Winter Park Pilates, established in 2023 by Meghan Juras, is dedicated to providing exceptional Classical Pilates training to individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of their age, experience, or abilities. We offer private sessions and small group classes on a variety of classical Pilates equipment, including the Reformer and Tower. Our approach is tailored to meet each client’s needs, and our focus on safety ensures a supportive environment.
All of our instructors are Certified Classical Instructors, having spent more than 600 hours training with Master Teachers who worked with Romana Kryzanowska, Joseph Pilates’ protege. This ensures that our clients are learning Pilates in its purest form, as it was meant to be taught.
about us
meet our team
Meghan Juras has over 15 years of experience teaching Pilates locally in Orlando and Winter Park. She was certified as a comprehensive Classical Pilates Instructor in 2008 by Brett Howard and David Freeman, Directors of The United States Pilates Association (now Classical Pilates USA). Her Pilates apprenticeship included over 700 hours of intensive training with Brett and David, along with Jennifer O'Mara of The Pilates Loft Orlando, where Meghan worked for 15 years. In 2023, Meghan also received her Power Pilates Core Mat 1 and Core Mat 2 Certifications.
Throughout her Pilates career, Meghan has worked with a variety of clientele, including those recovering from knee, hip and back injuries, pre and post-natal clients, professional athletes and dancers, seniors, and those simply looking to improve their overall health. Also a mother of three young children, Meghan practiced Pilates during and after her pregnancies, giving her first-hand experience and expertise to the needs of a mother’s changing body.
Meghan grew up a dedicated student of ballet in New York, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising from Boston University. Currently, she is an avid indoor cycling enthusiast and maintains a consistent schedule of spinning and Pilates to stay in shape.
Meghan spent a year working at the Crosby Wellness Center in Winter Park, Florida before opening her own studio, Winter Park Pilates, in 2023. She is excited to give back to her community and make the Classical Pilates Method accessible to all.
meghan juras, owner/instructor
samantha deboer, instructor
Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Samantha grew up training as a classical ballet dancer. Now, as a professional dancer, Samantha is intimately familiar with the importance of cross training and strengthening the body uniformly. Early in her career she suffered a severe lower back injury due to overuse and imbalances. In her search for pain relief, she tried Pilates and after her very first session, she felt a change. She began practicing on a weekly basis and quickly discovered that Pilates was the answer to living pain free and getting her back to dancing, stronger than ever before!
Samantha now feels that everyone should learn the tools needed to maintain their bodies in the healthiest way possible. Inspired by the revolution she had gone through, Samantha decided to become a Pilates teacher so she could empower others with this amazing method of body conditioning. She spent over 600 hours studying under Jennifer O'Mara and Brett Howard, Directors of Classical Pilates USA, and in December of 2017, she became a Certified Classical Pilates Instructor. She loves to help others learn how to properly strengthen their bodies so that they too can feel great and perform to the very best of their abilities every day.
christopher roberts, instructor
Christopher is a classically trained Pilates instructor with over 12 years of experience and additional certifications in Yoga, Barre, and Spin. He was certified as a Classical Instructor in 2011 through Peak Pilates under Pam Garcia of Pure Pilates in Massachusetts. He has over 600 hours of training on all of the Pilates apparatus including mat, reformer, tower, chairs, barrels and all auxiliary equipment. Chris lived and taught in Boston and Central Massachusetts for several years before opening his own studio, Worcester Pilates, which he owned and operated until 2018.
In his Pilates and Yoga teaching, Chris has worked with many clients who struggle with persistent aches and pains, have spinal issues such as scoliosis, are dealing with chronic pain such as sciatica, are in rehabilitation for past injuries or recovering from surgeries such as knee and hip replacements. He also has extensive experience working with clients dealing with chronic conditions such as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, diabetes and more.
Christopher moved back home to Florida in 2018 and has been teaching in the Central Florida area at various studios ever since. In his personal life Christopher is a father to his rescue dog, Harley, an anatomy geek, avid reader and book lover, Disney nerd, Francophile, beginner weight lifter, and his favorite color is pink.
jessica hasara, instructor
Jessica first tried Pilates when she was an undergrad in college. After several car accidents, she found that the core strength she gained with Pilates was the only thing that helped resolve her lower back pain. She began practicing the classical Pilates method in 2005, and after 10 years she decided she wanted to share what she had learned and become a Certified Classical Instructor through the United States Pilates Association (now Classical Pilates USA). She spent over 600 hours studying and training under Directors Jennifer O'Mara, David Freeman, and Brett Howard.
Jessica is passionate about health and fitness and enjoys hiking, running, yoga, and many outdoor activities. She loves that Pilates has given her the strength to do all of the things she loves without discomfort.
Jessica earned the degree Master of Liberal Studies from Rollins College in 2014 and also works as a professor of Art History and Humanities. She loves being able to combine her love of teaching with her love of Pilates. She has also worked as a makeup artist for Cirque du Soleil in Orlando and Las Vegas, and currently does make up for the Drawn to Life show in Disney Springs.
svetlana laznova, instructor
Svetlana began her Pilates journey more than a decade ago. She was immediately fascinated with how Pilates allows you to discover just what your body can do and how it moves and changes with conscious practice. Over the years, Svetlana has developed a keen appreciation for the art of precise, controlled movement and the harmony of mind and body that represent the Classical Pilates method.
Her passion for Pilates encouraged Svetlana to become a classically certified instructor through Classical Pilates USA (formerly the United States Pilates Association). By Fall of 2023, she had completed over 600 hours studying and training under Master Teachers and co-founders of Classical Pilates USA Jennifer O'Mara and and David Freeman, and Master Teacher and Director of Education for Classical Pilates USA, Brett Howard.
Svetlana is eager to share her love for Pilates and inspire others to bring the perfect balance of strength, flexibility, and stability into their daily lives.
When Svetlana is not practicing Pilates or working at the CPA firm, she moonlights as a Bravoholic. She and her partner Jorge are loving parents to their rescue feline daughter Honey. Her favorite home accessory is the Wunda Chair, and her beloved travel companion is the Magic Circle.
rachel lear, instructor
Rachel grew up in Alexandria, Virginia, where she first fell in love with Pilates through a Mari Winsor DVD. She loved the idea of exercising while lying down, but quickly learned Pilates was more complex than it seemed on the surface. Rachel started teaching mat classes when she was just 19, and after graduating with a BA in Theatre from The College of William and Mary, she went on to complete her Comprehensive Pilates Certification with Power Pilates in 2013, which consisted of over 600 hours of apprenticeship, practice and teaching.
Rachel has been teaching Pilates full time for over 10 years, beginning in the Northern Virginia area at a 2nd generation studio, and then at LifeTime Fitness in Reston, VA. She went on to become the Pilates Coordinator at LifeTime in Fairfax, VA, and has since taught for 3 years at Pilatesmith in Los Angeles, CA.
Rachel has extensive experience working with clients with back pain, herniated discs, osteoporosis, hip replacements, knee replacements, diastasis recti, scoliosis, Parkinsons, MS, spinal cord injuries, as well as pre and post-natal clients. She has trained elite athletes, including MLB and former NFL players, professional dancers, ice skaters, and college athletes. Rachel also holds additional certifications with Peak Pilates and Pilates for Neurological Conditions.
Recently, Rachel moved from LA to Orlando for her boyfriend’s job at WWE, and she can’t wait to meet new people and explore our city! When not teaching, she enjoys television and movies, biking, and playing with her cat.
claire thomas, apprentice
Claire grew up in Winter Park and played sports from an early age. She has always been dedicated to health and fitness. Soon after the birth of her daughter, Claire turned to Classical Pilates to rebuild her core strength. The benefits of Pilates were immediately apparent, and Claire knew that she would be a life-long student. Now, eight years later, Claire is excited to join Winter Park Pilates as its first apprentice through the Power Pilates Teacher Training Program. Currently, Claire is a Power Pilates Core Mat 1 and Core Mat 2 (Beginner/Intermediate Mat) certified instructor, on track to complete the Power Pilates Comprehensive Teacher Training Program.
Prior to her journey into Pilates, Claire graduated with a B.A. in English from the University of Michigan and earned her law degree from the University of Miami. She practiced law for twelve years in Orlando and Nashville. Six years ago, Claire returned from Nashville, with her husband and daughter, to Winter Park and continued her pilates training with Meghan Juras. In addition to pilates, Claire is an avid runner and tennis player. She is also a diehard Michigan football fan.