Driven by her long-standing love of dancing, Debbie W. Sheme was also inspired by her passion for alternative holistic approaches to wellness through physical fitness and proper nutrition. She discovered her love of dance at just 4 years old while taking classes at the Carousel Performing Arts Center and, by the time she was 8, had her first solo ballet performance at Immaculata University. Her studies continued with the Brandywine Ballet Company, the Joffrey Ballet, the Philadelphia Ballet and the Harrisburg Ballet Theater, during which time she was not only a professional ballet and modern dancer, but taught and choreographed dance for all ages and levels across Pennsylvania, Delaware and Florida. She then took courses in Pilates and modern dance artistry from the University of the Arts and today, holds certification in ballet, modern dance, aerial yoga, SUP yoga, reiki, yoga therapy, ayurvedic medicine and Pilates, and is an experienced registered yoga teacher and continuing education provider through Yoga Alliance.
Having excelled in the field for over two decades, Ms. Sheme attributes much of her success to her emphasis on putting people before profit, and she would advise young and aspiring professionals to do the same. Since 2019, she has been the owner and wellness director for Pilates Yoga Loft, where she and a team of wellness professionals help people to feel better physically, emotionally and spiritually through a wide range of holistic wellness methods. Standing out for her creativity as well as her productivity and commitment, Ms. Sheme previously owned and operated a number of other wellness businesses, including Sanibel Pilates & Yoga.
As she looks toward the future, Ms. Sheme hopes to be able to share her wellness programs and certification services as part of the mental health divisions of local colleges and universities. She is in the process of expanding her business into a larger space that will allow for a greater capacity to do outreach, teaching and support work. Above everything, she considers the highlight of her career to be getting to share her passion with others. In recognition of her accomplishments, she was named Best Instructor by Folio Weekly in 2020, with Pilates Yoga Loft receiving the Best Pilates Studio and Best Yoga Studio designations that same year. In 2021, Pilates Yoga Loft was named Best Yoga Studio in St. Augustine by the Best of St. Augustine Community Choice Awards and a Fitness and Wellness Solution by Global 100.
