A letter from Niche’s Founder Jaclyn,

I grew up in Radford, VA and pursued my passion for movement through the Exercise Science program at Radford University. It was during my time there that I developed a profound appreciation for kinesiology and anatomy. I found great joy in studying and observing how the human body functions, as well as exploring ways to enhance strength and overall well-being. In my quest for knowledge, I conducted various experiments on myself, classmates, and volunteers, testing different movements and modalities. I also immersed myself in diverse workout routines, including strength training at my local gym, traditional forms of cardio, and practicing yoga and Pilates through DVD’s (before the times when local studios were prevalent) with renowned instructors Rodney Yee and Mary Windsor. Every form of exercise became my favorite, as I've always cherished the physical, emotional, and mental benefits that come from maintaining a consistent workout routine.

Upon graduating from Radford, I found myself unsure of the path I wanted to take with my newly acquired degree. It wasn't until two years later that I attended my first Pilates Reformer class, which completely captivated me. As someone who had previously used only a resistance band in Mary Windsor's Pilates classes, I was in awe of the Pilates machine known as the Reformer. Over time, my curiosity for Pilates intensified, and though my work lead me to work in various fitness sectors, including corporate fitness, wellness center directing and personal training, it was ultimately becoming a Pilates instructor that was my greatest drive. As the years passed, I knew deep down that I aspired to establish my own Pilates studio.

In 2016, my dream became a reality when I proudly opened my first Pilates studio—a small space equipped with one reformer, TRX bands, and a few props. A year later, I expanded to Niche Fit Studio, incorporating Pilates reformers and mats, as well as offering yoga and small group strength classes. Through our growing passion for Pilates and by attentively listening to feedback from our community, we refined our approach and rebranded the studio as Niche Pilates Studio. Today, we provide reformer classes with our unique fluid structure, along with semi-private, and private sessions.

For several years, I had the privilege of teaching the Balanced Body instructor training program. Meeting instructors within the Balanced Body community and being able to share my knowledge with my own community filled me with gratitude. However, I yearned to make changes and improvements to the instructor training program. Initially, I began offering mentoring sessions alongside the training program. As interest in my training offerings grew, I recognized the opportunity to develop my own Pilates instructor training curriculum. Drawing from my clear vision, more than 11,000 hours of teaching experience, my background in exercise science, and over 14 years in the field, I created a new curriculum. In the summer of 2021, Niche Pilates Studio proudly launched its own instructor training program. Sharing my passion for Pilates with our community has brought me immense joy, and even after almost two years, I remain dedicated to refining and enhancing our education offerings.

Undoubtedly, the past couple of years have been a period of reflection and realignment for many of us. I am grateful for the time I've had to look ahead and explore the myriad possibilities for Niche Pilates. Presently, our team has introduced Niche Pilates Online, which aims to make Pilates more financially accessible and convenient for clients. Alongside this exciting endeavor, we have launched our website and new social media platforms, particularly Instagram. We are enthusiastic about sharing our love for Pilates and wellness and we are committed to pushing ourselves to grow, learn, refine, and share.

Thank you for taking the time to learn a little bit more about me and my journey! I look forward to meeting you in person or virtually.

-Jaclyn