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Instructor Trainers

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.

Hsiao-Ching Karyn Kuo
Floating
Tainan, Taiwan

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

Additional credentials and designations
NCPT (PMA-CPT), STOTT PILATES® Specialist, Post-Rehabilitation Conditioning, Fascia Fitness Trainer of Concept-Rossmann, Total Barre® Qualified Instructor, TRX®, RYT-200

Bio

Karyn discovered STOTT PILATES® after a serious knee injury left her searching for relief from pain. Amazed by the therapeutic benefits of the method, she pursued training and became a STOTT PILATES Certified Instructor. Today, she is proud to serve as a Merrithew® Instructor Trainer, sharing her expertise with instructors across regions.

Her earlier career in a multinational corporation strengthens her work today: the leadership, communication, and coaching skills she developed there now enhance the way she mentors instructors with clarity, compassion, and precision—qualities that guide her supportive and assured teaching style.

Specializing in post-rehabilitation, Karyn earned her STOTT PILATES Post-Rehabilitation Conditioning designation and furthered her skills in Release Technique and CranioSacral Therapy. Her own recovery journey now fuels her mission to help others build resilience, restore balance, and rediscover the freedom of movement.

Huiling (Yiyi) Luo
Guangzhou Yuyue Pilates
Guangzhou, China

IT qualifications
STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer

Additional credentials and designations
Certified Comprehensive Barre Instructor, ACE, ERYT - 500, Alignment Yoga Training Instructor, Public Nutritionist

Bio

Yiyi is a graduate of Beijing Sport University and has been working in yoga, Pilates, fitness, and sports rehabilitation since 2006. She began teaching in 2009 and has extensive experience in both frontline instruction and professional training.

Formerly a Hatha Yoga training instructor and an instructor at Noah Sports Rehabilitation College, Yiyi is well regarded for her clear, effective teaching and strong professional foundation.

She emphasizes scientific, results-driven movement and believes that proper exercise can improve posture, support body shaping, and aid rehabilitation. Helping clients solve physical challenges is what fuels her long-term passion and growth in this field.

Hwanhee Hanna Kang
PILATES THE FIT
Seoul, South Korea

IT qualifications
STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer

Bio

As a modern dance major, Hanna has studied the movements of the body since childhood.

After years of examining and scrutinizing her own body, she realized how unsound movements and poor posture could negatively affect one’s life. She started Pilates to rediscover her body's balance, eventually progressing to become a STOTT PILATES® Certified Instructor.

She has endeavored to inform and educate others about the needs and benefits of Pilates, which culminated in her becoming a Merrithew® Instructor Trainer.

Currently, as an instructor at PILATES THE FIT in Seoul, South Korea, Hanna not only guides clients to lead healthier lives through Pilates, but she also serves as an Instructor Trainer, teaching many students about the STOTT PILATES method. She looks forward to continuing to share her passion and enthusiasm for Pilates with many more clients and students to come.

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Ineke Rush
Mindful Movement Collective
Newark, California, USA

IT qualifications
STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, & Barrels; Total Barre®; Halo® Training

Additional credentials and designations
ACE, CMT, Adjunct Faculty at Ohlone College, Bachelor’s of Nursing, Licensed Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Massage Therapist — State Medical Board of Ohio

Bio

Ineke Rush began her training in Pilates at the age of twelve in New York City with Carola Trier, a colleague and student of Joseph Pilates, whom she trained with extensively. She simultaneously trained at the School of the Dance Theatre of Harlem where the syllabus was influenced by Kathy Grant.

After a career as a professional ballet and modern dancer, Ineke pursued her Pilates Certification with STOTT PILATES®. She has been an Instructor Trainer since 2004 and was designated Lead Instructor Trainer by Merrithew, Inc. in 2016. She has taught the STOTT PILATES certification courses and workshops all over the Bay Area, Northern California, and in Reno, Nevada.

Ineke spent ten years on faculty at Ohlone College in Fremont and Newark, California, in both the Athletics and Theatre and Dance Departments. Her greatest joy comes from being the mother of three beautiful souls who inspire her every day to do good in the world.

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Irina Uemura
Floating
Tokyo, Japan

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

Bio

Originally from Russia, Irina started her ballet training in early childhood. She discovered Pilates while rehabilitating after a knee injury and since then has used Pilates as a part of her training regime. Pilates helped her prolong her dancing career and avoid injury.

Retiring from dance in 2012, Irina obtained her STOTT PILATES® Certification, and in 2016 she became an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew® specializing in STOTT PILATES. Currently Irina teaches in Tokyo, Japan.

Irma Leissring
Floating
West Palm Beach, Florida, USA

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

Additional credentials and designations
MFA, TRX, GYROTONIC®

Bio

Irma earned her Master’s Degree in Fine Arts from the University of California, Irvine in 2001. While studying for her MFA in 1998, she took her first Pilates certification. In 2002 she earned full certification in STOTT PILATES®. Irma is now an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew® specializing in STOTT PILATES. Her passion for correcting form and healing the body motivated her to add her certifications in Active Isolated Stretching in 2010 and in 2011 she became certified in TRX® Suspension Training. Irma is also a certified instructor for GYROKINESIS® and GYROTONIC®.

Ishbel Cavaleri
Pacific Northwest Pilates Education
Portland, Oregon, USA

IT qualifications
STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer

Bio

Ishbel started practicing yoga with her mom when she was five years old and has practiced and studied yoga ever since. After a serious back injury, Ishbel began studying Pilates as a means of stabilizing her spine. She fell in love with the way Pilates transformed her body and has been teaching yoga and Pilates for the past 10 years. Ishbel is the owner of Nomad Yoga & Pilates, LLC, a business that brings yoga and Pilates classes to people in their homes and offices. She is an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew® specializing in STOTT PILATES® and has also earned a variety of Yoga certifications. Ishbel works extensively with individuals who are recovering from injuries, and loves watching the progression from instability and pain to stability and ease-of-movement and easily relates to the relief that Pilates brings to people’s lives!

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Jaada Harding-Peterson
Floating
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

IT qualifications
STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, and Barrels, CORE™

Bio

Jaada has been professionally committed to fitness for over 20 years. Her passion for health allows her to encourage people to attain a better quality of life. She is a Fully Certified STOTT PILATES® Instructor and an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew® specializing in STOTT PILATES Matwork & Reformer, Cadillac, Chair & Barrels and CORE. Discovering Pilates has been fulfilling and she loves sharing this amazing fitness approach with others. Jaada loves the Utah summers, enjoys hiking, boating and sitting by the pool, while actively pursuing many other avenues of fitness. Whether it is traditional step aerobics or kickboxing, core training to Zumba, Spinning® or yoga, she continually strives to educates herself and teach others.

Jacqueline (Jackie) Gallant
Floating
Montreal, Quebec, Canada

IT qualifications
STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer, Chair, Cadillac & Barrels, ISP; Rehabilitation; CORE™, ZEN•GA® Mat

Additional credentials and designations
B.Sc. P.T.

Bio

Jackie has always been involved in sports, fitness and physical health, which led her to a Physical Therapy degree from Université de Montréal in 1993 and she continues to add post-graduate courses to help improve her practice. In 2005, she tried a STOTT PILATES® Mat course and saw the potential of incorporating it for her patients to help restore function and ability. She started using her anatomy background along with her new skills in Pilates and saw great results with everyone - from rehabilitation patients to group and private clients. An active teacher in Pilates for over nine years, she earned her Full STOTT PILATES Instructor Certification in 2012, and became a Lead Instructor Trainer for Merrithew® specializing in STOTT PILATES. Jackie specializes in acute and chronic general orthopedic conditions, sports medicine, post-surgery rehabilitation, breast cancer and postural dysfunction in kids and teenagers. Jackie is fluent in both French and English.

Jacqui Pilkington
Conscious Education
Denver, Colorado, USA

IT qualifications
STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer

Additional credentials and designations
NPCP Certified Instructor

Bio

Despite dedicating over 12 years to competitive dancing and volleyball, Jacqui discovered her true passion when she stepped into her first Pilates class. Captivated by the deep-strengthening, functional workout, she became a passionate advocate for Pilates — an exercise that left her feeling challenged, energized and grounded, both physically and mentally.

After graduating from Regis University with a degree in Public Relations & Marketing and beginning a career as a Marketing Director, Jacqui left it all behind when she realized it was time for her to share her passion for Pilates with others. She became a STOTT PILATES® Certified Instructor in April 2019 and founded her studio, REFORM Pilates & Barre, in June of the same year. She went on to obtain her STOTT PILATES Full Certification in April 2021 and STOTT PILATES Matwork and Reformer Instructor Trainer in March 2023.

With a passion for form and attention to detail, Jacqui tailors each workout to meet her client’s needs and challenges them to build endurance and strength. She is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of everyone who walks through the door.

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