Instructor Trainer bios

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.

Amy Pronovost received her BA in Dance and English from Western Michigan University. She is currently an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES^®, a Level 1 Gyrotonic instructor, a 200-hour registered yoga teacher and an ACE certified Group Instructor Trainer. She has been teaching at Equilibrium in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan since 2000. She has also taught ballet for fifteen years and currently has students performing around the world and on Broadway.

Amy is an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^®, specializing in STOTT PILATES^® Mat, Reformer, as well a certified STOTT PILATES^® Rehab Instructor. She is also a NSCA Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist, Speed, Agility & Quickness instructor and a Level 1 Gyrotonic Instructor. As a licensed physical therapist specializing in treating orthopedic, sports medicine and dance injuries, Amy combines her backgrounds to design safe, yet challenging Pilates workouts for each client, regardless of their fitness level. Teaching STOTT PILATES^® fed a passion for thoughtfully selecting exercises to address a client’s needs and inspired her to co-author two editions of a physical therapy textbook, Therapeutic Exercise Prescription, with another STOTT PILATES^® Instructor Trainer and physical therapist, Kim Dunleavy, PT, PhD, OCS, FNAP.

Amy was introduced to Pilates while completing her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree as a Dance major at York University in Toronto. After pursuing a career in modern dance she turned to Pilates for her next challenge. In 2004, she became a STOTT PILATES^® Fully Certified Instructor and was invited to work at the Corporate Training Centre in Toronto. Amy moved to Asia in 2008 where she spent 10 years in Singapore and now resides in Saigon, Vietnam. She continues to represent Merrithew^® as a Floating Lead Instructor Trainer specializing in STOTT PILATES, Total Barre^® and Halo^® Training. She has traveled extensively worldwide teaching courses and presenting at international fitness conferences such as FILEX in Melbourne/Sydney, Australia, China Fit in Beijing, FIBO in Shanghai, the Yonion Yoga Festival in Xiamen, China and the online World Wellness Weekend. Amy has also been featured on Channel News Asia AM Live “Fighting Fit” series, was a visiting Fitness Specialist at the prestigious Amanoi Resort in Vietnam, and has worked with the artists of Cirque du Soleil’s Totem. Amy currently is enjoying her role in Saigon as the Director of Education at CHI Pilates, where she teaches both clients and courses to students who are pursuing a career in the Pilates industry.