WHITNEY JOHNSON PILATES
Whitney Johnson Pilates is a Classical Pilates studio in Ann Arbor, Michigan, dedicated to teaching the original method as designed by Joseph Pilates.
WJP is a fully equipped Classical Pilates studio in Downtown Ann Arbor, MI that specializes in Private Sessions, Small Group Classes, and Open Gym Hours.
We continue to cultivate an inclusive, safe, and fun environment to elevate your Pilates practice while maintaining high standards for our own.
Alongside a consistent self-practice, each of our teachers participates in ongoing education each year to deepen their understanding of the method and refine their skills, ensuring that you receive the highest quality instruction. No matter your age or ability, whether you are new to Pilates or a seasoned practitioner, our instructors are ready to meet you where you are and empower you to reach your goals.
We exude a strong commitment to the method that is evident in the dedication we foster in our students - a community of supportive and enthusiastic practitioners we are proud to call the WJP family.
At the heart of our approach is a commitment to maintaining the integrity of the Classical Pilates method as it was originally developed. Rather than adding variations, trends, or unnecessary complexity, we honor the traditional order and structure because every exercise, progression, and transition was purposefully designed to build strength, coordination, and resilience over time. Preserving this lineage allows the work to remain clear, uncluttered, and effective — and helps you deepen your practice with intention and continuity.
All sessions taught at Whitney Johnson Pilates are designed to reflect the way Joe taught in his New York studio, with a high value on independence. From day one, we will teach you to take ownership over your workout, which not only ensures that every workout you do here is catered to your specific needs, but has proven to be a more productive method for making consistent progress towards your personal goals.
-
Pilates is a full-body workout and movement method developed by Joseph Pilates to build strength, improve posture, increase mobility, and support long-term physical resilience. The Classical Pilates workout follows a specific order and progression of exercises, emphasizing control, breath, precision, and whole-body coordination.
-
Joseph Pilates (1883–1967) was the creator of the Pilates workout method, originally known as Contrology. Born in Germany, he devoted his life to the study of anatomy, movement, and physical conditioning, drawing influence from gymnastics, boxing, yoga, and rehabilitative exercise.
After immigrating to the United States, Joseph Pilates opened a Pilates studio in New York City, where he taught dancers, athletes, and everyday people seeking strength, balance, and improved movement. He developed a comprehensive system of mat and Pilates apparatus exercises designed to function as a complete, full-body workout, practiced in a specific order and progression.
Today, Classical Pilates refers to teaching the Pilates workout as Joseph Pilates originally designed it—preserving the structure, sequencing, and integrity of the method through direct lineage rather than altering it to follow trends.
-
Classical Pilates is the original system of movement created by Joseph Pilates and preserved as a complete, intentional method. The exercises are taught in a specific sequence—particularly on the Mat and Reformer—so that each movement builds logically upon the last, increasing in complexity, coordination, and demand. This progression is what allows the work to develop the body evenly while cultivating focus, precision, and control.
When practiced as intended, the Classical Pilates method systematically improves body awareness, strength, flexibility, and movement skill. Rather than isolating muscles or chasing intensity, the work emphasizes uniform development and intelligent effort, fostering independence and confidence in one’s own practice.
Unlike contemporary Pilates—which often adapts, rearranges, or blends the exercises to suit modern fitness trends—Classical Pilates maintains the original order, apparatus, and intention of the work. This continuity is what makes the method both corrective and enduring: a lifelong practice that trains the body and mind to move better, not just more.
-
Pilates is a highly effective method for building strength, improving flexibility, and supporting injury recovery while enhancing overall movement quality. Rooted in intelligent, full-body conditioning, Pilates is adaptable to any body—regardless of age, ability, or prior movement experience—and can support athletic cross-training, postural alignment, rehabilitation, and long-term physical well-being.
-
Yes. Pilates was developed by Joseph Pilates, a boxer and gymnast, as a strength-based system of full-body conditioning. Classical Pilates incorporates athletic and gymnastic movement principles to build strength, coordination, control, and mobility—making Pilates an effective workout for men as well as women.
-
Above all, wear something comfortable that allows you to move freely and feel confident in your body. Pilates is a full-body workout, so choose clothing you’re comfortable sweating in and that won’t restrict your range of motion. For the safety and longevity of the equipment, please avoid garments with zippers, snaps, or hard closures.
Meet the Team
Each member of the Whitney Johnson Pilates team is a third generation, Classically certified, instructor, while Whitney herself has trained with first generation Pilates elder, Jay Grimes.
Learn more about our team below.
-
STUDIO OWNER
2nd Generation Pilates TeacherWhitney Johnson is the owner of Whitney Johnson Pilates, a Classical Pilates studio in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She is a second-generation Pilates teacher dedicated to preserving and teaching the Classical Pilates method as originally developed by Joseph Pilates.
Whitney grew up in northwest Indiana along the southern tip of Lake Michigan and spent several years in Southern California, where she earned undergraduate degrees in Drama and Art History from the University of California, Irvine. She returned to the Midwest to pursue graduate studies in ancient Roman sculpture at Indiana University, but ultimately found her professional calling in the Pilates method. In 2019, she relocated to Ann Arbor and chose to make the community her home.
Her Pilates journey began as a young dancer and became essential after being diagnosed with a permanent back injury that left her in pain and misaligned. Through the proper application of Classical Pilates, Whitney was able to alleviate her pain, restore balance, and develop greater strength and confidence in her body than she had prior to her injury. Pilates continues to support her active lifestyle, including rock climbing, hiking, biking, and other outdoor pursuits.
Whitney began teaching Pilates during graduate school as a way to supplement her income, but she was quickly drawn to the depth of the method and the Pilates community itself. What started as a side pursuit soon became a full professional transition from academia to Classical Pilates instruction.
Training & Classical Lineage
Whitney completed her Classical Pilates education with The New York Pilates Studio® through the United States Pilates Association (now Classical Pilates USA) under the mentorship of Brett Howard, Jen O’Mara, and David Freeman. She has continued her advanced training through multiple graduate-level programs, including The Classical Syllabus® with Mejo Wiggin.
Before his passing, Whitney trained extensively with Pilates elder Jay Grimes, completing the comprehensive graduate program Weekends with Jay through Vintage Pilates, where she learned the work as it was taught to Jay Grimes directly by Joseph Pilates. Committed to ongoing study, Whitney continues to refine her teaching through regular practice and continuing education with second-generation teachers Mejo Wiggin and Sandy Shimoda.
-
CERTIFIED PILATES TEACHER
3rd GenerationBorn and raised in the metro Detroit area, she received a BA in Psychology from the University of Michigan. She then moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting, where she appeared in numerous national commercials, film and television roles. As a comedian, she wrote sketch comedy which led to screenwriting.
She discovered Pilates by taking group mat classes at a studio in the Hancock Park neighborhood of LA. The owner of the studio, a second-generation instructor, noticed her immediate love and dedication for Pilates and asked her to apprentice. After rigorous training, she went on to teach there for eight years, with most of her clientele being entertainment industry professionals from nearby Paramount Studios.
After twenty years of missing green trees, fresh air and the four seasons, she recently returned to the Ann Arbor area with her husband and son. She was thrilled to find Whitney Johnson Pilates, a studio and instructor in alignment with her own views on and love for the Classical Method. Whitney’s enthusiasm for teaching and constant quest to further her own practice has inspired Tina to return to teaching.
She still acts locally from time to time, but has mostly shifted her creative focus to fiction writing. She is addicted to buying books, so if you can’t find her in the studio, walk on down to Literati and you will surely find her there.
-
APPRENTICE TEACHER IN TRAINING
Nicole grew up in the metro Detroit area in a family rooted in the restaurant industry. She began working at a young age alongside both of her parents, an experience that instilled a strong work ethic and an appreciation for long hours spent on her feet.
She trained in ballet throughout her childhood, developing an early foundation in discipline, coordination, and body awareness. After graduating high school, Nicole traveled to Los Angeles, where a short visit turned into a move. She lived in Venice Beach for ten years, where she met her husband.
Nicole was introduced to Pilates during pregnancy with her first child through a prenatal class. After giving birth, Pilates became a regular practice and an important part of her postpartum recovery, helping her rebuild strength, reconnect with her body, and move with greater ease. She explored a variety of Pilates styles, but it was not until she was introduced to the Classical Method at Whitney Johnson Pilates that everything fully clicked. After her first session, she knew she had found something and she wanted to continue studying deeply.
Three years ago, Nicole and her family returned to Michigan to be closer to extended family and settled in Ann Arbor, where they live in an 1865 farmhouse with their two children, two cats, a golden retriever, and a small flock of chickens.
As a Pilates apprentice, Nicole is committed to learning the Classical Method and values precise, thoughtful movement that supports the body in daily life. Outside the studio, she enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, and maintaining a consistent personal movement practice.
Classically certified and interested in joining our team?
What people are saying…