Club Pilates

Bios

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  Erin

  Lead Instructor After years of competitive swimming and a motorcycle accident, Erin discovered Pilates when years of therapy and medications were not working with shoulder and cervical injuries. Learning to use smaller muscles in conjunction with the larger ones, pilates helped relieve her pain and taught her how to exercise and functionally move in a more balanced form. In just a few weeks, Pilates became life changing to Erin. As an elementary school teacher for 13 years, Erin chose to leave the field to become a pilates instructor. She knew this passion was a path she wanted to share with others. Erin practiced classical pilates for 5 years and finished her pilates education with a more contemporary program through Balanced Body in 2009. She has been teaching for 9 years and enjoys clients of all levels and ages. As an energetic instructor, she guides them through a progressive, but challenging program that helps clients bring awareness of the functional movements that pilates incorporates. Erin completed her comprehensive Pilates from Balanced Body as well as earning a B.A. in Elementary Education and a M.A. in Educational Administration. In her spare time, she enjoys her own Pilates practice as well as spending time with her husband and her three boys and their many activities.

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  Mary Ellen

  Lead Instructor

  Lead Instructor Mary Ellen is an ACE certified Group Fitness Instructor, Physical Mind certified Pilates Instructor, and a Registered Nurse. Formerly an OR nurse, she has been in the fitness industry since 1990 with 15 years as Group Fitness Director and continuing education provider. Mary Ellen teaches multiple formats and holds multiple certifications including: complete Pilates equipment and mat Pilates, Ballet Burn, Indoor Cycle, Might Body suspension system, and more. Mary Ellen is an expert in musicality and her philosophy is that fitness should be fun. She specializes in using the synchronicity of music and movement to create the ultimate user experience for every class.

• Jennifer

  Jennifer started doing Pilates in the early aughts, but found developing a practice difficult due to the prohibitive cost of reformer classes. Then came Club Pilates! When the Highland Park studio opened in 2017, she found her happy place. Shortly after becoming a member, she enrolled in the Club Pilates Teacher Training program, and began teaching in October, 2018. Jennifer's 30 years of experience as a high school English teacher, in addition to a life-long commitment to fitness and wellness, assists her in her instruction. She is grateful to be a part of Janet’s team and the beautiful community Club Pilates creates. She is inspired every day by the commitment of our clients and Club Pilates' inclusive vision for the art and science of Pilates.

• Laura

  Laura first started practicing Pilates in 2002 after suffering from low back problems. A strong core combined with the elongation that Pilates provides hooked her many years ago and has been a crucial piece in alleviating the low back pain that she once suffered from. Laura has always been very physically active and continued to practice pilates throughout both of her pregnancies and postpartum as well. Laura began her certification process during her 2nd pregnancy and resigned from her 15 year long career as an Elementary School Teacher shortly after receiving her Pilates certification from Balanced Body Education in 2015. Laura’s teaching background really lends itself to communicating effectively with her clients during sessions. She caters workouts appropriately for her clients’ varying levels and she can differentiate accordingly in larger group sessions. She is very precise with her cueing technique and wants all of her clients to leave their session feeling strong, challenged and accomplished. Laura especially loves working with pre and post natal clients in order to help them keep their core strong throughout pregnancy, during delivery and postpartum.

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  Sarah

  Sarah started Pilates fall of 2017 with the early morning crew at Club Pilates in Chicago. She found that Pilates really agreed with her body. She fell for the proprioceptive awareness that Pilates encourages, the strength it gave her and mostly the community that the studio provides. A long time ago Sarah had considered teaching group fitness but as it turns out she was waiting for the right fitness to teach! Summer of 2018 she realized it was Pilates so she enrolled in teacher training through Club Pilates. It was a bit of a mid-life crisis that made her sign up but she is now thrilled she did as she has found it to be an amazing journey, not only in learning to teach but also in helping others in the Club Pilates community deepen their practice and build their own strength from Pilates. Sarah is so happy to be a part of the team!

• Ed

  Ed (“Captain Ed”) is a Balanced Body Certified Pilates Instructor, ACSM Exercise Physiologist, and ACE-certified group fitness professional. Currently the Wellness/Fitness Assistant Coordinator, Class Coordinator, and Pilates Studio Manager for Federal Occupational Health, Ed has studied Shiatsu at the Ohashiatsu Institute, and is featured in the book “Invisible Acts of Power” by best-selling author Caroline Myss, Ph.D.

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  Kay

  Kay happened upon Pilates in 2005 when physical therapy failed to relieve chronic low back pain from a serious back injury and while trying to curtail pending knee surgery. She found that Pilates not only relieved her pain and decompressed her spine, but made her stronger and more confident. Kay has been teaching Pilates since 2010. She received her certification after completing the Village Pilates Studio Teacher Training Program in Forest Park, IL. It is among the most comprehensive and intensive programs of its kind in the world. It is designed with the most rigorous standards, requiring 750 hours of study and covering the complete classical repertoire of exercises on all apparatus. Kay is a member of the PMA and maintains her certification and membership through certified continuing education courses and workshops. Kay loves teaching and helping clients realize their fitness goals. She is empathic with those who are just beginning an exercise program or on the road to recover their physical strength. She also provides a challenging workout for those who wish to maintain or enhance their fitness level. Kay's greatest joy comes from helping you become your best.

• Werner

  Werner began his athletic career playing football until injuries in college and a year abroad started his training as a classical ballet dancer. Pilates became a great adjunct in keeping him strong and supple. He lived on Los Angeles for 11 years and taught aerobics and appeared in videos with Jane Fonda. Werner has extensive anatomical training which he use to provide a safe efficient and fun experience to his students.

• Mary

  Mary came to know Pilates about 20 years ago in the form of mat Pilates. While training for triathlons and the Chicago marathon she knew the importance of core strength. Unfortunately the pounding took effect and after 3 knee surgeries and 3 herniated discs in her low back she knew she had to step back and find new sources of fitness enjoyment. Mary found the Pilates reformer to help heal from the herniated discs and took 4 years of reformer classes. Realizing how much she enjoyed the mind/body experience of Pilates and yoga, Mary began her career in yoga and over the course of 2 years became 200RYT through Yogafit. While still enjoying the reformer, Mary decided to add to her yoga experience and became certified to teach Pilates. She is certified through PIA and Balanced Body. Mary finds true fulfilment in helping others find joy, balance and strength as they find union with their minds and bodies.