WHITNEY JOHNSON PILATES

WJP is a fully equipped Classical Pilates studio in the heart of Downtown Ann Arbor, MI that specializes in Private Sessions, Small Group Classes, and Open Gym Hours.

We continue to cultivate an inclusive, safe, and fun environment to elevate your Pilates practice while maintaining high standards for our own.

Alongside a consistent self-practice, each of our teachers participates in ongoing education each year to deepen their understanding of the method and refine their skills, ensuring that you receive the highest quality instruction. No matter your age or ability, whether you are new to Pilates or a seasoned practitioner, our instructors are ready to meet you where you are and empower you to reach your goals.

We exude a strong commitment to the method that is evident in the dedication we foster in our students - a community of supportive and enthusiastic practitioners we are proud to call the WJP family.

Meet the Team

Each member of the Whitney Johnson Pilates team is a third generation, Classically certified, instructor, while Whitney herself has trained with first generation Pilates elder, Jay Grimes.

Learn more about our team below.


  • STUDIO OWNER
    2nd Generation Pilates Teacher

    Whitney grew up in northwest Indiana on the bottom tip of Lake Michigan and lived in Southern California while completing her undergraduate degrees in Drama and Art History at UC Irvine. She returned to the Midwest for graduate school at Indiana University to study ancient Roman sculpture, but found her true calling in the Pilates method.  She moved to Ann Arbor in 2019 and chose to make A2 her home.

    She first began her Pilates practice as a young dancer, but only started to take it more seriously after she was diagnosed with a permanent back injury that left her in pain and misaligned.  Through the proper application of the Pilates method she was able to alleviate her pain and find more power in her body than she had prior to her injury. Pilates has helped her do everything she loves, but better! That includes rock climbing, hiking, and biking . . . just about any outdoor activity you can think of.

    Whitney decided to certify in the method and start teaching during her graduate work as a side hustle to supplement her income. It wasn’t long before she decided that she was more attracted to the Pilates community than academia and chose to make a permanent change.

    TRAINING:

    Whitney completed her Classical education with The New York Pilates Studio® through the United States Pilates Association (currently Classical Pilates USA) under the tutelage of Brett Howard, Jen O'Mara, and David Freeman. She then moved on to complete multiple graduate level programs such as The Classical Syllabus® with Mejo Wiggin.

    Before his passing, Whitney was fortunate to train extensively under Pilates elder, Jay Grimes, and completed the comprehensive graduate program, Weekends with Jay, through Vintage Pilates, where she learned the exercises as they were taught to Jay Grimes by Joseph Pilates himself. Staying true to her academic roots, she prioritizes her continuing education and continues to study and practice under second generation teachers Mejo Wiggin and Sandy Shimoda.

  • CERTIFIED PILATES TEACHER
    3rd Generation

    Born and raised in the metro Detroit area, she received a BA in Psychology from the University of Michigan. She then moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting, where she appeared in numerous national commercials, film and television roles. As a comedian, she wrote sketch comedy which led to screenwriting.

    She discovered Pilates by taking group mat classes at a studio in the Hancock Park neighborhood of LA. The owner of the studio, a second-generation instructor, noticed her immediate love and dedication for Pilates and asked her to apprentice. After rigorous training, she went on to teach there for eight years, with most of her clientele being entertainment industry professionals from nearby Paramount Studios.

    After twenty years of missing green trees, fresh air and the four seasons, she recently returned to the Ann Arbor area with her husband and son. She was thrilled to find Whitney Johnson Pilates, a studio and instructor in alignment with her own views on and love for the Classical Method. Whitney’s enthusiasm for teaching and constant quest to further her own practice has inspired Tina to return to teaching.

    She still acts locally from time to time, but has mostly shifted her creative focus to fiction writing. She is addicted to buying books, so if you can’t find her in the studio, walk on down to Literati and you will surely find her there.

  • APPRENTICE

    Originally from Virginia, Stephanie moved to Detroit from New York City in 2014. After being diagnosed with a back injury, her physical therapist recommended Pilates. Not only did this help build and maintain her strength, it also helped relieve her back pain. Stephanie fell in love with the movement of each session and how it made her feel afterwards. She decided to devote a larger part of her life to Pilates by becoming a teaching apprentice. With Whitney, she is deepening her practice so that she can share the positive effects she experienced with others.

    Having grown up playing sports and dancing, Stephanie runs and skis less than she used to but continues playing tennis, bike riding, dancing, and walking with her two very good dogs.

Classically certified and interested in joining our team?

So honored to have a handmade knit from the one and only @juliedee_a2 🥰 Gifting your favorite Pilates teacher a handmade knit garment is NOT required, but I definitely don’t hate it 🧶 🧶🧶 I think my clients are trying to butter me up for
INTERESTED IN DISCOUNTED PRIVATE SESSIONS?! 🌟 Our apprentice, Stephanie, has officially passed her first of 4 exams and is now scheduling Apprentice Private Sessions at $40/ea. 🌟 Here is what our client, Grace has to say about working with Stepha
More highlights from Mejo’s Classical Syllabus 🤩 Keep an eye out for more workshops hosted here at Whitney Johnson Pilates… save the date coming soon for summer 2025! #pilates #reformerpilates #annarbor @mejowigginpilates @gratz_pilat
🤩 Thank you, Mike 🤩 #testimonial #classicalpilates #annarbormichigan
🤩 SO PROUD OF OUR APPRENTICE 🤩 Stephanie is doing a kick ass job working her way through her hours and getting in experience with practice teaching! Interested in FREE sessions? Apprentice sessions with Stephanie are FREE until she passes her Fo

  • Pilates is a comprehensive method of body conditioning designed to develop the muscles of the body uniformly. It is first and foremost a workout that will make you sweat… the stretching is just a bonus!

    Originally known as Contrology, its current name is a reference to the method’s founder, Joesph Pilates, whose method began as a series of Mat exercises and grew to include multiple apparatus such as the Reformer, Cadillac, and Wunda Chair. These apparatus, invented by Joe himself, rely on springs to create resistance that both challenge and support each exercise.

    At its core, Pilates is corrective exercise that utilizes springs and resistance to build a strong core, increase stability, and develop mobility. The method is well known for reducing back pain, building bone density, and alleviating aches and pains. It is a workout truly adaptable to every body including professional athletes, octogenarians, expectant parents, and individuals in recovery.

  • Classical Pilates refers to the traditional series of exercises designed by Joseph Pilates and performed in specific sequence (particularly on the Mat and Reformer). Each exercise is designed to build upon the last in skill and difficulty, culminating in the complete coordination of mind, body, and spirit.

    When practiced as intended, the Classical method of Pilates conditioning has long proven to systematically build body awareness, muscle uniformity, and skill level while fostering a sense of control and independence.

  • Pilates is an excellent tool for cross training, strength building, flexibility, and injury recovery. It is a method that can truly be applied to any body regardless of age or previous movement experience. Training for a marathon? Pilates can help. Recovering from an injury or surgery? Pilates has your back. Looking to correct your posture and alleviate aches and pains? Pilates is for you.

  • YES! In fact, Pilates was designed by a man who was a Boxer and Gymnast. As you get to know the method, you will begin to notice many exercises derived from these movement modalities.

  • Above all, wear something comfortable that makes you feel confident and powerful. This is a workout, so choose an outfit that you don’t mind sweating in and lets you move with ease. Please avoid wearing zippers and closures that could damage the equipment.

What people are saying…

  • "It was AMAZING!!! I feel taller, longer, and stronger. Thank you Tina for fantastic afternoon."

    Heather K.

  • "If you are serious about Pilates, work with Whitney. She is extremely knowledgable about all aspects of the method and has an acute eye for optimal body positioning so that students can be assured they get the most out of each exercise. Plus, she's a genuinely warm and kind person. What more could you ask for?

    Lisa L.

  • "Unquestioningly, Whitney is a great instructor. Foremost, she is a tremendous communicator. Her instructions, her imagery, her explanations are all clarion clear. Match that with a temperament that is patient and loving, a spirit full of fun and occasional mischief, and a passion for teaching that is guided by a genuine caring for every one of her students, and you have that rare person who has found her calling. Furthermore, Whitney has the uncanny ability to see, even via Zoom, all slips and shortcuts while gently correcting you. "

    Steve R.

  • "I love Tina so much! She is great!"

    Cary L.

  • "As a longtime long distance runner, I have dealt with my fair share of injuries that hamper my ability to train. Whitney’s instruction has completely changed my ability to recover quickly, strengthened my form, and is a key part of my conditioning. Further, working from home for five plus years, I am prone to upper back pain and my pilates practice with Whitney has alleviated it."

    Alex D.

  • "Whitney is the absolute best. I’ve been working with her for over 2.5yrs now and am the biggest fan. We started working together right after I delivered my first child, and she made me STRONGER than I was pre-baby. I was hooked. She trained me throughout my second pregnancy, and once again made me stronger than ever. She’s a rockstar, she’s incredibly knowledgeable, plus she’s super funny. She has the most contagious energy that makes you want to keep coming back … even when you’re not sure your body can handle it! If I could give her 100 stars I would."

    Catherine D.

  • "A dream studio and such a gracious and intuitive teacher."

    Sophie L.

  • "I was first connected with Whitney Johnson Pilates a year ago. My 16-year-old had a soccer injury that did not resolve even after months of physical therapy, and a friend suggested that Pilates with Whitney might help him. Whitney was excited to work with him, and over the past year they have established a wonderful rapport as she has helped him recover and gain mobility, strength, and flexibility. He is now back playing soccer again, and in the meantime, our whole family has started practicing Pilates with Whitney. She has an incredible feel for the needs, limitations, and quirks of each individual person and body, and she tailors each session to challenge, encourage, and motivate. Working with Whitney is a true highlight of my week. I cannot recommend Whitney Johnson Pilates highly enough!"

    Melanie S.