Instructor Trainer bios
The Merrithew™ Faculty, or members of our esteemed team of Instructor Trainers, is made up of highly qualified and internationally sought-after educators who are known for their dedication, professionalism and attention to detail. All of our faculty members hold full certification in the STOTT PILATES® method and have achieved additional designations to complement their training. A diverse group, they come from various backgrounds including physical therapy, exercise science, athletic therapy, dance and group and personal fitness training to name a few. Every member of the team strives to uphold the highest standards of training that have been developed worldwide.
Cherie Boschma
Inspire Health
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
IT qualifications
STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, & Barrels
Additional credentials and designations
BFA
Bio
Cherie obtained her BFA in Dance from University of North Carolina School for the Arts and began teaching Pilates in Toronto at the Merrithew™ Corporate Training Center in 1993 after training under Moira Merrithew. She became an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew specializing in STOTT PILATES® in 1998, and has instructed at the following LTCs: Equilibrium - Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; Bodycenter - Seattle, Washington; Full Circle Studio - Vancouver, BC and currently Inspire Health - Atlanta, GA.
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Cheryl Cote Alden
Northeast Pilates Education Center
Bedford, New Hampshire, USA
IT qualifications
STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, & Barrels, ISP, SPX, Rehab
Additional credentials and designations
Physical Therapist
Bio
Cheryl is a physical therapist and fitness enthusiast with over 20 years of teaching experience. She graduated from the University of Vermont in 1996 and was first introduced to Pilates while working as a PT. Quickly realizing the benefits to the rehab population, she pursued her STOTT PILATES® certification in 2000 and is now a Lead Instructor Trainer for Merrithew™, teaching STOTT PILATES and STOTT PILATES Rehab. She is the owner of Symmetry Pilates Center in New Hampshire where she teaches classes as well as works one on one with clients. Cheryl is an avid runner and triathlete and is a two-time IRONMAN finisher completing Ironman Lake Placid (2011) and Ironman Coeur D’Alene (2013). A lifelong athlete, Cheryl enjoys educating and motivating others to reach their personal fitness goals – knowledge is power.
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Cholthicha Srivisal
Breathe Pilates
Singapore, Singapore
IT qualifications
STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, & Barrels, ISP; ZEN•GA® Mat & Reformer; Total Barre®; Halo® Training
Additional credentials and designations
MBA; ARAD; Certificate of Higher Education in Dance Education; Instructor Trainer for Antigravity® Aerial Yoga & Suspension Fitness; certified 200-hour Yoga Alliance teacher; Gyrotonic. Gyrokinesis, and Gyrotoner trainer; FRC; Kinstretch® Instructor
Bio
After graduating from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with a master’s degree, Thicha spent 15 years working in the banking industry before leaving the corporate world to follow her long-time dream of becoming a Pilates Instructor. After suffering back and ankle injuries in 2002, she experienced the therapeutic benefits of Pilates first-hand and decided she wanted to teach others. She obtained her full STOTT PILATES® certification in 2007 and became a Merrithew™ Instructor Trainer specializing in STOTT PILATES the following year. Thicha was awarded the prestigious title of Lead Instructor Trainer, and focuses on the education and training of the STOTT PILATES method. Her passion for movement originates from her many years as a professional ballet dancer and a dance educator. She holds a Certificate of Higher Education (Dance) from the University of Surrey, UK, an advanced-level certification from the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), and is a registered RAD teacher. She is also a certified 200-hour Yoga Alliance teacher, GYROTONIC, GYROKINESIS and GYROTONER trainer.
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Chrissy Connelly
Floating
Southampton, United Kingdom
IT qualifications
STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, & Barrels; ZEN•GA®
Additional credentials and designations
GYROTONIC®
Bio
Formerly a member of the British Olympic Windsurfing Team, Chrissy enjoys working with a range of clients from international athletes to rehabilitation clients. Chrissy became a STOTT PILATES® Certified Instructor in 2004 and furthered her training to become an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew™, specializing in STOTT PILATES in 2007, and ZEN•GA® in 2013. Currently she works alongside physiotherapists and sports masseurs in a studio well equipped with STOTT PILATES equipment, where she teaches as a Merrithew Lead Instructor Trainer in group classes as well as one-on-one personal sessions.
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Christine Heckel
Balance: Pilates Training Center
Richmond, Virginia, United States
IT qualifications
STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, & Barrels, ISP; ZEN•GA®
Additional credentials and designations
ACE Certified Personal Trainer
Bio
Fifteen years of classical ballet training brought Christine to Merrithew™ and inspired her to become a Merrithew Instructor Trainer, specializing in STOTT PILATES® and ZEN•GA®. Christine owns and operates Breathe Pilates Place (2015) in La Plata, Maryland, and trains her clients in STOTT PILATES and ZEN•GA principles.
In addition to her studio, Christine also provides STOTT PILATES training at Balance Pilates Training Center, a Merrithew Licensed Training Center in Richmond, VA. Plus, she teaches Pilates and ballet clients throughout the Northern Virginia, Southern Maryland and Washington D.C. metro areas – including at Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, VA, and College of Southern Maryland in La Plata, MD.
Christine is also an ACE Certified Personal Trainer. She continues to challenge her own body to learn new movement forms through the study of circus arts, flying trapeze and aerial yoga. In 2020, she became a Merrithew Lead IT.
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