Our team is the fabric of P + C and we can't wait for you to meet them.
Jacquelyn Brennan
Co-founder + Teacher
A St. Louis native, Jacquelyn received a BS in Kinesiology at the University of Illinois and continued to pursue her passion in fitness by becoming a NASM and NSCA-CSCS certified trainer. In 2009, she became a Fletcher Pilates teacher and has assisted in teacher training as an adjunct Fletcher faculty member all while building a large, devoted clientele base. According to Jacquelyn, the most rewarding aspect of teaching Pilates is allowing people to move better in the body they have – to eliminate pain, strengthen weaknesses and improve performance.
Ryan Brennan
Co-founder + Business Manager
Jacquelyn's better half, Ryan moved to the Windy City from Buffalo (God's Country) in 2006 after receiving a BA in Marketing and Finance from Fredonia University. The move launched his professional marketing career holding positions in sports marketing and within the NHL. After multiple hip surgeries, Ryan discovered the benefits of Pilates to maintain strength and balance. Over the years, his love for coffee has grown from a hobby to becoming a trained barista and proud manager of the P+C cafe.
Karin Dabrowski
Teacher
Karin is a PMA-CPT Pilates Instructor and Thai Bodywork Specialist. She was first introduced to Pilates in 2008 while working as the manager for a local studio and quickly began to see her body transform through the regular practice of Pilates. She then became inspired to further her knowledge by participating in the Ron Fletcher Program of Study which she completed in May 2010. After teaching pilates for a number of years, Karin decided to study the traditional work of Thai Massage and completed a 200 hr training program at Blue Lotus Healing Studies in October 2016. It is Karin's intention to use both Pilates and Thai Bodywork to transform the body and spirit of her clients.
madeline sommers
Teacher
Madeline graduated from the University of Illinois (another Fighting Illini at P+C) with a Bachelor’s degree in Romance Languages. Aside from her love for expression and foreign language, Madeline has devoted much of her time since childhood to exercise and movement. She began her fitness career, not long after college, by teaching Aerial Fitness and shortly after was introduced to Pilates. In addition to her time at P+C, Madeline also teaches TRX and works with our friends at Lululemon Local. Madeline’s intention is to increase function of the body through mindful movement.
Ritu shah
Teacher
Ritu received her certification from The LAB training program lead by Jacquelyn Brennan of Pilates + Coffee and Holly Swanson of Core Chicago Pilates. Ritu started her Pilates journey back in 2007 and started to take classes across a variety of studios in Chicago. She met Jacquelyn in 2016 and that is when she truly found beneficial and understood what Pilates can do for someone’s spine, shoulders and core. In addition, being an avid runner, Ritu found Pilates to be the perfect compliment. She decided to follow her passion and educate herself further on the practice by taking the training program in 2018. Ritu wants to bring to clients what Pilates has done for her- length and strength. When not doing Pilates, she is at home with her three children and husband. Ritu also holds an MBA in Organizational Behavior from Case Western Reserve University and B.S In Engineering from the University of Michigan.
kayla negohosian
Teacher
Kayla began Pilates in 2010 as a transition out of her career as a professional ballet dancer. She completed her mat certification in 2011and began teaching at Loyola University, where she graduated with a Bachelors degree in Psychology. Kayla then went on to complete her 500 hour yoga certification and work in different roles in the yoga industry including instructor, studio operations, and teacher trainer. In 2020, she enrolled in the comprehensive LAB training led by Jacquelyn Brennan of Pilates + Coffee and Holly Swanson of Core Chicago Pilates. Kayla’s intention is to help others move better, safer, and with more confidence through the mindful movement of Pilates. When I’m not teaching, you can find me walking the Roscoe neighborhood with my husband, daughter, and pup Luna.
laura walsh
Teacher
Laura was introduced to Pilates during high school while living in Australia with her family. She began practicing Pilates alongside her friends and mother, and loved how Pilates was accessible for people in all ages and stages of life. Laura graduated from the University of Iowa with a BA in Health & Human Physiology and then attended the University of Iowa College of Medicine for graduate school, studying Orthoptics. She has been practicing as a Certified Orthoptist (eye muscle specialist) since 2017, treating children with vision problems and patients of all ages with double vision and “lazy eyes”. In Fall 2022, Laura began The Lab teacher training program, led by Jacquelyn Brennan of Pilates + Coffee and Holly Swanson of Core Chicago Pilates. Laura is married to her childhood best friend, Jack, and they are often out and about in Lincoln Park or walking along the lake with their handsome dachshund, Ollie.
ANNIE LABRIE
Teacher
Annie is originally from Michigan, where she grew up a competitive gymnast. In 2016, she graduated from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN with a BA in Social Justice and Gender Studies. After undergrad, she spent a few years traveling; landing in Seoul where she taught English for a year. She made it back to the US just before the pandemic hit and decided to call Chicago home. Annie was first introduced to Pilates by her childhood friend and former teammate, and immediately fell in love with the practice. Shortly after, she pursued her teaching certification through The Lab. Pilates has given her the gift of creative exploration, mind-body connection, and feel-good movement, which she loves to share with others.
jordan farraj
Teacher
Jordan graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Madison with degrees in economics and Spanish and an environmental studies minor. She then completed a comprehensive Pilates teacher certification through The Lab and started practicing in 2018.. Jordan believes Pilates is a great tool to grow stronger both physically and mentally and enjoys helping others improve their posture, mobility, strength, mental presence and clarity through intentional movement. She is engaged to her amazing fiancé Griffin and loves to spend time out and about in the city with friends, family, and her pup, Josie. She is also a coffee enthusiast and thinks P + C has some of the best coffee in the city!