Our Founder
Meet Leigh
Leigh Caruso, PT, DPT, NCPT is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Pilates Rehabilitation Specialist, Somatic Movement Practitioner, Pilates Educator, and the heart & soul behind Align PhysioPilates & Wellness. A native of Huntsville, she has enjoyed the last 10+ years of her career practicing in Saint Augustine and Jacksonville, Florida. Leigh returned to Huntsville in 2025 to found and open Align at Twickenham Square, and she is delighted to be back serving the Huntsville community.
Leigh completed her undergraduate degree at Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Philosophy. She received her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, graduating with high honors and advanced training in orthopedic manual therapy including extremity, spinal, and myofascial manipulation. She completed her Comprehensive Pilates for Rehabilitation & Studio training on all apparatus through Polestar® Pilates and is a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher (NCPT) through the National Pilates Certification Program.
While practicing in Florida, Leigh served on the Faculty of the University of St. Augustine for many years as an Assistant Laboratory Professor. She is a Lead Educator for Polestar® Pilates International and teaches both the Reformer Pilates Teacher Training Course and Comprehensive Pilates Teacher Training Series for rehabilitation and studio teachers. Leigh is the first Polestar Educator in the State of Alabama, and she is honored to bring this internationally renowned teacher training program to Huntsville and the surrounding areas.
A classically trained dancer, Leigh has been an avid practitioner of Pilates for over 25 years. She was first introduced to Pilates by one of Joseph Pilates’ original students, Lolita San Miguel, during a Ballet Summer Intensive with Lolita’s company Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico in 1998. Leigh trained under Lolita, one of the “Pilates Elders,” for two summers; and Pilates has been a part of her dance training, conditioning, rehabilitation, and personal wellness ever since. Leigh also danced semi-professionally in New York City, Nashville, and Italy, and she continues dancing to this day. She is a member of the Huntsville Ballet Guild and is grateful to be back amongst the dance and arts communities in Huntsville.
After sustaining numerous career altering injuries and facing chronic illness, Leigh pivoted her focus to Physical Therapy and Rehabilitative Pilates. In addition to a focus in dancer rehabilitation and injury prevention, Leigh is specialized in the treatment and management of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD), as well as the myriad of comorbidities that accompany connective tissue disorders including POTS, MCAS, Dysautonomia, ME/CFS, Nervous System Dysregulation, and so on. A bendy body with EDS herself, Leigh knows intimately the chronic pain of connective tissue disorders and the constant struggle of living with hypermobile joints, instability, subluxations, dislocations, and the infinite array of co-existing systemic symptoms. Leigh is passionate about helping individuals with chronic complex disorders find a more sustainable and fulfilling life through a holistic approach to movement, strengthening, nervous system regulation, life balance, patient education, and support for the whole person.
"Health, Healing, & Longevity thrive at the intersection of Movement & Mindfulness."
~ Leigh Caruso
PT, DPT, NCPT
For more than a decade, Leigh has built a reputation of compassionate care, clinical excellence, and Pilates proficiency that produces real, measurable, and lasting change in her clients. Leigh enjoys working with clients of all ages, genders, diagnoses, fitness levels, and phases of life. While in Florida, Leigh notably trained many professional athletes including players from the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars, the Minor League Baseball Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, and the Minor League Hockey Jacksonville IceMen, as well as professional and pre-professional dancers with The Florida Ballet. Leigh has worked with children as young as 8 yo, clients as advanced as 102 yo, patients pre- & post-surgery, prenatal & postpartum women, persons affected by stroke and traumatic brain injury, clients suffering with PTSD, individuals seeking to move better & improve longevity, and everyone in between.
Leigh believes whole-heartedly that movement heals, and we all deserve to live as more than a diagnosis. She welcomes every body to come Breathe, Move, & Align with her!