Jessica Schultz, MST, PMA-CPT

Master Pilates Instructor | Founder, The Pilates Academy of Strength & Transformation

Jessica Schultz is a Master Pilates Instructor, educator, and movement specialist recognized for her depth of knowledge, refined teaching methodology, and unwavering commitment to excellence in Pilates education. As the founder of The Pilates Academy of Strength & Transformation in Portland, Oregon, Jessica has created a globally respected teacher training program rooted in the authentic principles of classical Pilates and strengthened by contemporary movement science and educational research.

With over fifteen years of experience teaching, mentoring, and shaping instructors worldwide, Jessica is regarded as a trusted authority in the field. She has written advanced educational courses for a major international Pilates training organization and has presented at multiple professional conferences, where she is known for her clarity, precision, and ability to illuminate the deeper layers of the method. Her work emphasizes the art and craft of teaching — how to read bodies, cue intelligently, and transform movement patterns with both technical rigor and compassionate guidance.

Jessica holds a Master of Science in Teaching from Portland State University, where she focused on learning theory, pedagogy, and the intersection between movement, awareness, and cognitive development. A PMA® Certified Pilates Teacher, former Peak Pilates® Level III Master Instructor, and Reiki Master Healer, Jessica integrates her continued studies in Alexander Technique, Body Mapping, and applied biomechanics into a holistic teaching approach that blends tradition, innovation, and embodied intelligence.

In addition to her studio and teacher training work, Jessica has an established presence in the broader movement community. She has been featured in The Pearl Magazine, PDX Magazine, and on Telefit Television in the Dominican Republic, highlighting her influence as both a teacher and thought leader. She was also a finalist for the Pilates Anytime Next Pilates Instructor competition in 2013, a recognition that affirmed her excellence among an international field of instructors. Jessica also brings her expertise to the world of dance as an instructor for Oregon Ballet Theatre, where she supports dancers in developing strength, resilience, and longevity in their careers.

Throughout her career, Jessica has taught in diverse environments — from intimate one-on-one sessions to international retreats in Paris, Mexico, and Costa Rica — yet her commitment remains consistent: honoring the lineage of Joseph Pilates while expanding its relevance for modern bodies.

At The Pilates Academy of Strength & Transformation, she has developed a rigorous, mentorship-driven certification pathway that provides trainees with a deep, embodied, and practical understanding of the full Pilates system. Her programs include progressive coursework, extensive video resources, and individualized support that help teachers build genuine capability and confidence from the very beginning.

Jessica’s mission is to uphold the highest standards in Pilates education and to cultivate instructors who teach with integrity, fluency, and embodied mastery — professionals who don’t just know the work, but truly live it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Pilates?
Created by Joseph H. Pilates (1880-1967), Pilates is first and foremost exercise. Designed to create a longer and leaner musculature, Pilates focuses on the muscles of the torso, including the back and abdominals. More than just sit-ups, Pilates works on core stabilization, focusing on the deepest set of muscles. Benefits of Pilates include a firmer core, as well as the muscles of the thighs, back, arms, and legs. Pilates is infinitely adaptable exercise designed for every body that creates low impact on the joints. It has been used for years as a great way to cross-train for athletes or dancers, or a gentle way to get back into exercise after surgery or a pregnancy. Every exercise in Pilates incorporates a “stretch” and a “strength," so either very strong or very flexible individuals will see results and find a challenge. Working the muscles in an eccentric rather than concentric manner, Pilates lengthens muscles fibers for a long, lean look, rather than breaking muscle fibers down, forcing them to repair.

Why choose Jessica Schultz Pilates?
Jessica Schultz Pilates is unlike any studio in Portland in that it is based on a small, client-focused model. Unlike other studios that have multiple instructors and need to see many bodies each hour, Jessica Schultz Pilates functions as a small, personalized studio where clients are at home with their bodies and their instructor. Because of this small studio model, clients can take advantage of some of the most competitive rates and best equipment in Portland without sacrificing quality of instruction.

How do I start?
Most clients begin by signing up for the introductory series, which is one-on-one instruction to get familiar with the Pilates work and what it means to their bodies. This is also a great time to ask your instructor questions and start to design your Pilates program to meet your goals. After completing the introductory series, clients can continue with private sessions, or choose to work in a semi-private lesson (with one or two other clients sharing the workout hour with the instructor), or our Reformer Flow Class (45-minutes and 3 clients per instructor). All sessions are scheduled individually with each client.

What should I bring to my first lesson?
Just clothes you feel comfortable to move in and a clean pair of socks. All other equipment is supplied by the studio, including sweat towels, water, and a place to change.

How often should I practice Pilates?
Especially in the beginning, when you are learning Pilates you are learning a new language for your body. It would be difficult to learn to speak French with just one hour session a week, and the same is true for Pilates. It is recommended to start with two to three sessions a week in the beginning. You can always taper those sessions down to one or two as you progress, although most clients then supplement their sessions at the studio with mat class or workouts on their own at home to keep solidifying the work in their bodies on a more independent basis.