Instructor Trainer bios

René has been active in the fitness industry for the last 16 years. In her early fitness career she was a group exercise instructor and personal trainer for the YMCA. She was introduced to Pilates in 2004 and began applying the stability principles of Pilates to her personal training clients. In 2009, she received her STOTT PILATES^® certification and became an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® in 2013.

She enjoys helping her clients achieve their fitness goals regardless of their fitness level and working with those who have special needs because of health issues or injuries. She continually strives to increase her skills and knowledge of the human body and movement so her clients will receive the highest quality training available.

Ricardo received his STOTT PILATES^® certification in 2007 and became an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES in 2013. He is the Manager of Pilates BodyHarmony, a STOTT PILATES Licensed Training Center in Cyprus. Ricardo teaches group and private classes and works with elite and amateur athletes for performance enhancement and rehabilitation. His work is distinguished by his ability to motivate and inspire his students and clients to reach beyond their capabilities and comfort zone. Moreover, his portfolio includes a series of training and therapeutic courses, including Sensory Motor Learning, Muscle Activation, Trigger Point and fascia release. Ricardo hails from Bogota, Colombia. He began his career as a ballet dancer, and through dance, he ultimately discovered Pilates - a decisive turning point in his life. Ricardo was the first Merrithew Instructor Trainer in Cyprus.

After completing her bachelor’s degree in Japan, Rie moved to Toronto, Canada to pursue her avid interest in the human body and passion for health and wellness. She received her STOTT PILATES^® certification in 2006, excelling further to become a Merrithew^® Instructor Trainer in 2008. Rie applies her expertise to deliver high quality education to students as a Lead Instructor Trainer and in her work as Education Programming Specialist at the Merrithew’s Head Office in Toronto. In addition to teaching students and supporting Instructor Trainers, she is involved in developing Merrithew Education and expanding Instructor Trainer resources and website content. She also became a Registered Homeopath in 2015, furthering her passion to help people in the pursuit of holistic health and wellness.

Originally from South Africa, Rob has been with the fitness industry for the past 25 years, where he started with fitness class instruction including aerobics, circuits, step and body conditioning. After moving to Boston, Rob started his training with STOTT PILATES^® in 2000 and a long journey continued, which included further Certifications in yoga, Esalen Massage, Cranial Sacral Therapy and WATSU (Water based Shiatsu). He has been able to incorporate this therapy knowledge into his Pilates teaching. After operating his own Pilates and yoga studio in Winthrop, Massachusetts for 11 years, Rob moved to London in 2011 and finally became an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^®, specializing in STOTT PILATES in 2013. Rob is passionate about teaching and motivating, his passion for helping others is what drives him to provide his clients with careful attention, encouragement and compassion, allowing them to become the best they can be and believe in themselves.

Roberto began his training with STOTT PILATES^® in 2004 and became a Certified Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® in 2011.