Instructor Trainer bios

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.

Ineke Rush began her training in Pilates at the age of twelve in New York City with Carola Trier, a colleague and student of Joseph Pilates, whom she trained with extensively. She simultaneously trained at the School of the Dance Theatre of Harlem where the syllabus was influenced by Kathy Grant.

After a career as a professional ballet and modern dancer, Ineke pursued her Pilates Certification with STOTT PILATES^®. She has been an Instructor Trainer since 2004 and was designated Lead Instructor Trainer by Merrithew, Inc. in 2016. She has taught the STOTT PILATES certification courses and workshops all over the Bay Area, Northern California, and in Reno, Nevada.

Ineke spent ten years on faculty at Ohlone College in Fremont and Newark, California, in both the Athletics and Theatre and Dance Departments. Her greatest joy comes from being the mother of three beautiful souls who inspire her every day to do good in the world.

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 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^®.

Ishbel started practicing yoga with her mom when she was five years old and has practiced and studied yoga ever since. After a serious back injury, Ishbel began studying Pilates as a means of stabilizing her spine. She fell in love with the way Pilates transformed her body and has been teaching yoga and Pilates for the past 10 years. Ishbel is the owner of Nomad Yoga & Pilates, LLC, a business that brings yoga and Pilates classes to people in their homes and offices. She is an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES^® and has also earned a variety of Yoga certifications. Ishbel works extensively with individuals who are recovering from injuries, and loves watching the progression from instability and pain to stability and ease-of-movement and easily relates to the relief that Pilates brings to people’s lives!