Mat Pilates can help you enhance flexibility, build core strength, recover from injuries, or simply attain overall mind-body harmony. Our instructors are here to guide and support you every step of the way.
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Pilates Mat Foundations
Pilates is all about changing the body from the inside out. If you have always wanted to try a Pilates Mat class but could not commit to our twice a week requirement, our Pilates Foundations class would be great for you. This class is also for those Pilates aficionados who would like to refine their fundamentals in order to execute their more advanced work better.
Focusing on Joe Pilates’ concept that the “health of the spine dictates the health of the body”, this class brings freedom to a spine that has been unhealthy, brings posture to a skeleton that has been compromised from years of sitting or old injuries that were never properly healed. Your biomechanics will change by what you learn in this class and all of your activities of daily living will be executed with more ease and efficiency, leaving you full of energy, with less pain, improving your quality of life while gaining a solid understanding of Pilates and its amazing benefits.
CLASSICAL MAT PILATES 1
Meet the original powerhouse of Pilates – the method that started it all. In this upbeat, beginner-friendly class, you’ll learn to move with precision, strength, and control using the most effective equipment you already own: your own body. With the support of small props and expert guidance, you’ll explore iconic exercises like The Roll Up, Rolling Like a Ball, and the Ab Series of Five – building functional strength, better posture, and a deeper mind-body connection.
Whether you’re new to Pilates or you typically gravitate toward the Reformer, this class will show you just how fun, challenging, and empowering classical mat work can be. Master the foundations here, and you’ll be ready to level up to Classical Mat 2 in no time.
Come for the workout. Stay for the “oh-wow-I-feel-amazing” afterward.
For Reformer lovers: Mat work is where true control and connection begin. It deepens your practice, enhances your performance on the equipment, and challenges your body in surprising new ways.
16-Week Progressive Series. *Week 1 starts in January/May/September*
CLASSICAL MAT PILATES 2
Ready to level up? This is where your mat practice gets seriously strong (and seriously fun).
You’ve built the foundation—now it’s time to take your Pilates powerhouse to the next level. Classical Mat 2 turns up the heat with deeper sequencing, elevated variations, and a faster, more dynamic flow that challenges your strength, control, and precision in all the best ways.
Expect to explore more advanced classical exercises—think Teaser prep, Swan dive variations, and stronger inversions—as you refine your technique and discover muscles you didn’t even know were part of the team. With expert cues, smart progressions, and energizing pacing, you’ll move with confidence while unlocking a whole new layer of power and stability.
This class is perfect for those who have completed Classical Mat 1 or have prior Pilates experience and are ready for a challenge that’s invigorating, empowering, and surprisingly addictive.
Come curious. Leave stronger, longer, and lit up from the inside out. For Reformer lovers: Up-leveling your mat work supercharges your performance on every piece of equipment. More control. More precision. More “whoa, I didn’t know I could do that.”
17-Week Progressive Series. *Week 1 starts in January/May/September*
*Pre-Requisite: Requires completion of the Beginner Level mat where you would have learned all of the Pilates fundamentals, Level 1 work. At this point you will have a strong foundation to progress to the Intermediate level and continue to expand your Pilates repertoire.
Our Pilates Instructors
Desiree Deis
I think what made me fall in love with Pilates is how an exercise that looks simple to do can be the most difficult to achieve correctly. From my background in dance, Pilates compliments dance so well! You work your body from the inside out and I find that feeling to be invigorating! My most rewarding experience since being a part of the Lead team would have to be the expressions left on the clients’ faces after a Pilates class has ended. They are leaving the studio happy, and feeling better than when they arrived.
Jillian Hammond
Jill is a passionate traveller and dedicated Pilates instructor. When she is not busy at LEAD she immerses herself in a good novel or movie. She was able to finish her Pilates certification while attending her final year of Kinesiology at the University of Saskatchewan! She loves learning new things and her favourite colour is pink.
“Being a Healthy woman isn’t about getting on a scale or measuring your waistline. We need to start focusing on what matters – on how we feel, and how we feel about ourselves”
-Michelle Obama
Melanie Buchko
We sat down with Mel to learn a little bit more about her!
What drew you to Lead?
Mommy and me class after my first baby. I took it again after my 2nd one too!
What do you love most about working with Lead clients?
I love the knowledge that I gain from working with the clients. I enjoy passing on my knowledge that I have gained over the past years both as a client and now as an Instructor.
What’s your favourite class?
6am Equipment – see you there!
What don’t we know about you that you want to share?
I love the ocean. If I get to go anywhere I always want to go straight to the ocean. I love the salt in the air.
Words of Wisdom?
Move
Melissa Ostrowski
Melissa decided she wanted to do Pilates after injuring her back. A comment from her physiotherapist, “You have an old spine for your age,” made her realize that she needed to make some lifestyle changes to preventing an injury like this from happening, again. She took her first Pilates class in 2016 and has been a Pilates enthusiast ever since.
What she loves about Pilates is that these exercises and movements that have the ability to transform the body. She has said about herself, “If my old body and my new [Pilates] body were to pass each other on the street, the two wouldn’t recognize each other.”
Her favorite Joe Pilates quote is, ‘Physical fitness can neither be achieved by wishful thinking, nor outright purchase.’ It reminds her that you have to put the time in if you want results and success.
One of Melissa’s favorite things to do (other than Pilates) is sit on her deck and take in the morning sun with a cup of plain old black coffee
Tasha Baier
Tasha has been coming to classes and treatments at Lead for years and was part of our ‘behind the scenes’ team prior to stepping into her role as OWNER!
Family is very important to Tasha. Both of her parents were entrepreneurs and have always shown her unconditional support and love for whatever her passion is. Health has always been important to her and a focus of her life as her dad was diagnosed with cancer when she was only 2, he lived another 30 years and had multiple battles with cancer until his 5th battle sadly took his life. He is her inspiration and the reason Tasha chases her dreams.
Tasha teaches a few classes per week at the studio and loves the positive community that walks through LEAD daily. Aside from Lead, she has a partner, Travis, and 2 sons, Koden and Devon. They enjoy travelling and being active as a family.
As the owner of Lead, Tasha focuses on integrated health solutions, ensuring that the facility offers the latest trends in health and fitness tailored to individuals’ unique needs.
Tatum Sparks
Tatum has been doing Pilates as a training method for her dancing almost her whole life. She has been surrounded by Pilates as her mom is also an instructor. She is excited to now be a teacher and bring her own style of teaching to LEAD.
Why choose LEAD?
Integrated wellness is the heart of everything we do. With our friendly and knowledgeable staff, you can expect the highest quality service, ensuring your wellness journey is not only effective but enjoyable.
- 9,000 sq. ft. Integrated Health & Fitness Centre
- Online Booking and Payment
- Direct Billing Available
- Retail Shop
- Ample, Free Parking
- Warm, Friendly, and Professional Staff