Meet our Instructors

Katie Sovenyhazy

Katie is the owner of Pilates of Charleston and lead instructor. She is passionate about teaching and has taught Pilates, dance, and fitness for the past 15 years. As a former professional ballet dancer with American Repertory Ballet, Katie began practicing Pilates at a very young age. She experienced its benefits first hand and now enjoys sharing that same experience with others as an instructor. Her Pilates career kicked off in New York City, where she completed her first certification with Sal Anthony’s School for developmental dexterity and began teaching Pilates classes to several Pilates and yoga studios throughout New York City. After moving to Charleston in 2005, Katie completed her second full comprehensive certification through PHI Pilates. In her classes she upholds the classical Pilates principals, while infusing a more modern and athletic conditioning component that creates a more energetic session.

Katie is one of Charleston’s only certified Prenatal and Postnatal Pilates Specialists, guiding many women through a healthy pregnancy and quick but rehabilitative recovery. Pilates of Charleston is a satellite center for the PAI (Pilates Academy International) teacher training program, based in NYC at Pilates on Fifth and Katie is the CI (Certifying Instructor) for the PAI teacher training program. Katie holds the following certifications behind her name:

PHI Certified Pilates Instructor (450 hour Comprehensive Education Program)Certification with Sal Anthony’s School for Develeopmnetal Dexterity, NYC
Certification with Sal Anthony’s School for Develeopmnetal Dexterity, NYCPrenatal and Postnatal Pilates Specialist from Carolyn Anthony’s Center for Women
Prenatal and Postnatal Pilates Specialist from Carolyn Anthony’s Center for WomenCore Reform from the Systems of Smart Movement®
Core Reform from the Systems of Smart Movement®
Teacher Trainer for PAI (Pilates Academy International)BA from College of Charleston
BA from College of CharlestonBrand Ambassador for Carbon 38
Brand Ambassador for Carbon 38

Elizel Long

Elizel has 25 years of experience in movement as a professional Ballerina and Contemporary Dancer and has worked in one of the most prestigious dance companies in the world, The Rambert Dance Company in London, UK. She has worked in various Pilates and Fitness institutes producing high levels of fitness ingenuity and education to clients of all caliber’s on three different continents around the world, for the past 6 years. She is a brand ambassador for Lululemon Athletica; Altar Ego Apparel and Carbon38.

Elizel is a certified STOTT PILATES Instructor and has the following certifications:

BA HONS Degree (University of Kent, UK.)
Athletic CORE Conditioning fitness for Individuals and group class settings. (Merrithew.)
Athletic conditioning on the Pilates Reformer. (Merrithew)
Special Populations and Injuries certification. ( Merrithew.)
Matwork Pilates (Merrithew)
ZEN*GA movement both Mat work and Pilates Reformer (Merrithew)
Core Bar Instructor
Certified BLS provider (CPR)

Maggie Temple

My passion is to help people both challenge their bodies and deepen their understanding of movement through Pilates. I have been teaching Pilates professionally since 2008 and learn so much from my clients and fellow teachers every day.

I began my Pilates journey with Laura B Grant in Raleigh, NC and furthered my education with Balance Body and then ascended into a Master Trainer position with Club Pilates. I love to learn and share my knowledge with others and watch them progress to their utmost potential. In addition to my PMA certification, I’m certified to teach TRX, Barre Above, BOSU and TriggerPoint for myofascial release. I’m looking forward to sharing my experience with the clients at Pilates of Charleston!
When you don’t find me in the studio, I enjoy running, yoga, hiking, SUPing and walks with my Boxer pup. I’ve been married to my college sweetheart for 26 years and we have two boys, both now in college.

Kim Williams

bio coming soon

Jordan Martini

I fell in love with Pilates (and Pilates of Charleston for that matter!) during my time at College of Charleston. As a lover of movement and exercise, I found that Pilates challenged me to simultaneously connect my mind and body which in return has tremendously helped manage my journey with anxiety. Following college I moved back home to New York City where I began my Pilates Certification journey through Balanced Body’s program with Balanced Body Master Instructor, Ann Toran, at her studio, Pilates Reforming New York. After completing the necessary coursework for the program, I decided to move back to Charleston full-time and am so excited to be on the opposite side of the reformer at my favorite studio – Pilates of Charleston! When I’m not in the studio, I love spending time with my English Springer Spaniel, Pepper, going for walks along the Battery, and checking out the amazing restaurants / bars downtown. I love to incorporate contemporary exercises and creative sequences into my classes to keep everyone on their toes.