Laura Iris Nave
Meet Laura, a classically trained and certified Pilates instructor with 15 years of experience in the professional health and fitness fields. As a former dancer, her expertise in movement patterns is far reaching and cultivated through a life lived in the studio.
Laura completed her comprehensive Pilates certification with Romana’s Pilates at True Pilates New York. She has studied under numerous master instructors including Sari Mejia Santos, Cynthia Shipley, Jerome Weinberg, Anthony Rabara, Edwina Fontaine, Cynthia Lochard, Juanita Lopez and Phoebe Higgins. She was a Pilates studio manager at Equinox Columbus Circle and has taught throughout New York City.
In 2013, Laura moved to Providence and opened Rare Form Pilates on South Main Street. The original studio operated as a private, apparatus studio committed to bringing the classical Pilates work to Rhode Island. In 2021, Rare Form Pilates expanded to become a group fitness studio at it’s current location in the Jewelry District.
Laura holds a BA in American Studies and Gender Studies from Brown University and certifications in health coaching and gut health from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She is a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach. To learn more about health coaching options click here.
Also, meet Montana Dawn (aka Monty), the Rare Form Pilates studio mascot. This sweet pup can usually be found in Laura’s office and loves pets, treats and friends (human and canine alike).
Andrea White
Meet Andrea, also known as Andi. Under the influence of her mother, an avid Pilates enthusiast, Andi started doing classical mat work in 2016. Once she got in the studio and started training on the apparatus, the rest is history.
Andi received her 600 hr certification with Power Pilates through a local studio in Providence in 2018. She began teaching as an apprentice midway through her certification and has continued to teach ever since. Recently, Andi was living in Nashville, TN instructing Pilates full-time, diving head first into the world of “contemporary” Pilates.
Because of Pilates, Andi has been able to live inside of her body and out of her head in the most effective way. She’s keen on anything that promotes functional fitness and living a healthy life that is still enjoyable and fun. Besides Pilates, Andi has her 200hr certification in Yoga with a minor focus in the Ashtanga practice through Raffa Studio in Cranston, RI. She is a freelance writer for a tech company out of Texas and, with a degree in fashion marketing from the University of Rhode Island, loves finding the best athleisure outfits.
Lavhana Towns
Meet Lavhana, a dedicated ICU nurse with over seven years of experience in the medical field. Known for her compassion and resilience, she provides life-saving interventions while supporting patients and their families during their most difficult times. Whi facing the intense demands of her job, especially during the pandemic, she struggled to prioritize her own well-being. This personal challenge led her to discover Pilates as a transformative practice for both body and mind. As a classical Pilates apprentice, Lavhana is currently working towards her comprehensive Pilates certification. She is passionate about preventative care and holistic wellness, aiming to integrate her medical expertise with fitness to help others achieve balance and strength in their lives.