Patti Collins was born in California, and raised by southern parents in a small Georgia town. She started her dance career at the age of 9 and was always interested in exercise and movement. She was an original member of the Augusta Civic Ballet Company, then later moved to California and joined another dance company with an emphasis on modern dance. Patti returned to Georgia after her mother suffered a debilitating stroke, to help and assist with her daily living. She started taking yoga and private Pilates lessons in 2000, and decided to get a certification, not initially to teach, but just to have a deeper understanding of the practice. “It was never my intention to teach, however, the owner of the studio needed a substitute teacher and I taught my first class and became hooked!” She discovered the joy in teaching and seeing her students achieve their fitness goals.