Alexis is originally from Virginia and relocated to Windsor, England in 2008. As a classically trained ballet dancer, she danced professionally for 10 years. Alexis danced with the Richmond Ballet in Richmond, Virginia for 3 years; The Lexington Ballet in Lexington, Kentucky for 3 years; and danced for 4 more years with the Ballet Theatre of Maryland in Annapolis, Maryland, finishing her career in the spring of 2008.
Alexis discovered Pilates at Evolutions Body Clinic in Annapolis in 2004. Pilates benefited Alexis in her career as a dancer. As she progressed in her Pilates training she became stronger, her balance improved and she felt more efficient in her movements. Having discovered the benefits of Pilates in her own body, she began the Power Pilates teacher training program in Annapolis in 2005. Alexis continued her education in New York City where she became a comprehensively trained Power Pilates instructor for all levels including Beginner through Advanced Mat and Levels I, II and III of the Power Pilates Systems Training program. In 2012, Alexis was invited to become a Power Pilates Teacher Trainer.
Alexis recently returned to the United States after teaching in Windsor, England and in London at Pi Studios Battersea, the UK's home of Power Pilates.
Amanda Villarreal is a Power Pilates representative in Mexico. She teaches at Inside Pilates in Monterrey.
Born in Brasil with a passion for sports, Andrea moved to Italy in 1992 where she became a Naturopath specializing in body techniques including Applied Kinesiology, Certified Operator and Instructor by the International Kinesiology College in Zurich. Andrea began practicing Pilates in 1999 to rehabilitate a chronic injury and she has had a passion for this amazing method ever since. Andrea studied with Karine Cid, who has conducted and prepared her over the years to become a Pilates instructor and to complete her comprehensive training under Master Teacher Bob Liekens and Susan Moran of Power Pilates.
Anmarie received her B.F.A from the University of Utah. She is Power Pilates Certified Teacher and has been teaching since 2001. As well as Pilates, she danced professionally with the Ballet Theatre of Maryland for 13 years.
She enjoys working with clients at all levels, especially clients with special needs, “Everything counts. I enjoy supporting and motivating my clients in their own personal Pilates journey and help teach that Pilates can be very functional in people’s everyday life and activities.”
Anmarie just had a son in January 2009, Jackson. She is a dancer at heart and plans to continue dancing for her own spiritual benefit along with her Pilates practice. Being active and in good health is very important to her as she looks forward to an energetic lifestyle with her son.
"I believe with improved self awareness comes the ability to understand our self from the inside out. When we truly know our self, we can then learn to accept our self and when we accept our self we can learn to love our self. Only then can we find true happiness and contentment in life. I love to work with open minded people who are curious about finding ways to become a better version of themselves. I want to help you be free to move without any limitations. I want you to be confident in your movement and aware of how to care for your body so that you can participate in activities/hobbies that you love to do with more zest and pleasure. As your teacher, my goal is to guide you to find ways to live a content, fulfilled and happy life."
Movement has always played a major role in Aubrey's life. It was through the dance community Aubrey discovered Pilates and all it has to offer. “Pilates gave me a whole new outlook on how I should be using and moving my body, not just in the dance studio, but in my everyday life. If I wanted to age gracefully I knew I had to start making some positive changes in the unnatural movement patterns I adopted being in the dance world for so long." As her passion for the Pilates method grew, she knew it was her mission to share the method that Joe Pilates created years ago and pass it on to anyone and everyone who wants to learn.
Aubrey received her BA in dance from Point Park University. She is a PMA certified teacher and received her comprehensive training through Power Pilates in NYC. Aubrey is also a teacher trainer for Power Pilates and annually holds mat and comprehensive trainings at the studio. She regularly attends continuing education workshops and seminars to further her knowledge and education. In 2013, Aubrey auditioned and was accepted as one of only twelve people from around the world for a program at Vintage Pilates in LA entitled "The Work." Through this program she had the privilege of studying with world renowned teacher and Pilates elder, Jay Grimes (who studied directly with Joe and Clara Pilates.) Upon completion of "The Work", Aubrey was selected to continue her mentorship with Jay at Vintage Pilates for the next iteration of the program, entitled "Teaching the Work". Concurrently Aubrey also mentors under another world renowned teacher, Kathi Ross-Nash, through her program "The Red Thread". Kathi has studied closely with first generation teachers such as Romana Kryzanowska, Kathy Grant, Sari Mejia Santo, Jay Grimes and Edwina Fontaine.
Bethanie Reidinger is a Teacher Trainer for Power Pilates in the Chicagoland area. She completed her Comprehensive Training with Power Pilates based in New York City. After post-childbirth complications, Beth found Pilates was the only rehabilitation that was successful. An avid runner and cyclist, Beth began her teaching of Pilates in 2002. Later she continued her education and taught at Fitness Formula Clubs/Chicago and at Body Endeavors Pilates studio in Chicago. A Spin instructor and part of the running and cycling community, Beth found the Pilates Method to be an integral part of conditioning her clients. She moved to the suburbs of Chicago and opened her own studio in 2008. Continuing education is highly important to Beth and she has been educated in post-natal, senior, special cases, and more. In addition to Pilates, Beth is a Spin instructor, a triathlete and a marathon runner - and a mom.
Cheryl Turnquist is the owner of the Providence Pilates Center in Providence, RI. She has been teaching Pilates since 1999 and was first trained by the Physicalmind Method of Pilates. She then began studying the Power Pilates method and earned her Bridge certificate in 2006. Cheryl became a Teacher Trainer for Power Pilates in 2012 and is also Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) certified.
Through the years, Cheryl has attended numerous conferences, continuing education classes and sessions to further her pilates expertise. Along with her Pilates work, she was a group fitness director for a nationally recognized fitness chain from 1998 - 2005. She has certifications with AFAA group fitness, spinning, TRX suspension systems, Yogafit and more. Ms. Turnquist has a BA from Providence College, an MSW from Boston College, and holds licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) from the state of RI. She has practiced as a therapist in a public school system and for several non-profit local community mental health centers at various times throughout her career. When she is not teaching at her studio, she most enjoys spending time at home with her family, reading, and playing the piano.
Christine is a Teacher Trainer for Power Pilates (2012) and Xtend Barre (2010), Xtend Barre Director of Training U.S. as well as a Pilates teacher at her in-home studio in Holly Springs, NC. She has been teaching Power Pilates continuing education workshops since 2007, and has presented Pilates workshops professionally throughout NC along with Prenatal workshops for Xtend Barre. Christine has been honored to be on faculty with the American Dance Festival at Duke University where she has been teaching Pilates mat for the past three seasons.
Christine experienced her first Pilates mat class during the American College Dance Festival at Smith College in 1996. That memory has stuck with her throughout her dancing years and beyond. As a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst with a BFA in Dance and a BA in Education, she was able to pursue modern dance and teach elementary school for special needs children. Christine then received her MS in Child Development from East Carolina University (2001). After years of work as a Child Life Specialist at UNC Hospitals, she needed to come back to her roots of movement. She received her first comprehensive teacher training from PhysicalMind Institute (2003), and then her final comprehensive training with Power Pilates (2005).
She currently resides in Holly Springs, NC with an amazing husband and two energetic boys that allow her to live her dreams day to day.
Emily Goldenberg fell in love with Pilates, the Art of Contrology, back in the early nineties. She had several minor injuries from dance and sports that lingered on, leaving her without optimum health in her early twenties. Her Pilates instructors taught her how to use her core, the Powerhouse, to realign her body and exercise smarter and more efficiently.
In 1998, Emily began the Pilates Studio Teacher Training Program in New York with Romana Kryzanowska, Sari Pace, and Bob Liekens so that she might share this transformational work with others. Since then, she has been blessed to teach this amazing method to people in New York, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Frankie has been in the fitness industry since 1985. After adopting her daughter, she left her career as a software engineer to stay home with her family. Being passionate about exercise led her to become certified through the American Council on Exercise (ACE). She taught group exercise in the Dallas area for 21 years along with presenting at workshops. Frankie taught everything from step to cardio kick box and helped area clubs create energetic fitness classes. Too much of a good thing led to some hip issues, and she discovered Pilates to help balance out her workouts. It was love at first class! The physical benefits were amazing. Although she was very fit, Pilates helped her to become more flexible and most importantly, to move from her core.
Training to become a Pilates instructor became a major goal. She was first trained through Polestar in 2000, but in 2003 discovered Power Pilates and pursued their comprehensive certificate program and helped introduce them to the Dallas community. Although she was sad to leave Texas, moving to Columbus in 2006 has opened up many new opportunities. She has found a home at Body Pure Pilates in Gahanna, Ohio, where she works full-time.
Her passion for classical Pilates is fueling her desire to introduce Power Pilates teacher trainings to the Columbus community. She is also enjoying sharing mat work with high school conditioning classes. After one class, they are wowed into believing that Pilates is not just for girls!! She is fortunate to be able to share this incredible way of exercise with athletics, golfers, moms, teens, seniors, clients with back/neck issues, and anyone else searching for more body awareness, strength and flexibility.
Jillian is a fully certified Power Pilates® Mat & Apparatus Instructor at Urbanfront PILATES. After years of competitive rowing, she yearned for a workout that utilized the whole body- and found Pilates! She is thrilled to be able to share her zest for health and passion for Pilates with others, as well empower people through movement! Jillian also serves as the studio's Operations Manager.
A lifelong health and fitness devotee, Jordana was looking for a smarter way to stay in shape after the birth of her son in 2001. She wanted something that not only made her look good, but feel good too. She tried Pilates and was hooked. It was the perfect combination of strengthening, stretching, connecting the mind and the body. Pilates made her feel healthier and stronger than ever - it was like finding the fountain of youth. She was so inspired she decided to make a major life change - she closed her health food store to pursue a career in Pilates. Studying with Susan Moran and Bob Liekens of Power Pilates in New York City, and Teacher Trainer Juliet Harvey in Beacon, NY only left her wanting more. In 2010, she became a Power Pilates Teacher Trainer. She's always excited to share the joy of teaching and guide apprentices as they hone their craft. "Teaching fits perfectly into my busy life as a full-time Mom," Jordana says. "There's nothing else I'd rather do than teach Pilates". Enjoying the good life in Beacon, NY and pregnant with her second child, she has no intention of slowing down. She plans to continue sharing her passion for Pilates and remain a student always. She holds a B.A. in English Literature from New York University.
Julie Cordier began teaching the Classical Pilates Method in 2004 and is a Teacher Trainer for Power Pilates. She has continued her studies through The Pilates Center of Boulders Masters Program, The Work with Jay Grimes of Vintage Pilates, and has been studying under and assisting Kathryn Ross-Nash with her Red Thread Program for the last 3 years. Julie has also been teaching the Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis Methods since 2007 and is a Gyrotonic Master Trainer and is currently studying to become a Gyrokinesis Master Trainer. She has over a 10 years of experience training professionals in both of these movement methods, in addition to her 14 years teaching all levels and abilities of clientele. Julie teaches Internationally and is based out of Cincinnati, OH where she directs and owns BodyMind Balance Pilates and Gyrotonic Studio.
Karen first encountered pilates thirteen years ago while dancing at UCLA. Through her own practice, she realized the importance and effectiveness of the method for creating healthy, vital body and was inspired to become a teacher. Karen holds teacher training certificates from Power Pilates™, Long Beach Dance Conditioning, and the Physicalmind Institute. She has an MA in Dance from UCLA, and has also practiced and taught GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® for seven years. Karen has lived, danced, and taught in Asia and Latin America. She now resides in Long Beach, California where she owns KNS Studio Pilates and Gyrotonic. With a Power Pilates approach to the method, Karen is committed to bringing the best in classical pilates education to her diverse clientele.
Karine Cid, Occupational Therapist and Teacher trainer in charge of Power Pilates' Education program in Italy, has been teaching Pilates since 1987. After earning her degree she worked in the sector of functional rehabilitation, postural re education and athletic preparation. For over ten years she has studied directly with some of the elders most experienced teachers of the first generation, including Romana Kryzanowska, She also collaborated with the New York School in the didactic preparation of new students, reaching the highest professional level of the Pilates Method.
She is the author of several articles which have been published in leading international health and fitness journals and has held Teacher Training programs, conventions and continuing education courses in Europe, United States and South America.
Lisa Hunsaker is the owner of Turning Point Fitness in Columbus, Ohio. Lisa's love for physical movement started with her study of dance at the age of four. She continued her dance career at The Ohio State University, but graduated with a degree in Hospitality Management. She has worked for Walt Disney World and Starwood Hotels.
Lisa is a certified Health and Fitness Instructor through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), Power Pilates Teacher Trainer, ACE Group Fitness Instructor, Xtend Barre Instructor, and Pre/Post Natal certified.
Lisa considers herself to be active in the fitness community in Columbus and is excited about bringing the latest fitness trends and research to Turning Point Fitness.
Mimi AJ Lyou first learned about Pilates when she was taking the master course in dance education major at NYU in 1993. As a dancer, she wanted to delve deeper into Pilates but never had the chance during her time in New York.
She went back to Korea and taught students majoring in dance for 7 years. After watching many of her students suffer from dance injuries, she realized the importance of healing movement and decided to come back to New York to pursue Pilates teacher training. In 2003, Mimi became a comprehensively trained instructor of Power Pilates. The Comprehensive program inspired her to become a Teacher Trainer so she could spread the methodology of classical Pilates in Korea. After many years of rigorous training, Mimi became a Teacher Trainer and the Regional Director of Korea in 2013.
Mimi has been teaching classical Pilates at CanDo Fitness in Korea since 2003. She also teaches as a guest trainer at National Modern Dance Company in Korea. Her many years of experience has taught her that classical Pilates is not only for injured dancers: it is a tool to improve the quality of life for all. She is proud to be a missionary of classical Pilates!
Nicole opened Pilates of Charlotte in October 2012. She is a certified Power Pilates teacher trainer with over 13 years of teaching experience in the Charlotte community. Nicole was first exposed to Pilates during her classical ballet training. While dancing Nicole was diagnosed with breast cancer. She rehabilitated with Pilates mat and equipment training. During this time she fell in love with the movement based exercises and how it made her body feel both inside and out. At that time she decided that she would use her journey to help others learn the benefits of Pilates that she had experienced and continues to experience on a daily basis. Nicole has had the privilege of working with a variety of clients ranging from tennis players, golfers, cyclists, equestrians, tri-athletes, dancers and re-hab patients. She has assisted in the rehabilitation of several hip and knee replacements as well as strength building in clients recovering from surgeries or injuries involving the hips, knees, shoulders, feet, wrists and hands. She has also worked with pre and post natal clients and breast cancer survivors. Additionally Nicole is also a member of the Pilates Method Alliance, the official organization dedicated to the preservation of Joseph Pilates classical methodology. She also has certifications in Personal Training, Group Exercise Instruction and Nutrition through ACE and AFAA. Also she is certified in CPR, First Aid, and AED through the American Red Cross. When not practicing or teaching Pilates you can find Nicole with her husband Jimmy and their daughters Madison and Emma.
Rebecca Sirkel has over 16 years experience in the mind/ body industry including Personal Training, Yoga and Pilates. She holds a degree in Exercise Science from Arizona State University and received her 600 hour Comprehensive Pilates training with Power Pilates under the guidance of Bob Liekens and Susan Moran in 2006. She earned the gold standard Pilates certification with the Pilates Method Alliance in 2011. Her desire to share Pilates led her to become a Teacher Trainer for Power Pilates in 2012. Now she shares her passion for Pilates by mentoring and offering certifications for those who wish to make teaching Pilates a career. Rebecca has gained expertise with her time, experience and continuing education in Spinal Pathology, How to better communicate, Spotting and Touch technique, How to incorporate props, Neuromuscular conditions, and Super Advanced Pilates for Athletes. She believes in a holistic lifestyle which led her to obtain a certification with eCornell in Plant Based Nutrition. Additionally, she is a writer for a Pilates & Nutrition blog called www.Pilates123.com aimed at informing and connecting Pilates teachers and clients.
Stephanie West (Iervoline) started practicing Pilates in 2002 after a car accident left her with a broken pelvis and back. After 11 months of physical therapy, she was out of pain, but had limited strength and range of motion. Kimberly Karpanty, a Pilates Instructor with Core Dynamics(c) and dance professor suggested Pilates as a way to transition back into dancing full time. Pilates was the only form of rehabilitation that worked her range of motion and challenged her strength. She got back to dancing stronger than ever before. Stephanie graduated from Kent State University (Ohio) with a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography. Stephanie then went on to study dancer injuries and movement analysis at the Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies (NYC) and is a Certified Movement Analyst. Stephanie has a passion for teaching Pilates, and her strengths include identifying a clients' strengths so that together they can "work what works." Utilizing the skill set Stephanie has acquired through her training at Power Pilates and many years of movement experience, she knows that "Movement Heals" and that a proactive and positive approach is what will make change occur. By working at Power Pilates, and becoming a Teacher Trainer in 2012, Stephanie is continuing to sharpen the teaching tools that make her such an approachable instructor. "Our every day lives continuously take us away from our mind/body connection. Pilates is the way I connect my mind to my Powerhouse, and want nothing more than to guide others towards that awareness."
Movement, consistency, motivation, and discipline...all elements of Stormi's approach as a student, instructor, and teacher. In 2006, after leaving her first official mat class, Stormi was immediately intrigued by the Joseph Pilates method and began her career as a Power Pilates Instructor/Teacher Trainer.
Stormi, a native Texan, was driven to dance prior to learning to walk and has never stopped. By age 10, under the mentorship of Joyce Seaborne Bader, Stormi solely focused on classical foundations, progressing with Distinction through the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD). During this time she was granted scholarships to the American Academy of Ballet and captured leading roles with Fort Worth/Dallas Ballet, directed by Paul Mejia.
Observing the longstanding benefits of Pilates' classical, systematic, and integrative approach and Vbarre's shared philosophy, Stormi believes she has chosen the best of two fitness worlds. Her joy is derived from sharing her love of movement, continuing life as a student, and enabling clients and teachers to not achieve, but surpass their fitness goals.
Power Pilates System I (2007) | Comprehensive (2008) | Teacher Trainer (2014) and Vbarre Instructor (2012) | Teacher Trainer (2014)
Tess' experience with the Pilates Method spans over 25 years. In 1986, after graduating with her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing, she discovered Pilates while performing in a Miami based student dance company. Pilates was love at first sight for Tess, and a move from Miami to Manhattan in 1989, eventually led her to practice in the historical Pilates studio called "Drago's Gym" where Romana Kryzanowska, the world renowned protege of Joseph Pilates, taught for many years. After returning to Florida in the 90's, she continued to practice Pilates regularly. In 1998, following a desire to share her enthusiasm for Pilates with others, she headed back to the Big Apple to become a teacher. She was trained by Romana Kryzanowska at Drago's earning her first certificate as a Second Generation Pilates teacher.
In 2005, she decided to become a teacher of teachers and subsequently completed a second training program with Bob Liekens of Power Pilates. She received her Power Pilates Teacher Trainer Diploma in 2009. Tess owned Pilates Premier Studios, Inc. in St. Petersburg, FL, an Affiliate Power Pilates Teacher Training and Continuing Education Center, until September of 2012. During this time, she was also an adjunct faculty member of St. Petersburg College providing continuing education courses for the Physical Therapy Department. Tess has worked with clients of differing age and physical condition ranging from children to the elderly, and from the de-conditioned or injured, to the professional dancer and athlete. Tess's knowledge as a nurse and performing artist assists her clients in experiencing the art and science of Pilates. She strives to maintain the classical spirit of the work and has been convinced time and time again that a classical approach guarantees results, empowers others and respects the life time work of Joseph H. Pilates. She recently relocated to Paris, and as Power Pilates’ Regional Director of France, she will lead Power Pilates Educational Programs commencing in 2014. Tess is a PMA certified teacher.
Veronica Combs is a B.F.A. graduate of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. It was through her training as a classical ballet dancer that she was introduced to Pilates. She began her Pilates education in 1997 and holds teacher training certificates from Power Pilates, The PilateSystem, and PhysicalMind. She is the Regional Director of Power Pilates in Texas. As a Power Pilates Teacher Trainer, she administers training programs as well as continuing education courses in Dallas, TX .
Virginia Acosta, a native of the Dominican Republic, is the owner / director of Control Pilates Studio and the Regional Director of Power Pilates in the Dominican Republic.
For over 25 years Virginia has been evolving her exercise palate. As a child she began her love of movement with classical ballet, she had an artistic inclination towards dance, music and performing arts. Her passion grew as an adult focusing on yoga and contemporary dance; she studied various techniques including Horton, Limon and Graham. Virginia also studied Business Administration, specializing in advertising Media Placement. She worked for major advertising agencies in the Dominican Republic as well as on television as a TV news reporter. While working for the news station she put dance on hold for three years. "It was amazing to be a reporter but it was not my passion, so I returned to dance."
After several years the dance company she belonged to closed. She searched for a way to continue to train her body and after trying all traditional ways in a gym and failing she met a Cuban dancer and Pilates' teacher visiting the Dominican Republic. Virginia took a course with her and from the very first day she was hooked. She researched a variety of Pilates programs online but "like an arrow to my heart I fell in love with Power Pilates". In 2004 she earned her certificate as a Power Pilates Instructor, introducing the method in her country; she pioneered the first Pilates studio, and continues to be the leader in teaching Classical Pilates in the Dominican Republic. She received her PMA Certification in April 2011.
Virginia lives in the Dominican Republic with her husband and four sons. She feels fulfilled in life and work as she has devoted herself to her passion sharing the teachings of Pilates with others.
