My Pilates journey begin as a dancer.

our warm ups and strength training movements included classical Pilates exercises. Fast forward a decade.  I tore my ACL, after not getting it immediately fixed developed compensatory patterns that over time created multiple imbalances.

I kept dancing…

eventually attending The Ohio State University’s dance program. This was an amazing educational experience where I learned the kinesiology behind movement, how to read the body, I was introduced to the Franklin method, multiple styles of movement, directing, and choreographing. Because of my imbalances, during this time, I began working with a Personal Trainer at Lifetime Athletics in Columbus, Ohio, named Stephanie Wollinsky. Stephanie helped get my knee in shape through personal training but also introduced me to Pilates on the equipment. Pilates began helping me to balance my body. 

I graduated from The Ohio State University…

with a degree in dance performance and choreography, and moved to New Jersey to try out for Broadway. Because of consistent Pilates practice, I was dancing at a high level and was able to use both sides of my body equally. Pilates worked for me and I became a strong advocate.

I decided to teach…

Mat Pilates along with Barre, and children’s dance in between my auditions. Always one to love education, I found a Mat certification with Balance Body. This certification opened a new door in my life and I was determined to go through Balance Body’s education system. I primarily worked with Marcy Schaffler in Madison, NJ. Her understanding of the body, supplemented what I had already learned during my dance degree. Marcy introduced me to the concept of Spiral Dynamics and how to bring the Franklin Method of using imagery to create movement from dance into Pilates. I completed my comprehensive certification with Balance Body.

I determined to become a Master Instructor.

By this time I was working at Lifetime Athletics in Florham Park, NJ. had earned multiple movement certifications, utilizing them as a Personal Trainer and Pilates Instructor at the club. I had also run 20+ Spartan Races and multiple half marathons. Peak Pilates was the only Pilates certifying organization that Lifetime worked with. After applying, I was accepted into their Master Instructor program.

I bridged into Peak Pilates and earned their comprehensive certification. Peak Pilates teaches the classical system of Pilates as well as how to effectively teach Pilates. Because of Peaks approach to education and the mentorship I received from Pam Garcia and Zoey Trap, the way I moved and taught completely changed.

It is astonishing…

that I have been teaching movement for almost 20 years and have been a Master Instructor for almost 7. I’ve worked with over 100 students on their Pilates teaching journey and have clients that have been with me for at least 10 years!

Movement Mentors:

• Daryse Osborune

• Yvonne Peters

• Doug King

• Stephanie Wollinsky

• Marcy Schlaffer

• Maria Marostomos

• Zoey Trap

• Pamela Garcia

• Brett Howard

• Trey Fry