About Us

About Petite Pilates

Petite Pilates was founded on the ethos that Pilates, Strength Training, and Yoga should be accessible to all people; from young to old, and from beginners to enthusiasts. Petite Pilates provides access to classical physical fitness and wellness well as more modern and upbeat modalities through a variety of venues, including casual mat-style "Pilates in the Park", creative workshops like Barre to Bar, and boutique, studio-based sessions my new studio in downtown Madison, CT. Regardless of your style or skill level, Petite Pilates can help you achieve lasting physical awareness and control.

"Every movement of our life can be the beginning of great things." - Joseph Pilates

Teachers

Instructors

Candace Barnes
Owner, Classical Pilates Instructor, Group Fitness Instructor

Candace started her Pilates teacher training in November of 2016. Since that time she had attended all three levels of U.S. Pilates training at Pilates Haus in Jersey City, NJ proctored by Brett Howard, Director of Education and Senior Teacher of Teachers, United States Pilates Association® LLC. Candace has been mentored by studio owner Lori Richardson and additionally has observed under other Pilates masters including Junghee Won, of the New York Pilates Studio, Sheila Mello of Pilates RI, and Iwalani Kaluhiokalani, founder of Smartbody Movement in Brookline, MA. In 2019 Candace added a Barre Above Certification and in 2022 she added the vibrant Pumped Up Strength Certification to offer even more modality variety to her clients.

Yvette DeBrita
CPT, Group Class Instructor

Yvette has been working in the NYC fitness industry since 2014, and is a National Academy of Sports Medicine certified Personal Trainer. She also has certifications in Schwinn Cycling, Les Mills Bodypump and Bootcamp classes. Yvette believes that fitness is a passion and a way of life- while motivation may come and go, consistency is key to a happier body and mind. Yvette loves the shoreline, and looks forward to helping you feel your best!

Emily Haight E-RYT 500, Private Instruction, Group Class Instructor

Emily is an E-RYT 500, meaning that she has documented over 2,000 teaching hours and attended at least 500 hours of training to teach yoga. As a Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider®, Emily teaches continuing education courses to other registered yoga teachers. Her original 200-hour teacher training was a month-long intensive that she completed while on maternity leave in the spring of 2016. In retrospect, that was a wild decision, but she has no regrets! The tools she's learned through yoga have made her a better, more patient parent. Emily is determined to teach yoga that empowers. Her classes utilize powerful flows to create energetic physical alignment as well as a clear mind and joyful heart. She invites students to show up to class exactly as they are and to trust that they have remarkable purpose, bravery, and support within themselves. Her classes will challenge you but, at the same time, give you permission to be kind and gentle to yourself. Outside of yoga, Emily loves writing, swimming with her kiddos, home decor, and New England architecture.

Bee Gordon, Group Fitness Instructor

Bee is originally from the Arizona/ SoCal area, but relocated with her husband and 3 kids to New England about 12 years ago. She grew up playing soccer and swimming competitively and has always loved being active, so transitioning into the health and fitness field was a no brainer. She has been instructing, training or coaching for the past 20 years and holds certifications in PumpedUp Strength, MaddDogg Spinning, TRX, Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga, IMX Pilates and is a certified NASM personal trainer, RRCA Running Coach, and Stroller Strides instructor. She has also served as a USA Swimming coach for the past 7 years and is continuing her classical pilates certification. She is so excited to join the Petite Pilates family and is looking forward to meeting and getting to know everyone!!