Dancer Program
Our goal with Mend the Gap Dancers' Program at Core Fluency Pilates is to help you become a stronger dancer by gaining a deeper understanding of your body through the practice of Classical Pilates. The program is offered at a discounted rate to promote faithful practice so that each dancer can work on breath, flow, and transition as well as strength to prevent injury and speed injury recovery as a means to promote health and prolong your onstage career!
We focus on strengthening the core with specific attention paid to the lower extremities through the use of all Pilate apparatus, while giving you advanced Matwork that can be done offsite without the need for Pilates equipment.
Each dancer will go through an initial postural assessment followed by two private sessions focusing on the specific areas of the body that show signs of imbalance.
After the initial private sessions, both the dancer and program director will discuss future pairings for duets and group classes in order to provide a constant focus on each dancers’ individual needs.
In order to gain the full benefits, it is crucial that each participant maintain a consistent presence with the program director, and an honest assessment of how your body feels during and after a session!
Prices
Effective May 2026:
“Ashley has a keen awareness of the individual needs of her students. She creates a safe, motivating environment. As students, we aim to build on what we know to take on new Pilates challenges. I always leave a class or private session with Ashley feeling like I’ve done something good for my mind and body.”
5-pack, $365. Includes 5 private lessons (first 2 to be used prior to joining a group class). Single privates are $70.
Duets, $50. More individualized than a group class, with 1 other student.
Group equipment, $30. A group class compliments your individual Pilates practice with 4-6 students per class.
Matwork, $21.40. Open to a group of 5-10 dancers who are looking for an advanced Mat workout.
Further discounts for dancers in the program available on request.
Teachers
Program Director Ashley Thursby Kern received her training through Lotus Pilates in Bloomington, IN during her time at Indiana University. She completed her comprehensive Pilates Teacher Certification Program with training based on the original methods of Joseph H. Pilates. Ashley began Pilates at the age of 9 as a supplement to her focus in dance. Once she felt the effects of what Pilates had to offer, she knew that she wanted to learn more so that she could share the benefits of Pilates with others through teaching. Currently an Artist with the Louisville Ballet, Ashley’s passion is to work with moving bodies through Core Fluency’s ‘Mend the Gap’ program. This specialized program for professional and professional track dancers will allow moving artists of all disciplines to improve imbalances within their bodies in their efforts to become a stronger dancer.
Program Associate Kristen Hollinsworth’s first introduction to Pilates came early during her 24 year dance career in NYC. She also worked with Susan Marshall creating many original dance pieces together, touring around the USA and Europe, making a stop in Louisville with a Philip Glass opera in 1997, teaching and setting work in various universities and companies including The Juilliard School, NYU, Princeton University and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Kristen also danced for 10 years at the Metropolitan Opera in numerous productions. Other choreographers she worked with include Doug Varone, Tami Stronach, Stephanie Miracle, and Nicole Wolcott. In 2017 Kristen moved with her husband and two children to the Netherlands residing in Amsterdam. During that time she made the decision to complete a comprehensive Pilates teacher training program at Smartbody which is Amsterdam’s oldest and most renowned Pilates studio. She studied for a year under master teacher Jelena Petrovic and began teaching at Smartbody after graduating from their program. There she taught for 7 years and in the final two co-taught, with Jelena, Smartbody’s mat teacher training program leading classes, lectures, student observations, and final exams. At the very end of 2025, ready to return to home, Kristen and her family relocated to Louisville, Kentucky to be closer to family and enjoy the bluegrass state. As a practiced dancer Kim is excited to assist with the Dancers' Program to share her expertise with young dancers.