Blog - Pacific Northwest Pilates

Jennifer Baker

Instructor, Pacific NW Pilates

Jennifer first came to Pilates more than 20 years ago, when long hours at a desk left her looking for a way to ease pain and stiffness and feel stronger in her body. What began as a practical way to stay healthy became something much more personal after her experiences with chronic illness and recovery from a stroke in 2020. Pilates helped her rebuild confidence, reconnect with her body, and discover the steady progress that can come from moving with care and consistency.

That experience shapes the way Jennifer teaches today. She brings the same care and attention she has developed as a corporate attorney, along with a genuine desire to
help people feel comfortable, capable, and supported in their own bodies. She listens closely, notices the small details, and offers thoughtful guidance for clients who are new to Pilates, returning to movement, building strength, or continuing to grow in their practice.

Jennifer hopes each client leaves class feeling encouraged, a little more connected to themselves, and reminded that strength can be built one thoughtful movement at a time.

Training:

Certified STOTT PILATES® Instructor, Mat and Reformer Level 1

Erika Colgrove

Instructor, Pacific NW Pilates

Erika was first introduced to mat Pilates in 2005. She has been teaching Pilates since 2020 at various studios in Vancouver, WA. She received her full STOTT PILATES® Instructor certification in 2026, including the Injuries and Special Population course.

She enjoys helping newcomers learn the fundamentals just as much as she loves supporting advanced clients to progress and challenge themselves. Erika is passionate about helping people connect with their bodies and build positive relationships with movement.

Outside the studio, Erika works as a Program Manager for Providence. She’s a lifelong mover — you’ll find her in handstand workshops, aerial classes, Lagree, or lifting weights when she’s not taking or teaching Pilates. She lives in Vancouver with her husband, son, and two dogs, and loves spending time with friends and traveling whenever she gets the chance.

Training:

Fully Certified STOTT PILATES® on all equipment & all levels
Injuries and Special Populations course
Merrithew Fascial Movement Foundations Level 1

Keith Krystofolsky

Instructor, Pacific NW Pilates

Keith is a STOTT PILATES fully certified instructor for Mat and Reformer, an entrepreneur, and a former technology executive.

Originally from Pennsylvania, Keith studied at Franklin & Marshall College and the University of London, graduating with dual degrees in Experimental Psychology and Social Anthropology. Moving to NYC post-college, there he built a career as a technologist, leader in the retail industry, and men’s grooming entrepreneur before relocating to PDX in 2017.

Keith has always been an athlete of some sorts: running cross-country and track in high school, rowing in college, competing in triathlons and practicing functional fitness later in life. Keith discovered Pilates while treating injuries 2+ decades ago and has avidly been practicing since. A bit of a biomechanics nerd and systems thinker, Keith sees Pilates as a necessary movement system that unlocks deep body and biomechanical awareness. He delivers a no-nonsense and practical application of Pilates that helps clients heal, maintain, and build flexibility, stability, strength, and athleticism. Keith is driven to help expand the Pilates market to include more men’s health and wellness topics.

Training:

Certified STOTT PILATES® Instructor, mat and reformer all levels
Completed STOTT PILATES® Injuries & Special Populations Course

Pacific Northwest Pilates’ Self-Study Anatomy Video Library

Created by Pilates educator and physiotherapist Melanie Byford-Young, this self-paced anatomy video library is designed for movement professionals who want to build or refresh their understanding of functional anatomy.

Following the same workbook used in our Anatomy for Movement Professionals live-streamed course, it’s an excellent resource for students preparing for instructor training, reviewing anatomy after a course, or strengthening their understanding of movement at their own pace.

What You’ll Receive

29 on-demand anatomy video lessons
Lifetime access
Downloadable anatomy workbook
More than 3 hours of instructional content

Who Should Attend

Aspiring and certified movement professionals
Students preparing for STOTT PILATES® Intensive courses
Anyone looking to review or strengthen their anatomy knowledge

Purchase Price: $225

Learn More

Stay strong, mobile, and connected—no matter where you are—with our live, Zoom-based mat and yoga classes. These small-group sessions focus on core strength, posture, flexibility, and balance, and include a variety of class types: beginner-to-intermediate Pilates, yoga for grounding and mobility, strength-based conditioning, and even specialized offerings for conditions like Parkinson’s disease. All classes are taught by experienced instructors who offer personalized feedback, clear cueing, and movement modifications to support your goals.

What you’ll need:

A laptop, tablet, or phone set up so we can see your full body (lying down and standing)
A mat or soft surface for lying down, kneeling, and standing
Comfortable clothing you can move in
A theraband or strap, small weights (or cans), a mini stability ball, a towel, and a pillow for support

Need props? Ask us about where to purchase toning balls and resistance bands.

Our mat-based Therapeutic Pilates classes are designed for individuals managing chronic tension, postural imbalances, or movement restrictions—especially in the neck, shoulders, and upper back. These gentle, targeted sessions help unwind tight areas, activate key stabilizing muscles, and restore more ease and control to your daily movement. Classes are paced thoughtfully and led by experienced instructors who offer modifications and support throughout.

What you’ll need:

A computer, laptop, or smartphone set up so your instructor can see your full body lying down
A mat or cushioned surface for lying, kneeling, and arm movement
Comfortable clothing you can move in
A theraband (or strap), pillow, towel, mini stability ball, and a chair, ottoman, or block to support seated positions
A small hand weight (or can of soup) and an optional small ball for added challenge

Prerequisites:

Participants should have some prior movement experience (e.g., Pilates, physical therapy homework) and be able to move independently between floor and standing positions. These classes are not suitable for individuals in acute pain or with active nerve/disc issues—please contact the studio to schedule a private session for more individualized support.

Take your Pilates practice to the next level from the comfort of your home with our live, Zoom-based Reformer classes. Designed for healthy, experienced clients, these intermediate-level sessions build on the STOTT PILATES® repertoire with creative variations that challenge strength, balance, and coordination. You’ll move through a range of positions—lying down, sitting, kneeling, and standing—to build mobility, control, and endurance in a fun, engaging workout.

What you’ll need:

A Pilates Reformer with a box and jumpboard
A laptop, tablet, or phone set up so your full body is visible during movement
Comfortable clothing and a space where you can lie down, kneel, and stand safely
Small props, including a theraband, mini stability ball, toning balls or hand weights, and a towel or pillow for support

Our instructors provide clear cueing, thoughtful progressions, and personalized feedback to help you get the most out of each session—even from afar.

Our Quickstart Series is the perfect way to begin group classes at Pacific Northwest Pilates—especially if you’re new to Pilates or new to the equipment. This four-week program meets twice a week in a small, supportive group, giving you plenty of guidance as you learn the basics.

Over the course of 8 sessions, a certified instructor will teach you the fundamental building blocks of Pilates and introduce you to more than 30 beginner Reformer exercises. Each week builds gradually on the last, so you’ll have time to practice what you’ve learned and feel confident before adding something new.

You’ll learn:

How to set up and adjust the Pilates Reformer for your body
Simple, effective exercises that build strength, mobility, and core control
Better movement patterns to support healthy joints and reduce stiffness
How to use small props to make exercises easier or more challenging

This series is ideal for people who are generally healthy and don’t need extensive one-on-one support. By the end, you’ll feel comfortable with the equipment and ready to join our beginner and beginner/intermediate group Reformer classes.

A private session is required before enrolling so we can get to know you, learn about your goals, and make sure the Quickstart Series is the right fit.

Learn More

Our in-studio Therapeutic Pilates classes are ideal for individuals managing chronic pain, recovering from injury, or living with conditions such as hypermobility, arthritis, or joint instability.

With a maximum of six participants, these small-group sessions provide the structure and individual attention needed to safely exercise in a group setting. Each class includes Reformer-based movement along with sitting and standing exercises to build core strength, stability, and mobility. Modifications are provided throughout, and clients receive personalized suggestions or simple home exercises to support progress between sessions.

These classes are open to those who have completed at least one private session and can move independently between positions and tolerate 60 minutes of light activity.

Our in-studio Reformer classes deliver a personalized Pilates experience in a small-group format with a maximum of six participants. With nearly 20 classes offered weekly, there’s something for everyone—whether you’re new to Pilates, building on the basics, or ready for an advanced challenge.

We offer beginner and beginner/intermediate classes that focus on core strength, postural awareness, joint support, and mobility using thoughtful pacing and props. Intermediate and advanced classes are designed to improve strength, coordination, balance, and endurance through dynamic sequences, creative variations, and multi-plane movement. Some classes incorporate the Tower or V2 Max to add variety and standing work, while others are tailored to older adults or those returning from injury.

All classes are rooted in STOTT PILATES® principles and guided by expert instructors who emphasize form, technique, and progressive improvement.

Alix Sklarew

Instructor, Pacific NW Pilates

Alix is a Physical Therapist and specialist in STOTT PILATES-based rehabilitation. She received her doctorate in Physical Therapy from California State University Northridge in 2018.

She started her career in movement as a dancer first and was always fascinated about how the body was able to create all these beautiful shapes. This is the basis for her treatments, always coming up with new and thoughtful ways to not only describe how an exercise or movement should look but how it should feel. She believes that the intention behind a movement is the key to a healthy body. This approach has shown to help navigate through complex issues that have not responded well to conventional treatments.

Alix loves to work with clients of varying backgrounds and goals. She takes specific interest in those with complex injuries and multiple system dysfunctions.

Training:

STOTT PILATES Mat and Reformer Courses
STOTT PILATES Rehab Mat and Reformer Courses
Doctorate in Physical Therapy
Visceral Manipulation Level 1
CranioSacral Therapy Level 1
Herman and Wallace Women’s Pelvic Health Certified
Vestibular Rehabilitation Certified
Merrithew Fascial Movement Foundations

Spinal, Pelvic & Scapular Stabilization: Reformer (RR1)

The Rehab Reformer Level 1 (RR1) course introduces the biomechanical principles of STOTT PILATES® and their application to modified exercises on the Reformer. This course focuses on stabilizing the lumbo-pelvic region and shoulder girdle, emphasizing their role in rehabilitation and injury prevention. Typically, courses are conducted over three days.

What You’ll Learn

Review of STOTT PILATES® Biomechanical Principles
Identification of proper execution and movement patterns
Effective verbal cueing and imagery
Clinical problem-solving using the STOTT PILATES® method
Application to spinal, pelvic, and scapular conditions
Over 60 Reformer exercises plus multiple modifications

Prerequisites

Students may begin with RR1; however, it is highly recommended that they complete the RM1 course first.

Course Requirements for Certification

18 hours of instruction and supervised teaching
6 hours of observation
10 hours of physical review
10 hours of practice teaching
Total: 44 hours

Course Cost: $1056 + course materials

ZEN•GA® Instructor Foundation Course, Equipment

Discover the unique benefits of spring resistance training with the ZEN•GA Instructor Foundation Course, Equipment. This course blends Pilates, yoga, martial arts, and meditation to create a fluid, resilient body while enhancing strength, mobility, and stability. Using the Reformer, you’ll explore how coiling and uncoiling movement patterns can improve fascial health, promote ease of motion, and develop a deeper mind-body connection.

What You’ll Learn

The four ZEN•GA Mindful Movement principles
Experiential Reformer exercises reinforcing these principles
Introduction to fascial fitness and its benefits
Understanding biotensegrity and the neuromyofascial web
Myofascial Meridian exercises to enhance movement efficiency

Prerequisites

Recommended for fitness and movement professionals (Pilates, yoga, dance, or other mind-body disciplines)

Course Requirements for Qualification

7 hours of instruction

Who Should Attend

Pilates instructors, yoga teachers, personal trainers
Movement therapists and mind-body practitioners
Anyone interested in fascial-based Reformer training

Course Cost: $425 + course materials

ZEN•GA® Instructor Foundation Course, Mat

Explore the fusion of Pilates, yoga, martial arts, and meditation with the ZEN•GA Instructor Foundation Course, Mat. This course teaches mindful movement principles that help improve strength, mobility, stability, and endurance while enhancing physical awareness and relaxation. Using breath, support, yield, and flow, you’ll learn how to stimulate the fascial system, promote fluid movement, and integrate fascial fitness concepts into your practice.

What You’ll Learn

The four ZEN•GA Mindful Movement principles
Experiential Mat exercises reinforcing these principles
Introduction to fascial fitness and its benefits
Understanding biotensegrity and the neuromyofascial web
Myofascial Meridian exercises to improve movement efficiency

Prerequisites

Recommended for fitness and movement professionals (Pilates, yoga, dance, or other mind-body disciplines)

Course Requirements for Qualification

7 hours of instruction

Who Should Attend

Pilates instructors, yoga teachers, personal trainers
Movement therapists and mind-body practitioners
Anyone interested in mindful movement and fascia-based training

Course Cost: $400 + course materials

Merrithew® Fascial Movement Foundation Course

Gain a deeper understanding of fascia and its role in movement with the Merrithew Fascial Movement Foundation Course, Level 1. Designed for fitness, therapy, and medical professionals, this course explores the latest research on the neuromyofascial system and provides movement-based strategies to enhance mobility, stability, and overall function. Learn to integrate fascial movement variables—including Bounce, Sense, Expand, and Hydrate—into various movement modalities such as Pilates, yoga, dance, athletic conditioning, and rehabilitation.

What You’ll Learn

Identify the components of fascia and its role in movement
Understand tensegrity and its relevance to biomechanics
Apply fascial movement variables to different training methods
Develop programs that enhance fascial health for clients at all levels

Prerequisites

Solid understanding of functional anatomy and biomechanics

Course Requirements for Certification

16 hours of instruction

Who Should Attend

Pilates instructors, yoga teachers, personal trainers
Movement therapists, rehabilitation professionals, manual therapists
Fitness professionals looking to integrate fascial training into their practice

Course Cost: $985 + course materials

PNWP Pilates Immersion Package

Coming Soon!

Enhance your instructor training with personalized support designed to help you build confidence, refine movement, and get a head start on the curriculum.

This package is available only to students who have registered for a STOTT PILATES® course at PNWP and can be purchased at any time while completing your training.

What’s Included:

✔ Five Personalized Individual Sessions – Work one-on-one with a PNWP instructor (online or in-person) to refine movement, focus on course material, and receive personalized guidance on specific exercises.
✔ Three On-Demand Practice Classes – Gain access to three 50-minute video-on-demand sessions led by PNWP’s Instructor Trainer team. This includes two mat-based classes and one reformer class, designed to help you practice independently while hearing expert cueing, experiencing proper movement flow, and reinforcing key concepts from your training.
✔ BONUS: STOTT PILATES® Basic Principles Class – A specialized video-on-demand session focused on fundamental principles, ensuring you hear expert cueing and corrections essential for building a strong foundation as a Pilates instructor.

Terms of Use:

This package is only available to students actively enrolled in a STOTT PILATES® course at PNWP.
Sessions must be scheduled directly with PNWP and used within 60 days of purchase.
On-demand class access will be provided upon purchase.
This package is non-refundable and non-transferable.

Take advantage of this opportunity to deepen your understanding, accelerate your progress, and set yourself up for success in your Pilates career!

Course Cost: TBD

Pacific Northwest Pilates’ Anatomy for Movement Professionals: Essential Foundations

Created by Pilates educator and physiotherapist Melanie Byford-Young, this interactive 20-hour live-streamed course provides a strong foundation in anatomy for Pilates instructors, yoga teachers, personal trainers, and movement professionals. Understanding anatomical language, movement principles, and body systems is essential for effective teaching and movement assessment. This course delivers practical, movement-focused knowledge that applies directly to biomechanics and movement coaching.

What You’ll Learn

Anatomical terminology – positions, movements, bones, joints, and muscles
Body systems interaction – with a focus on myofascial structure and movement control
Muscle function and coordination – how muscles work together and counterbalance each other
Applied learning – quizzes, movement labs, and study resources to support different learning styles

Who Should Attend

Aspiring and certified movement professionals
Students preparing for STOTT PILATES® Intensive courses
Anyone looking for a practical, movement-focused anatomy course
Those seeking a refresher or simply curious about how the body moves

Course Requirements

20 hours of live-streamed instruction
Temporary access to the live Zoom recordings throughout the course. Recordings of each live-streamed weekend are available during the course, allowing you to review key concepts, reinforce your notes, or catch up on any content you were unable to attend live. You’ll also have access to the complete course recordings for two weeks after the course concludes.

Designed to be engaging and accessible, this course equips you with the anatomical knowledge needed to confidently assess, cue, and guide movement in any fitness or wellness setting. Temporary access to the Zoom recordings throughout the course and for two weeks afterward gives you the flexibility to review key concepts, reinforce your learning, and complete your notes.

Course Cost: $600 (includes course workbook)

Note: Other recommended materials need to be purchased separately — inquire for more details.

Injuries & Special Populations (ISP) – Specialized Training

The STOTT PILATES® Injuries & Special Populations (ISP) course provides you with the knowledge and skills to safely adapt Pilates programming for clients with physical challenges. Please note that this course does not prepare instructors to diagnose, treat, or prescribe exercises without consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.

Completion of ISP is required for full STOTT PILATES certification.

What You’ll Learn

The Pilates instructor’s role in the rehabilitation process
Industry standards for client screening and safe programming for special populations
The three-level muscle classification system and its application
A rehabilitative approach based on current models of joint stability
How to assess and address optimal and dysfunctional biomechanical patterns
Common injuries and conditions encountered in Pilates settings
Exercise progressions and modifications for various injuries and special populations
Programming strategies for clients with specific conditions

Course Details

Approaches to rehabilitation of the musculoskeletal system
Anatomy, biomechanics, dysfunctions, and pathologies related to the:
Lumbo-pelvic, cervical, upper quadrant, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, ankle, and foot regions
Special conditions, including pregnancy and fibromyalgia
Modifications for Matwork, Reformer, Cadillac, Stability Chair™, and Barrels

Certification Requirements

24 hours of instruction
No additional physical review, observation, or practice teaching required

Prerequisites

Students must have completed at least one of the following:

Intensive Mat-Plus (IMP)
Intensive Reformer (IR)
Comprehensive Matwork & Reformer (CMR)

Course Cost: $1505 + course materials

Advanced Cadillac, Chair & Barrels (ACCB) – Level 2 Courses (Can be taken as modules)

Take your equipment-based training to the next level with Advanced-level exercises on the Cadillac, Stability Chair™, and Barrels.

This modular course allows you to complete each component—Advanced Cadillac (ACAD), Advanced Stability Chair (ACHR), and Advanced Barrels (ABRL)—separately or consecutively. Completion of all three modules is required for certification.

What You’ll Learn

56 Advanced exercises across the Cadillac, Stability Chair™, and Barrels
Muscular initiation and sequencing of Advanced-level exercises
Multiple variations to increase challenge, intensity, and movement variety

Course Breakdown

Advanced Cadillac (ACAD)

Duration: 6 hours (one day)
Learn: 28 Advanced-level Cadillac exercises, plus modifications for highly conditioned clients.
Continuing Education Credits (CECs): STOTT PILATES – 0.6

Advanced Stability Chair™ (ACHR)

Duration: 3 hours (one day)
Learn: 14 Advanced-level Stability Chair™ exercises, plus modifications for highly conditioned clients.
CECs: STOTT PILATES – 0.3

Advanced Barrels (ABRL)

Duration: 3 hours (one day)
Learn: 14 Advanced-level exercises using the Ladder Barrel, Spine Corrector, and Arc Barrel, plus modifications for highly conditioned clients.
CECs: STOTT PILATES – 0.3

Prerequisites

Completion of Essential and Intermediate (Level 1) courses for each respective piece of equipment.

Note: ACCB is offered over 3 days, and students with respective level 1 prerequisites can attend each module (ACAD, ACHR, ABRL) independently.

ACAD Course Cost: $530 + course materials

ACHR Course Cost: $265 + course materials

ABRL Course Cost: $265 + course materials

Intensive Cadillac (ICAD) – Level 1 Cadillac Course

This 25-hour course, held over five days, builds on your industry knowledge and prior training in Matwork (IMP) or Reformer (IR). You’ll learn to design and lead Essential and Intermediate workouts using 125 Cadillac exercises, incorporating specialized spring resistance, bars, and trapeze work to support and challenge clients across all fitness levels.

What You’ll Learn

Essential and Intermediate exercises on the Cadillac/Trapeze Table
How to integrate Cadillac exercises into full-body workouts or as a complement to Mat and Reformer routines
Proper use of the Roll-Down Bar, Push-Thru Bar, Trapeze, and Leg & Arm Springs
Biomechanics, alignment, cueing, and corrections for safe and effective movement execution
How to apply the STOTT PILATES Biomechanical Principles to exercise modifications and variations
Safety guidelines and best practices for working with a range of clients

Prerequisites

Completion of Intensive Matwork (IMP) or Intensive Reformer (IR)

Certification Requirements

25 hours of instruction and supervised teaching
10 hours of observation
15 hours of physical review
10 hours of practice teaching
Total: 60 hours

Course Cost: $1180 + course materials

Intensive Barrels (IBRL) – Level 1 Barrels Course

This 10-hour course, held over two days, builds on your industry knowledge and prior training in Matwork (IMP) or Reformer (IR). You’ll learn to design and lead Essential and Intermediate workouts using the Ladder Barrel, Spine Corrector, and Arc Barrel. These tools help support the spine, improve mobility, and target both core and peripheral muscle groups, making them valuable additions to any training program.

What You’ll Learn

STOTT PILATES Biomechanical Principles applied to Barrel exercises
Essential and Intermediate repertoire for the Arc Barrel, Spine Corrector, and Ladder Barrel
Movement essence and exercise goals to ensure proper execution and muscle activation
Spinal support strategies for flexion, lateral flexion, and extension
How to incorporate Barrels into full-body workouts and adapt exercises for different body types, postural issues, and conditions
Effective cueing and communication techniques for client motivation and performance enhancement

Prerequisites

Completion of Intensive Matwork (IMP), or Intensive Reformer (IR)

Certification Requirements

10 hours of instruction and supervised teaching
5 hours of observation
10 hours of physical review
5 hours of practice teaching
Total: 30 hours

Course Cost: $500 + course materials

Intensive Stability Chair™ (ICHR) – Level 1 Chair Course

This 15-hour course, held over three days, builds on your industry knowledge and prior training in Matwork (IMP) or Reformer (IR), teaching you how to design and lead Essential and Intermediate Stability Chair workouts. The Stability Chair offers a versatile, full-body challenge, helping clients improve core strength, stability, and mobility in a variety of positions, from standing and sitting to prone and side-lying.

What You’ll Learn

Functional exercises that develop core strength against spring resistance
STOTT PILATES Biomechanical applied to Stability Chair exercises
Movement essence and exercise goals for proper execution and muscle activation
Strategies to enhance core stability, peripheral strength, and mobility using one piece of equipment
Split-pedal variations to challenge bilateral, unilateral, and reciprocal strength and stability
Cues and corrections for safety and effectiveness

Prerequisites

Completion of Intensive Matwork (IMP) or Intensive Reformer (IR)

Certification Requirements

15 hours of instruction and supervised teaching
5 hours of observation
10 hours of physical review
10 hours of practice teaching
Total: 40 hours

Course Cost: $760 + course materials

Advanced Reformer (AR) – Level 2 Reformer Course

This 18-hour course, held over three days, builds on Essential and Intermediate Reformer training, introducing advanced exercises designed to challenge strength, stability, flexibility, endurance, and coordination. Using various Reformer components and accessories, you’ll learn how to create progressive workouts for athletes, dancers, and highly conditioned clients, ensuring continual growth and preventing plateaus.

Why Take the Advanced Reformer Course? You’ll learn:

Multi-planar, multi-system training – Develop dynamic, full-body strength and control.
Greater intensity, endurance, and flexibility – Push clients beyond intermediate levels with advanced movement patterns.
Progressions and regressions – Adapt exercises for different abilities while maintaining challenge and engagement.
Interconnected system – Advanced Reformer principles complement other advanced coursework, such as Advanced Matwork (AM) and Intensive Chair (ICHR), enhancing programming versatility.
Keep clients progressing – Avoid stagnation and offer high-level challenges to keep individuals and groups engaged.

What You’ll Learn

Muscular initiation and sequencing for Advanced-level exercises
Multiple variations to increase variety and intensity
70 Advanced Reformer Exercises

Prerequisites

Completion of Intensive Reformer (IR)

Course Cost: $890 + course materials

Advanced Matwork (AM) – Level 2 Matwork Course

This six-hour course, held over one day, advances your knowledge beyond Essential and Intermediate Matwork, introducing multi-planar and multi-system exercises that demand greater strength, endurance, balance, and coordination. Designed for instructors working with highly conditioned clients, this course helps you create progressive, engaging, and challenging workouts that keep clients moving forward.

Why Take Advanced Matwork?

Multi-planar, multi-system movement – Enhance strength, endurance, and control with dynamic, full-body exercises.
Progressions and regressions – Every exercise can be adapted, allowing you to challenge a wide range of clients.
Interconnected system – Advanced Matwork relates to and enhances skills learned in other courses, such as Intensive Chair (ICHR).
Prevent client plateaus – Help individuals and groups continue progressing beyond the Intermediate level with fresh challenges.

What You’ll Learn

Muscular initiation and sequencing for Advanced-level exercises
Multiple variations to increase variety and intensity
13 Advanced Matwork exercises

Prerequisites

Completion of Intensive Matwork (IMP)

Course Cost: $385 + course materials

Intensive Reformer (IR) – Level 1 Reformer Course

The Intensive Reformer (IR) course is designed for fitness and movement professionals looking to enhance their skills in Pilates Reformer training. Conducted over 3 weeks or 4 weekends, this course teaches you how to design and lead Level 1 Essential and Intermediate STOTT PILATES® Reformer classes in both personal and group training settings.

By the end of the course, you will have a strong foundation in Reformer-based movement principles and the skills to create effective, engaging, and results-driven Pilates Reformer programs.

What You’ll Learn

STOTT PILATES® Biomechanical Principles – the foundation of safe, effective movement
Essential, Intermediate, and Power workouts
Using the Reformer to improve core stability, strength, joint stability, flexibility, balance, and coordination
Effective cueing, communication, and observation skills
How to analyze posture and modify exercises for different body types and conditions
Layering exercises for progressive program design
Incorporating resistance equipment to support and intensify exercises
Creating workouts for personal and group training

Prerequisites

A foundation in anatomy and movement is required. If you need to fulfill this prerequisite, PNWP’s Anatomy for Movement Professionals, Professional Movement Package and Pilates Immersion Package for Students can help you prepare for this course.
While IR may be taken before Intensive Mat Plus (IMP), we recommend completing IMP first for a more comprehensive learning experience.

Course Requirements for Certification

50 hours of instruction and supervised teaching
10 hours of observation
40 hours of physical review
25 hours of practice teaching
Total: 125 hours

Course Cost: $2165 + course materials

Intensive Mat Plus (IMP) – Level 1 Matwork Course

The Intensive Mat Plus (IMP) course is designed for individuals with a background in anatomy and movement. Offered in either a 2-week format or 3 weekends, this course teaches you how to design and lead Level 1 Essential and Intermediate STOTT PILATES® Matwork classes for a variety of clients.

By the end of the course, you will have a strong foundation in Pilates principles and the skills to create effective, engaging, and motivating Matwork programs.

What You’ll Learn

STOTT PILATES® Biomechanical Principles – the foundation of safe, effective movement
Essential, Intermediate, and Power workouts
Variations using Flex-Band®, Fitness Circle®, and Arc Barrel
Effective cueing, communication, and observation skills
How to analyze posture and modify exercises for different body types and conditions
Layering exercises for progressive program design
Creating workouts for personal and group training

Prerequisites

A foundation in anatomy and movement is required. If you need to fulfill this prerequisite, PNWP’s Anatomy for Movement Professionals, Professional Movement Package, and Pilates Immersion Package for Students can help you prepare for this course.

Course Requirements for Certification

40 hours of instruction and supervised teaching
10 hours of observation
30 hours of physical review
15 hours of practice teaching
Total: 95 hours

Course Cost: $1505 + course materials

Peripheral Joint Stabilization: Cadillac, Chair & Barrels (RCCB2)

This course builds on RCCB1, focusing on stabilizing musculoskeletal structures through non-weight-bearing and weight-bearing movements. Learn to isolate joints while maintaining core stability, then progress clients toward functional, sport-specific exercises for improved alignment and mobility.

What You’ll Learn

Review of STOTT PILATES® Biomechanical Principles
Identifying proper execution and movement patterns
Effective verbal cueing and imagery
Clinical problem-solving using the STOTT PILATES® method
A focus on injuries of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle
Over 70 exercises plus multiple modifications

Prerequisites

RCCB1

Course Requirements for Certification

18 hours of instruction and supervised teaching
Minimum 10 hours of observation
Minimum 10 hours of physical review
Minimum 10 hours of practice teaching
Total: 48 hours

Course Cost: $1300 + course materials

Spinal, Pelvic & Scapular Stabilization: Cadillac, Chair & Barrels (RCCB1)

The Rehab Cadillac, Chair & Barrels Level 1 (RCCB1) course teaches you how to use varying resistance and support to optimize lumbo-pelvic and shoulder girdle stabilization, with a strong focus on injury prevention and rehabilitation. Typically, courses are conducted over four days.

What You’ll Learn

Review of STOTT PILATES® Biomechanical Principles
Identification of proper execution and movement patterns
Effective verbal cueing and imagery
Clinical problem-solving using the STOTT PILATES® method
A focus on spinal, pelvic, and scapular conditions
Over 70 exercises plus multiple modifications

Prerequisites

Rehab Mat Level 1 (RM1) + Rehab Reformer Level 1 (RR1)

Course Requirements for Certification

24 hours of instruction and supervised teaching
10 hours of observation
15 hours of physical review
10 hours of practice teaching
Total: 59 hours

Course Cost: $1465 + course materials

Peripheral Joint Stabilization: Reformer (RR2)

The Rehab Reformer Level 2 (RR2) course builds on the biomechanical and stabilization principles learned in RR1, introducing exercises designed to rehabilitate and prevent common injuries. This course emphasizes balancing and strengthening muscles around the joints to restore and maintain healthy movement patterns, with a strong focus on core stability and peripheral joint mobility. Typically, courses are conducted over three days.

What You’ll Learn

Review of STOTT PILATES® Biomechanical Principles
Identification of proper execution and movement patterns
Effective verbal cueing and imagery
Clinical problem-solving using the STOTT PILATES® method
A focus on injuries of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle
Over 35 Reformer exercises plus multiple modifications

Prerequisites

Rehab Reformer Level 1 (RR1)

Course Requirements for Certification

18 hours of instruction and supervised teaching
6 hours of observation
10 hours of physical review
10 hours of practice teaching
Total: 44 hours

Course Cost: $1056 + course materials

Peripheral Joint Stabilization: Matwork (RM2)

The Rehab Matwork Level 2 (RM2) course builds on the biomechanical and stabilization principles learned in RM1, introducing exercises designed to prevent and rehabilitate common injuries. This course emphasizes balancing and strengthening muscles around the joints to restore and maintain healthy movement patterns. A strong focus is placed on core stability while mobilizing the peripheral joints. Typically, courses are conducted over three days.

What You’ll Learn

Review of STOTT PILATES® Biomechanical Principles
Identification of proper execution and movement patterns
Effective verbal cueing and imagery
Clinical problem-solving using the STOTT PILATES® method
Application to injuries of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle
Over 25 exercises plus multiple modifications

Prerequisites

Rehab Matwork Level 1 (RM1)
Course Requirements for Certification
18 hours of instruction and supervised teaching
6 hours of observation
10 hours of physical review
10 hours of practice teaching
Total: 44 hours

Course Cost: $1056 + course materials

Spinal, Pelvic & Scapular Stabilization: Matwork (RM1)

The Rehab Matwork Level 1 (RM1) course teaches licensed healthcare professionals how STOTT PILATES® biomechanical principles apply to modified Matwork exercises. Using small props like balls, bands, and rollers, participants focus on stabilizing the lumbo-pelvic region and shoulder girdle for effective rehabilitation and injury prevention. This course runs over three days.

What You’ll Learn

Review of STOTT PILATES® Biomechanical Principles
Identification of proper execution and movement patterns
Effective verbal cueing and imagery
Clinical problem-solving using the STOTT PILATES® method
A focus on spinal, pelvic, and scapular conditions
Over 35 exercises plus multiple modifications

Prerequisites

The STOTT PILATES® Rehab program is for licensed and certified healthcare professionals. Please be prepared to attach a copy of your current license when applying. We accept applications from the following professionals:

Physical Therapists/Physiotherapists
Occupational Therapists
Chiropractors
Osteopaths
Medical or Sports Medicine Doctors
PTA & OTA Assistants
Professionals with a minimum of 2 years of full-time study from a certifying/licensing/degree-granting institution in anatomy, physiology, injury prevention, exercise prescription with clinical experience, who have been granted the right to assess, diagnose, treat, and prescribe exercise for the rehabilitation and/or prevention of injuries
Final-year health professional students

Course Requirements for Certification

18 hours of instruction and supervised teaching
6 hours of observation
10 hours of physical review
10 hours of practice teaching
Total: 44 hours

Course Cost: $1056 + course materials

Laura Foutz

Instructor, Pacific NW Pilates

Laura began her Pilates career in 2005 while dancing as a professional ballerina. In 2008, Laura became an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew®, specializing in STOTT PILATES®. She began teaching courses and private clients at Inspire Health, the STOTT PILATES Licensed Training Center in Atlanta, GA. In 2011, she moved to the outskirts of Nashville and opened her own studio. Now back in the Pacific Northwest and teaching private sessions, courses, and workshops; Laura continues to be passionate about educating and mentoring students and loves being a part of their respective journeys.

Training:

Certified STOTT PILATES Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair & Barrels
Certified Injuries and Special Populations
Merrithew Lead Instructor Trainer

Jewel Miller

Instructor, Pacific NW Pilates

Jewel is a STOTT PILATES® fully certified instructor on all equipment and all levels. She has worked in healthcare for more than 20 years and began seeking out Pilates training as a way to enhance her knowledge about moving in her own body in order to help those around her. Jewel believes that knowing how to confidently support our own bodies in movement is essential in optimizing one’s quality of life. She works with her clients to gain freedom of movement so they can feel good in their body and live their life to the fullest.

Training:

Fully Certified STOTT PILATES Instructor on all equipment & all levels
STOTT PILATES Injuries and Special Populations Course
STOTT PILATES Rehab Mat and Rehab Reformer Courses

Heather Hindes

Instructor, Pacific NW Pilates | Premier Instructor Trainer, STOTT PILATES®

Heather is a professional dancer, movement educator, and is certified in STOTT PILATES mat and reformer. Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, she started dancing at an early age and in 2014 graduated with a BA in Dance from Lindenwood University, where she studied a variety of movement styles. She has performed with multiple professional dance companies based in Portland and St. Louis and currently dances with The Holding Project.

Since relocating in 2016, she has worked with several non-profits bringing dance to lower-income families, with the mission to make dance more accessible for everyone. After a few injuries and a car accident, Heather found Pilates helped her recover and regain the mobility and strength to dance again. She realized the extent of Pilates beyond simply strength training: it could be used to better help people understand the proper biomechanics of their bodies and develop efficient movement patterns that can help release pain and discomfort in their everyday lives. With this, Heather devoted herself to a new mission to help strengthen the mind-body connection in her students, while exploring joy and freedom of movement.

She has spent the past 7 years teaching Pure Barre and dance and currently teaches at Rebel Fit Gym working with people with Parkinson’s Disease. She enjoys working with varied and differently-abled populations to help improve posture, strength, flexibility, range of motion, and confidence.

Training:

STOTT PILATES Certified – Mat and Reformer

Inga Tyrrell

Instructor, Pacific NW Pilates | Premier Instructor Trainer, STOTT PILATES®

Inga is STOTT PILATES fully certified instructor on all equipment and all levels.

In addition, Inga is a Physical therapist assistant with experience in rehab, manual therapy and currently works in home health for Adventist/ohsu medical system. Inga has worked with various populations and various medical conditions.

In 2020, Inga fell in love with Pilates for her own rehab and she is passionate about sharing her knowledge with others. She has a Bikram Yoga Certification since 2004, and has taught group and private lessons.

Training:

Fully Certified STOTT PILATES certification on all equipment and all levels
Injuries and special populations
Bikram yoga instructor
Physical Therapist assistant

Debra Hunt

Instructor, Pacific NW Pilates | Specialist Instructor Trainer, STOTT PILATES® and ZEN•GA™

Debra began her journey with STOTT PILATES® after experiencing 18 years of chronic pain from injuries sustained in a car accident. She immediately became fascinated with the STOTT PILATES method, realizing it was the only modality that actually worked to heal her body. Following rehabilitation, Debra attained Full Certification in 2005 and was promoted to Instructor Trainer in 2006. Her STOTT PILATES training is complemented by a background in dance and gymnastics. In 2016, Debra became a Merrithew® Lead IT.

Debra works with people in all states of health, wellness, recovery and restoration, including high-level athletes. She has worked with the touring cast of Cirque de Soleil’s Amaluna, as well as a number of professional athletes. In 2014 she began to travel annually to Korea to provide STOTT PILATES professional training for enthusiastic Korean students.

Debra revels in learning about new, innovative mind-body modalities, integral anatomy, and all things movement-related. This is exemplified by her enthusiasm and leadership in ZEN•GA®, Merrithew Fascial Movement, and other mindful movement modalities. She has been immersed in the study of fascia since 2009 and is consistently successful with client concerns, addressing complex dysfunction often through a fascial lens.

Training:

Fully Certified STOTT PILATES Instructor on all equipment and all levels
STOTT PILATES® Lead Instructor Trainer
ZEN•GA™ Instructor Trainer
Merrithew Fascial Movement Instructor Trainer

Katherine Brown

Instructor, Pacific NW Pilates | Lead Instructor Trainer, STOTT PILATES® and ZEN•GA™

Katherine has more than 10 years of experience teaching group classes and private clients of all backgrounds and abilities. Brown pursued her Pilates education at Pacific Northwest Pilates, Central YMCA Pilates Academy in London, England, and STOTT PILATES headquarters in Toronto, Canada. She holds certifications in Total Barre™ and ZEN•GA (Mat and Equipment), and a “Specialist” certification in Pilates for Athletic Conditioning. Brown believes Pilates is more than just exercise. It’s a way to improve how our bodies function in a lasting way, which can free us from pain and injury. She emphasizes correct biomechanics and heightened body awareness to help her clients create healthy patterns of moving and living.

Training:

Fully Certified STOTT PILATES Instructor on all equipment and all levels
STOTT PILATES® Lead Instructor Trainer
ZEN•GA™ Instructor Trainer

Lisa Buchmiller

Instructor, Pacific NW Pilates

Lisa Buchmiller began dancing at an early age at the Tri-Cities Academy of Ballet in Richland, WA. Classically trained in ballet, tap, and jazz, she performed with Mid-Columbia Ballet under the artistic direction of Debra Pearse Rogo.

In college, Lisa discovered her true passion: teaching movement and dance. Lisa is the co-creator of The Ellové Technique®, a certified personal trainer and yoga instructor. She has been teaching group exercises and training clients for over 20 years. In 2021 she began her STOTT PILATES® training at PNWP and became certified in 2022.

When working with clients individually or teaching a class, Lisa combines her expertise in many different disciplines to help her students and clients find joy in mindful movement.

Training:

Certified personal trainer since 2003 (ACE)
Certified yoga instructor (200-hour)
Mind/Body Specialist 2014 (ACE)
Orthopedic Exercise Specialist 2017 (ACE)
Certified STOTT PILATES® Mat and Reformer Level 1
STOTT PILATES® Advanced Mat and Advanced Reformer Course
STOTT PILATES® Cadillac, Chairs and Barrels Course
STOTT PILATES® Injuries and Special Populations Course

Shelly Burns

Instructor, Pacific NW Pilates

Shelly is a certified STOTT PILATES® instructor and is trained in all apparatuses and repertoires. Originally from Louisiana, she worked for many years in Dallas, TX as an academic medical librarian before relocating to Reno, NV. She has a background in dance and has been practicing STOTT PILATES since 2015 and teaching the method since 2019.

Shelly believes the value of Pilates lies in the attention to mind-body awareness and control, emphasis on postural alignment, and the use of breath to stabilize the core and drive movement. The versatility of Pilates, as well as the applicability to all bodies, ages, and experience levels ranging from post-rehab clients to elite athletes is what sets this method apart from other forms of exercise and makes it such a great option for everyone.

Trainings:

STOTT PILATES® Certified in Essential & Intermediate Mat & Reformer
STOTT PILATES® Trained in Advanced Mat & Reformer
STOTT PILATES® Trained in Essential, Intermediate & Advanced Cadillac, Chair & Barrels
STOTT PILATES® Injuries & Special Populations
Merrithew Fascial Movement Foundation Course
Functional Anatomy
Buff Bones Instructor – Osteoporosis and Bone Health
The Neuro Studio – Pilates for MS & Neurological Conditions
Balanced Body – CoreAlign Instructor Training 1: Foundations
Polestar Pilates – Scoliosis and Spinal Conditions Pilates Master Course

Martt Lawrence

Instructor, Pacific NW Pilates

Now in her 25th year of teaching Pilates, Martt Lawrence arrived in Portland in 2019 after spending over two decades working with dancers, athletes, and students of varying injuries in San Francisco. Originally certified in 1996 under classical teacher Carol Apel, Martt was re-certified in 2005 by Romana’s Pilates and Metropolitan Pilates under the tutelage of Master Teacher Dorothee VandeWalle at Metropolitan Pilates in Seattle.

In January 2006, Martt opened The Pilates Center of San Francisco inside the ODC Dance Commons which she owned and operated for nearly 14 years. In 2008, she became a certified Teacher-Trainer and her studio became a training center for Metropolitan Pilates apprentices. Martt’s teaching is informed by her movement experience as a former professional dancer with the Houston and Cincinnati Ballet companies as well as a professional modern dancer and choreographer in the SF Bay Area.

Prior to opening her Pilates studio, Martt taught Pilates at Golden Gate Pilates in San Francisco, Elément Pilates studio in Paris, France, and was the main Pilates Instructor at The San Francisco Ballet and San Francisco Ballet School from 2001-2006. In addition to teaching Pilates, Martt teaches yoga and was certified under Laughing Lotus, NYC, in 2010. She is grateful to have the opportunity to learn and share her skills at Pacific NW Pilates.

Elle Sevi

Instructor, Pacific NW Pilates

Elle Sevi was born and raised in Oahu, Hawaii where she began her dance training at a young age.

She went on to achieve her BFA from The Boston Conservatory majoring in Dance with an emphasis on Ballet Pedagogy. It was here at the Conservatory where she got introduced to Pilates as a way of cross-training and instantly fell in love.

Elle currently is a professional dancer and teacher in Portland, Oregon. She is passionate in helping clients reach their health and fitness goals. Elle enjoys teaching all ages and abilities and believes everyone can benefit from Pilates.

Training:

Fully Certified STOTT PILATES® Instructor on all equipment & all levels
STOTT PILATES Injuries and Special Populations Course
Certified Barre Above Instructor

Martha Lundberg

Instructor, Pacific NW Pilates

Martha Lundberg is a STOTT PILATES® Certified Instructor. Besides teaching healthy and injured clients, Martha is dedicated to working with cancer survivors, following her own breast cancer diagnosis in 2010. She found the mind-body connection instrumental to her recovery after treatment.

Martha has received training on all Pilates equipment and has taken multiple STOTT PILATES® Rehabilitation courses and Therapeutic Pilates Workshops. She also has certification as a Cancer Exercise Specialist and training in the Physical Activity and Lymphedema (PAL) Trial intervention.

Martha has a Master of Science in Public Health and a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy.

Meg Goldberg

Instructor, Pacific NW Pilates

Meg found Pilates as a way to work out shoulder and neck pain from climbing, swimming, and a desk job.

Pilates’ focus on core stability and alignment helped with her shoulder issues and as a way to cross-train for climbing, hiking, and other outdoor adventures. The mind-body connection was centering and a stress reliever.

Meg likes working with people and introducing them to and helping them integrate the benefits of Pilates into real-life situations. From her own Pilates practice, Meg knows how important it is to develop strength and flexibility in order to keep doing the activities we like to do.

Training:

Fully Certified STOTT PILATES® Instructor on all equipment & all levels
STOTT PILATES® Injuries and Special Populations Course

Amy Edmonson

Instructor, Pacific NW Pilates

Amy Edmonson is a certified STOTT PILATES® and MELT Method® instructor.

After living with chronic pain, both her physical therapist and chiropractor recommended Pilates as an exercise method. After committing to a consistent Pilates practice she noticed a reduction in
pain and flare-ups. The results, and the continued need to reduce work hours spent at a desk, inspired her to train as a Pilates instructor in 2012. While going through the instructor training at PNWP she was introduced to The MELT Method. MELT’s techniques simulate massage therapy and the specific moves on a soft roller help rebalance the nervous system. The method became a strong asset in pain reduction and a great compliment to the Pilates movement. Through her own experiences, Amy easily empathizes with others living with chronic pain and combines the methods of Pilates and MELT to reestablish the fluidity and balance of the body.

She loves to help develop clients’ understanding of how their bodies navigate and adapt to their way of life and how they can improve that adaptation by strengthening body awareness and creating better movement patterns.

Training:

STOTT PILATES® Certified in Level 1 Mat & Reformer
STOTT PILATES® Trained in Advanced Mat & Reformer
STOTT PILATES® Trained in Stability Chair, Cadillac, and Barrels
STOTT PILATES® Injuries and Special Populations Course
The MELT Method® Certified in Hand & Foot and Level 1 Soft Roller
ZEN•GA™ Mindful Movement Qualified Instructor

Gina Frabotta

Instructor, Pacific NW Pilates

Gina Frabotta received her Pilates Certification from The Physicalmind Institute in 2003 and earned her Pilates Method Alliance certification in 2016. She has an additional three years of experience teaching Pilates while studying Modern Dance at Ohio University where she received her bachelor’s degree. She has a wealth of experience working with different populations.

Over the years she has worked with professional athletes, swimmers, and dancers and has a long history of working with injuries; especially back injuries. She has focused her attention on working with pre/post-natal clients, seeing some of her clients through three pregnancies and beyond. Gina believes anyone can benefit from Pilates, hence her array of experience with varied populations. Her clients have ranged in age from 12 years old to 93!

She is also a certified Yoga Instructor and Personal trainer continually striving to expand on her knowledge to share with her clients. Gina’s caring approach and attention to detail help individuals realize their full potential. She is proficient in educating her clients on how to execute the movements with the precision necessary to gain maximum benefits, while at the same time exuding a passion for the joy of movement.

Training:

Certified PMA & Pilates Physicalmind Institute Instructor

Alix Sklarew, PT, DPT

Instructor, Pacific NW Pilates

My love for the human body and movement began while watching Gene Kelly dance on screen. Copying his movements in my living room led to an 18-year dance career, which further fueled my need to know how the human body moves. Now, as a STOTT PILATES® certified instructor and a Physical Therapist, it is my mission to develop the least invasive and most effective, yet comfortable combination of treatments to help my clients along any personal journey back to a healthy, happy, and moving body.

18 years of ballet and modern dance has given me a unique ability to step back and see the overall picture before delving into the details. This is important when treating any of my clients, as it helps to develop a more holistic approach. My education as a Physical Therapist gives me the ability to prioritize treatment of individual joint dysfunction and soft tissue restrictions, as well as integrate these changes into their system as a whole. I am happy to work with any client to rehab from injury, injury prevention, and return to sport.

I love working with patients of all different diagnoses and backgrounds, from those who suffer from chronic pain and significant disabilities to individuals working to return to their sport and their passion. I am particularly fueled by working with children as it allows me to be utilize more creativity and play in my treatment programs.

Training:

Certified STOTT PILATES® in Mat & Reformer
Vestibular Rehabilitation (Dizziness, Concussion, Vertigo)
Bachelor in Fine Arts in Dance Performance and Pedagogy from the Hartt School
Doctorate in Physical Therapy from California State University Northridge

Sue Brantley

Instructor, Pacific NW Pilates

Sue has been moving her entire life. Like many Pilates teachers, she was a contemporary dancer & choreographer who turned to Pilates and other practices because of injuries. Since retiring from dance, she has been studying yoga, Pilates, fascial fitness techniques, and somatic exercise, finding that combination transformative for her day-to-day practice.

She began this path in 1998, becoming a certified yoga teacher. After knee surgery, she turned to Pilates at the suggestion of her physical therapist. Once she got on a reformer, she never looked back, becoming a STOTT Pilates instructor in 2003. She’s been a full-time teacher ever since and has a great interest in using yoga and Pilates as therapeutic, rehabilitative tools. One of the greatest joys for her as a teacher is seeing people reclaim their bodies and find ease and comfort instead of pain and confusion.

Sue loves to teach students of varying levels and abilities. She creates an atmosphere of camaraderie and support among her students and has a warm demeanor as a teacher. While keeping the safety of each student in mind, she believes in gently encouraging each person along their own path of self-discovery. To read more about Sue, visit www.suebrantleyyoga.com.

Training:

Fully Certified STOTT PILATES® on all equipment and all levels
E-RYT (Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher) through the Yoga Alliance
Certified Essential Somatics Exercise Coach, Levels 1 and 2 through Essential Somatics
Certified Yoga for Scoliosis Instructor through Elise Browning Miller
STOTT PILATES® Rehab on the Mat and Reformer, Levels 1 and 2
STOTT PILATES® Injuries & Special Populations Course
STOTT PILATES® Fascial Movement Course Foundations
Self-Myofascial Release Techniques Course
Created “Back Care Basics for Everyone” DVD

Peggy O’Keefe

Instructor, Pacific NW Pilates

Peggy has been a STOTT certified Pilates instructor since 2008.

She has been teaching fitness classes of all different styles for the past 15 years. Peggy graduated from Moorhead State University in Moorhead, MN with a degree in Social Work. Her passion for working with people and improving their health and wellness led her into the field of fitness and pilates.

Peggy gets great joy and is truly inspired working with people who have the desire and the commitment to improve their physical well-being through pilates.

Training:

Certified STOTT PILATES® Instructor
STOTT PILATES® Injuries and Special Populations Course
The Better Bones and Balance Program
Buff Bones Program
Merrithew™ Fascial Movement Foundations
STOTT® Flexion-Free Certification for Clients w/Osteoporosis and Back Issues

Mandee Louie

Instructor, Pacific NW Pilates

Mandee holds a full certification in STOTT PILATESⓇ and has been teaching since 2011. She holds further certificates and has taken courses in Injuries & Special Populations, Zenga & Fascial Movement Foundations, Core Align, Hypermobility, specializes in Prenatal/Postpartum and Pelvic Floor, and is a Specialist in Pilates Based Education for Neurological Conditions (PMA). She has taken master courses with training in the cervical spine & whiplash, hip & knee replacements, and many, many more areas of specialty. Her goal is to help people live differently in their bodies to create a pain-free life of movement. In 2015, she left her corporate job as an apparel developer at Nike to pursue wellness full-time. You can read more about her story of moon-lighting as an Instructor and making the switch to full-time teaching here. Mandee has found deep joy in making her passion her lifestyle, and being able to share it with others brings her deep contentment, otherwise known as Santosha in Sanskrit, the ancient language of yoga. You can learn more about her at http://www.santoshapilates.com.

Training

Fully Certified STOTT PILATES® Instructor on all equipment & all levels
STOTT PILATES® Injuries and Special Populations Course
Merrithew™ Fascial Movement Foundations
Therapeutic Pilates: Hypermobility Course
PMA Specialist in Pilates-Based Education for Neurological Conditions
ZEN•GA™ Qualified Instructor
200 HR Yoga Alliance Cert and Iyengar Yoga training (Julie Lawrence)
Bachelor of Arts, Journalism & Spanish

Janet Nordlund

Instructor, Pacific NW Pilates

Janet was introduced to Pilates after a car accident that injured her spine in three places and left her in constant pain, deconditioned, and discouraged.

An avid athlete, movement enthusiast, and active mom she found recovery and a whole new way of moving and thriving through Pilates. She intentionally passes on what she has learned through her teachings with verbal clarity, creativity, enthusiasm, compassion, and hope. She enjoys working with clients of all ages, fitness levels, body types, and backgrounds and especially those brand new to Pilates or those recovering from injuries.

Janet is a Fully Certified Momentum Pilates Instructor and has been privileged to partner with her clients for their good health for 16 years now. She has worked at PNWP since 2008 and has taken multiple STOTT Pilates rehab courses. Janet grew up in Quito, Ecuador, and is fluent in Spanish and conversational in French.

Training:

Full certification Momentum Studios
STOTT PILATES® Injuries and Special Populations Course
Completed numerous weekend workshops related to knee, shoulder, pelvic, spine, and gait analysis
Anatomy Trains® Myofascial Meridians Workshop
ZENGA Workshops
Feldenkrais and Franklin Method

Briley Jozwiak

Instructor, Pacific NW Pilates

Briley is a classically trained ballet dancer currently working with Push/FOLD and The Holding Project in Portland, Oregon.

Dancing all her life — the past eight professionally with elite companies such as Atlanta Ballet and Nevada Ballet Theatre — Pilates has always been a cross-training tool she uses to increase her body awareness, power, and strength. She utilizes her background in dance and athleticism to expand her clients’ awareness of their own bodies helping them to achieve a greater degree of movement efficiency. Briley believes the mind-body connection practiced in Pilates can be transferred over into every aspect of life. She encourages her clients to work internally offering creative imagery and tactile cueing.

Briley loves teaching individuals of all ages and backgrounds seeking general conditioning, athletic training, injury prevention, or rehabilitation. She specializes in working with dancers and athletes and enjoys teaching future instructors.

Training:

Fully Certified STOTT PILATES® Instructor on all equipment & all levels
Completed TOTAL BARRE™ Course
Completed Merrithew™ Fascial Movement Foundation Course
Completed STOTT PILATES® Injuries and Special Populations Course

Holly Shaw

Instructor, Pacific NW Pilates | Instructor Trainer, STOTT PILATES® and Total Barre™

Holly Shaw graduated from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City with a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts in Ballet with emphasis in Performance and Teaching in 2010. As a professional dancer, Holly’s career includes dancing with Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, BodyVox, Éowyn Emerald and Dancers, and skinner|kirk DANCE ENSEMBLE, and now currently works with the push/FOLD dance company as the Managing Director and as a performer.

During her time at university, Holly discovered Pilates as a useful cross-training tool and an integral piece in maintaining overall health and stability, and working with her own body with scoliosis. After graduation, Holly moved to Portland, OR and immediately began teaching rehabilitative and generative STOTT Pilates, and beginning her path as a STOTT PILATES® and Total Barre Instructor Trainer as a part of the Education Team at Pacific Northwest Pilates. Focusing on health and movement in everyday life, her work with her clients spans building core strength, developing athletic capacity, rehabilitating from old injuries, pre and post-op management, pre and post-natal focus, and finding ways to execute daily tasks safely.

Outside of her work with PNWP, Holly’s company, Elevated Movement provides onsite movement-based programs for assisted living facilities in the Portland metro region. Holly also holds a certification as a Reiki II practitioner and energy healer, adding a compassionate and holistic approach when working with students and clients.

Training:

Fully Certified STOTT PILATES® Instructor on all equipment & all levels
STOTT PILATES® Instructor Trainer for Mat and Reformer and Cadillac, Chair, and Barrels
STOTT PILATES® Injuries and Special Populations Course
Certified in Reiki II (energy work on others)
Certified in Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED

Emma Uebele

Instructor, Pacific NW Pilates

Emma Uebele is a certified STOTT PILATES® Instructor. She came to Pilates as a young teen to avoid double knee surgery and combat undiagnosed chronic back pain. Since then, Pilates has been a cornerstone of her rehabilitation from multiple injuries and laid the foundation for a life with greater awareness and miraculously less pain.

Emma has completed the Injuries and Special Populations course and believes strongly in Pilates as a tool to strengthen and re-empower the body, to live with less pain and greater confidence and ease. Emma is also pursuing a Master’s Degree in Expressive Arts in Switzerland part-time and is fascinated by how movement and the arts can be tools for healing on an individual and communal scale.

When not in the studio she can likely be found making art or hiking around the Pacific Northwest.

Training:

Certified STOTT PILATES® Instructor on Matwork and Reformer
Trained in Chair and Barrels
STOTT PILATES® Injuries and Special Populations Course
Therapeutic Pilates Advanced Postural Movement Assessment
Reformer for the Older Adult
TOTAL BARRE® Level 1

Daphna Kadim

Instructor, Pacific NW Pilates

Daphna was first introduced to Pilates in 2001 while living in Israel and trying to balance healthy living with a demanding career. Based on her personal experience, she has become a true believer in Pilates as a means to rehabilitate injuries, improve muscle imbalances and relieve stress.

She completed her full STOTT PILATES® Instructor certification in 2007 including the Injuries and Special Population Course as well as various Rehab courses and workshops. She enjoys helping people struggling with injuries and physical challenges. She has particularly developed an interest and expertise in working with clients with Parkinson’s disease. With a background in dance and a passion for athletics Daphna also enjoys working with people that like to challenge themselves and use Pilates to improve their strength and agility.

Daphna loves to learn and to experience new things so she continuously invests in advanced education and skills development. Daphna began teaching Pilates after being a winemaker for several years, working in wineries in Israel, USA, and Australia. She is an avid scuba diver, climber, and trekker.

Training:

Fully Certified STOTT PILATES® on all equipment & all levels
Injuries and Speical Populations course
ZENGA® Instructor on Equipment, Level 1
Merrithew Fascial Movement Foundations
STOTT PILATES® Athletic Conditioning Specialty Track

Anna Marra

Instructor, Pacific NW Pilates

Anna Marra, STOTT PILATES Instructor, is fully certified and has completed the Injuries and Special Populations course. Anna is a professional dancer with BodyVox and a freelancer in Portland, Oregon. Her work experiences ultimately cultivated her passion for teaching and interest in body care, leading to her pursuit of Pilates training.

Practicing Pilates alongside her dance training, Anna feels the benefit of this exercise carries over to every aspect of life; from athletic performance enhancement, injury prevention, injury rehabilitation, to general fitness and physical well-being.

She loves working with individuals on achieving their personal health and fitness goals and creating a better quality of life.

Training:

Fully Certified STOTT PILATES® Instructor on all equipment & all levels
STOTT PILATES® Injuries and Special Populations Course

Leslie Braverman

Owner, Pacific NW Pilates | Lead Instructor Trainer, STOTT PILATES®

Leslie was a 15-year professional dancer when she was led to STOTT PILATES® because of an injury – she credits pilates for prolonging her career. Leslie became a STOTT PILATES® instructor in 1997 and was most recently awarded the title of STOTT PILATES® Lead Instructor Trainer, which qualifies her to teach other Instructor Trainers around the world. In her career, she danced with the Cleveland San Jose Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theatre, and BODYVOX.

As a young dancer, she was a student of The North Carolina School of the Arts and was awarded the 1988 Peabody Scholarship Award for Excellence. Leslie was a Level One ARTS recipient (sponsored by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts) in 1989 and was a semi-finalist and one of five sponsored Americans to compete in the 1988 Prix de Lausanne International Dance Competition in Switzerland.

Leslie loves to use her experience to train dancers, athletes, fitness clients, and aspiring instructors. She is co-owner of Pacific NW Pilates since its launch in 2001 and leads in managing and marketing the studio.

Training:

Co-Founder and Co-Owner, Pacific Northwest Pilates
Fully Certified STOTT PILATES Instructor on all equipment and all levels
STOTT PILATES® Lead Instructor Trainer
Total Barre™ Certified
ZEN•GA™ Certified (Equipment)

Melanie Byford-Young

Owner, Pacific NW Pilates | Master Instructor Trainer of Rehabilitation, STOTT PILATES®

Melanie Byford-Young was first introduced to Pilates while working in an outpatient physiotherapy clinic and has since become an innovator in the field of Therapeutic Pilates. She specializes in unwinding complex injuries and working with a wide range of rehabilitation clients.

In 2001, Melanie co-founded Pacific NW Pilates in Portland, Oregon, and started instructing STOTT PILATES® courses and workshops. Over the past eighteen years, she created a series of training and education curriculum, including the STOTT PILATES® Rehabilitation courses, Therapeutic Pilates Workshops for Pacific Northwest Pilates, and online courses for Medbridge Education. She has taught throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Brazil, and Asia, and has made guest appearances at conferences including IDEA World Fitness, Body Mind Spirit, John Garey Fitness and Pilates, and at the Merrithew UK Symposium.

Melanie was originally a licensed physical therapist, graduating from McMaster University in Ontario with a Bachelor of Health Science in Physiotherapy in 1991. She also earned her post-graduate Certificate in manual and manipulative physiotherapy Canadian Physiotherapy Association.

Training:

STOTT PILATES® Rehabilitation Master Instructor Trainer
STOTT PILATES® Instructor Trainer Mat, Reformer, CCB, ISP, Fascial Movement, Halo
BHSc. PT McMaster University
Co-Founder and Co-Owner, Pacific Northwest Pilates
Visceral Manipulation Level 1
Anatomy Trains for Movement Professionals Training
Diane Lee Rectus Diastasis Workshop
Shirley Sahrmann Upper Quadrant Course
Connect Fascial Congress 2017
Merrithew Award for Leadership and Mentorship and People Choice Award

Nancy Korf

Instructor, Pacific NW Pilates

Nancy uses her education in Pilates, combined with over three decades of experience in personal training, corrective exercise, yoga, and MELT to help her clients attain their movement goals.

Nancy began her fitness career in 1991 after graduating from college. At first, her side-gig as an aerobics instructor was a way to reduce stress. Her hobby quickly became a sense of purpose, fulfilling in a way her career–tax accounting–could not touch. In 2004, she left the stressful and sedentary tax world behind for good!

Nancy is persistently curious. She has attained a diverse scope of fitness education in order to support her clients. She discovered reformer Pilates in 2016 and loved it immediately. Certified through IMX Pilates in 2016, she earned her STOTT PILATES mat and reformer certification at PNWP in 2022 and completed her certification on all apparatus at PNWP in 2025.

Versatility and a deep commitment to serving others are Nancy’s two greatest strengths alongside her Pilates education. She enjoys assisting all types of people. Her most common clients are beginners and individuals who have completed physical therapy and need continued supervised exercise.

Training:

Certified STOTT PILATES® Certified, Comprehensive Level 1
STOTT PILATES® Injuries and Special Populations Course
Merrithew Fascial Movement course
ACE-certified Personal trainer since 2009
Corrective Exercise Specialist, 2015
Advanced MELT Instructor and teacher trainer (Level 5)
AFAA-certified group exercise instructor since 2002
ERYT-200 Yoga since 2015
Education provider (ZES) and choreographer (ZJ) for Zumba®

The PNWP Blog

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Spot the Difference | Standing Thigh Stretch

The Frontier of Fitness: Fascial Movement

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