About
A Focus on Whole Body Wellness
Privé-Swiss Fitness is an award-winning upscale, boutique fitness studio offering a wide variety of group classes taught by premier professional instructors all focused on mind-body integration. We offer luxury spa amenities not found anywhere else.
We understand that your health history, lifestyle habits, and mind-body balance are profoundly connected — a 360-degree reflection of the one and only you. We built Privé-Swiss Fitness as a community to inspire individuals to feel their best by creating balance of mind, body and spirit. This holistic approach to improve overall wellness is the foundation of everything we offer.
Unleash your body’s fullest potential in our non-competitive fitness environment. Our full range of unique fitness programs provide an integrated approach to balance and wellbeing. We can create custom fitness programs or sessions to help you achieve personal goals, feel better, and perform in a more efficient, functional manner for everyday life, or a goal you’ve been working towards. Our gorgeous, award-winning luxury studios are located in Madison and Ivoryton.
Location & Hours
Madison
757 Boston Post Road, Madison, CT 06443
(203) 421-2761
Ivoryton
57 Main Street, Ivoryton, CT 06442
(860) 391-8735
Hours
Monday–Thursday Open Studio
7:30am–1:00pm, 4:00pm–7:00pm
Friday–Sunday Open Studio
7:30am–12:30pm

BEST OF New Haven Register READER’S POLL WINNERS
best Pilates
2024

Best of Shoreline Times Reader’s Poll Winners
best fitness center, Best Med Spa, Best day spa, Best Yoga, Best Pilates, best boutique gym, best facial
2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003
Meet Our Team of World-Class Instructors
The Privé-Swiss team of certified fitness instructors is here to help you realize your fitness goals with the world’s most advanced health and wellness coaching. Our holistic approach does more than redefine your workout — it transforms how you move, feel, and recharge. Meet our team and learn how to make real results happen.

Paula Lester
Operations Director | Certifications: Peak Pilates Level III, WITS Personal Training, AFAA Group Exercise Instructor, Zumba, PIYO, AIS (Active Isolated Stretching), RIPPED
Paula is the former owner of her own Pilates Studio and has over 10 years of experience in the fitness industry. As a lifelong dancer, Paula has always had a love of movement. That love eventually led her to the fitness world where she pursued her Personal Training Certification. In 2010 she embraced the opportunity to begin her Pilates career. Studying under Peak Master Trainers Zoey Trap and Pamela Garcia, Paula completed over 800 hours of Pilates training obtaining her Level III Peak Pilates Certification. She continues to expand her knowledge of Classical Pilates with continuing education and personal practice.
Paula’s teaching style is both challenging and encouraging. She uses Pilates to empower her clients to enhance their physical and mental health. Paula is mindful to address every client individually and cater their program to their specific needs. One of her favorite parts of teaching is the ability to educate clients on how to use their bodies correctly to make them feel better and stronger. Her knowledge of anatomy and movement coupled with her patience and dedication to each and every client has made her a successful instructor.
Paula teaches a variety of fitness and Pilates classes. She is also available for Private Pilates and Training sessions.

Kristine Ciardiello
Certifications: Level 3 Peak Pilates
An avid fitness enthusiast, runner, and skier, Kristine Ciardello has been instructing fitness classes on the shoreline for 17 years. She first became interested in Pilates to enhance her running and weight training. The amazing changes she saw in her body and strength inspired her to pursue a professional Pilates certification. Today she is a level 3 certified Peak Pilates teacher and works with people of all ages, fitness levels, and special populations. Her deep conviction that perfect health comes from a healthy moving body inspires her to continue her study of bodies in motion.
Kristine strives to teach her students how to re-align their bodies, strengthen their core and create healthy movement patterns with total spinal stability. Her deep understanding of the Classical approach to Pilates enables her students to take what they learn in the studio and apply it to everyday life. She believes that learning is an ongoing process and has studied under some of the most renowned Pilates teachers alive today. She continues her studies by regularly attending seminars and workshops. Today Kristine teaches private Pilates lessons, small group classes, spinning, and strength training. She encourages her students to work hard, have fun, and to enjoy Pilates and all of its benefits.

Melissa Bonner
Certifications: NASM Certified Personal Trainer, NASM Certified Nutrition Coach, AFAA Certified Group Exercise Instructor, Total Resistance Exercises (TRX)
Melissa is dedicated to helping individuals realize their wellness potential. Her passion for fitness and living a healthy lifestyle turned into a career she loves. Those who work with Melissa achieve results, feel great about their progress and are confident in what they can accomplish next. Whether you are new to exercise or not, Melissa’s “all-level” approach to teaching her classes will meet your expectations and help you to push out of your comfort zone.
Melissa specializes in Barre and HIIT (high-intensity interval training) class formats. She is certified in TRX, a form of suspension training that uses bodyweight exercises. Melissa utilizes TRX in her personal training sessions to develop strength, balance, flexibility, and core stability.

Susan Kaempf
Instruction: Group Exercise / Pilates Mat | Certifications: Privé-Swiss Pilates Comprehensive Certification, Certified American Barre Technique Instructor
Susan has had a lifelong passion for health and fitness and has been an instructor for over 25 years. A decade ago, she discovered Pilates and was immediately hooked!
Following her passion, Susan left the corporate world behind to pursue a career in fitness. Her enthusiasm for fitness and wellness is obvious and contagious! Susan’s dedication to her professional education will continue for the rest of her life and she is excited to share that knowledge with her students… inspiring them on their own fitness journeys.
Susan teaches Rebounder, Barre, Barefoot Bands as well as Cardio Yoga.

Traci Costanzo
Instruction: Yoga | Certifications: E-RYT500 registered with Yoga Alliance
Traci is devoted to yoga and continually works to deepen her practice through teaching and study. She blends these influences with a safe environment for students to connect to their inner strength. She is E-RYT500 registered with Yoga Alliance. She enjoys the physical challenges the practice offers and embraces the opportunity to quiet the mind and spirit while slowing down and releasing tension.
Traci’s yoga class provides a soothing sequence to promote health and flexibility, create calm in the mind, and restore balance and harmony in a mindful practice of breath, movement, and meditation. Yoga has helped Traci slow down a bit and she feels the freedom of breath and movement is transformational. Traci finds the opportunity to share the practice with others a true gift.

Sara Angelini
Instruction: Pilates | Certification: Peak Pilates Level II
Sara’s Pilates journey began in 2011 by matter of serendipity — and she hasn’t looked back since. Sara is comprehensively certified through Peak Pilates. She aims to tailor each class and lesson to the body in front of her — and looks forward to sharing your Pilates journey with you.

Nancy Finke
Instruction: Pilates | Certification: Privé-Swiss Pilates Comprehensive Certification
Nancy began practicing Pilates with our team in 2011 and completed the Privé-Swiss Pilates Teacher Training Program in 2019. Nancy loves learning from our other instructors and being inspired by our clients. She teaches with the idea that anyone can do Pilates — and loves that her clients’ ages range from 18–80! Her personal goal is to be able to continue pilates into her 80’s since as we age balance, flexibility, and core strength are so important.

Jenn Konin
Instruction: Pilates | Certification: Peak Pilates Level III
Jennifer has studied Pilates since 2006 and has been teaching the Peak Pilates® method since 2012. She was first introduced to Pilates after suffering a neck injury as a result of an automobile accident. Pilates changed her life by focusing on her core strength, posture, and overall mind-body awareness, in doing so she regained full range of motion in her neck and alleviated her pain entirely. As a result of her experience with Pilates, she changed her career so she could help other people achieve the same results.
She has been trained by highly regarded leaders in the close-knit community of classical Pilates.
Jennifer has an innate ability to connect with students of all ages. She is patient and caring and provides a safe environment to promote learning, allowing students to explore their own potential. She has worked with celebrities, and competitive athletes, and is sought out by high-level executives from across the country. She also enjoys teaching teens and adults of all fitness levels and with limitations such as neck, shoulder, and back as well as hip and knee conditions.
Pilates is a unique discipline designed to work from the inside out focusing on core stability, flexibility, and quality of movement. With Jenn’s guidance students develop greater body awareness, strength, and confidence. Through Pilates, they are able to feel and see results quickly.

Kim Brand
Certifications: The Nia Technique: Black Belt Level Instructor, American Barre Technique Level 1 Instructor, Privé-Swiss Pilates Mat & Anatomy Certification
Kim has always had a love for dance, leading an athletic lifestyle, and community. She started teaching The Nia Technique in 2016. After retiring from a 15-year career in telecommunications, Kim completed her Nia White Belt Certification and began co-teaching a local Nia class. It was the spirit of dancing in community and “sensing” what was happening in her body that resonated with and inspired her. In 2017, Kim made the decision to pursue teaching Nia as a full-time career. As time went by in various studios, Kim was introduced to Barre, loved it, and achieved her teaching certification.
Kim teaches from a deeply sacred place while inviting plenty of play, balancing the discipline and precision of the form — be it dance, martial or healing arts – with lots of room for freedom, expression, and evolution.

Nikki Brinn
Instruction: Pilates | Certification: Privé-Swiss Pilates Comprehensive Certification
Nikki had been part of the fitness industry for 25 years when she became group exercise certified. Most recently she completed her Pilates Mat & Anatomy certification. Nikki has a profound understanding of the physical and mental benefits that come from exercise with consistent practice and is eager to share that understanding with her students. Nikki’s teaching philosophy is centered around providing a calming atmosphere that is inviting and supportive, helping clients to feel empowered and achieve their fitness goals.
Nikki believes in the Classical Pilates format that Joseph Pilates developed and instructs her students to find success with his principles just as she did. We look forward to seeing you join Nikki on the Mat!

Cam Vines
Instruction: Pilates | Certification: Privé-Swiss Pilates Comprehensive Certification
Cameron’s journey into Pilates began as a personal exploration of the body’s potential, and quickly grew into a passion she wanted to share with others. She is excited to bring her love of movement and wellness to the studio. As a certified Pilates instructor, her mission is to guide students towards a healthier and more balanced lifestyle through mindful movement.
In addition to her Pilates certification, she holds a background in psychology, which has given her valuable insight into the powerful connection between the mind and body. She believes in the holistic approach to wellness — where physical fitness not only enhances the body but also nurtures mental health and well-being. Pilates provides a unique opportunity to strengthen and restore the body while also reducing stress and cultivating mindfulness.
Her goal as an instructor is to create a supportive, welcoming environment where every student feels empowered to achieve their personal goals. Whether you’re looking to improve flexibility, build strength, or reduce stress, Cam is here to guide you on your journey towards better physical and mental health. Let’s move together, feel stronger, and take care of our bodies and minds!

Karen Wylie
Instruction: Pilates
Karen Wylie is a dedicated Pilates instructor whose journey began as a student in 2009. Recognizing the profound impact on her own physical and mental well-being, she is eager to help others feel good about themselves. Karen specializes in delivering tailored one-on-one sessions where she guides her students towards confidence, strength, flexibility, and coordination in their own bodies. She completed her classical training and certification through Privé-Swiss Fitness, under the tutelage of Paula Lester, Jenn Konin, and Kristine Ciardiello. As a lifelong learner, she is committed to continuous professional growth to enrich her teaching and support her clients in achieving their best selves.

Joanne Platanos
Instruction: Booty Barre Plus, Plyogaflow | Certification: Barre
Joanne is a Booty Barre Plus and Plyogaflow instructor. She started as a student practicing barre in 2011 & became an avid fan as she felt and visibly saw the positive changes in herself!
In 2013 Joanne completed her barre certification and has been busy spreading her passion ever since.
Joanne has made it her mission to motivate, challenge & guide people to find the best version of themselves. Originally from the UK, she came to the US in ’91 has lived in FL, CA, PA, and now resides on the shoreline since 2013.
Joanne practiced ballet as a young girl and has tried every form of exercise: “I love exercise!!! But barre tapped into something else that I hope everyone finds. It’s my happy place!”

Sue Strada-Beauchamp
Certifications: Personal Training, Paddlefit
Sue loves helping others feel confident and strong. Her fitness journey began in her teens. Exercise, whether in the gym or outside, has been a source of therapy for her. Sue began sharing her love of fitness first as a group exercise instructor while still working a full time 9–5 job, but ultimately decided it was time for a change. After ending her full-time job of 16 years, she dedicated her time to pursuing her passion: a full time career in fitness. Sue went on to get her certification as a Personal Trainer, and shortly after that decided to mix her love for exercise and the outdoors and became Paddlefit Certified.
When not in the gym coaching, she can be found outside with her family paddleboarding, hiking, camping, or fishing. Look for Sue’s Boxing Bootcamp Circuit and Kettlebell Flow classes on our schedule. She is also available for private sessions.
About Our Founder
Heidi E. Kunzli, MS, LADC, CADC-II brings over 30 years of counseling and coaching. She has developed specialization in achieving and sustaining lifelong recovery from substance abuse and addiction as well as stress management, self-management, creativity enhancement and transformational lifestyle management for executives, professionals, entertainers, athletes and other very successful, high functioning individuals. Heidi’s educational background, professional training, and certifications have been received from Duke University, Texas A & M University, and Harvard Medical School. Heidi serves as business management, start-up, and luxury marketing consultant to treatment programs and professionals. Over the years she has contributed to, and her unique programs have been featured on, international television and online media, as well as in publications including Time, Newsweek, Vogue, Esquire, Forbes, Condé Nast, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal, Private Wealth, Robb Report, Financial Times and many others.

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