On August 30th, just hours after returning home from a beautiful trip in southwestern Utah, Amy suffered a hemorrhagic stroke. The shock and disbelief have been overwhelming - how could this happen to a 49-year-old Pilates instructor and dancer who has devoted her life to health, movement, and helping others feel their best?

For more than 25 years, Amy has shared her passion and expertise with the Pilates and dance community. Her clients and students have included professional company and Broadway-bound dancers, Rockettes, fellow Pilates Instructors, those recovering from injuries, as well as those seeking to move with strength and confidence. Her days often started before sunrise, teaching back-to-back sessions, always with her signature energy, humor, and kindness.

After three weeks in the ICU - thankfully without paralysis, though with a weakened right side and loss of speech, Amy was transferred to inpatient rehab on September 18th. Within weeks, she exceeded expectations, walking independently and beginning to find her voice again. Those who know Amy aren’t surprised, her determination and resilience have always been unmatched.

She was discharged home on October 2nd to begin the next phase: intensive outpatient physical, occupational, and speech therapy, along with daily at-home exercises and recovery work. Her husband, Jason, has been by her side every step of the way, supporting and helping her get back to full strength.

Amy’s new full-time job is healing, and while she has bounced back amazingly well physically, she is working through what is called Nonfluent Aphasia which impacts her ability to “find” words and communicate both in writing and speaking, which are critical to her career as a Pilates Instructor and Ballet Teacher. Because of the complexities in how our brains process language, this is often the slowest to come back.

But, those who know Amy know that she is committed to working through whatever challenges she faces, and that means a daily commitment to therapy, patience, and strength. Her progress is remarkable, but the journey continues, and there’s no firm timeline for when she can return to teaching. We know only that she will.

While the Aspire Pilates team is doing everything possible to keep the studio running, the financial strain of rent and bills is real. We’re reaching out to the community that Amy has poured her heart into for so many years to help while she focuses on her recovery.

Even if you can’t contribute financially, your love, encouragement, and positive energy mean the world. Amy has spent decades lifting others up, now it’s our turn to lift her.