Meet Our Team
Ariel Lehaitre, MSPT, Owner & Founder of Pilates Sante
Ariel is a highly experienced Physical Therapist and Polestar Certified Rehabilitation Specialist with over 20 years in Pilates-based therapeutic exercise. She holds a B.S. in Clinical Exercise Physiology and an M.S. in Physical Therapy from Boston University.
A former pre-professional ballet dancer, Ariel trained with the School of American Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Injuries led her to discover Pilates for rehabilitation, which not only supported her recovery but inspired her transition to professional salsa dancing and international instruction.
In 2008, Ariel founded Pilates Santé, now over 15 years strong, to provide a more integrated approach to healing by combining physical therapy and Pilates. Her clinical focus is on correcting muscle imbalances, improving motor control, and restoring functional movement so clients can return to their active, pain-free lives.
A dedicated educator, Ariel recently launched Clinical Instructor Academy, a sister business to Pilates Santé. This program trains Pilates instructors to deliver safe, clinical-based sessions tailored to clients with a wide range of various musculoskeletal conditions. She also continues to offer specialized workshops and mentorships, and previously served as a Polestar Pilates Mentor (2011–2016). Her additional certifications include CoreAlign, Pilates for Osteoporosis, the Oov, and Scoliosis adaptations.
Outside her professional life, Ariel enjoys learning, holistic nutrition, meditation, and being a proud single mom to her 11-year-old daughter.
A former pre-professional ballet dancer, Ariel trained with the School of American Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Injuries led her to discover Pilates for rehabilitation, which not only supported her recovery but inspired her transition to professional salsa dancing and international instruction.
In 2008, Ariel founded Pilates Santé, now over 15 years strong, to provide a more integrated approach to healing by combining physical therapy and Pilates. Her clinical focus is on correcting muscle imbalances, improving motor control, and restoring functional movement so clients can return to their active, pain-free lives.
A dedicated educator, Ariel recently launched Clinical Instructor Academy, a sister business to Pilates Santé. This program trains Pilates instructors to deliver safe, clinical-based sessions tailored to clients with a wide range of various musculoskeletal conditions. She also continues to offer specialized workshops and mentorships, and previously served as a Polestar Pilates Mentor (2011–2016). Her additional certifications include CoreAlign, Pilates for Osteoporosis, the Oov, and Scoliosis adaptations.
Outside her professional life, Ariel enjoys learning, holistic nutrition, meditation, and being a proud single mom to her 11-year-old daughter.