OUR STORY
Emily Condensa - Owner & Master Pilates Instructor
Emily has over 25 years of experience in the fitness industry and has been running her own Pilates studio since 2010. Trained and certified by Physical Mind, a more contemporary therapy style, she also holds certifications in Pre and Post Natal Pilates, as well as specialized training in scoliosis and Pilates for neurological conditions.
Throughout the years, Emily has instructed in a variety of locations from well-known gyms such as Lifetime, LA Fitness, and the YMCA, as well as physical therapy clinics. She has worked with a wide range of clients, from those managing chronic or arthritic pain – such as back, knee, and shoulder issues – to athletes, individuals with neurological conditions like Multiple Sclerosis, and even medical professionals. Whether working with clients in pain, or those looking to maintain a pain-free lifestyle, Emily's approach focuses on individual goals and personalized care.
Emily has worked and trained across the country, where she's proud to have had the opportunity in Atlanta, Chicago, San Diego, Wisconsin, and Florida to help clients achieve lasting results. She has earned the reputation for making a positive impact on those she works with – and her family. Happily married to her husband of 27 years and the mother of 5 wonderful children, Emily brings the same care and dedication to her family as she does to her clients. She and her family reside in both Longboat Key, Florida and Alpharetta, Georgia.
Lucia Condensa - Studio Manager & Pilates Instructor
Lucia grew up around Pilates her entire life and fell in love with it instantly. From as young as 8 years old, she saw firsthand the difference Pilates made in people's lives as she watched her mother, Emily, help others become pain-free. Inspired by this, it was an easy decision for Lucia to follow in her mother's footsteps by becoming a Pilates instructor and eventually running a studio.
She began teaching in 2018, but her expertise is built on a deep foundation of Pilates developed from a young age. She has been closely trained under Emily and is certified in Pilates Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Springboard and Pilates Chair through Physical Mind – focusing on rehabilitation. She has also done specialized training in Pilates for Neurological conditions and CoreAlign, as well as assisting in training of new instructors. Her dedication was clear when she graduated high school at just 15.
Through her years of teaching, it has been her goal to help others see the benefit of Pilates because she knows how important it has been for her own health. Managing scoliosis and battling Lyme disease only strengthened her appreciation for its healing benefits. She uses her own experience to understand her clients' difficulties and to help them to feel their best. Her love for Pilates shines through every class she teaches, and she will encourage you every step of the way. Her smiling face will greet you at the studio and she is always willing to help or assist you in any way!
About Performance Pilates & Training
We are a family owned and operated studio, offering Pilates with a variety of equipment and classes designed every fitness level. From one on one sessions to group classes, all of our instructors and trainers will meet you where you are and help you get where you want to go. We have built a strong, supportive community who encourages each other every step of the way, motivates you to challenge yourself, and enjoy the process along the way! With a positive atmosphere, we make it fun to workout!
We have 8 Reformers/Cadillac machines (and additional ones in a separate private room), 6 CoreAligns, 6 Pilates Chairs, 5 Springboards, and more – ensuring there's options for everyone – from beginners to experts. Our instructors are certified through us from Physical Mind, a more contemporary approach, with some specialized in Pilates for Neurological conditions. Your first visit is FREE so come try out a class or schedule a one on one session/evaluation and start your fitness journey today!
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Meet Our Instructors
Claudette Foster
Claudette joined Performance Pilates as an instructor in 2018, but her Pilates journey began much earlier, in 2010, under the guidance of Emily. She has a background in the fast-paced automotive and motorsports industry, but when she's not at the race track, she's at the studio.
An athlete at heart, she has competed in three sprint triathlons. However, after sustaining a back injury, she shifted her focus to Pilates to heal and regain strength. She incorporated it into her daily routine and discovered a passion for sharing its benefits with others.
Her teaching style will comprise of creative flow while challenging you to explore the mind-body connection. Claudette is fully certified in Pilates Mat and Apparatus as well as trained in Pilates for Neurological conditions and CoreAlign.
Jenny Lazansky
Jenny is a pediatric physical therapist with over 20 years of experience recently became certified in Pilates Mat and Apparatus. Her journey into Pilates began in August 2021 when she sought a way to help her teenage daughter manage scoliosis-related pain. After just a few sessions, Jenny was amazed by the immediate improvements in her daughter's posture and pain levels.
Passionate about helping others reach their health and fitness goals, Jenny teaches both classes and individual session, incorporating a variety of flows and movements. She loves when her clients notice improvements in their flexibility, strength, and endurance.
When she is not teaching Pilates, you are likely to find her running, walking her dogs, or playing pickleball!
Heather Thomas
Heather is certified in Pilates Mat and Apparatus in addition to being trained in Pilates for Neurological conditions and CoreAlign. Her journey began in 2016, when she decided she needed to make a significant change in her lifestyle. However, due to a previous back injury, she knew high-impact exercises weren't an option. Encouraged by a neighbor, she decided to try a Pilates class—and it was love at first movement. Ever since then, Pilates became a vital part of her life.
Two years later, when the opportunity to become an instructor arose, Heather jumped right on it! Ever since then, she loves teaching group classes as well as private instruction, sharing her love for Pilates with her clients. Always dedicated to growth, Heather continually explores new Pilates techniques to enhance her practice and inspire those she teaches.
Cheryl August
Cheryl has been practicing Pilates for over a decade. Her journey began as a way to alleviate lower back pain, where she discovered that Pilates, when practiced with proper form, not only eased her pain, but also strengthened her core and enhanced her mind-body connection.
Since becoming an instructor a few years ago, Cheryl has been dedicated to helping her clients achieve their goals by emphasizing proper form, connection and personalized modifications. She strives to create the perfect balance of challenge and support for every individual or class she teaches.
Outside the studio, Cheryl and her family enjoy competitive dirt bike racing, camping, traveling, and are big foodies. She is certified in Pilates Mat and Apparatus and finds joy in coming to teach every day.
Tracy Blount
Tracy has been practicing pilates since 2016 and teaching since 2022. She teaches Pilates as a passion project while continuing her career in the Supply Chain technology space. Fully certified in Pilates Mat and Apparatus, she teaches with a focus on empowering others through movement and strength.
Tracy has been a lifelong athlete; she played sports throughout school and has participated in various weightlifting competitions and races as an adult.
Her journey with Pilates began due to back issues and an inability to continue weightlifting or high impact. She found pilates to be the best practice for maintaining mobility and reducing pain while still challenging strength and ability. Tracy brings her unique recovery experience and her love for a challenge into every class she teaches.
Evette Walter
Evette is a dedicated fitness and Pilates instructor, as well as a proud mother of two teenage daughters who love Pilates and often attend her classes. Her journey with Pilates began after a back injury, where she fell in love with the way it made her feel and the ability to heal her.
Certified in Pilates Mat and Apparatus, with additional training in CoreAlign and Pilates for Neurological conditions, Evette has been teaching since 2018. She finds joy in working with people and guiding them on their Pilates journey. Her mission is to help others experience the same benefits Pilates has brought to her life.