available to schedule time with you
Pilates Plus is thrilled to offer numerous instructors with different backgrounds, specialties, and interests.
There is a fit for everyone. With our tiered approach to pricing, instructors are separated into levels based on their training, years of experience, and services offered. Take a look at our instructor’s bios below to see what might be the best fit for you!
Founder and Owner of Pilates Plus
Level 2
SPECIALTY:
Dara is certified in Pilates for Neurological Conditions and can work with clients with stroke, MS, and Parkinson’s. The combination of classical education mixed with a modern interpretation of the method allows Dara to create well rounded and personalized sessions for all of her clients.
Dara shares her passion and knowledge of movement with all clients. Living in DC and suffering from back pain in her late 20s, Dara was determined to find a form of exercise that didn’t hurt. She found Pilates and started taking classes 5 days a week. After 2 months, Dara realized she was pain free and looking forward to workouts. Her passion for Pilates drove Dara to quit her job in Emergency Management and pursue a comprehensive 700 hour certification at Quantum Pilates. Dara spent the first years of her teaching career at Fuse Pilates where she mastered a modern interpretation of Pilates that allowed her to incorporate all kinds of fitness backgrounds.
– Dara’s personal moto is “If you’re laughing, your abs are working.”
MS, PT, OCS, Cert. DN, Polestar Pilates trained
Level 3
SPECIALTY:
Mary Beth’s specific areas of interest and study include spine injuries and conditions, Scoliosis, and running injuries.
Mary Beth fell in love with Pilates shortly after completing her graduate studies in Physical Therapy. While in PT school, she found out she had scoliosis. She began looking for the best forms of exercise to address the scoliosis imbalances and found Pilates! It didn’t take long for her to realize that Pilates was a life-changer and wanted to share its benefits with others.
Mary Beth continued her training and research in Scoliosis and became certified last year in the well-researched Schroth Method. This method focuses on improving lung capacity with specific breathing exercises, and improving 3D trunk shape has been shown to stop curve progression in adolescents and reduce pain in adults with scoliosis.
Mary Beth was first certified with Polestar Pilates International in 2004 and has been teaching rehab-oriented Pilates since then at various locations. She has worked as a physical therapist for 25 years and enjoys using her PT skills combined with Pilates exercises that focus on the areas needing the most work.
– Mary Beth looks forward to helping You!
Pilates Instructor
Level 2
SPECIALTY:
Sema is comprehensively certified through Body Arts and Science International (BASI) and believes that everyone can benefit from Pilates, regardless of age, body shape or size, ability or disability.
Sema started doing Pilates mat classes at home, via VHS tapes, after hearing it was a good exercise method for staying strong throughout pregnancy and post-partum recovery – and it was! Sema had been exercising since her teens, with the never-ending goal of trying to maintain a healthy weight, while at the same time finding exercise methods that brought joy, not dread, into her daily life. After discovering a studio where she could continue her Pilates workouts on Joe’s uniquely designed equipment, she was hooked for life.
– Sema believes everyone who does the work will move and feel better than they did when they walked in the door to Pilates Plus.
Pilates Instructor
Level 2
SPECIALTY:
Ashley is certified in Pilates for Neurological Conditions which trained her to work with clients who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, M.S. and who have a history of stroke.
Ashley began her teaching journey in 2011 when she received her 200 hour RYT certification through YogaWorks and an ACE personal training certification. She has been teaching movement classes ever since. Her love for Pilates came after the birth of her son. She began her Pilates training in 2017 and became a Balanced Body certified Reformer instructor in 2018. Since then she has been through training for Cadillac and Tower. In 2021, she became certified in Pilates for Neurological Conditions which trained her to work with clients who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, M.S. and who have a history of stroke. Ashley brings knowledge from all of her certifications into her sessions and believes in making movements accessible for everybody.
– Ashley enjoys working with clients of all ages!
Pilates Instructor
Level 2
SPECIALTY:
Mary is also a certified Personal Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor. She started the comprehensive apparatus certification through Body Arts and Sciences International (BASI Pilates) in 2017 and completed her 500 hour apprenticeship in 2020.
Mary started teaching yoga as a college student at UNC Wilmington. She completed 2 certifications through YogaFit and a 200 hour Yoga Alliance Certification at Wilmington Yoga Center. She studied Heath and Physical Education, Exercise Science, in college and has a graduate degree in Environmental Studies.
– Mary enjoys teaching movement classes that combine yoga, Pilates, and fitness.
PT, DPT, OCS
SPECIALTY:
Pelvic Floor PT: Sarah utilizes her 10+ years of clinical training, her own experiences with pregnancy and postpartum, and her Pilates training in order to offer individualized, holistic care to all of her patients. Her treatment approach combines manual therapy and exercise therapy, emphasizing Pilates-based rehabilitation.
Sarah completed her undergraduate studies in Kinesiology at the University of Virginia and earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Columbia University. She started her physical therapy career in the hospital setting at Mount Sinai Hospital and then joined the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in 2013.
During her 5 years at HSS, Dr. Kostyukovsky honed her orthopedic examination and evaluation skills through treating a variety of post-operative and non-operative patients. She gained experience rotating through multiple outpatient departments, including HSS Sports Rehab and the Integrative Care Center.
In 2016, Sarah completed the HSS Orthopedic Residency program where she gained additional manual therapy training. She passed her Orthopedic Certified Specialist (OCS) examination in 2017 which signifies her extensive knowledge in orthopedic rehabilitation.
In addition to her orthopedic skill set, Sarah additionally specializes in pelvic floor physical therapy. Dr. Kostyukovsky has had a longstanding interest in women’s health physical therapy and has completed continued education through both the American Physical Therapy Association Section on Women’s Health (APTA SOWH) and Herman and Wallace. After a personal experience with pregnancy-related back pain, and a traumatic delivery, she further realizes the necessity of physical therapy during pregnancy and postpartum for all women.
– Sarah is dedicated to serve and empower her clients through Pilates and Physical Therapy.
PT, DPT
SPECIALTY:
Rachel obtained her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Marymount University in 2017, and obtained her Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology from Kansas State University (Go Cats!) in 2014.
Rachel was born and raised in Mechanicsville, VA, and after moving several times for school and jobs, she has settled in Richmond to be closer to her family. Rachel has practiced in several different physical therapy settings, including home health and outpatient therapy, allowing her to gain experience with a wide variety of orthopedic, geriatric, neurological, and cardiopulmonary conditions. She previously specialized in working with joint replacements for prehab and post-op.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her yellow lab, Crosby, going on long walks and doing fitness work with him. Due to her love for dogs and rehab, she decided to combine the two. Rachel is currently working on my CCRP certification (Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner) to help pets reach their full functional and sport potential.
– Rachel has a passion to help people and dogs, get back to doing the things they love with out pain!
Pilates Instructor
Level 1
SPECIALTY:
Becky works with clients of all ages and takes pride in giving everyone an engaging and challenging workout each session.
Becky found Pilates after searching for years to find a form of fitness that was challenging but also safe for the body. I spent the better part of my teen years on crutches and in and out of physical therapy for sports injuries. Feeling frustrated with my inability to workout consistently without having lingering pain or injury I tried a Pilates mat class in 2017. After one session I was hooked and quickly moved on to the reformer. After a year of attending reformer classes, I decided to take my instructor training course and commit to teaching movement as a passion project. I tested out and completed my Pilates reformer certification through Balance Body in the spring of 2022. I work with clients of all ages and take pride in giving everyone an engaging and challenging workout each session.
– Becky is excited to join the team at Pilates Plus RVA and help her clients enjoy thier pilates workouts.
Pilates Instructor
Level 2
SPECIALTY:
Marisa will engage her clients for a moment of focus on strength, anatomical alignment, and mind-body awareness that you can take with you into your everyday life!
Marisa is a certified Pilates instructor and dance educator based in Richmond, VA. A Maryland native, her first experience in VA was her collegiate career at George Mason University, where she obtained her BFA in Dance. Since then, Marisa has forged a multi-faceted career path dedicated to cultivating and sharing mindful movement practices that promote health, happiness, and peace of mind. During the six years she spent in the NYC area pursuing her dance career, Marisa started work at Kinected Center (home to the Kane School) where she fell in love with Pilates and began her training. Through her Pilates certification at the Kane School and with the skills acquired through her lifelong journey in the dance world, she aspires to guide individuals toward feeling more empowered and at home in their own bodies.
– Marisa is excited to join the team at Pilates Plus RVA and help her clients build strength, anatomical alignment, and mind-body awareness.
Pilates Instructor
Level 2
SPECIALTY:
Deanna works with a variety of clients to help improve posture and create healthy movement.
Deanna is a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher (NCPT) and a Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES). Deanna started her Pilates journey at a young age from a ballet injury. Deanna was trained through PHI Pilates located in Pittsburgh, Pa. She completed her MS in Injury Prevention and Performance Enhancement from California University of Pennsylvania and a BS in Exercise Science from Slippery Rock University. With her background, she works with a variety of clients to help improve posture and create healthy movement.
– Deanna is excited to join the team at Pilates Plus RVA to help her clients focus on what changes are realistic and make them happen.
Pilates Instructor
Level 2
SPECIALTY:
Stephannie’s passion is helping others realize their personal potential through short- and long-term goal setting.
Stephannie currently works at Partner MD as a Nationally Certified Health and Wellness Coach focusing on Nutrition, Exercise, Mindfulness, and Stress Management. She also works as a Certified Pilates Instructor. She holds a Master of Science in Integrative Health and Nutrition and an NBC-HWC coaching credential. Her passion is helping others realize their personal potential through short- and long-term goal setting.
Stephannie’s coaching philosophy is to focus on what changes are realistic and make them happen. Life isn’t perfect, and health isn’t either. You can strive to be your best self every day regardless of life’s ups and downs.
Stephannie has a diverse professional background, which includes 4 years in the U.S. Air Force. Recently she owned a Pilates Studio where she conducted both physical and nutritional coaching. After her studio, Stephannie focused solely on one-on-one Health Coaching for Noom, Inc. and Vida Health.
– Stephannie is excited to join the team at Pilates Plus RVA to help her clients strive to be their best self every day regardless of life’s ups and downs.
| Instructor Level | 1 | 2 | 3 (PT/Pilates combo) |
| Single | 80 | 90 | 125 |
| 5 Pack | 390 (78/session) | 440 (88/session) | 615 (123/session) |
| 10 Pack | 750 (75/session) | 850 (85/session) |
| Instructor Level | 1 | 2 |
| Single | 50 | 60 |
| 5 Pack 50 Min | 240 (48/session) | 290 (58/session) |
| 10 Pack 50 Min | 450 (45/session) | 550 (55/session) |
Pilates Plus RVA:
5407 Patterson Ave. | Suite 200A
Richmond, VA 23226
Pilates Plus West End:
1404 Starling Dr. | Studio 1
Henrico, VA 23229
Phone: 804-750–6095
Email: dara@pilatesplusrva.com