OUR TEAM
Danielle Bittner
Danielle is the owner of Ashburn Core Pilates. She began her Pilates journey in 2009 after moving to the DC area after college. Pilates became a daily staple of her life, and after years of self-practice, she decided to take the plunge and become a Pilates instructor. Danielle is certified through Body Arts and Sciences (BASI) Pilates. She received her mat Pilates certification in 2013 and soon after decided to go back for more training, completing her comprehensive Pilates certification through BASI Pilates in 2014. Since then she has been a practicing instructor at local studios throughout Northern Virginia.
What do you love most about Pilates?
That Pilates is quite literally for everyone- there is always an exercise for you to do, regardless of ability or injury. Pilates is a fun, challenging workout, but that's not just it... there is something about it that's indescribable. It quickly becomes part of your life and being, to the point where you can't imagine life without Pilates!
What is your favorite Pilates exercise?
Probably the teaser... there are so many variations, and it's just so HARD!
Where are you most likely to be spotted outside of the studio?
Tough call... but probably Wegmans (my husband jokes that I basically live there).
Jill Hughes
Jill began her Pilates journey at SUNY Purchase as a pre-professional dance student and trained in the classical technique with "the Elders," instructors who trained directly with Joe Pilates. She carried mat concepts into her own warm-up for theatre and dance, and into her classes as a ballet instructor. In early 2017, she entered a comprehensive training program and became fully certified on the reformer and other Pilates apparatus. She has been teaching ever since and credits Pilates for keeping her toned, flexible and out of knee pain from a chronic dance injury. She is in the process of completing a 2nd comprehensive Pilates certification through BASI Pilates and considers it an honor to help people become more fluid movers.
What do you love most about Pilates?
That Pilates helps people attain and sustain mobility, strength, and flexibility in a way that is functional and healthy (low impact) for the body. Pilates isn't just for the body but for the mind as well. The focus on breath and the mind-body connection facilitates relaxation, improved focus and sleep. As clients perform more challenging exercises, they gain confidence and this transfers into other areas of their lives. I love it when they show me pictures or videos doing things they couldn't do prior to practicing Pilates!
What is your favorite Pilates exercise?
I'm a big fan of the Swan or anything that involves a back extension. It strengthens muscles that hold us upright and improves posture. Maintaining good posture is challenging in the technology age.
Where are you most likely to be spotted outside of the studio?
Well... probably with my nose in a plant-based cookbook or at the hot tub at One Life.
Lydia Estep
Lydia’s Pilates journey began in 2017. She was looking for a summer job while home from college and landed a position working at the front desk of a Pilates studio. It was there that Lydia had the opportunity to take classes. One class soon turned into back-to-back-to-back-to-back classes. Fast forward a few years and Lydia had enrolled and then graduated from BASI Pilates’ Comprehensive Teacher Training Program.
Today, Lydia teaches at a couple studios in Northern Virginia (alongside her 9-5 in marketing).
What do you love most about Pilates?
My favorite thing about Pilates is that it places high importance on intention and anatomy (this is where my love for detail comes in). Moving correctly and effectively is so important in order to living a long, healthy life. Pilates is as much of a body workout as it is a mind workout (we call it a mind-body connection).
What is your favorite Pilates exercise?
My favorite exercise might have to be Climb-a-Tree, part of the short box series on the reformer. I love it because it focuses on lengthening AND strengthening. The portion where you extend over the box is an AMAZING stretch.
Where are you most likely to be spotted outside of the studio?
Monday through Friday I am at the office #GirlBossing in Marketing. On the weekends, I’m probably at Trader Joes or the bookstore (non-fiction all the way).
Head over to the schedule to see when Danielle, Jill and Lydia are teaching!