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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.

Melody Mason-Wiliford
Floating
Tampa, Florida, USA

IT qualifications
STOTT PILATES® Mat & Reformer

Additional credentials and designations
ACE, ISSA, Body Balance UNLV

Bio

After completing her studies in London, England at a college for ballet, Melody began her career working internationally as a dancer and dance instructor. On retiring from dance in 2000 her natural inclination was to continue working in an industry that involved physical awareness. This took her through personal training as well as group fitness accreditation. Feeling there were too many gaps in her education and an interest in injury prevention, she qualified in Pilates at the University of Las Vegas. A desire to expand her repertoire led her to the STOTT PILATES® method where she found a qualifying body that approached training with a comprehensive and intelligent approach. She is now happily an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew® specializing in STOTT PILATES Mat and Reformer.

Meredith Stephens
Floating
Brookline, New Hampshire, USA

IT qualifications
Halo® Training; Merrithew® Fascial Movement

Additional credentials and designations
Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology, Masters of Science in Physical Therapy, Board Certified Structural Integrator, doctoral candidate in Physical Therapy at Northeastern University.

Bio

Meredith has over 20 years of experience in the health and fitness industry teaching fitness classes, personal training, developing workshops and programs for special populations, coordinating group fitness and aquatics programs, delivering physical therapy services and managing a large medically-based wellness facility. When working with clients and patients, Meredith employs a unique combination of traditional physical therapy with fascial training, Pilates and structural integration techniques.

Meredith has been a Pilates Instructor since 2000 and worked with Merrithew Master Instructor Trainer PJ O'Clair to develop the Merrithew® Fascial Movement Foundation Course.

Meredith is now a Lead Instructor Trainer in Merrithew® Fascial Movement as well as Halo® Training. She owns two studios in New Hampshire, USA, Brookline Bodyworks and Bodyworks at Depot Square.

Mia Soehn
West Coast Pilates & Health
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

IT qualifications
STOTT PILATES® Matwork and Reformer

Additional credentials and designations
BCRPA

Bio

Since 1989, Mia has served has a personal trainer, fitness leader and manager of several facilities in health and fitness—she even competed in the Body Max Building Classic in 1997. It was not until she suffered injuries from a car accident when she discovered Pilates, and she immediately fell in love with its rehabilitative benefits.

In 2001 Mia became a STOTT PILATES® Certified Instructor; and as a result of her hard work she was then invited to become an Instructor Trainer in 2005. Recently, she completed courses in ZEN•GA® and Total Barre®, and has also studied and practiced other modalities such as Thai Yoga Massage, Yoga Fusion and Reiki. Mia has rehabilitated herself back to health from several injuries including an ACL repair, carpal tunnel syndrome and other setbacks, which has allowed her to gain greater understanding of the body and share her knowledge with others to help them in their personal healing experience.

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Michael Christensen
Floating
Århus, Denmark

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

Bio

Michael is an Instructor for Merrithew® specializing in STOTT PILATES®. He travels regularly to teach and present to students and instructors. A professional ballet and modern dancer in the early 1990’s, Michael has been using Pilates as a part of his training regime for many years. He is a qualified physical education teacher who has now streamlined his focus to share his knowledge of the STOTT PILATES method with instructors all over the world.

Michaela Bimbi-Dresp
Pilatesbody
Munich, Germany

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

Additional credentials and designations
MBA, ACE, Fitness and Advanced Trainer for Dr. Schleipp for Fascial Fitness, Certified Message Therapist

Bio

Michaela's fitness career has taken her all over the world. She was a dancer in her native home of Germany before becoming certified as an ACE Group Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer while spending time in the United States. Michaela completed her STOTT PILATES® Certification in New York and in the U.K. and went on to become a Merrithew® Lead Instructor Trainer. Michaela also specializes in the complete STOTT PILATES Repertoire, including all Matwork and Equipment levels, as well as Total Barre®, ZEN•GA®, Merrithew® Fascial Movement, and Halo® Training. In 2002, Michaela founded Pilatesbody, the first Merrithew Licensed Training Center in Munich, Germany. She is also the author of best selling books about Pilates.

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