Instructor Trainer bios

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.

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'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.

Michel was born in Indonesia in 1982 and has been passionate about sports and fitness all his life. He particularly enjoys trail running, playing basketball and of course Pilates. After suffering an injury while training - Michel started Pilates as method of rehabilitation. Michel began his STOTT PILATES^®️ training in 2016 and received his Full Certification in 2017. He became a STOTT PILATES Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^®️ in 2023

A lifelong athlete and native Californian, Michele started classical Pilates training in the ‘90’s to supplement her training and love of running marathons as well as providing a counter balance to her first career as a pharmaceutical industry marketing executive. A move to The Netherlands combined with motherhood prompted Michele to focus on fitness and Pilates; she earned her first STOTT PILATES^® Certification in 2005, became a Merrithew^® Instructor Trainer in 2009, and since 2018 is a Lead Instructor Trainer (IT) specializing in STOTT PILATES, Halo^® Training and Merrithew Fascial Movement.

In 2010 Michele established CorSano Pilates^™ in Ottawa, Canada, her boutique studio and Merrithew Host Center serving a large and varied client base. She teaches individuals who seek customized training to help overcome injuries, poor alignment and compensatory movement patterns as well as professional and amateur athletes who seek to improve their performance. CorSano Pilates Online also offers private and group classes for all levels.

As a Floating Lead IT for Merrithew, Michele loves the challenges and excitement of teaching assignments abroad— mentoring instructors from other countries and sharing her knowledge and years of experience.