Gianna Agudelo on Traditional Pilates, Inclusive Spaces, and Teaching to the Body in Front of You
The first thing you notice in Gianna Agudelo’s class is how grounded it feels. There’s warmth in the room, but also intention. Newcomers don’t feel rushed and regulars don’t feel overlooked. The cues are clear, the pacing is thoughtful, and the playlist lets you know you’re in good hands without trying too hard. People linger after class, not because they’re confused, but because they feel connected. That’s not accidental; that’s Gianna.
From Curiosity to Commitment
Gianna’s relationship with Pilates began in 2018 during teacher training, but it deepened after her hip dysplasia diagnosis a few years later. Pilates shifted from something she enjoyed into something she trusted. It became a form of lifelong movement and rehabilitation, one that supported her body instead of asking it to push through pain.
After more than a decade in the fitness industry, she recognized how rare it is to find a practice you love to teach, love to take, and can continue growing in long term. Pilates offered all of that. Teaching wasn’t a pivot or a rebrand. It was a natural extension of something that had already changed her life.
As a proud Colombian and Latina health educator, Gianna’s culture shapes how she shows up in every room. Family, identity, and lived experience inform how she connects with people. She remembers a time when representation in fitness, especially in Pilates spaces, was limited. Seeing that shift now matters deeply to her.
Gianna leads with empathy. She believes people want to feel seen, supported, and cared for, not judged or compared. Her ability to feel deeply is part of her strength as a coach. Creating connection isn’t a bonus. It’s the foundation of her work.
Why Oak Cliff Pilates Feels Like Home
That philosophy is why Oak Cliff Pilates feels like the right fit. The studio prioritizes diversity and affordability in a discipline that’s often viewed as exclusive. Pilates can be intimidating and expensive, and Oak Cliff Pilates intentionally removes those barriers.
For Gianna, inclusivity is practical. It’s pricing that allows people to try something new. It’s seeing people who look like you moving confidently in the space. It’s creating access, not just talking about it.
When Gianna talks about traditional Pilates, she’s referring to its roots. Joseph Pilates originally created Contrology during World War I as a rehabilitative system. It was designed around control, precision, breath, and intention, not exhaustion. Classical Pilates follows a structured sequence using apparatuses like the reformer, chair, and Cadillac. It’s typically lower intensity, low impact, and thoughtful.
Over time, Pilates evolved as bodies and needs evolved, giving rise to contemporary styles. Gianna is quick to clear up a common misconception: Pilates and Lagree are not the same. Lagree is high intensity with minimal rest, while Pilates prioritizes control and sustainability. Different tools, different outcomes, different goals.
Teaching the Room You’re In
One of Gianna’s greatest strengths is her ability to read the room. She teaches to the body in front of her, not the plan she walked in with. That might mean slowing down to explain movement for someone new while offering progressions to someone ready for more challenge.
Her non-negotiables stay the same. Form over speed. Quality over quantity. Safety over ego. With a background teaching seniors, Gianna is deeply committed to longevity. Exercise should support your body for the long run, not break it down for short-term results.
Music plays a big role in how Gianna creates her classes. Her playlists are carefully curated and reflect her personality. There’s always variety, always flow, and always at least two Latin songs. That part is non-negotiable. Music becomes an invitation, a way to set the tone and help people settle into the work without overthinking it.
“Teaching to the body in front of you is essential. Form, quality, and care will always matter more than speed.”
Why She Keeps Showing Up
What started as a hobby has become a calling. Teaching across age groups, from young people to seniors, has shown Gianna the power of movement to build confidence and strength over time. She sees instructors as catalysts, helping people unlock change within themselves. Watching that process unfold is her favorite part of the job.
Teaching at both Oak Cliff Pilates and Align allows Gianna to move between mat and reformer and connect with different communities. Each space brings a different energy, but her philosophy stays the same. She loves encouraging students to step outside their comfort zones and try something new, especially now that both studios sit just steps apart on Greenville Avenue.
For busy professionals juggling full lives, Gianna sees Pilates as a grounding force. It builds strength, balance, breath, and flexibility while sharpening focus. The core is the powerhouse of the body, and when it’s strong, everything else follows. Stick with Pilates for eight to twelve weeks and you’ll feel more capable, more stable, and more connected to your body.
In Gianna’s classes, you’ll remember the control, the calm burn, and the music. But what stays with you longer is quieter. You leave feeling cared for, confident, and supported. And that’s the kind of strength that lasts.
