Instructor Trainers

Adriana Rotella was first introduced to the STOTT PILATES^® method in 1999 when she was strengthening her training as a volleyball player. After falling in love with Pilates, she became a fully certified STOTT PILATES Instructor in 2000 and then, inspired by the results she saw in her clients and her drive to further her career, excelled to become a Pilates Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES in 2003. Adriana's IT status has enabled her to teach as a Pilates Lead Instructor Trainer. Adriana has taught certification programs in Toronto and to students from around the world as well as at sites in over 10 countries. She has been a featured performer in several Merrithew DVDs, and has participated in a number of international fitness conferences including Canfitpro & the Body Mind Spirit Conference. Her knowledge and understanding of the Pilates method continues to inspire her students and clients to continue mastering the technique for their own personal growth and achievement.

Burcu was born in Turkey in 1981 and has been involved in sports all her life. She played semi-professional tennis in junior leagues and as well as varsity basketball. After graduating from Robert College, she went on to study at Syracuse University, receiving her bachelor’s degree in 2003 from the School of Arts and Sciences in fashion design. After suffering a ski accident in her senior year of college, she started Pilates as a method of rehabilitation. This treatment turned into a passion over time.Although she started working as a junior designer at an international fashion label, her passion for Pilates only got stronger. She dabbled in various Pilates programs but became convinced that the STOTT PILATES^® system was far more innovative and the most scientific program she had experienced. Her decision led her to submerge herself fully in the method and permanently movement back to Istanbul where she founded her studio, Hero House Pilates. In 2013, she became one of only two Pilates Instructor Trainers for Merrithew^®, specializing in STOTT PILATES in Turkey. She enjoys teaching Pilates to clients and training new instructors in her studio.

Alyson, or Aly, carries a long history of combining movement with art. Growing up, she pursued a variety of artistic and athletic endeavors including dance, gymnastics and swimming. Throughout this journey, Aly was exposed to Pilates as a way of enhancing her performance and taking care of her body.

Aly was first introduced to the STOTT PILATES^® method while she was earning her BFA in Dance at Florida State University. Upon graduating, Aly moved back to the Tampa Bay area where she began teaching, choreographing and performing in the local dance community. During this time, she became interested in deepening her knowledge of body mechanics and conditioning to further assist her students and to enhance her own dancing. This led her to enrolling in her first STOTT PILATES certification course. Her appreciation and enthusiasm for the training soon developed into an interest in becoming a full-time STOTT PILATES instructor.

To this day, Aly remains in Tampa and teaches at Pilates Movement Studio, where she is now part of the education team as a Merrithew^® Instructor Trainer.

Alyssa Jones received her BFA in Dance from CSU, Long Beach. She was able to incorporate her dance background into the Pilates world through STOTT PILATES^®. She received her Full Level 1 certification in 2004 through the Marshall Eklund Fitness & Pilates Studio. In 2006, she received the honor of becoming an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^®, specializing in STOTT PILATES.

Alyssa was first introduced to STOTT PILATES^® while undergoing rehabilitation following surgery for a dance-related hip injury. When she didn’t improve with post-op therapy, Alyssa sought out a physical therapist who specialized in treating dancers who was also a Certified STOTT PILATES Instructor. Pilates was an integral part of her successful rehabilitation, and she was able to dance again. Pilates helped Alyssa gain the strength to maintain proper pelvic and spinal alignment and taught her how to work properly and avoid further straining of her hip flexors.

Alyssa attended the University of South Florida where she received a B.A. in Dance Studies with a concentration in Exercise Science and a B.S. in Biology. Upon completion of her degrees, Alyssa became a Certified STOTT PILATES Instructor in 2013 and became a Certified STOTT PILATES Instructor Trainer in 2016. Alyssa enjoys incorporating her experience with injury prevention and her passion for STOTT PILATES to create fun and challenging workouts for her clients as well as passing her knowledge and experience on to aspiring Instructors.

With ten years of experience as a competitive dancer and professional model, Amanda knows the importance of a healthy lifestyle. It was through dance she was introduced to Pilates and Merrithew^®, and in 2008 she completed the STOTT PILATES^® certification to begin her career teaching in Texas.

It was not long after that Amanda’s love, dedication and passion for educating others about Pilates and body awareness prompted her to become a Merrithew Instructor Trainer in 2017.

Currently residing in Boston, Massachusetts, Amanda is living her dream of helping others meet their personal health and fitness goals. As a firm believer in the mind, body and soul connection, she feels privileged to be bringing her clients the latest information on health and wellness.

Amanda discovered Pilates through physical therapy following multiple knee surgeries due to a skiing accident. However, this twist of fate led her to discover her passion, earning her STOTT PILATES^® certification in 2005. With nearly two decades of experience, Amanda has mastered the art of seamlessly blending the fitness and healing aspects of Pilates in her training. Her expertise extends from joint replacements to spinal injuries, alongside everyday minor ailments. Yet, amidst her therapeutic work, she leads dynamic classes focused on overall fitness.

As a Lead Instructor Trainer, Amanda cherishes opportunities to share her knowledge internationally, having taught instructors in Istanbul, Seoul and the United States. In 2016, she founded Conscious Education, dedicated to offering STOTT PILATES instructor courses, exams and education workshops in Denver. In 2024, she co-founded Conscious Pilates with Jacqui Pilkington, establishing a fully equipped STOTT PILATES studio.

Amanda first became STOTT PILATES^® Certified in 2004 and in 2005, moved on to become a Lead Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^®, specializing in STOTT PILATES. She has an extensive background as a fitness instructor, and likes to combine her STOTT PILATES teaching with her successful personal training and sports massage business.

Amanda’s extensive Pilates education and teaching experience began in 1992. In 2000, after years of continuous studies and teaching in health clubs, she discovered STOTT PILATES^® and became inspired to further her education in the method. Amanda completed her certifications in Toronto, Canada, becoming an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES and currently works as a floating IT. She originally opened BodyMind Design, a Licensed Training Center (LTC), offering classes and private sessions to the public as well as professional education to instructors. The studio continues to offer STOTT PILATES training as well as other brands from Merrithew including ZEN•GA^® Mindful Movement and CORE^™ Athletic Conditioning & Performance Training, as well as methodologies of the C.H.E.K. Institute, TRX Suspension Training, and techniques from the Anatomy Trains system. Amanda has recently chosen to operate a more intimate studio offering private and semi-private sessions. Belief in the STOTT PILATES method, devotion to her education, and commitment to teaching with integrity, are the foundations of her success.

After training for 4 years with Michaela Bimbi-Dresp in Munich, Germany, Amy de Schweinitz obtained her STOTT PILATES^® Certification in 2004. In 2007, she became a Certified Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^®, specializing in STOTT PILATES, and enabling her to teach worldwide. With a BSc in Kinesiology and Sport Science, Amy was able to complement her studies as a competitive runner and triathlete. She found that Pilates was a huge asset to her success as an athlete, thus it launched her career in Pilates. Amy is now certified by the Pilates Method Alliance and is an ACE Certified Trainer. As an international Certified Health Coach, Amy is passionate about using Pilates to help people feel good in their bodies and have the best quality of life.