Alison Page, NCPT® Pilates Master Instructor is a 19 year veteran instructor. Though a Birmingham native, she has taught in Alabama, Louisiana and New York. She was originally Classically certified in NYC while pursuing a Masters in Dance/Theatre Education from New York University. While living in NYC, Alison also served as Assistant to the Dance Supervisor of THE LION KING on Broadway. Although classically trained, her greatest teaching influence has been the Heritage Training Masters Program — in the lineage of Pilates Elder Kathleen Stanford Grant (KSG), under the mentorship of renowned 3rd generation teacher, Cara Reeser.

Alison became a Streamline Pilates Master Teacher in 2022 & co-leads Streamline teacher training cycles. Alison spearheaded bringing the first successful full-scale Classical Pilates -In-House Satellite Teacher Training Program to Birmingham, AL (Streamline TTP, Aero Joe Pilates Host: 2020 - 2021).

Alison is proud to now helm the longest running Pilates studio in the Birmingham area. Her commitment is to create a welcoming studio that inspires pathways to rediscover joy in movement; reconnect mind-to-body; empower knowledge of healthy motor function; alleviate chronic pain and foster a love of Pilates for all levels and abilities.

Lindsey Chitwoood, originally from Dallas, TX, has called Birmingham home for almost 20 years. Having always been an active person, she came to see and feel the benefits of Pilates after giving birth to twins. Her original goal was to use Pilates to rebuild the core strength that was necessary to manage the day-to-day physical demands of small children, but it wasn't long before she got hooked. Pilates gave the benefits of strength and eliminated the nagging low back and shoulder pain without the strain and stress of all the high impact workouts.

Lindsey was certified through Joel Crosby, a 2nd generation instructor of the Jay Grimes lineage, with Classical Pilates Education at his Vitality Method Studio, Duluth, GA in January of 2020. Since then she has completed over 150 hours of workshops and workouts with 1st and 2nd generation instructors and leaders in Pilates with different lineage backgrounds, like Kathi Ross-Nash, Sonje Mayo, and Blossom Leilani Crawford. Lindsey is also certified in Pilates Suspension Method (TRX) and Barre Above Method. Outside of Pilates, Lindsey is married with three children, serves as a community volunteer for several non-profits, and consults on small tech projects including website and database development.

Brandon Calleja Shaw is a Birmingham native who's returning home after living in the island nation of Malta. Brandon is certified in the full curriculum of the Pilates Method, Muscle Activation Techniques (MAT) (Lower Body), and Fascial Stretch Therapy (or FST). He was first certified in Pilates mat, and then completed a 600-hour comprehensive training (3rd-generation instructor in the tradition of Lolita San Miguel). Brandon has a movement background in various styles of martial arts and dance, which informs his approach to Pilates.

As an instructor, Brandon is known for helping clients find the perfect position to get the most out of an exercise (and for mixing in a bit of humor to get you through it!). He enjoys working with people with diverse movement backgrounds and goals.

More info: http://versuspilates.com.

With nearly 30 years as a dance and fitness professional, Anne-Marie MItchell is the lead instructor of aerial curriculum for AJ Pilates. Both her biological parents were professional ballet dancers and Anne-Marie began her dance training in 1974. By 1976, she was touring the southeast on “The Freedom Train” and various children’s theater productions. She began her serious ballet training in 1981 at the North Jefferson Academy of Dance which led to her being accepted in the Ballet program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham at the age of 14. The UAB Ballet directors graciously encouraged Anne-Marie to audition and attend the Summer Intensive programs taught by ABT and Joffrey Ballet in New York. While dancing with Joffrey II (the apprentice company), Anne-Marie began fell in love with the Pilates classes at the Pilates Studio directed by Romana Kryzanowska and New York Aerobix. Coming home to Birmingham in the autumn of 1984, Anne-Marie could find very few gyms that offered these types of classes, so she decided to become a Jazzercise fitness instructor. This first certification sparked a passion for knowledge. As Anne-Marie learned and grew, she earned more certifications (Pilates Method, Step Reebok, Yoga, aquatic exercise, senior fitness, Zumba, and national group exercise/personal training certifications). She eventually became a national presenter and developed her own fitness programs. The newest chapter in Anne-Marie’s history includes Aerial Yoga here at Aero Joe. She recently attended a teacher training course with Aircat Aerial Yoga in Boulder, CO where she trained with 20 year veteran aerialist Cathy Gauch. This beautiful fitness program allows students to gain the benefits of muscle toning, deep yogic stretching and graceful movements; all facilitated by the silky yoga hammock. Anne-Marie believes in tailoring each class so that every student feels they can successfully try new poses and emerge from class feeling relaxed and energized with a sense of joy and accomplishment. Anne-Marie retired from professional dancing in 1990, but she still stays involved with local ballet companies.

Emily holds a teacher certification through the prestigious Pilates Center in Boulder, CO, becoming a fourth generation instructor following the Romana Kryzanowska teaching method. Emily started taking the art of Pilates seriously in college, where she realized the method was not only a way for her to stay in shape, but also a way to perfect her posture, strengthen her core, and create an overall mind/body transformation. While in college, she attained a Power Pilates Mat certification in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at the Pilates Center of Pittsburgh. Emily has received continuing education and additional training from Master Instructors Deborah Kolwey, Rachel Taylor Segel, Amy Alpers, and Cara Reeser.

She received a double B.A. in Dance Performance and Business Management from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 2010. She became a member of AROVA Contemporary Ballet in Birmingham, Alabama in 2011, where she has danced and performed aerial for 5 years.

For direct scheduling contact Emily at eacain3@gmail.com.

Alie B. Gorrie, recently returned to Birmingham after five years teaching and performing in NYC. She received her Mat and Comprehensive Pilates certifications through Balanced Pilates NYC, where she went on to serve in both teaching and administrative positions. She received her 200-hr vinyasa yoga certification through Laughing Lotus Yoga Center, now LL Studio. Alie B. also taught yoga, Pilates, theatre, and tap in various private schools across NYC.

Alie B. is a musical theatre artist and has performed on tour, off-Broadway, and regionally. She is also a fierce advocate for disability inclusion. She is the founder of Songs for Sight, an organization serving children and teens with low vision across Alabama. Alie B. views Pilates as the most accessible movement method for all bodies. It serves as both medicine and a gift we can give back to our bodies for working so hard for us.

Sarah Yandell is a graduate from the University of Alabama. While earning her BA in Communication Studies, with a minor in Nutrition, Sarah taught Pilates at the University Recreation Center. In 2016, she graduated from The Pilates Center's Advanced teacher training program in Boulder, Colorado. Sarah began her Pilates journey in 2008, due to multiple sports related injuries and is excited for the opportunity to teach at Aero Joe and continue her practice.

Sarah quickly saw the benefits of Pilates, not only physically, but mentally, as well. Pilates is a great outlet and can be practiced daily. Sarah loves the power of movement and sharing that with her clients. Sarah believes in the method of Pilates and being able to share that knowledge of precision with her clients.

Jackie Zarcone, originally from Nashville, TN moved here to Birmingham in 2021 with the opportunity to start The Pilates Center Teacher Training Program. After graduating from The University of Alabama with a B.A. in Dance in 2013. She moved back home to Nashville, Tennessee where she spent the last nine years teaching ballet. She is also ABT® Certified Teacher in Pre-Primary through Level 5 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. With her years of experience teaching ballet she saw Pilates as the perfect complement to fill the gaps in teacher training. Recently graduated from The Pilates Center's Intermediate Plus teacher training program in Boulder, Colorado.

Rebekah Barnett is employed full time with UAB. She graduated in 2021 from Salt Lake City’s Streamline Pilates Teaching Training Program, and began working as an AJ Pilates teacher the same year.

Pilates has changed the way that Rebekah feels and sees exercise, especially in the functional aspect of everyday life. Being more body aware and breath has also helped her to progress in mountain biking and climbing.

Rebekah’s favorite thing about Pilates is the strength and confidence that you gain, and being able to help others achieve that as well. Along with the physical aspects, Pilates allows you to slow down, focus on the present, and be mindful of each breath. All of these encouraging you to leave your session, ready to take on whatever comes next.

Asha Gangolli, a native of Chicago, began studying classical Pilates as a young ballet student to supplement her dance training under the tutelage of Romana certified Melanie Hortin. Looking for a full body workout that provided strength and length, Pilates became the perfect answer to cross training. Dancing across the US with Houston Ballet, Boston Ballet and the Joffrey Ballet she continued to study pilates from world renowned teachers across the country. Since becoming a professional dancer with Alabama Ballet in 2014, Asha has performed soloist roles in Roger Van Fleteren’s Dracula and Cinderella, as well as George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker. She has been a dance educator and barre fitness instructor for over 5 years, and her passion for her clients and deep belief in movement as medicine has propelled students to success. In 2015 Asha became a Peak Pilates certified instructor and has since taught Pilates in both the Chicagoland and Birmingham area.

Liz Holley is a comprehensively certified graduate of the Streamline Pilates Teacher Training Program under the direction of Master Instructors Eva Kauffman & Lise Fischer (Intermediate | Aero Joe Pilates Satellite - Birmingham, AL 2020). Outside of Pilates, Liz is married with 4 children. Her study of Pilates assisted her in rebuilding core strength post pregnancy. Liz believes greatly in the benefits of a dedicated Pilates practice, having avidly studied the method as a student for over a decade before beginning her teaching career.

Meredith Allan (PT, DPT, NCS) is a recent graduate from the Streamline Pilates Teacher Training Program under the instruction of Lise Fischer and Eva Kauffman. Meredith graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy as a dance major. She went on to receive her B.A. in Dance Performance from Mercyhurst University. She was first introduced to Pilates as a supplement to her classical ballet training. She went on to dance with Nashville Ballet II and Arova Contemporary Ballet. The practice of Pilates became even more essential to Meredith’s life following a spinal fusion. During her recovery she pursued her mat certification through Power Pilates in 2010. She later completed her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2013. She currently works as a licensed physical therapist and board certified neurological clinical specialist at an inpatient rehabilitation facility in Birmingham.

Meredith finds Pilates to be the perfect pairing of mobility and neuroplasticity which speaks to the brain body connection. She has first-hand experience that Pilates can maximize body awareness and facilitate the healing and refinement of all functional movements. Meredith is happy to be a new addition to the Aero Joe team!

Christina McClellan began her aerial journey with a Beginner’s class at Aero Joe Pilates over two years ago. Christina had recently been diagnosed with arthritis in her lower back. A practitioner of Pilates since college, Christina sought a new method to help alleviate the pain -strengthening and stretching her muscles in different ways. Under the mentorship of Anne-Marie Mitchell and Jennifer Colvin, Christina has been able to deeply explore the art of aerial and its benefits affecting stretching, strengthening, and confidence-building.

Christina earned her Aerial Yoga Academy certification in 2017. Previously, Christina has served as a swim coach, a sport she still practices to today, and was a member of the University of Alabama Women’s Rowing team. She holds a M.A. in History and a M.S. in Museum and Field Studies from the University of Colorado. She works full time in Birmingham for UAB.

Brittany, born and raised here in Birmingham, began practicing aerial in 2019 and immediately fell in love. She trained at Lifetime in Vestavia Hills where she received her 200hr yoga certification and then went on to train with Nicole Haagenson in Houston where she received her certification to teach aerial yoga. Brittany loves the connection of mind, body, and breath as well as strength and grace that is taught in both practices and the benefits that both practices bring to daily life as well.