Club Pilates

Bios

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  Amy Wolf

  Instructor

  Amy has a passion for health and fitness and has taught in the fitness industry since 2003. Amy is a Thyroid cancer survivor who knows firsthand the important role exercise plays in mental and physical health. She likes to work hard and have fun with fitness. She has worked with clients from ages fourteen to clients well into their seventies. Amy wholehearted believes Pilates can meet a need for each person. Amy has been teaching and practicing Pilates since 2007. Amy wants to empower her class members to be strong from the inside out. Amy loves how Pilates focuses core strength and then extends through the rest of the body.

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  Becky Mirlisena

  Instructor/Personal Trainer

  I was an avid tennis and golf enthusiast, until I had knee issues which led me to Pilates. Not only did it help to delay my inevitable double knee replacement surgery, but it created a noticeable improvement in my posture, strength, stamina, flexibility and an overall feeling of wellness. I became such a believer in the Pilates Method that I decided to attain my instructor certification through Power Pilates in 2010. I am classically trained with over 500 exercises in my tool chest that can be modified to fit the special needs of each individual client. I believe Pilates to be an anti-aging form of exercise that will change your body from the inside out. I’ve seen remarkable improvement in clients with Multiple Sclerosis, hip replacements, spinal stenosis and scoliosis to name a few. I graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a BS in Communications. My husband John and I are empty nesters living in Montgomery with our two dogs Lucy and Maggie.

• Bob Pallatroni

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  Carrie Born

  Instructor/Personal Trainer

  I have always had a passion for fitness and nutrition. I was a Division 1 soccer player at the University of Kentucky where I earned my B.S. in Nutrition and went on to become a Registered Dietitian. Two months after my first child was born, I herniated a disc in my lower back. I knew there had to be an alternative to the suggested surgery, and that is when I found Pilates! I use to think that exercise routines required heavy weights and rigorous cardio. Pilates proved me wrong and taught me so much about muscle control and movement. Not only did I learn of its healing power for the issues in my lower back, but also found the focus it required to be an enormous stress reliever. Now, I’m stronger than ever! After taking Pilates for 7 years, I wanted to share its benefits with others so I became a certified instructor. I’m a compassionate yet challenging instructor. I love to help individuals heal, grow and achieve strength they’ve never known - just like I did!

• Charity Moeller

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  Danielle Aruri

  Instructor

  I earned my degree in Psychology at the University of Massachusetts, not far from where I grew up. I have always had a passion for fitness. I have taken a variety of fitness classes over the years. In recent years, I found that the jarring of high impact exercise did not serve my body well. After a back injury forced me to seek an alternative approach to fitness, I found Pilates. I immediately felt the difference. It was then that I knew that my body had been out of balance. Pilates has helped me to find core strength and flexibility as well as improve overall muscle tone. My passion for a well body translated to a passion for Pilates. It was then that I knew I had to share this passion with others. I am certified in Reformer Pilates through Balanced Body. I am an enthusiastic and challenging instructor. It is my goal to help others develop their core strength and achieve their fitness goals in a safe environment. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband Jay and our three teenage children. Together we enjoy traveling, the beach and visiting family and friends in Massachusetts.

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  Donna Abdelnour

  Instructor

  Balance. Ultimately, what I am striving for on a daily basis is balance. As a Nurse Practitioner in the healthcare field for 17 years, I understand how the body works. I have a Master’s degree in science from the University of Cincinnati in Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and a Post-Master’s degree in Family NP. I have spent my career in the Emergency Room, Trauma, Intensive Care and Women’s Health using allopathic medicine to repair injuries, treat pathologies, and prevent disease. I balance my time submersed in Western medicine by incorporating Complimentary/Integrative medicine, including yoga, aromatherapy and Pilates. I am certified in Pilates through Balanced Body and specialize in comprehensive health education and establishing healthy lifestyles. In addition to dedicating my time to promoting generalized health and well-being in Cincinnati, I balance my free time with my favorite people: my husband, Brent, and our four children, Grace, Jake, Sammy and Gabe. I love spending my “extra” time socializing with girlfriends, running, reading, resistance training, gardening and attempting to make this world a little bit better than the way I found it. Thank you for practicing with me.

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  Emily Vargas

  Instructor

  I was born and raised in Cincinnati. My dad had a spinal cord injury when I was 18 months old and our family quickly adopted a healthy lifestyle to help him manage his pain and stress. I’ve always had a strong connection with lifestyle and nutrition as a means to optimize quality of life. I am an integrative health coach and am passionate about helping others achieve optimum health. In 2013 I had a debilitating back injury after picking up my son incorrectly. My chiropractor prescribed Pilates for rehabilitation. I instantly fell in love with the reformer and was amazed at how quickly my body healed. I was inspired to tell others about this incredible modality so I got certified and began teaching right away. My goal is to spread the message that whatever you love to do, Pilates will help you do it better. For me, it was being an active mom, able to carry my youngest, and get out in nature. As a health coach for a Functional Medicine practice, I love expressing the connection between the importance of core strength in Pilates with the Functional Medicine approach to gut health. Pilates aims to reform the body from the center out just as in FM. To achieve radiant health, we must address the root cause of what weakens us. Our bodies will suffer unless we regularly condition and strengthen the core - the powerhouse that moves us through life. In my free time I enjoy spending time outdoors, especially biking and hiking, with my husband, Ozzie, and my two sons, Julian and Antonio.

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  Giselle Schipper

  Instructor/Personal Trainer

  Giselle loves to teach an energetic class by incorporating classical Pilates movements with strength and conditioning exercises. She enjoys educating her clients so that they develop an awareness of how the body moves; learn to appreciate what a gift the body is and how to keep it functioning in a healthy state. Along with being a Pilates instructor, Giselle is an ESA and IDEA Certified Fitness Instructor, Personal Trainer, and Barre Instructor. She also is a Certified Level 1 CrossFit Trainer, Certified CrossFit Kids Trainer, and has her CrossFit Mobility Trainer Certification. She has over two decades of work experience with Bethesda Corporate Fitness, Wellington Orthopedic and Sports Medicine, as well as 15 years’ experience as a gymnastics instructor. She left her career as a Med. Tech with Tri-Health Hospitals, and switched paths to work in ministry as well as retail for several years. Giselle is currently completing her nursing degree, set to graduate in December 2017.

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  Heather Kiss

• Heather McKee

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  Jocelyn Carr

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  Joselyn Carreras-Hall

  Instructor

  I grew up in a health focused family. Both of my parents are doctors and I’ve danced my whole life. Over 15 years ago I walked into my first yoga class at Bally Total Fitness in Pittsburgh, PA. I was expecting my first son and needed a change from the high impact dance and step aerobics that had been a cornerstone of my fitness routine. After my first class I was hooked! Yoga became an integral part of my life. With yoga, I was able to find focus and calm in the midst of a very busy personal and professional life. I discovered Pilates after my second son was born and found the specialized targeting of those hard to reach muscles so beneficial. With my dance and yoga background, I can help students tap into the athleticism of mindful movement in order to achieve their individual goals. My hope is to help you restore your energy and have fun in the process.

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  Julia Gibson

  Instructor/Personal Trainer

  I have always played sports and been a fitness enthusiast. Pilates was added to my fitness routine over seven years ago after the birth of my second child with the intention of regaining my core strength. Pilates has done that for me, but it's also given me so much more. Pilates not only helped me stay injury-free through twelve half marathons, but it has continually improved my performance. In the 2016 Queen Bee Half Marathon I finished first in my age group for the very first time. My passion for Pilates and health/fitness led me to complete my teacher training certification so I could share this experience with others. I love that Pilates is a strength-training workout that is unbiased--anyone can do it, at any age. I love to challenge all of my students, regardless of their skill level and watch them get stronger and see the pride and physiological change they experience. And finally, beyond the health and physical gains that Pilates has given me, what's equally if not more important, is that it is mine. It gives me the opportunity to get away from life's stresses and responsibilities and invest in myself. I think everyone should find a means to support not only in their health but in keeping themselves mentally and emotionally whole, and Pilates is unique in its ability to do all of that, and more.

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  Katie Shaver

  Instructor

  I have been into fitness for most of my life, lifting, running, and many of the newest fitness trends through the years. I discovered Pilates while attending college at Miami University and immediately fell in love with it. In 2007 I received my certification through Pendleton Pilates in Cincinnati and have been instructing ever since. I have received training from Pilates pros such as Lolita San Miguel, Jullian Littleford, Mary Ann Briggs and Leslee Bender. I love the benefits that Pilates provides to a wide variety of clients, whether it’s an athlete looking to build strength and mobility, individuals exploring exercise for the first time, a new mom looking to rebuild her core strength, or someone looking to supplement their current exercise program. I have experienced the personal benefits of Pilates in my running as it’s enabled me to avoid injury and improve my speed. I practiced the method through all three of my pregnancies and experienced very quick recovery. My clients include cyclists, runners, golfers, equestrians, dancers, and those recovering from a variety of injuries and surgeries including spine, knee and shoulder. An individual’s quality of life is enhanced when his or her core muscles are strong and used correctly, when the spine is in alignment, and he or she has flexibility and body awareness. Pilates does all of this. When I’m not teaching I’m serving on the worship team at my church, volunteering at my kids’ school and spending time with my husband Jeff and kids, Raelyn, Nora, and Lewie.

• Kelly Hock

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  Kim Dawes

  Instructor

  Kim teaches our Restor-i-lates. More about Kim to come...

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  Madison Aruri

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  Nora Kirsh

  Instructor/Personal Trainer

  Nora has enjoyed exercise and the arts just about her whole life. She participated and competed in ice skating at a young age and continued through High School. She complemented her ice skating with ballet and cross country running. As an adult, she earned a Master Degree in Teaching Hearing Impaired and taught in Cincinnati Public Schools for many years. Currently, Nora has certifications in Pilates Reformer, Pilates Mat, Mad Dogg Spinning and AEA Fitness (Aquatic Exercise Association) and is in the process of attaining her Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT200 hour) Certification. Nora has run 5ks, 10ks, Half Marathons and a Marathon. She loves to downhill ski, snowshoe, workout/yoga, travel, walk her dogs, knit, watch various TV series and spend time with her husband and her daughter and son (who are amazing grownup kids who live out of town). Nora enjoys teaching exercise and emphasizes healthy, safe techniques that involve good breath control and stress release.

• Susannah Dias

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  Valerie Shah

  Instructor/Personal Trainer

  After working with my own personal trainer, I became inspired to become a personal trainer myself. Four years ago I became an ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) certified personal trainer. I wanted to try other areas of fitness, so I tried Pilates and immediately fell in love. After exploring many aspects of the fitness field I decided I wanted to focus on teaching balance and strength classes. I teach Pilates and also teach a Balance class at the Otterbein Y. Having core and overall strength is important at all ages to prevent falls and stay mobile. I enjoy supporting and encouraging people with their physical health.