Our Teachers
linay smith
Linay is the owner of Steel City Pilates and is a Romana’s Pilates International certified teacher. Raised in Grand Rapids, MI, relocated to Bradenton, FL as a teen, Linay landed in Birmingham, AL attending Samford University the fall of 1999. Graduating with honors in Nutrition/Dietetics she fell in love with movement and the teaching of movement in any capacity. This combined with a background in nutrition seemed to be the perfect pairing. She has been teaching in the fitness industry in Birmingham, AL for almost 20 years. Pilates gives her the challenge to adapt this method of movement to any BODY and then enjoyment of watching clients feel better, get stronger and more flexible!
Barbara Esdale
As a natural progression from ballet and gymnastics, I began teaching fitness classes in 1984 while in nursing school at the University of Alabama.
My passion for helping others stay fit lead to teaching contemporary style Pilates. This evolved into a co-ownership of a Pilates and cycling studio for 5 years.
In 2016, God lead me to classical Romana’s Pilates along side Linay Smith and oh what a Great journey it has been!
I enjoy spending my free time with my husband Phillip, our three grown children, spouses, girlfriend, and grand-dogs!!
Stephanie Robinett
After dancing intensively for 18 years health and fitness was always a passion of mine. I started teaching group fitness classes on the side of my full time nursing career over 10 years ago. After taking a hiatus from nursing, I turned to taking Pilates lessons regularly from Linay Smith and realized how good it was for the years of overuse I had done to my body. That led me to begin my own journey to become a classically trained Romana’s Pilates instructor.
Outside of the studio you can find me spending time with my extremely supportive husband Adam, two kids that keep my on my toes, Lucy and Charlie, and two extremely active dogs, Betty and Murphy. I also love running, cycling, and cooking!
Rachael Swatek
A native of South Carolina, Rachael Swatek spent her early years learning dance and gymnastics. After a family move to Auburn, Alabama, Rachael graduated from Auburn High School and then Auburn University. Her major in Sociology and minor in Adult Education surprised no one as her love for people and her genuine interest in others is Rachael’s most enduring characteristic. After working in the fitness industry, stints in education, sales and patient care, Rachael found Romana’s Pilates and fell in love with the challenges and opportunities it creates for herself and for others. A resident of Homewood, Alabama for the last 20 years, Rachael is married with a daughter. Her contagious energy and true interest in her clients’ success and wellbeing meld well with the mission of Steel City Pilates.
Kathleen Costello
Kathleen Costello has recently received her certification as Romana’s Pilates trained instructor under the tutelage and mentorship of Linay Smith and Holly Pruell. Her passion and interest in Pilates was sparked several years ago when seeking a solution to chronic stress and injury due to overuse and strain in the professional music industry. Intrigued and encouraged by the holistic approach to body mechanics, overall improvement in quality of life, and true relief from persistent pain and subsequent injury, Kathleen decided to pursue the path of certification as a way of helping others with a similar journey.
After earning a Bachelor of Music degree from Northwestern University, and a Master of Music degree from Duquesne University, Kathleen was appointed Principal Clarinet of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra in 2006, a position she holds to this day. Since joining the orchestra, she has appeared as a soloist in a variety of formats including a performance of Steve Reich’s NY Counterpoint, which was regarded as “flawlessly executed” by ARTS bham. In addition to her work with the ASO, Kathleen continues to spend time in Pittsburgh performing as a founding member of the chamber ensemble IonSound Project. Dedicated to commissioning works of new music and collaborating with artists in a variety of disciplines, IonSound Project has received critical acclaim for their original programming, fresh approach to contemporary music, and commitment to the city of Pittsburgh. In addition to commissioning dozens of compositions, IonSound has premiered more than 80 works by 20th and 21st century composers.
Over the past few years Kathleen has rekindled her love for drawing and portraiture. With preferred mediums of charcoal and colored pencil, she has explored a variety of subject matter including music related material. Information regarding commissions and print sales can be found on her website: www.kathleenbcostello.com. She currently resides in Birmingham, Alabama with her husband and two children.