Instructor Trainer bios

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^®, 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 first acquainted with the STOTT PILATES^®️ method while undergoing rehabilitation for his running-related injuries.

He became a fully STOTT PILATES Certified Instructor in 2017, and went on to become an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^®️ specializing in STOTT PILATES Mat and Reformer in 2023 and Cadillac, Chair & Barrels in 2025.

Combining his knowledge of the Pilates method with other techniques in his arsenal, Michel aims to use movement as a tool to help everyone move better—from injured clients and older adults to advanced athletes.

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.

In 2010 Michele established CorSano Pilates^™ in Ottawa, Canada, her boutique studio and Merrithew Host Center serving a 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.

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.

Michelle DiMeo is a STOTT PILATES^® fully Certified Instructor and Merrithew^® Instructor Trainer with extensive experience teaching Pilates and movement internationally. She completed her full STOTT PILATES certification in 2016 at the SweatShop Health Club Licensed Training center in Minnesota and became an Instructor Trainer in 2018, completing her training at the Merrithew corporate training center in Toronto.

Originally from the U.S. and now based in Frankfurt, Germany, Michelle teaches Pilates through private sessions and group classes, while also working professionally as a contemporary dance artist, researcher, and educator. She holds an MA in Contemporary Dance Education and is currently pursuing a Master of Advanced Studies in Dance Science to further develop evidence-based approaches to movement training.

Michelle discovered Pilates during her years as a contemporary ballet dancer in the San Francisco Bay Area. What started as cross-training to support her dancing quickly evolved into a true passion, inspiring her to complete her full STOTT PILATES^® certification in 2016. Her dedication to the method led her to advance her career, becoming an Instructor Trainer specializing in STOTT PILATES in 2022.

Known for her infectious energy and her ability to craft classes that are equal parts fun, intelligent, and deeply rooted in the Pilates principles, Michelle empowers clients to move better, feel stronger, and enjoy the process along the way. She is the creator and founder of the Real Good Pilates app—an online platform offering on-demand classes and educational resources for Pilates lovers and instructors around the world. As an Instructor Trainer, Michelle teaches STOTT PILATES courses throughout Southern California and beyond, and serves as a lead instructor with LiveMetta Pilates.