis, which caused her a lot of discomfort and pain Gyro exercises saved her from her struggles completely.
As she finished her Gyrokinesis certification she has been working with people all walks of life in Atlanta area and via Zoom.
Metropolitan Ballet Theater Alpharetta, Presbyterian village Austell, Senior activity center Smyrna, Body Awareness studio Sandy Springs, Peachtree Hills Place and working with clients via zoom in group Gyrokinesis on Wednesdays 12:30pm class as well as one on one.
Gyrotonic journey started in 2013, after certification started teaching in Reformed Atlanta, now in Body Awareness studio and Peachtree Hills Place.
Currently also teaching Aqua Fit /water exercise, Fun Moves Dance class, and Brain & Breath in Peachtree Hills Place.
Jana holds multiple certifications for Gyrokinesis, Gyrotonic and Breath work exercises by GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® / The Art of Exercising and Beyond®
For private Gyrotonic session in Body Awareness studio, please contact me via text 404-358-3611
For Zoom Gyrokinesis class Wednesdays 12:30pm or one on one session, please contact me via text 404-358-3611
Riley Price
Riley is a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology, and she started her Pilates journey while she was still in school. She is currently working toward the Balanced Body Comprehensive Certification and has completed all of the required workshops. Now, she is focusing on completing her student teaching hours as an Apprentice Instructor at Body Awareness Studio. Riley is an energetic and enthusiastic instructor who enjoys working with clients of all ages and backgrounds. She loves helping clients progress in their Pilates practice and enjoys leading light-hearted, athletic, and fun workouts for her clients.
Theresa Pride
Theresa is a former dancer and Doctor of Physical Therapy, and current Pilates Instructor and Energy Medicine Practitioner. She became Power Pilates certified in 2001 and has since taught mat and equipment classes in the Dallas, San Antonio, Los Angeles, and Atlanta metro areas. Theresa is very passionate about treating the whole person, mind and body, and has expertise in complex injury and chronic pain.
Melanie Panter
Melanie fell in love with Pilates and discovered its wonderful benefits for balanced muscle development after a spinal fracture from a car accident in 2019. After 5 years of being a student, she decided she had to share her love for Pilates with others through teaching. Melanie’s teaching style is focused on alignment, strength, and mobility. She is currently on the journey of completing the Balanced Body Comprehensive Certification Program and is apprenticing at Body Awareness Studio. She hopes to help clients fall in love with Pilates practice just as she has. When she’s not learning or teaching Pilates, you can find her on the tennis court, at a yoga studio, spending time outside, or with friends and family.
Balanced Body Master Instructors
Cory Garner
Cory Garner became a student of Pilates thirteen years ago while completing her BS in Industrial Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. In the years following graduation she found working in an office setting stimulating and challenging yet somehow unfulfilling and knew that her career and her life path needed a radical shift. Taking Pilates and being in the studio environment was the most relaxing and uplifting part of her week. When the studio owner approached her about becoming an instructor it was clearly the right time to make a change.
In 2003 she was certified in a Classic Style of Pilates from a small independent studio and has never looked back to those corporate years. Since her certification she has taken numerous Continuing Education workshops emphasizing contemporary concepts, and her teaching reflects a mixture of Pilates’ styles to benefit each individual. Cory loves that the analytical skills her engineering education taught her translate perfectly to helping others improve their well-being through Pilates.
Cory is an accomplished Instructor Trainer joining the Balanced Body® Master Instructors in February of 2008. She is also a PMA Certified Instructor.
“I believe that wellness is the key to a joyous life, it is attainable by everyone. A happy, healthy body is a good place to start.”
Sara Sammons-Ulmer
Associate Director
Sara Sammons-Ulmer experienced firsthand the benefits of Pilates when it improved her chronic back pain. Sara was trained as a rhythmic gymnast and ballroom dancer with a BFA in Art/Interior Design at the University of Georgia and appreciated the technique behind Pilates. In addition to feeling better physically, Pilates was a catalyst to help Sara live a more balanced life in accordance to her values. After experiencing the positive effects of Pilates, Sara decided to become an instructor and share the benefits with others so they could live life with balance, joy, ease and grace. Sara enjoys working with people of all ages and abilities who want to make a positive change in their life through movement. Her step by step approach makes it easy for her clients to grow and feel strong in their Pilates practice. Sara strives to help her clients feel good about what they accomplished and see and feel the effects in their everyday lives.
Sara has been teaching since 2004 and is a Body Awareness Studio Pilates Instructor, Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher (NCPT), ACE Group Fitness Instructor, and Balanced Body Education (BBE) Master Instructor.
“One of my biggest inspirations is seeing the look of joy on a client’s face when they master a new skill.”