Julieanne Bird
Owner and Founder, Better Day Pilates
Classical Pilates Certification, 2013
Sweet and upbeat Julieanne is a foodie, a level II certified sommelier, and a classically trained Pilates instructor whose favorite pursuits include eating, drinking, and teaching in charming northern California.
She moved to NYC in 2011, began practicing Pilates that summer, and immediately fell in love with the incredible mind-body connection that it provides. She completed her comprehensive Pilates certification in 2013 at Core Pilates NYC and has been teaching full-time ever since. Julieanne has trained a diverse clientele, ranging from triathletes and professional golfers to prenatal/postnatal moms and individuals navigating post surgery spine/joint rehabilitation. Julieanne’s style of teaching is thoughtful and encouraging and she brings a contemporary approach to her classical training of movement for all bodies.
With a background in wine, culinary arts, and merchandising, Julieanne has followed many different interests but she finds the most happiness working in health and wellness and guiding her wonderful clients through movement for strength, longevity, and enjoyment. Her teaching is cheerful and masterful, and she knows for a fact that Pilates is for all bodies. Hearing her clients rave about no longer being in pain, feeling lighter and more energetic, performing better in their races or sports games, etc is the most rewarding part of teaching at Better Day.
After years of calling Manhattan her home, she has returned to her NorCal roots to share her wealth of teaching experience and build a life here in Folsom with her wife and their pet schnoodle, Mosel.
Melissa Pruden
Pilates Instructor, Reiki Master, Yoga Teacher Pilates Certification, 2016
Melissa Pruden is a multi-certified movement and wellness practitioner, with over a decade of experience teaching Pilates, yoga, mindful self-compassion, and meditation. She is also a certified Reiki Master and is passionate about helping people find balance and well-being through heart-mind-body integration.
Alongside her wellness expertise, Melissa is a former Business Analyst in the high-tech industry, long-time Folsom local, wife, and mother to two teenage daughters and one giant sheepadoodle!
Shelby Peters
Pilates Instructor Pilates Certification, 2024
Shelby’s journey with fitness started early at age 4 when she begged her mom to join a competitive swimming team. Growing up as an athlete led her to develop a deep appreciation for body awareness and the importance of injury prevention. After a 15 year aquatic career, she explored a variety of fitness modalities, seeking forms of exercise that felt empowering rather than punishing. In 2013, Shelby was introduced to mat Pilates by a life-changing personal trainer. She began to fall in love with the functional strength, balance, and clarity Pilates offered—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. 10 years later, Shelby left her HR tech job to complete her comprehensive Pilates certification with Mighty Pilates in the San Francisco Bay Area and pursue teaching full time.
Shelby’s teaching style is calm, attentive, and welcoming. She places a strong emphasis on injury prevention, body awareness, long-term mobility, and joy! Whether working with beginners, athletes, or clients recovering from injury, Shelby believes in tailoring sessions to meet individuals where they’re at and building confident strength from the inside out. She believes movement should feel accessible, empowering, and - most importantly - fun. Outside the studio, you’ll most likely find Shelby with her husband and pup Milo at the lake, making pottery, thrifting, or enjoying almost any genre of live music.