About Foundations Studio | Pilates in Indianapolis

About Foundations

Instructor owned and operated, Indy-based Foundations helps clients reach their fitness and wellness goals by functionally improving strength, mobility and balance.

When it comes to fitness, one size does not fit all. Foundations understands all bodies were created with unique strengths, abilities, and limitations, which is why our instructors adapt workouts specifically to each client, from isolated movements and form to coordinated tempo and resistance. Learn about our expert instructors below.

Meet our instructors

Kelly Mason
Owner, Pilates Instructor

CERTIFICATIONS
Balanced Body Pilates Reformer & Mat Pilates, Peak Pilates Pilates Reformer & Mat Pilates, IN Board Certified Physical Therapy Assistant, American College of Sports Medicine Personal Trainer, TRX, Fascial Stretch Therapist, Titleist Performance Institute, Active Release Technique, Sports Stretch, Kinesiotape, IASTM, Cupping

EDUCATION
Purdue University – B.A. Healthy & Kinesiology and Movement & Sport Science
University of Indianapolis – A.S. Physical Therapy Assistant

Kelly is Foundations’ passionate owner who has been teaching Pilates for over a decade. Kelly has always had an affinity for physical activity and the body’s ability to do what we set out to accomplish. Due to Kelly’s past experiences in athletics and more recent marathon-running passion, she understands and respects the integral strengthening and recovery aspects of maintaining your body. Kelly’s ultimate goal in every session is to assist clients towards the quality of life they strive for in a safe and effective style.

Kortney Barile
Pilates Instructor

CERTIFICATIONS
Balanced Body Comprehensive Pilates Reformer & Mat Pilates, The Center Method for Diastasis & Pelvic Floor

EDUCATION
Indiana University – B.A. Apparel Merchandising

When Kortney completed her first Pilates class, she walked out knowing she would be teaching one day. It wasn’t until a few years later when she began her teacher training that she realized Pilates was the was the perfect combination of strengthening and stretching and offered incomparable benefits on the effects of aging. Kortney focuses on muscle development with a custom approach for individual needs, and loves showing her clients how they can heal and change their bodies on their own. She thrives on seeing the progress and success her clients notice from their daily routines to their golf games and all other forms of physical activity.

Melanie Bernas
Pilates Instructor

CERTIFICATIONS
Era Pilates – Comprehensive Teacher Training, Era Pilates – Mat Teacher Training, Pilates Instructor Academy – Mat Teacher Certification, Pilates Instructor Academy – Anatomy and Biomechanics

EDUCATION
Northeastern University – B.S. Organizational Leadership

Melanie’s passion for group fitness initially led her to Mat Pilates, but it was over 5 years ago when she began her equipment practice that she became truly captivated by the physical and mental benefits. The support and strength she got from Pilates during her prenatal and postpartum recoveries solidified her desire to teach and share her love for it with others. Her approach to Pilates embodies her dedication to fostering a supportive atmosphere that promotes health and joy for her students. Outside of Pilates and boxing (her second favorite workout), Melanie loves spending quality time with her husband Zack and their children.

Corrina Casey
Pilates Instructor

CERTIFICATIONS
Balanced Body Comprehensive Pilates Reformer & Mat Pilates, Peak Pilates Mat Pilates, RYT, Bar Effect

EDUCATION
Indiana University – School of Dental Assisting

For most of her life, Corrina has been involved in the creative arts. After dancing all through school and moving on to college at IUPUI, she found she needed a fresh, modern outlet. She began taking consistent Pilates and yoga classes and the changes in her body were amazing. She began to realize that teaching was something that she wanted to do. After graduating college, she looked to yoga and Pilates as an outlet to relieve mental and physical stress. Corrina took her first Pilates training in February 2016, followed by ballet bar training. This led to private reformer classes and she fell even more in love with the discipline.

Ashley Dirks
Yoga, TRX, Yin Yoga & Myofascial Release, Pre & Postnatal Yoga

CERTIFICATIONS
500 hr E-RYT, Yin Yoga & Myofascial Release, Pre & PostNatal Yoga, Pregnancy & Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist, TRX/span>

EDUCATION
Indiana University – B.A. Public and Environmental Affairs

Ashley loved all sports and was a competitive swimmer, but her love for fitness began in high school when a friend’s mom took her to her first step aerobics class. After graduating from IU, getting married, and moving away Ashley was disappointed with the quality of group fitness offered in her area, so she decided to turn her love of fitness into instructing. Ashley discovered Yoga over 20 years ago while stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri with her husband. After her first class something resonated. The focus on breath and movement, and the mental and physical strength it took to consciously slow down and calm the mind was hard for her, but she was fascinated. She knew it was something she wanted to incorporate into her life. As an Army wife dealing with moves and constant deployments, Ashley always found peace and comfort on her mat and she began to deeply appreciate the calming effects of being able to slow down and connect back to the self.

Jaime Gonzalez
Pilates Instructor, Sound Bath, Yoga Instructor

CERTIFICATIONS
Stott Pilates, Lagree Method, Real Pilates of New York, Red Cord Active, Rishlkul Yogashala Ashtanga Hatha Yoga & Meditation

Jaime’s extensive Pilates education and teaching experience began in 2002, by completing his first certifications with REAL PILATES NYC in Barcelona Spain. He then moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina, to join a group composed of kinesiologists (physical therapists), physical educators, and Pilates instructors to work with Parkinson´s patients at the hospital de clínicas (the public hospital in Buenos Aires) led by Tamara Di Tella.

In 2007 Jaime returned to Mexico city where he worked for 11 years for the largest fitness company in the country, Sports World. There he had the opportunity to continue learning, growing and expanding his experience.

In 2018 he moved to India to live his own yoga and meditation process. This entire experience allows him to give his Pilates client a complete experience where the body connects with the mind and energy.

Liz Ball
Pilates Instructor

CERTIFICATIONS
Balanced Body Pilates Reformer, SolidCore Megaformer, currently pursuing Balanced Body Comprehensive

Liz brings the dedication of a former Division 1 soccer player to the world of fitness. Initially seeking a high-intensity workout without the impact of running, she quickly discovered and fell in love with the megaformer workouts. Her enthusiasm for the practice led her to become a Pilates Reformer instructor. Liz has completed her Pilates Reformer training through Balanced Body and is currently pursuing Balanced Body’s comprehensive Pilates certification. When she is not in the studio, Liz utilizes her professional skills as a customer success manager and loves snuggling her cavapoo, Woodford.

Kelsey Schouten
Pilates Instructor

CERTIFICATIONS
Basi Pilates Reformer & Mat Pilates, Mat Pilates, Barre

EDUCATION
Purdue University – B.A. Organizational Leadership and Supervision

Kelsey’s favorite part about teaching Pilates is being a small element of someone’s movement journey. In addition to the physical benefits from conquering a Pilates class, Kelsey enjoys that her clients leave class feeling strong, confident and happy. When Kelsey isn’t teaching Mat Pilates or Barre she enjoys running, spending time with her husband and children and being outside. Kelsey is currently pursuing her Pilates Reformer certification.

Thomas Scott
Yoga Instructor

CERTIFICATIONS
500 hour Registered Yoga Teacher, Restorative Yoga, Yin Yoga, Sound Healing, Yoga Nidra

Thomas is a wellness professional, fitness coach, and yoga instructor with a lifelong passion for movement and team sports. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, he transitioned from a career in the restaurant industry to the world of group fitness, beginning with kickboxing. After a transformative experience in a yoga class, Thomas discovered a deeper calling and shifted his focus to yoga instruction. Rooted in the philosophy of the Eight Limbs of Yoga, his teaching integrates physical practice with mindful living—helping people navigate life’s challenge, through self-awareness and balance. Thomas primarily teaches Hatha and Vinyasa yoga, combining the physical discipline of asana with the holistic principles of Ayurveda to create practices and lifestyle plans that are engaging, challenging, and effective. He believes yoga is for everybody, and his goal is to help students build strength, increase flexibility, improve mobility, quiet the mind, and connect more deeply with themselves—wherever they are on their journey. Right now he is working on his personal training and nutrition coaching certifications to bring even more to the table.

Gabbie Lindeman
Pilates Instructor, Yoga Instructor

CERTIFICATIONS
Inferno Hot Pilates, 250 YTT Power Vinyasa

Gabbie teaches mat Pilates and is also certified in hot vinyasa. She has been teaching for about 4 years. Currently, Gabbie is a senior at IU studying Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, with hopes of going to grad school after for either audiology or Speech Pathology. I love running and working out. I also love helping people find their love for it!