About Aligned Pilates
You’re welcome here, no matter your experience level.
Many workouts feel competitive and crowded. At Aligned, movement feels restorative–it’s a place where the body is challenged, but the mind is eased.
OUR STUDIOBased in Lawerence, Kansas our studio offers classical Pilates on reformers, mixed apparatus, and mat-based classes for all ages, bodies, and experience levels.
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OUR INSTRUCTORSAligned’s instructors are trained professionals with backgrounds in movement, biomechanics, and wellness.
Their guidance blends technical precision with intuition, helping people move with greater control and awareness. Our team lives and breathes a healthy and fit lifestyle and we are proud to help people achieve their health and wellness goals and transform their lives.
Sara Armbrister
OWNER ○ INSTRUCTOR ○ TEACHER TRAINER
Aligned Studio founder Sara Armbrister was originally introduced to Pilates through her background in performing arts, where the method was used as conditioning to help her body maintain the rigorous demands of performance. As a cello performance major at the University of Kansas, Pilates helped her recover from an overuse injury. Inspired to help other artists avoid and overcome injury, she began teaching in 2004. Shortly after her initial training, she received research grants and presented numerous lectures on injury prevention for musicians and dancers
Sara completed her classical comprehensive training through Centerworks® Pilates, and has received additional comprehensive and continuing education through Balanced Body®, Fletcher® Pilates, and many other master trainers. She is fortunate to have attended training & workshops with all of the remaining first-generation teachers (those who studied directly under Joseph Pilates), and has served as an educator on the Balance Body education team.
Sara is also passionate about women’s entrepreneurship and financial independence, and is proud to be the leader of the only completely independent, woman-owned Pilates studio in Lawrence, KS.
A dynamic, inspiring teacher, Sara aims to make Pilates accessible to all. Her diverse clientele includes athletes, dancers, fitness professionals, musicians, pre/post-rehab clients, and men and women of all ages and abilities.
Alexa Casey
INSTRUCTOR
Born and raised in Texas, Alexa’s love for movement started with her ballet training at Rowland Ballard Dance Academy. She then joined North Harris Performing Arts’ competitive dance company. She danced throughout high school and into college. While majoring in Psychology and minoring in Dance at KU, Alexa was also a member of the University Dance Company. After graduating, she taught at several dance studios and high school dance teams in both Kansas and Texas.
Alexa first discovered Pilates in 2020. As studios and gyms were shutting down during the COVID-19 pandemic, she knew she needed to find some way to keep her body moving. This led to her taking her first online Pilates mat class, and discovering a new passion. Pilates was the perfect combination of graceful movement, stretching, resistance training, and mind-body connection that she craved.
Alexa began taking classes at Aligned in 2021, and started teacher training in February 2022. She completed her 520 hour comprehensive Pilates certificate through Balanced Body Education. She then bridged to classical training under the guidance of Sara at Aligned.
Outside of the studio, Alexa’s biggest and most important role is Mom to her three young children. She knows firsthand how important, yet challenging, it can be for mothers to prioritize their own needs during this phase of life. She practiced Pilates through her entire second & third pregnancies, and credits it for helping her have smooth deliveries and postpartum recovery, as well as giving her the strength & energy to keep up with active kids.
Alexa truly loves the Aligned community, and teaching each person that walks through the doors of the studio. Her goal is that her students feel balanced and accomplished after every class.
OUR PHILOSPHYPilates is a way to stay connected.
During the daily push to keep up, it’s easy for personal well-being to take a back seat. Aligned offers a space where that constant motion can pause and intentional movement takes its place. With over two decades of experience in Pilates instruction and the science of movement, Sara brings expertise that shapes everything Aligned does—from thoughtful teaching and genuine care to a space grounded in tradition and community.
SERVICESFor mindful wellness, Aligned Pilates offers classical Pilates on reformers and mixed apparatus through private and small group instruction.
Small group classes
Private training
I can’t say enough good things about this women-owned and operated Pilates studio! From the moment I walked in, I felt welcomed, supported, and inspired. The instructors are not only incredibly knowledgeable but also genuinely care about helping each person reach their goals. Every class feels intentional—challenging in the best way and always focused on proper form and body awareness.
There’s such a strong sense of community here, and it’s clear that the team has built something special: a space where you can feel strong, confident, and connected. Whether you’re brand new to Pilates or have been practicing for years, this studio is an absolute gem.
Highly recommend to anyone looking for a supportive, empowering environment to move, grow, and feel amazing!
– AUBREE C.
Our small, personalized classes make pilates approachable for everyone.
We’re a community that moves and grows together. You’re welcome here, no matter your experience level.