Connie Ierullo
Lead Instructor Trainer
Osteopathic Manual Therapist
Co-Owner
Connie Ierullo is the director and co-owner of The Pilates Body, a studio born from her passion for helping others achieve fitness milestones and her love for movement education. After graduating from York University's Dance program, she seamlessly transitioned into becoming a STOTT PILATES Certified Instructor under Moira Merrithew's mentorship. Since 1997, Connie has been a leader, training instructors from Canada, the United States, Australia, and Brazil.
In 2000, Connie, joined by her husband Bruno Ierullo, established Mississauga's first fully equipped Pilates studio. Recognized as a STOTT PILATES LICENSED TRAINING CENTRE, The Pilates Body attracts clients and certification students worldwide. Connie's dedication extends beyond certifications. She regularly participates in workshops covering Pilates, movement education, anatomy and fitness.
In 2017, Connie achieved a significant milestone by graduating from the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy as an Osteopathic Manual Therapist, further reinforcing her commitment to providing comprehensive health and wellness solutions at The Pilates Body Studio.
Caleigh Kierstead
Instructor Trainer
Osteopathic Manual Therapist
Caleigh Kierstead is a Fully Certified STOTT PILATES Instructor and STOTT PILATES Instructor Trainer.
A former professional ballet dancer she was originally introduced to Pilates as a complement to her dance training while studying at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School. At first, she wasn't a fan, but as she swiftly witnessed positive changes in both her dancing and daily life, her perspective shifted. It didn't take long for her to fall in love with Pilates!
In September 2014, she began her journey to become a STOTT PILATES Instructor right here at the Pilates Body Studio with Connie and Danyelle. Her continuous drive to expand her knowledge of Pilates led her to achieve certification as a STOTT PILATES Instructor Trainer. Caleigh's innate curiosity has lead to pursuing further education in anatomy and physiology at The Canadian Academy of Osteopathy.
Caleigh is thrilled to continue at the studio where her teaching journey began and is eager to share her knowledge and love of Pilates with you.
Jayne Gildner
Following a successful management career in the investment brokerage industry, Jayne transitioned to explore her other passions.
It was during her rehabilitation from an equestrian accident that she discovered the transformative benefits of Pilates. Convinced of its potential to enhance the well-being of individuals, Jayne decided to embark on this new path. In 2017 she became a STOTT PILATES certified instructor, solidifying her commitment to sharing the advantages of Pilates with others.
In her ongoing professional development, she has expanded her expertise through additional STOTT PILATES courses including injuries and special populations, prenatal Pilates, golf conditioning and the cadillac, chair, and barrel equipment.
Jayne's primary goal is to help individuals feel better and lead active, healthy lives. She challenges her students, introduces new elements, and aims to achieve Joseph Pilates' vision: the complete coordination of body, mind, and spirit.
Julia Reid
Julia Reid blends her rich ballet background with comprehensive Pilates training, offering a unique perspective to her students.
A graduate of Canada's National Ballet School and a former professional dancer in Germany, Julia's transition to Pilates was driven by a personal injury recovery journey.
Now a fully certified STOTT PILATES instructor, she is celebrated for her meticulous teaching style and ability to inspire through movement, making her classes a harmonious blend of discipline and passion.
Outside the realm of dance and Pilates, Julia Reid is deeply passionate about animals. This love for animals not only enriches Julia's personal life but also reflects her broader dedication to fostering well-being in all aspects of life.
Linda Kaip
Linda is energetic, loves to move and loves to get her clients moving in a safe and healthy fashion.
Throughout her career Linda has taught a variety of group fitness modalities such as Aqua Fitness, Group Conditioning, Spinning, Yoga, Barre fitness, and Older Adults classes. Linda’s current passions are Yoga and Pilates. She loves the intelligence and vast variety of Pilates and has found significant positive impacts on her own health, as well as that of clients.
Linda is a certified STOTT PILATES instructor with training in Matwork, Reformer, Cadillac, Stability Chair, Barrels, Injuries & Special
Populations and Barre.
Linda continues to be a student of movement and Pilates, always expanding her experience and
knowledge
Nafisa Nafees
Nafisa balances a career in tech with her passion for Pilates, bringing curiosity, problem-solving, and creativity to both fields. Her Pilates journey began as a way to help ease the soreness and stiffness that came from long hours at a desk.
After falling in love with the low-impact strength training and the versatility of Pilates, Nafisa went on to become a STOTT PILATES certified instructor in Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, and Barrels, with additional training in Injuries and Special Populations.
Nafisa is dedicated to creating an inclusive, supportive, and accessible environment where everyone feels empowered and motivated in their wellness journeys. She aims to help clients build strength, improve mobility, and develop a deeper mind–body connection so they can move confidently through everyday life.
Maaike Bastemeijer
Maaike is a STOTT PILATES certified instructor. As a physiotherapist with over 15 years of experience in rehabilitation, she spent her career helping people recover and regain their strength in a clinical setting—work she was truly passionate about.
After living in several countries with her family before settling in Oakville, Maaike decided it was time to follow another passion: Pilates. She’d seen again and again how much it helped her patients during rehabilitation, and experienced the benefits in her own life as well. Getting certified felt like the natural next step.
Maaike has always been active and loved sports, and she brings that energy and enthusiasm into her teaching. She loves helping people discover what their bodies can do and supporting them as they build strength, flexibility, and confidence through movement.
Sofia Giannos
Studio Coordinator
Instructor
Sofia began her fitness journey in 2016 after taking her first yoga class, an experience that sparked an appreciation for mindful movement. Not long after she found Pilates, and quickly fell in love with its ability to build strength, control, and connection within the body.
With a background in dance and deep love for the visual arts, Sofia creates her classes with a combination of physical and creative expression. Combining dance-inspired flows with mindful movement.
Sofia is a STOTT PILATES certified instructor in Reformer, with additional training in Mat, Injuries & Special Populations Cadillac, Chair & Barrels. She has also furthered her education by obtaining a qualification in HALO Training.
Sofia’s approach focuses on helping clients move with intention, build strength safely, and feel confident in their bodies.
Bruno Ierullo
Meet Bruno, a seasoned guitarist and the co-owner of The Pilates Body Studio for an impressive 23 years! In the studio, Bruno operates like a conductor behind the scenes—unseen yet indispensable. Serving as the studio's living embodiment of Alexa and Siri, Bruno seamlessly navigates inquiries and offers insightful guidance whenever required.
Bruno marvels at the transformative power of Pilates, a sentiment that has only deepened over the years. "It continues to astound me," he reflects, "and it really shouldn't anymore, how Pilates caters to such a diverse clientele. Misconceptions still persist and there's an ongoing need for widespread education, both among the public and professionals, to unveil the true essence of Pilates."
Bruno is your go-to resource for inquiries about group classes, private sessions, and guidance for individuals aspiring to become Pilates teachers.