Club Pilates

Bios

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  Sandy

  Owner/Instructor

  Sandy was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. After having twins and a third child very close together, she noticed the strain that it put on her body, especially her back and neck. She discovered Pilates while living in London and saw the dramatic positive effects it had on her body. As her posture was corrected and muscles strengthened, her pain was alleviated. She was hooked and wanted to help others feel the benefits as well. She completed her Pilates Mat and Reformer certifications while living in London through Stott Pilates. She completed her Cadillac, Chair and Barrel training with Stott both in Singapore and locally. Sandy is also certified in Injuries and Special Populations. It was always her dream to have her own studio and after discovering Club Pilates, she knew this was meant for her. When she’s not at the studio, she likes to travel and spend time with her husband of 20 plus years and their three children.

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  Nicole

  Instructor

  Nicole has been teaching Pilates for six years at prestigious gyms and local studios for private client and group classes and is a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher (PMA). Nicole developed a passion for dance and fitness at an early age. She attended the High School of Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, TX. She then continued her classical dance studies at Point Park University Conservatory of Performing Arts in Pittsburgh, PA. She was introduced to Pilates throughout this time and loved the benefits it had to her technique and performance. After struggling with injuries and a desk job wasn’t an option she realized making Pilates and fitness her career was the best fit to keep her passion alive. After traveling for dance she came back to Texas and received her comprehensive Peak Pilates Level I & II certification in Dallas, TX. She also holds a Personal Training Certification though ISSA to be able to cross train clients in all types of fitness needs. Nicole is always eager to learn more and attends workshops often to keep her Pilates education current and has a strong personal practice. Nicole wants to make sure her clients have the best experience leaving with a feeling of empowerment inside and out no matter what level they are.

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  Eric

  Instructor

  Eric graduated from California State University with a degree in Psychology while working as a trainer and post-rehabilitation specialist in Los Angeles. He began his career in the health & fitness industry in 1999 by becoming certified as a personal trainer. Eric then met with Master Trainer Russ Samuels, from whom he developed a more holistic approach concerning fitness and wellness by implementing practical applications to core function and corrective exercise techniques. After a few years in the field, he began researching various Pilates certifications. Eric received his Pilates training through STOTT PILATES and he interned under the tutelage of John Garey. He has gone through the full instructor training which includes all levels of Matwork, Reformer, Cadillac, chair and barrels. Eric continues to utilize all modalities of exercise with an emphasis on coordination, balance and core conditioning. He has taught Pilates and weight training for Houston Ballet (both in the Body Conditioning Studio and in classes for the students.) He has worked with a wide array of clientele that range from those with injuries and disease to sports-specific and athletic training.

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  Tara

  Instructor

  Tara is a Balanced Body certified Pilates Instructor who began dancing at the age of 6 and continued her love of dance through her college years. She began teaching group fitness and practicing Pilates since then, and believes no matter your age or fitness level, everyone needs some Pilates in their life! Tara is also a Registered Dietitian, and Certified Dietetic Nutritionist, with years of experience in Clinical Nutrition as well as Weight Management. She currently teaches pilates and does nutrition counseling while raising her 3 boys. She believes Pilates is a way to connect with your body, and improve your posture as well as muscle strength and mobility. Tara designs classes that are challenging, yet progressive with the Classical Pilates method to reach your goals and greatest potential.

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  Devon

  Instructor

  Devon, a native Houstonian, who has had a passion for Health and Fitness since she was a little girl! Growing up from a young age she watched her mother teach high energy aerobics everyday! She remembers her mom teaching 5:30am classes while she slept on a mat in the back of the gym at the YWCA off Waugh street in the 90's. After high school she worked at a Health Food & Vitamin Shop helping people get healthy from the inside out with vitamins, minerals, juicing, and healthy eating habits. It was after her first pregnancy when she found herself VERY overweight and too heavy to run on a treadmill because her feet and ankles hurt so bad. She also found out, after numerous times getting hurt, that because of her hyper joint mobility that crossfit and other popular HIIT workouts weren't good for her joints. This was when she first found Pilates and fell in love! It was hard, but didn't hurt her joints like everything else! After she had her 2nd child she used Pilates to get back in shape and decided that THIS was her calling! This is how she wanted to help people for the rest of her life! From there, she got Certified through Balanced Body and started teaching reformer pilates right away. She continues to add to her education and is very excited to pursue her career with Club Pilates and become a fully certified instructor on all apparatus. When Devon isn't teaching or working out, she is with her loving husband and adorable kiddos finding new parks and going on adventures together.

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  Christine

  Instructor

  Staying active and keeping fit has always been an integral part of Christine’s life. She thoroughly enjoys helping her clients develop body awareness and strength.As an avid runner for many years, she turned to Pilates to improve her flexibility and core strength. She quickly became intrigued by how the practice of Pilates transformed her overall strength, posture and flexibility. She quickly knew she found her calling to teach something she wholeheartedly believes in and enjoys! Through the Club Pilates certification program, Christine has had the opportunity to learn from Master trainer Stephanie Fernandez who has over 21 years of teaching experience. She has been trained to teach an array of methods: Reformer, Mat, TRX, Barre, EXO Chair, and Springboard and is now a fully certified instructor on all apparatus. Christine has always been inspired by her 100 year old grandmother’s (a dancer for over 50 years) words of wisdom, “Never stop moving!” She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communications from University of Southern Maine. Outside of the studio, she enjoys spending time with her husband, two teenagers and chocolate lab.

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  Lisa

  Instructor

  Lisa has been training at various gyms and studios in the Houston area since 2007. She is an avid runner and cyclist and knows firsthand the benefits of reformer practice within these sports. Pilates is the link bridging the gaps for healing and traditional training. She is Balanced Body Reformer certified and has trained under Jill Lucas at Gulfcoast Pilates, focusing On restorative pilates. She also did apprenticeship and training under the direction of Heather Erdmann at Pure Body. She is TRX level 3 certified, including sports medicine. Clients’ confidence and self esteem is built thru body awareness, proprioception, strength, Fitness is a lifestyle. It is a lifelong journey. Do Pilates; Do Life. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS Bachelors Degree in Nutrition NASM Certified Personal Trainer NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist Balanced Body Pilates Reformer USATF Coach L1 TRX Level III Certified Instructor FMT Basic CPR/AED & First-Aid Lisa Michele B.S.,CES, CPT, USATF Coach L1, TRX III, Reformer

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  Bernadette

  instructor

  Bernadette is originally from the Midwest and went to school at the University of Dayton, where she began her fitness career. She intended to have a career in theatre or social work but her love of fitness and body mechanics pulled her into the fitness industry. Bernadette has been teaching group fitness class for about 10 years and her specialties have evolved over time. Bernadette is certified under Balanced Body to teach Reformer 1 and 2 and is in the progress of going through Balanced Body’s Comprehensive Teacher Training. In addition to Reformer Pilates, Bernadette is a certified to teach Cycle, Barre, Bootcamp, HIIT, and Mat Pilates formats. When Bernadette isn’t teaching, she likes to take fitness classes around the Houston area, or enjoys running the city blocks downtown.

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  Jeannie

  Instructor

  Jeannie has been a fitness enthusiast her entire life. After jazzercise and step aerobics in the ‘90s, long distance marathon running and heavy weight lifting in boot camp, she found her body exhausted and her joints crying to be nurtured. She then discovered Pilates!! After years of practicing Pilates, she realized it actually made her body feel better and stronger! Jeannie’s love for Pilates led her to become a certified Pilates instructor. She is certified by Peak Pilates and plans to further her Pilates education by pursuing additional Peak Pilates certifications. She is passionate about Pilates and sees it as a way to meet new people and most importantly, to help people feel better both, physically and emotionally. Jeannie is also a Certified Public Accountant with degrees from Loyola University, New Orleans and University of Louisiana, Lafayette.

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  Cristi

  Instructor

  Cristi is a Native Houstonian. She loves being a part of a large family, and loves connecting with people. Cristi was Peak certified in 2012. She has background teaching Barre, Mat Pilates, Pilates Reformer, Water Aerobics, and Yoga Sculpt. Cristi has a passion for Pilates, as she has reaped the benefits personally, and has seen it change the lives and bodies of so many clients over the years. She has seen Pilates bring people together and has made some lifelong friendships throughout her Pilates journey. In her spare time, Cristi enjoys golf, tennis, water sports, and traveling.

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  Amber

  Instructor

  Amber was raised in the Nantahala Forest of North Carolina, where her love of movement began with running around in the woods. After three law licenses and one child, she still cannot sit still and encourages clients to be present in their bodies every day. She completed her training through Balanced Body and has taught locally since 2013. Her passion is sharing the Pilates Method with people of all ages and abilities. Pilates is a powerful tool on the journey to confidence and wellness, and she is thrilled to share it. She is known for her gentle motivation and targeted cues that help the client move mindfully and engage core muscles. When Amber is not teaching or lawyering, she is endurance hiking in a national park.

• Sandy M.

  Instructor

  Sandy's movement philosophy is: "Our bodies are made for moving.. Find a type of movement or exercise you enjoy, and move everyday." Sandy holds a B.F.A. Degree in Dance from Sam Houston State University and has been teaching Pilates for over 30 years. Pilates "found her" when she used the method to rehabilitate a dance injury in her early 20's. She holds 2 Pilates Certifications from The Institute for The Pilates Method and The PhysicalMind Institute. In 2016. She studied myofascial muscle release techniques with Diane Glass and became a Yamuna Ball Rolling Practitioner© through Yamuna Education USA. Highlights of Sandy's teaching career outside of the studio include Pilates classes for The CG Jung Center and The Methodist Hospital Wellness Center. Sandy is excited to be teaching for Club Pilates and looks forward to helping you reach your fitness goals. Sandy Marcello B.F.A degree in Dance Certified Pilates Teacher Yamuna Ball Rolling Practitioner©

• Jennifer

  Lead Instructor

  Jennifer is a native Houstonian. Before Pilates made its way into her heart Jennifer was studying to be a broadcast journalist. She has been teaching reformer Pilates since 2012 when she also became a certified Barre instructor. Her routines flow can be predicted through music and cadence. Jennifer has been comprehensively trained by PBTT to work on Mat, Reformer, Tower, Cadillac, Ladder Barrel, Wunda Chair ol, Spring Board and Spine Corrector. She is an apprentice of Jaime White. “This will be my life’s work” says Jennifer about her passion for Pilates. An avid learner, she is seeking to deepen her knowledge and practice for the Pre and Post natal population. When not in the studio she can be found at home with her husband of 14yrs and 3 sons.