Laura Hanlon has been practicing Pilates for over 15 years as a supplement to her professional dance career and active lifestyle. As a young girl, Laura was constantly moving and grooving, from competitive figure skating to swim team and racing track and cross country. Throughout the numerous activities that she found herself taking part in, she felt compelled to keep up her own practice of self care, both mentally and physically. With the constant overwork of some muscle groups, and under working of others, she was extremely grateful to welcome a Pilates practice into her weekly routine.
To say that Laura stumbled upon the Pilates Method would be omitting some very important information. She was blessed, and still is, to have grown up surrounded by the work. Her mother, Diane Diefenderfer, opened the first Pilates studio in Orange County, CA in 1987, after working with esteemed Pilates elders Ron Fletcher and Romana Kryzanowska. In 2012, Laura completed the 450 hour Teacher Training Program at Studio du Corps/Pilates Center of Orange County, and was certified by the Pilates Method Alliance.
After graduating from the University of California, Irvine with her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance, Laura embarked on the National Tour of “Dancing with Your Stars,” before moving to New York City. While continuing her dance career in a new city, she held the title of Pilates Manager, Teacher Trainer and Senior Instructor for numerous Equinox clubs, and is still a proud part of their Group Fitness team.
Over the past ten years, Laura has continued her Pilates education by attending countless workshops and lectures to better her teaching and personal practice. She has completed additional hours in Pre and Post Natal training and is a featured teacher and demonstrator on Pilates Anytime. Laura is extraordinarily passionate about the Pilates Method and her clients’ progress in reaching and exceeding their personal goals. She specializes in strengthening and lengthening the full body for dancers, athletes and anyone else interested in building long lean muscles and becoming a stronger and better version of themselves from the inside out!