Instructor Trainer bios
The members of our esteemed team of Pilates Instructor Trainers are accomplished and internationally sought-after educators known for their comprehensive knowledge, dedication and professionalism. Each hold full certification in the STOTT PILATES® method and have achieved additional designations to complement their training.
A diverse group, they come from varied 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.
Hsiao-Ching Karyn Kuo
Floating
Tainan, Taiwan
IT qualifications
STOTT PILATES® Matwork and Reformer
Additional credentials and designations
NCPT (PMA-CPT), STOTT PILATES® Specialist, Post-Rehabilitation Conditioning, Fascia Fitness Trainer of Concept-Rossmann, Total Barre® Qualified Instructor, TRX®, RYT-200
Bio
Karyn stumbled upon STOTT PILATES® after suffering a serious knee injury that caused her a lot of pain. Being amazed by the therapeutic benefits the STOTT PILATES method offered, she decided to learn more and subsequently became a STOTT PILATES Certified Instructor in 2015 and is now a Merrithew® Instructor Trainer.
After making the decision to leave her corporate career to further pursue a career in Pilates, she focused her attention towards post-rehabilitation. In 2017 she earned her specialist designation in STOTT PILATES Post-Rehabilitation Conditioning and a year later she became a Fully Certified STOTT PILATES Instructor. Karyn has also studied Release Technique and CranioSacral Therapy and hopes to help clients find their inner balance to facilitate better movement and enjoy a pain-free life.
Hwanhee Hanna Kang
PILATES THE FIT
Seoul, South Korea
IT qualifications
STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer
Bio
As a modern dance major, Hanna has studied the movements of the body since childhood.
After years of examining and scrutinizing her own body, she realized how unsound movements and poor posture could negatively affect one’s life. She started Pilates to rediscover her body's balance, eventually progressing to become a STOTT PILATES® Certified Instructor.
She has endeavored to inform and educate others about the needs and benefits of Pilates, which culminated in her becoming a Merrithew® Instructor Trainer.
Currently, as an instructor at PILATES THE FIT in Seoul, South Korea, Hanna not only guides clients to lead healthier lives through Pilates, but she also serves as an Instructor Trainer, teaching many students about the STOTT PILATES method. She looks forward to continuing to share her passion and enthusiasm for Pilates with many more clients and students to come.
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Ineke Rush
Mindful Movement Collective
Newark, California, USA
IT qualifications
STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, & Barrels; Total Barre®; Halo® Training
Additional credentials and designations
ACE, CMT, Adjunct Faculty at Ohlone College
Bio
Merrithew® Lead Instructor Trainer Ineke Rush Madsen began her training in Pilates at the age of 12 in New York City with Carola Trier, a colleague and student of Joseph Pilates, with whom she trained extensively. She simultaneously trained at the Dance Theatre of Harlem School where the syllabus was influenced by Kathy Grant.
After a 10-year career as a professional ballet and modern dancer with the Dance Theatre of Harlem, Cleveland San Jose Ballet, Ballethnic Dance Company and Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre, Ineke pursued STOTT PILATES® Certification with Merrithew. She is fully certified to work with all levels, as well as those with post-rehab injuries and other special conditions. She has been an Instructor Trainer since 2004, and was designated Lead Instructor Trainer in 2016. She has taught STOTT PILATES Certification courses and workshops throughout the Bay Area, Northern California, and in Reno, Nevada.
Ineke is a Certified Personal Trainer with the American Council on Exercise and is licensed by the State Medical Board of Ohio in Massage Therapy. She is a Total Barre® and Halo® Training Instructor Trainer for Merrithew. She is also a certified yoga instructor (200 RYT).
In 2006 Ineke opened Mindful Movement Collective in Newark, California, a movement and wellness center which became a Merrithew Licensed Training Center in 2008. She opened a second location in Pleasant Hill, California, in 2017. She teaches at both locations and is also on faculty at Ohlone College in Fremont and Newark, California, in both the Athletics and Theatre and Dance Departments.
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Irina Uemura
Floating
Tokyo, Japan
IT qualifications
STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, & Barrels
Bio
Originally from Russia, Irina started her ballet training in early childhood. She discovered Pilates while rehabilitating after a knee injury and since then has used Pilates as a part of her training regime. Pilates helped her prolong her dancing career and avoid injury.
Retiring from dance in 2012, Irina obtained her STOTT PILATES® Certification, and in 2016 she became an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew® specializing in STOTT PILATES. Currently Irina teaches in Tokyo, Japan.
Irma Leissring
Floating
West Palm Beach, Florida, USA
IT qualifications
STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer, Chair, Cadillac, Barrels, ISP
Additional credentials and designations
MFA, TRX, GYROTONIC®
Bio
Irma earned her Master’s Degree in Fine Arts from the University of California, Irvine in 2001. While studying for her MFA in 1998, she took her first Pilates certification. In 2002 she earned full certification in STOTT PILATES®. Irma is now an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew® specializing in STOTT PILATES. Her passion for correcting form and healing the body motivated her to add her certifications in Active Isolated Stretching in 2010 and in 2011 she became certified in TRX® Suspension Training. Irma is also a certified instructor for GYROKINESIS® and GYROTONIC®.