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Master Instructor Trainers

The Pilates Master Instructor Trainer has reached the highest level of Merrithew® educators. With a minimum of seven years of teaching experience in the industry, this individual has established himself/herself as an expert in the field of mind-body fitness. The Master IT possesses the unique skills to inspire through leadership the Merrithew Community of Excellence philosophy and bring this ability to the courses and workshops that are taught anywhere in the world. All Master ITs are integral in the creation and development of new programs for Merrithew, and continue to learn and grow within the industry.

Jennifer Dahl
STOTT PILATES® Academy Toronto
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

IT qualifications
STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer, Cadillac, Chair & Barrels, ISP; ZEN•GA®; Total Barre®; Merrithew® Fascial Movement ; Halo® Training, Part 1

Additional credentials and designations
BSc, ACE

Bio

Jennifer Dahl is a certified STOTT PILATES® Instructor and Merrithew Master Instructor Trainer with over 20 years of experience in the fitness industry. She brings her innovative methods to Merrithew as an Instructor Trainer for STOTT PILATES, Halo®, Total Barre®, ZEN∙GA® and Merrithew Fascial Movement.

She is a graduate of the University of Toronto Psychology Department specializing in Physiology as well as the renowned School, Toronto Dance Theatre. She continues to hone her approach by providing well-articulated movements which are curated to aid the mind-body connection through physical activity.

Jennifer is motivated by the challenges and rewards that this type of training can offer to clients from various physical backgrounds. Her curiosity has led her an exploration into new concepts, and ideas as well as revisit more established protocols with colleagues worldwide.

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Kim Kraushar
The Space: Pilates and Mindful Movement
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

IT qualifications
STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer, Cadillac, Chair & Barrels, ISP; CORE™; ZEN•GA®; Total Barre®; Merrithew® Fascial Movement; Halo® Training

Additional credentials and designations
BFA / BEd Dance, BSc Kinesiology, Yamuna Body Rolling, Franklin Method, PMA

Bio

Kim earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, performed and trained as a dancer. Her background blends movement expertise, business experience, and a strong passion for helping people feel and perform at their best.

As the company expanded beyond Head Office during her training, Kim was invited to become both an LTC and an IT. Already inspired by the STOTT PILATES® method, she saw an exciting opportunity to help grow the community in Eastern Canada. With an established day spa and multiple fitness programs, she had the space and vision to create the first fully equipped Pilates studio in Atlantic Canada.

After 28 years with Merrithew, she remains deeply connected to its community of instructors and studio owners, whose dedication continually motivates her. As she moves into the next phase of her career, she aims to give back by supporting both emerging and established professionals with the knowledge and perspective gained over decades in mindful movement education.

Her current areas of interest include breathwork and mindfulness in motion, a rapidly growing field in which she believes Merrithew is uniquely positioned to lead.

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Laureen DuBeau
STOTT PILATES® Academy Toronto
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

IT qualifications
STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, & Barrels, ISP; Total Barre™; Halo® Training; ZEN•GA™ Mat; and Merrithew® Fascial Movement

Additional credentials and designations
BFA, NSCA CSCS, Pink Ribbon certified instructor

Bio

Laureen is an integral member of a dynamic team responsible for the global development and implementation of training and certification programs. Her spirited approach to teaching has made Laureen a vibrant international presenter, trainer and examiner. An NSCA certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist and a Pink Ribbon certified instructor, she began teaching Pilates in 1995, and is now a Merrithew® Pilates Master Instructor Trainer specializing in STOTT PILATES®, ZEN•GA®, Total Barre®, Halo® Training and Merrithew Fascial Movement. Laureen is a featured performer and associate producer of many Merrithew DVDs, the associate editor of numerous teaching manuals and author of articles in several industry publications.

Prior to joining Merrithew, Laureen worked for Tennis Canada where she was responsible for Canadian and international public relations in the capacity of media relations and communications, player relations and event organization. Laureen studied Dance and Physical Education at York University in Toronto where she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.

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Melanie Byford-Young
Pacific Northwest Pilates
Portland, Oregon, USA

IT qualifications
STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer, Cadillac, Chair & Barrels, ISP, Rehab; Halo® Training; Merrithew® Fascial Movement

Additional credentials and designations
Master IT for Rehabilitation

Bio

Melanie began her career as a physiotherapist after graduating from McMaster University, treating orthopedic, post-surgical, and neurological clients in Squamish, BC. She later earned her FCAMPT designation and, after relocating to Portland, co-founded Pacific Northwest Pilates in 2001, which launched her path as an IT and Master IT.

She was inspired to become a STOTT PILATES® IT because she recognized the method as a powerful therapeutic tool that effectively integrates mobility, stability, and strength. Its logic resonated deeply with her and allowed her to combine her passions for physiotherapy, Pilates, teaching, and travel.

Melanie remains motivated by the opportunity to empower clients and students, especially those with complex conditions who need knowledgeable guidance. Her dedication to research and continuous learning supports her leadership in education.

She specializes in assessing and programming for complex clients, particularly individuals who have not found success with other approaches, and she enjoys challenging intermediate and advanced students in group equipment classes.

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Pablo Vera
Floating
Madrid, Spain

IT qualifications
STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer, Cadillac, Chair & Barrels, ISP, Rehab

Additional credentials and designations
Physiotherapist specializing in musculoskeletal rehabilitation, Master’s degree in Neurocontrol Motor, Sports Rehab and Therapeutic Exercise Prescription

Bio

Before joining the Merrithew community, Pablo worked as a physiotherapist specializing in musculoskeletal rehabilitation and holds a Master’s degree in Neurocontrol Motor, Sports Rehab, and Therapeutic Exercise Prescription. He gained extensive clinical experience treating complex musculoskeletal, postural, and neurological conditions, with a strong focus on evidence-based practice, motor learning, and functional rehabilitation.

He was drawn to the STOTT PILATES® method for its precision, logic, and scientific foundation, which aligned naturally with his clinical background and passion for teaching. Seeing how effectively the method improves both learning and client outcomes inspired him to pursue the Instructor Trainer pathway.

Pablo is motivated by the opportunity to contribute to a global community committed to movement and lifelong learning. As a Master IT and course developer, he is inspired by the evolution of the Merrithew curriculum, global collaboration, and the meaningful impact of high-quality movement education. Supporting new ITs and elevating educational standards remain central to his work.

His areas of interest include musculoskeletal rehabilitation, exercise programming, biomechanics and motor learning, research translation, and mindful movement.

PJ O’Clair
Northeast Pilates Education Centers
Manchester, Massachusetts, USA

IT qualifications
STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer, Cadillac, Chair & Barrels, ISP, Total Barre®, ZEN•GA®; Merrithew® Fascial Movement; Halo® Training

Additional credentials and designations
ACE Certified, Programming Director Board Member for IDEA Health & Fitness, TRX Senior Master Instructor

Bio

PJ is a highly sought after, internationally recognized, award-winning health and fitness icon. She has published numerous fitness and therapeutic programs spanning many disciplines, including Pilates for Breast Cancer Rehabilitation, Fascia and Movement, and Athletic Performance for Cyclists. In addition to being a leader in the mindful movement field since the 1980s, PJ is also a local of Beverly who has trained generations of North Shore residents and their families for decades.

She is well known in both the consumer and professional markets as a movement innovator and Merrithew® Master Instructor Trainer, inspiring her local clients and fitness professionals from around the world. PJ specializes in STOTT PILATES® and TRX®, and has appeared in well over 80 fitness DVDs and digital platforms. She is highly driven, extremely passionate, and committed to all aspects of health and wellness. In her spare time, PJ, along with her husband, is an avid cyclist and participates in many charitable events.

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Wayne Seeto
STOTT PILATES® Academy Toronto
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

IT qualifications
STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, & Barrels, ISP, Rehab; Halo® Training

Additional credentials and designations
BOccThy, MSc(PT)

Bio

Wayne Seeto is the Director of Education Programming and a Merrithew® Master Instructor Trainer with over 20 years of experience in Pilates, movement, and rehabilitation education. A registered physiotherapist and leading expert in STOTT PILATES®, STOTT PILATES Rehab, and Halo® Training, Wayne applies his clinical and instructional expertise to advance evidence-based, functional movement education. As part of Merrithew’s leadership team, he shapes the evolution of education products and resources to uphold the company’s hallmark of quality, innovation, and excellence in movement education.

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