Why choose Balance Pilates?
Expert Instructors: Our Pilates instructors are adept at managing small groups, ensuring that each client receives high-quality instruction and feedback. They are trained to observe and correct form, helping you get the most out of every session.
Dynamic Environment: Experience the best of both worlds—a personalized workout with the motivation and encouragement of a small group. Sharing the journey with others can increase accountability and make the sessions more enjoyable.
Adaptive Equipment: Our studio is equipped with a variety of Pilates apparatus, enabling a versatile and comprehensive workout. Your instructor will guide you in using the equipment safely and effectively, tailoring exercises to your needs.
Holistic Wellness: These sessions not only build physical strength and flexibility but also enhance mental clarity and relaxation. The focused, mindful movements of Pilates promote overall well-being.
Supportive Community: Connect with fellow clients in a supportive environment where everyone is working towards their own goals. The small group setting fosters a sense of community and shared progress.
Customized Programs: While you’ll share the session with a few others, your instructor will still take into account your specific needs and goals. Expect a workout that combines group exercises with personalized modifications to suit your fitness level and any physical considerations.
Transform your Pilates practice with us!
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.
Bella Morell
Originally from Buffalo, I discovered Pilates two years ago after struggling with neck pain and posture issues for years. I immediately became passionate about learning how my body worked and how I could improve my condition, and I hope to help others do the same.
Outside of teaching, I love to read, hang out with my friends, travel, and experience as many things as I can. I’m also an animal lover and prioritize spending time outside and taking care of myself. I believe in maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
As an instructor, I make sure everyone’s individual needs are met with carefully tailored classes that benefit and challenge every client. I aim to create a comfortable environment where everyone can be themselves and use Pilates to help them feel their best! I am constantly learning and growing as an instructor, and I hope to inspire you in your Pilates practice and in achieving a balanced lifestyle. I’m excited to continue learning and practicing Pilates with you for years to come!
Stephanie Beecher
I was raised in Williamsville, NY, and after a few years in Burlington, VT, my husband and I returned to raise our 3 sons and 2 dogs. When I’m not teaching or practicing Pilates, I love spending time with my friends and family, especially when I can travel back to France to visit my extended family. I also enjoy skiing, cooking, listening to audiobooks while walking my dogs, and traveling.
My Pilates journey began in 2023 after a friend recommended the studio. Vanessa’s patient guidance was integral to my progress after a total hip replacement. Thanks to her instruction, I quickly saw improvements in my strength and stability and became a dedicated client.
Vanessa and Nancy are top-notch, and I feel lucky to have such incredible mentors. They have built a wonderful, diverse community, which adds to the joy I feel as a client and an instructor at Balance. I feel so fortunate to have Vanessa and Nancy as my mentors; they are both exceptional. They have cultivated an amazing and diverse community at Balance, which enhances my experience as both a client and an instructor.
At Balance Pilates, my goal is to foster a sense of community and inclusivity for everyone—regardless of experience—by creating an enjoyable, supportive environment where each client feels comfortable working toward their personal fitness goals. Sharing my passion for Pilates and watching clients improve their physical and mental well-being is truly rewarding. I’m excited to continue growing and developing as an instructor alongside my clients and team.
Megan Hungerford
Movement has always been an important part of my life. As a stay-at-home mom, I found yoga, Pilates, and barre to be a great way to get strong and stay balanced while raising my three daughters. After a back injury made it difficult to do the same workouts I did in the past (along with carrying little ones all day), I knew I needed to find a new approach to staying fit and strong. That’s when the universe aligned, and I found Balance Pilates.
While training with Nancy for over three years, I conquered my lower back pain through intentional movement, alignment, strengthening, and stretching. I quickly became addicted, attending classes multiple times a week. “It’s truly changed my life and the way I move!”
I spent the last year training to teach mat and reformer Pilates, along with receiving my barre certification.
You’ll find my classes to be feel-good, fun, and functional, with a side of pulse till you shake!
Outside of the studio, you can find me with my husband and daughters. I love throwing a themed party for almost every holiday, and you can find me in my cowboy boots every Thursday night line dancing to my favorite ’90s country music!
Sophia Andreadis
I’m from Buffalo, NY, and I discovered Pilates as part of my fitness and self-growth journey. As a new college student, I struggled with stress, anxiety, and wanted to build muscle to feel stronger. Pilates was the answer for me, and it has become a passion that I’m now excited to share as an instructor.
Outside of Pilates and teaching, I enjoy horseback riding, spending time with my friends and family, and focusing on school. My family is incredibly important to me, and finding balance has been a rewarding part of my journey.
Pilates helped me manage stress and anxiety, offering not only physical benefits but mental ones as well. I was inspired to become an instructor because of the joy and improvement I experienced, and I want to share that with others. I know many people, like myself, struggle with anxiety, and I aim to create a safe space in my classes where they can leave their worries behind and focus on themselves. It’s an ongoing challenge, but I’m always working toward a more peaceful mind and a strong, healthy body.
My teaching style focuses on strength and feeling good. I tailor every class to meet the unique needs of my students so they can achieve their goals and feel their best. I’m growing as an instructor, and together, we can grow through our Pilates journeys. I look forward to connecting with you over the next few years!