Focused, fun, and fabulous. I have trained with a variety of Pilates instructors in the last decade and Donna is absolutely top notch. She has a great ability to diagnose connected aches and pains and then pull together a program to address them. Somehow she makes those little adjustments that get the most out of the training session, while at the same time keeping it fun to prevent the boredom that can arise in some classical Pilates training. I had a brutal fall skiing last week and I am convinced that the only reason I came up without injury is my training with Bolder Pilates. They are the real deal. Just go there.
~ Rick W.
Donna(Rosen) Ligon
She/Her/Hers
Owner + Instructor
Donna Ligon, owner/founder of Bolder Pilates, endured severe low back pain for most of her life. After 15 years of seeking a solution, she finally found Pilates, which strengthened her entire body, healed her back pain, and completely changed her life. After a 7 year career in animal welfare, she knew she had to start a new path toward keeping her body strong and healthy, while helping others who suffered from chronic pain. In 2000, Donna became a certified instructor with renowned teacher trainer Ellie Herman in San Francisco. She also completed a Therapeutic Pilates program immediately thereafter. Donna returned to Boulder in 2002 (she received her BA in Biology at CU in 1994), and has been passionately practicing and teaching Pilates ever since…out of her home studio for 14 years, and the last 7 at her beautiful commercial space. Donna also worked in a physical therapy clinic for 4 years, further honing her skills and experience in working with individuals moving through chronic/acute pain and/or injury rehabilitation and recovery. And because of her personal experience in moving through pain into full body strength and wellness, Donna brings her compassion and understanding into every session she teaches, as well as creativity and a lot of fun. Donna’s other passions include traveling, scuba-diving, seeing live music, and getting out into nature with her sweet pup, Olive.
STERLING
He/Him/His
Instructor
Sterling's Pilates journey began as a method of cross-training while in ballet school. He received his Bachelor of Science in Ballet from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in 2019, and his comprehensive Pilates certification through the PhysicalMind Institute and Sarah Woolgar Movement in 2021. He has danced professionally for Cincinnati Ballet, Eugene Ballet, and Boulder Ballet, giving him a firsthand in-depth knowledge of how Pilates supports the body's ability to be both fluid and strong in movement. He believes Pilates is for everyone, and he enjoys analyzing compensatory movement patterns, focusing on proprioception (where your body is in space), and encouraging others to love and be curious about how their bodies move. Sessions with him are always fun and engaging.
Julia is such an inspiring and motivating Pilates instructor. I have taken both private sessions and group classes with her. Her manner is always thoughtful and encouraging. She really cares about each client’s individual needs and development. I always learn something new about my body and abilities when I take a class with her. Julia’s attention to detail and enthusiasm toward my progress makes me look forward to every session I take with her.
JULIA GREENBERG
She/Her/Hers
Instructor
Julia was born and raised in Boulder, originally finding her love for movement and the body as a competitive gymnast. She moved to Los Angeles for college, earning her Bachelor's in Kinesiology, obtained her classical Pilates certification in 2014, and a Graduate level certificate in 2023. She worked for nearly ten years in Los Angeles, for studios, with physical therapists, and was most recently a Pilates teacher trainer for the Equinox training program. Julia has now returned to Boulder with her son, and is eager to share her passion with this community, as she has seen countless lives and bodies change though the Pilates practice. When Julia is not teaching, she is enjoying the relaxing pace of life on a farm outside of Boulder. She is committed to the process of learning new, fun, and challenging ways to move her body as a student of both Muay Thai and Pole.
Melissa is the real deal. Her knowledge of the body is astonishing, and it’s clear she’s spent a LOT of time perfecting her craft. I never feel bored in her classes, and she pushes me the exact right amount to where I can feel myself progressing, but I don’t overdo it. She’s always fun and motivating, and I always leave feeling like I learned something. She’s the best!
~ Carrie D.
Melissa Clark
She/Her/Hers
Instructor
Melissa's lifelong love of fitness brought her to Pilates over 26 years ago where she discovered a wonderful balance and core strength that had been missing in other forms of exercise. Once she put on her first pair of leg springs she was hooked and what started as a hobby turned into a passion. Melissa decided to pursue teacher training and began teaching Pilates in St Louis, MO in 2000. She completed her Advanced Certification from The Pilates Center in Boulder in 2003. With a BS in Accounting and ten years of healthcare and education accounting/finance to draw from she opened her own studio in 2005. She then went on to become a Master Teacher, Host Advisor and Host Studio through TPC. She also completed 2 certifications in Thai Yoga Therapy and loves combining the two modalities. She has clients at every level and has worked with beginners, trainees, professional athletes, celebrities, pre-professional dancers, pregnant clients, scoliosis clients and also rehabbed clients post hip, knee and shoulder surgery. With over 22 years of teaching experience she has a vast body of knowledge to pull from to create a balanced, challenging, fun but safe lesson for all. Melissa’s philosophy is that you should always leave feeling better than when you arrived and will meet you where you are each day to help you achieve your fitness goals or just improve your mood. Melissa decided to close her studio in 2022 and relocate to Boulder with her family. She is married and has 2 kids in college. She loves wine, music, hiking and traveling and is currently renovating a house in the foothills. She is so excited to join Bolder Pilates and looks forward to working with the fabulous clientele.
“I have worked with Di in both private and class instruction for over 5 years and recently joined this studio since she was teaching there. She is an excellent teacher that is endlessly positive and encouraging, while providing detailed instruction that has allowed me to improve and refine my pilates skills over the years. She always tailors to what my needs are and how I best learn, adapting her cues to ensure my understanding. I love working with Di and find the intimate environment at Bolder Pilates conducive for getting great instruction.”
~ Jessica P
DI Bartko
She/Her/Hers
Instructor
Di began her Pilates training in college while studying psychology and modern dance. By combining movement and psychology she developed a holistic approach to teaching Pilates. Di believes that movement issues can be the root cause of many physical and emotional ailments. Di completed her Pilates Certification at The Pilates Center in Boulder, CO and The Kathy Grant Heritage Training in Denver, CO. Clients describe Pilates training with Di as comprehensive and transformative. Di is a Board Certified Dance Movement Therapist and a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice in Boulder Colorado specializing in Polyvagal Informed Somatic Psychotherapy. Besides Pilates, Di enjoys hiking, dancing and connecting with friends and family, especially with their puppy Oliver.
“Nicole tailors each class to your individual needs. She asks for and listens to what you need. She is an easy communicator who builds upon the information you give her. And together you will forge an alliance that will have you feeling your best self!”
~ Kate S.
Nicole Mink
She/Her/Hers
Instructor
Nicole has been a student of Pilates for more than 15 years. During this time, she was diagnosed with Patella-Femoral Pain Syndrome. Pilates was instrumental in returning her body to health and strength, and so began her journey toward teaching. Nicole believes Pilates truly is for EVERY BODY. She enjoys helping clients improve functional mobility and stability through enhancing their quality of movement, as well as helping them make deep mind-body connections. Nicole began teaching in Denver in 2017 and moved to Boulder in 2018. She is a fully certified STOTT PILATES® instructor. Nicole’s personal journey with Pilates, and her passion for learning and growth, make her an excellent and knowledgeable instructor. Before becoming a Pilates teacher, Nicole worked in Behavioral Health. She holds both an M.Ed in School Counseling and a B.S. in Psychology. Her love of education and helping people made for a perfect transition to the world of teaching Pilates. When Nicole isn’t teaching you can find her in the mountains hiking, skiing or running, and if she’s really lucky she’s on a stand up paddle board doing Pilates on the water!
“Jessica is such a delight to work with on every level. She is kind and fun, but serious in her approach to Pilates. She has so many tools in her toolbox - if there’s something I’m not understanding, she’ll give me the exact right visual cue that makes me GET IT, every time! Her attention to detail is remarkable - I swear she has eyes in the back of her head. If you want the best instruction in town, Bolder Pilates (and Jessica) are it!”
~ Lauren H.
Jessica McKee
She/Her/Hers
Instructor
Jessica was introduced to Pilates through aerial dance and has been ever grateful for its powerful effects on alignment, endurance, re-balancing and injury prevention. With over 15 years experience training fitness, she has worked with clients ranging in age and abilities from post-rehab and pre/postnatal to competitive and professional-level athletes. Jessica has a professional dance background, a BA in Dance, certifications in Yoga, Personal Training, and Pilates (Nationally Certified Pilates Instructor), and she has mentored for Polestar Pilates comprehensive teacher-trainings. A lover of learning, she expands her knowledge through education and workshops (Anatomy, Assessments, Scoliosis, Neuro-Kinetic Therapy, Fascial Trains, Springboard, CoreAlign I & II, OOV, TRX, Aerial apparatus) and she is currently studying for a neurocentric fitness certification. With playful precision, she finds joy in sharing her love of movement with her clients while helping them reach their individual goals.
