Meet Dani Gelley

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dani Gelley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dani, what’s the most important thing you’ve done for your children?
Parenting is challenging, and no matter how much we strive for perfection, there will always be bumps along the road. One thing I’ve done that I hope will positively impact my kids’ lives is focusing on my own growth. We all bring some baggage into every relationship, especially the parent-child dynamic. Personally, I’ve had to do a lot of rebuilding and rewiring to become someone I’m proud of. For me, this means prioritizing self-care—through exercise, healthy eating, maintaining good habits, and plenty of therapy. By taking care of myself, I can be the best parent possible.

I hope my children learn that we can only be as strong as we feel, and if we neglect what our bodies and minds need, we’ll end up operating at a deficit in everything we do.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am the owner of Align Pilates, a boutique studio I opened three months ago in the heart of Coconut Grove. After more than a decade of teaching at various studios, I decided it was time to create a space where I could run things exactly the way I envisioned.

Teaching people is my passion, and nothing brings me more joy than helping them feel good about themselves. Often, this involves a blend of talk therapy and a good sweat session. I like to keep my clients moving, even as they sometimes share the stresses of their day. It’s a delicate balance between keeping the conversation going and ensuring they stay active. But I never lose focus when it comes to the quality of their movements. My goal is to help them understand their bodies and imbalances so they can move more effectively, both in and out of the studio.

I i’m thrilled to have created an environment where my clients can deepen their Pilates practice and leave their worries behind. What really sets us apart is our commitment to continuous training and educational development—something that’s becoming increasingly rare with so many new studios and minimal regulation in the fitness industry. Coupled with my genuine care for my clients, I strive in each session to encourage them to prioritize themselves, focusing on both their physical and mental well-being. It’s a level of personalized care you won’t find elsewhere.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Pilates is the first thing on the agenda, of course!

I live in the Grove, and there are so many fantastic new spots to explore these days. After Pilates, we’d probably head to Sadelle’s for lunch, maybe stop by the farmers market. Then we’d either go paddleboarding at the Coconut Grove Sail Club or enjoy some fun in the sun at the Mayfair pool.

Later, we’d head home to shower and change for dinner. I’m a huge sushi fan, so we’d likely choose between Omakai, Sushi by Scratch, or, if we’re in the mood to venture outside my Grove bubble, Hiden. After dinner, we’d cap off the evening with drinks and a sunset view at Level 6 Miami.

Sundays are perfect for long walks, yoga, and a bit of pampering. I love spending the day at the Carillon for a great spa experience!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
This is a tough question because so many incredible people have come in and out of my life. My first shoutout goes to Jackie and Louis, the owners of The Pilates Place Studio, for igniting my passion for Pilates and its benefits for the body. They supported me during my teacher training and have been cheering me on in my journey for nearly 11 years now. I would also like to give thanks to Eli Mandler the owner of Mandler PT, for providing a home for my business to grow after COVID paused everything I had built. It was a great partnership.

Finally, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to my clients and family. My clients pushed me out of my comfort zone and encouraged me to open my own studio, something I might not have done without their encouragement. And my family—they’ve been wonderful. They’ve supported me as I’ve been consumed with opening the studio, pitching in to help, and holding my hand through the emotional roller coaster that comes with starting your own business.

Website: www.alignpilates.us

Instagram: @alignpilates_miami @dani.gelley

Image Credits
Sean Weeks & Alex Mora