Meet the Founder: Maggie Downie


Maggie Downie
is the founder of Personal Euphoria, a fitness and wellness company, where she has been helping clients reduce pain since 2005.

Maggie is certified through STOTT/Merrithew Pilates with specialization in injuries, injury prevention, and special populations. She has also trained under Pilates Elders Mary Bowen, Ron Fletcher, Jay Grimes, and Lolita San Miguel, providing a balance of modern and traditional Pilates.

Grab a copy of her book: Keep Moving: Take Steps to Relieve Pain & Improve Your Life or book her for your next event. Maggie’s enthusiastic, upbeat personality and ability to make topics relatable have made her a sought-after speaker for universities, corporations, and conferences on health and wellness. She has been featured on NPR and NBC CT Live in her monthly wellness segment. Her viral videos have amassed over 51 million hits. Maggie lives in Connecticut and enjoys doing planks worldwide, climbing mountains, and eating chocolate.

She considers it a privilege to work with diverse bodies, from athletes to post-rehab clients, helping them become energized about health and wellness. Maggie’s approach goes beyond physical fitness to inspire a sense of well-being, making fitness fun and accessible for everyone. She aims to help people keep moving and find joy in movement.

Meet Our Team

  • JEANNINE

    INSTRUCTOR

    Jeannine has been teaching Pilates since 2005, bringing a lifelong background in dance and movement to her practice. She studied under dance pioneer Truda Kaschmann, a contemporary of Joseph Pilates, and is certified through the School of the Hartford Ballet and PEAK Pilates. With years of experience teaching clients of all ages and abilities, Jeannine brings a deep understanding and appreciation for the foundations of Pilates to every class.

    Known for her warm personality, infectious smile, and great sense of humor, Jeannine creates an encouraging environment where students can build strength, confidence, and body awareness. A proud mother of two, she believes in living a balanced, healthy lifestyle and inspires others through her passion for wellness and movement.

  • ROB

    INSTRUCTOR

    Rob is a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher (NCPT) and has teaching Pilates since 2016 as well as strength classes in both studio and online settings. He completed 450 hours of teacher training through Polestar Pilates and brings a deep understanding of movement, anatomy, and functional strength to every class.

    With a lifelong passion for movement and athletics—including skiing, cycling, running, basketball, hiking, and paddling—Rob understands the importance of building strength, mobility, and body awareness at every stage of life. His classes emphasize mindful breathing, core control, proper alignment, and purposeful movement. Known for his thoughtful instruction and attention to detail, Rob helps students better understand their bodies, move with confidence, and build strength in a supportive environment.

  • RACHEL

    INSTRUCTOR

    Rachel is a Yoga Instructor, Vegetarian Chef, and Herbalist who is passionate about helping others find greater health, balance, and connection through mindful movement. She completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training at Sacred Rivers in Glastonbury and is also certified in Energy Medicine Yoga and Yin Yoga.

    Inspired by her grandmother, a longtime senior fitness instructor, Rachel believes movement should be accessible and enjoyable for everyone. She loves working with beginners and seniors, creating a welcoming environment where students can breathe deeply, move with intention, and connect with their bodies. Rachel brings empathy, positivity, and a sense of joy to every class, helping students leave feeling refreshed and renewed.

  • SONIA

    INSTRUCTOR

    Sonia comes from a family with a deep connection to yoga—her father and grandfather were both yoga instructors in India. She has been practicing yoga for more than 20 years and completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training at Sacred Rivers Yoga in 2011.

    Drawn to yoga for its ability to calm the body and mind, Sonia has continued to discover the many layers of the practice through years of study and experience. As a research scientist, she brings curiosity, mindfulness, and a love of exploration to her teaching. Sonia enjoys helping students discover the benefits of yoga and the power of self-awareness through movement, breath, and reflection.

  • MARY L.

    INSTRUCTOR

    Mary L. has been teaching yoga since 2009 and is passionate about helping people move, heal, and feel their best. She has completed multiple 200-hour Yoga Teacher Trainings, along with certifications in Trauma-Informed Yoga, Mindful Yoga Therapy for Veterans, AromaTouch Technique, and additional studies in Embodyoga and Yogic Nutrition. Mary is committed to continuing her education and expanding her knowledge to better support the diverse needs of her clients.

    Mary also teaches children's yoga programs throughout Connecticut, creating a welcoming space for students of all ages and abilities. Outside the studio, she enjoys spending time with family, traveling, reading, cooking, and building community. Her philosophy is simple: lead with kindness, keep learning, and never underestimate the power of a smile.

  • KANDI

    INSTRUCTOR

    Kandi is a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher and certified STOTT PILATES® Mat Instructor who has been teaching yoga since 2009. She has completed two Yoga Teacher Trainings and continues to expand her knowledge through ongoing study of movement, anatomy, and wellness. Her background in English, anatomy, and physiology has deepened her understanding of communication, the body, and the connection between mindful movement and overall health.

    Kandi believes yoga and Pilates create opportunities for self-exploration, strength, and personal growth. Known for her kindness and creativity, she creates engaging classes that meet students where they are and encourage confidence, connection, and joy. Outside the studio, Kandi enjoys gardening, healthy cooking, poetry, reading, hiking, biking, and dancing.

  • CATHERINE

    SUB INSTRUCTOR

    Catherine discovered yoga in high school and quickly fell in love with its ability to strengthen both body and mind. She completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training in 2023 and has continued her education with certifications in children's yoga, chair yoga, and trauma-informed yoga. Passionate about making yoga accessible to people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities, Catherine creates welcoming, compassionate classes that encourage confidence and well-being.

    Currently pursuing her Master's in Social Work at the University of Connecticut, Catherine enjoys exploring the philosophy of yoga and has traveled to Nepal and India to deepen her practice. Outside the studio, she loves hiking, ballroom dancing, and rock climbing.

  • KAREN

    SUB INSTRUCTOR

    Karen has been a licensed Zumba® instructor since 2024 and brings more than a decade of experience enjoying and participating in dance fitness to every class. Her energetic, upbeat teaching style encourages participants of all fitness levels to have fun, stay active, and build confidence through movement. Karen loves creating a welcoming environment where everyone feels comfortable joining in and enjoying the music.

    In addition to Zumba, Karen enjoys strength training, jogging, and HIIT workouts, and believes that staying active should be both effective and enjoyable. She is passionate about helping others discover the joy of movement while supporting their health and wellness goals.

  • TRISH

    SUB INSTRUCTOR

    Trish discovered yoga years ago, but her deeper connection to the practice began five years ago during a time of personal transition and new beginnings. This journey led her to complete her Yoga Teacher Training and inspired her to share the physical, mental, and energetic benefits of yoga with others.

    Trish teaches traditional Hatha Yoga, incorporating breathwork, meditation, and mindful movement to help students find balance, clarity, and connection. She is passionate about creating a welcoming space where each person can explore their practice and work toward their own wellness goals. Outside the mat, Trish enjoys embracing new adventures and continuing to grow through her own practice.

  • MARY-CAROLE

    SUB INSTRUCTOR

    Mary-Carole is a fully certified STOTT PILATES® instructor with more than 22 years of teaching experience. Throughout her career, she has taught in Pilates studios, physical therapy offices, hospital wellness centers, and senior centers, working with clients of all ages and abilities across five states. While deeply trained in the STOTT PILATES® method, she continues to draw from a variety of Pilates approaches to create thoughtful, effective classes.

    Passionate about helping others build strength, confidence, and connection through movement, Mary-Carole brings experience, energy, and a personalized approach to every class. Outside of Pilates, she enjoys hiking with her dog Henry, working on her home, and embracing any opportunity to stay active.

  • MAUREEN

    BOOKKEEPER

    Maureen brings more than 30 years of experience in finance and accounting to Personal Euphoria. Throughout her career, she has helped businesses streamline processes, improve accuracy, and make informed financial decisions through thoughtful planning and organization. Her background includes both public accounting and private-sector roles, providing expertise in financial management, reporting, and operations.

    Maureen joined the Personal Euphoria team nearly 10 years ago and plays an important role in supporting the business behind the scenes. Her dedication and attention to detail help Personal Euphoria continue to provide exceptional experiences for its clients and community. When she is not crunching numbers, Maureen enjoys spending time outdoors, especially walking along the beach.

  • ISA

    ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

    Isabelle has been an important part of the Personal Euphoria team for more than 10 years, providing valuable behind-the-scenes support that helps keep the business organized and running smoothly. She manages client data and maintains records to help ensure information stays accurate and up to date.

    Originally from France, Isabelle enjoys traveling back to her home country, hiking with her husband and two children, and taking as many Personal Euphoria classes as she can. Her commitment to wellness and love of movement make her a wonderful part of the team.

  • HELEN

    ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER

    Helen has been part of the Personal Euphoria team since 2017, serving as Administrative Manager and helping support the day-to-day operations of the business. With a B.S. in Family and Child Development and a M.A. in Marriage and Family Counseling, Helen brings a background in organization, communication, and supporting others to her role. She assists with scheduling, marketing, social media, and a variety of behind-the-scenes tasks that help keep Personal Euphoria running smoothly.

    Outside of work, Helen enjoys spending time with her husband and four boys, organizing, and all things Disney.

  • YVEE

    ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

    Yvette brings more than 20 years of experience in marketing, communications, and design to the Personal Euphoria team. She earned her BFA from Endicott College with a focus on graphic design and has worked across a variety of industries, including printing, finance, technology, and association management.

    With her background as a senior brand designer and strong organizational skills, Yvette helps support Personal Euphoria behind the scenes. Her creativity and passion for thoughtful design help bring the Personal Euphoria brand to life.