Why choose Balance Pilates?
We know our stuff! Our classes are well structured and filled with dynamic and energetic movements that leave you feeling vibrant and appropriately worked. Our extensive knowledge in different areas of movement brings to the studio an atmosphere of creativity and attention to detail that Pilates students admire and appreciate.
We are passionate about what we do and believe each individual is capable of achieving incredible things with their health and well-being if a positive mindset is established. Our goal is to create an environment that allows for that to happen. Your goals are our goals!
We believe in building trusting relationships with our clients. A clear understanding of goals, concerns, and any obstacles will be addressed and established to ensure a clear meeting of the minds is met.
We believe that keeping up to date on the new trends and insights in the Pilates industry is essential in maintaining quality training, so ongoing education will always be part of our instructors’ credentials.
We have Metalife equipment which is different than any other studio in Western New York. It is highly regarded on an international level as superior equipment in the industry.
We care and understand that you have a choice in where you practice Pilates; that is why we have created an all-inclusive atmosphere filled with creativity, vibrancy, fun, and tolerance of all.
We want you to have FUN!! Our classes are created to add an element of challenge, creativity, and a well-rounded feeling of accomplishment … and you just might meet some new lifelong friends!
Who we are?
Nancy Shea
Nancy began her Pilates and Yoga career after her divorce forced her to explore what the rest of her life was going to look like and knew deep down she always wanted to help people through movement and healthy living.
She began her certification process in both Pilates and Yoga (which she had been practicing for years) and immediately knew she was in her element. She obtained her certification in Stott Pilates and is currently deepening her studies in all Pilates apparatus in a Comprehensive Program with Polestar Pilates in NYC.
Nancy’s background also includes studies In IIN (Integrative Institute of Nutrition) NYC and worked as a Certified Low Glycemic Coach for Audubon Women’s Medical Associates. She has also studied under Melissa Larson (MYSORE Ashtanga Yoga), Bikram Yoga, Master Khechens School of Tae Kwon Doe, and is a former owner of Graceful Warrior Yoga Studio. She is also currently studying Himalayan Institutes Yoga Nidra Certification and My Vinyasa 500-Hour yoga teacher certification.
Nancy enjoys being a student of life. Her pursuit of knowing the “why” something works and sharing that with her clients lends to the trust and happiness her clients have in her and her abilities.
Nancy’s favorite word is GRACE. After some personal tragedies in her life that caused both physical and emotional trauma, she realized she had to take her life back from a victim mentality to one of inspiration and empowerment. She understood that her choice of RESPONDING over REACTING with mindful thought would pave her future into one of personal freedom and acceptance. She now coins this mindfulness approach as being a “Graceful Warrior”; approaching each situation with a soft heart and strong mind. Nancy believes that bravery cannot be achieved without first being scared. She believes that if we can stay in the question or inquiry that we face in each significant moment and let go of any control over the results, the universe will bring forth exactly what we need to create a peaceful and powerful life.
Nancy has over 20 years of studies in Yoga, Pilates, nutrition, and personal development programs. She holds teacher certifications in multiple Pilates and Yoga modalities that include: Stott Pilates, Toronto, CA; Polestar’s Comprehensive Program, NYC; HI (Himalayan Institute), Buffalo, NY, 200 HR YTT certification and is currently enrolled in a Yoga Nidra certification course; E-200HR from Yoga Alliance; Baptiste Yoga (Level 1 and former studio/owner affiliate); Yoga Works, NYC, 100 HR Bridge Course; JB YOGA, East Hampton, NY, SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) Yoga, Certified Teacher, Liberation Prison Yoga, OMEGA Institute, Rhinebeck, NY, Trauma Informed Certified Yoga Teacher; Y12SR (Yoga for 12MY VINYASA, currently enrolled 500 HR program. Additional studies include Iyengar, Ashtanga (MYSORE), and Y12SR (Yoga for 12 Step Recovery – Niki Meyers). Her other accomplishments include studies in nutrition from IIN (Institute of Integrated Nutrition, NYC; TLS (Transitions Lifestyle System) certified low-glycemic nutrition coach; The Landmark Forum (Advanced Level certificates), Toronto, CA, Master Khechen School of Tae Kwon Doe, Buffalo, NY, 1st stripe Black Belt.
She holds a BA in Communications with a minor in Integrative Marketing from Canisius College, Buffalo, NY. Nancy currently lives in Williamsville, NY, and is a co-owner of Balance Pilates LLC, where she continues to use her knowledge to heal and empower others.
Vanessa Rodrigues
Vanessa has a bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy and is a certified Pilates instructor both in Brazil and in the US, having experience with all equipment programs.
After graduating, Vanessa worked at Oficina Pilates, which is a highly regarded studio in Brazil. There, she had the opportunity to work with the best instructors, strengthening her knowledge and building more experience. She also had the opportunity to work in other Brazilian studios, experiencing other methodologies and approaches.
Finally, in 2018, Vanessa moved to Buffalo, NY and in the following year started at a local Pilates studio, where she could contribute with her knowledge while learning and diving into the US culture.
Balance Pilates is the next step of Vanessa’s career and a dream come true. It is the result of years of study, experience and dedication, which will be all in your service. She is ready for the challenges ahead and can’t wait to have you as part of this new beautiful Pilates community in Buffalo, NY.
Vanessa has a bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy and is a certified Pilates instructor both in Brazil and in the US, having experience with all equipment program.
Her first contact with Pilates happened while she was a kid, when she suffered from back pain. For years, she attended physiotherapy sessions to treat her posture disorders and the best results were achieved when she started taking Pilates sessions.
This drove in Vanessa the willingness to help people in the same way she had been helped before. She started studying Physiotherapy in 2010 at University Herminio Hometto in Brazil. In 2013, when still in grad school, she attended a mat Pilates program, which she became passionate of. This passion caused Vanessa to seek further knowledge and she completed a full Pilates program at Voll Pilates, which is the most prestigious Pilates institution in South America. During the program, she had the opportunity to understand how powerful the Pilates method is to treat people and improve their wellbeing.
After graduating, she started working at Oficina Pilates, a highly regarded Pilates studio in Brazil. There, she had the opportunity to work with the best instructors, which allowed her to get more experience and build practical knowledge on the method.
From 2014 to 2018, Vanessa had the chance to work in other Brazilian studios and experience different methodologies and approaches, which added even more to her already strong Pilates background.
She moved to Buffalo in 2018 and in the following year started working on a local Pilates studio. There, she could contribute with her knowledge while learning and diving in the US culture.
In her career, she had the opportunity to work with a very diverse public and deal with different types of objectives based on her clients’ needs. Vanessa’s main goal is to make a difference in people’s lives by using her vast experience with the Pilates method. She is driven by challenges and always bring them to her classes, creating a very dynamic and exciting environment. Her classes are never the same, which pushes her clients to give their best in order to obtain outstanding results.
Balance Pilates is the next step of Vanessa’s carreer and a dream came true. It is the result of years of study, experience and dedication, which will be all in your service. Words are not enough to describe how excited she is for this new chapter. She is ready for the challenges ahead and can’t wait to have you as part of this new beautiful Pilates community in Buffalo, NY.