Instructor Trainers

Mari became aware of Pilates in the 1990s but was only able to practice regularly starting in 2010. Pilates helped improve her frequent neck, shoulder & back pain after various therapies provided limited relief. Having experienced firsthand the power of Pilates, she resonates with Joseph Pilates' idea that "Change happens through movement and movement heals". Mari’s love for Pilates led her to pursue her STOTT PILATES certification while taking a break from her corporate life in Brand & Marketing. Soon after, she made a career switch to become a STOTT PILATES Certified Instructor. She loves that it is a job where one keeps learning and growing. She believes Pilates is restorative yet challenging - a harmony of big and small muscles working together, gaining flexibility through strength and realignment. Mari has a passion for helping people achieve to be the best version of themselves.

Maria Adelaide is a highly-respected fitness professional. She is an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES^® Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Stability Chair and Barrels as well as a qualified-Yoga teacher. Having moved to London from Italy to continue her professional dance career, she first discovered Pilates whilst at the London Studio Centre, the performing art college where she graduated.

Maria Adelaide tailors each class safely and creatively. Her approach focuses on alignment and the connection between fluid-movement and the breath to ensure that her students feel stronger and more flexible with improved physical awareness. Maria Adelaide provides excellent and responsive advice and mentoring to ensure that her students receive first-rate support when preparing for and following their examinations.

Maria was introduced to STOTT PILATES^® in 2008, after completing her graduation in Physical Education and Sports. With a background in dance, sports and fitness, she immediately fell in love with STOTT PILATES and decided to pursue further education in the method.

While completing her STOTT PILATES certification, Maria also graduated in Physiotherapy, specializing in movement and therapeutic exercise. In 2014, she opened PITZ, a Pilates studio and rehab and has since become a Merrithew^® Instructor Trainer.

Maria works as a physiotherapist and manager at PITZ, and collaborates at Aveiro University, as an invited teacher, and mentoring physiotherapy interns. She is also passionate about communication and is currently writing a book chapter on the impact of communication in rehabilitation and exercise prescription.

In 1996, Maria began her dance training and has worked with different dance and theater companies since then. She started her fitness journey in 2005 by incorporating yoga and Pilates which helped her build strength and flexibility, which are both crucial for dancers.

In 2011, Maria was introduced to STOTT PILATES^®. This inspired her to dive further into this journey and she became a STOTT PILATES Instructor Trainer specializing in Mat and Reformer in 2022. She believes that Pilates plays a huge role in ensuring overall well-being and that everyone should incorporate mindful movement into their exercise routine.

Maria Monks received her STOTT PILATES^® full certification as an instructor in 2010. In 2013 she traveled to Milan, Italy to become an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES. Maria has been involved with movement of the human body from an early age, participating in gymnastics as well as Ballroom and Latin American dancing. While completing her bachelor's degree in Psychology, she discovered STOTT PILATES and became quite passionate about the method of exercise. Her past injuries created an awareness of how beneficial this method of exercise can be. Maria guides clients of all ages and different levels of fitness, focusing with sensitivity to their varying needs, to achieve their personal goals through strength and mobility.

Marie holds a B.Ed. from the University of Alberta and started her career in the fitness industry in 1997 as a Fitness Program Director at the YMCA. She became a STOTT PILATES^® Certified Instructor in 2001 after discovering Pilates and enjoying how well it integrated with her fitness background in dance and purposeful movement. Marie became an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES^® in 2007 and believes her teaching is greatly enhanced by her extensive movement training background. She enjoys the challenge that comes with carefully tailoring programs to each individual based on their unique background, goals, and lifestyle.

Marilena Nicolaou born and raised in Greece loved movement from a very young age and became a professional ballet dancer. In 1991, she moved to London and got a scholarship at the Urdang Academy of Ballet & Performing Arts. She has worked in TV, movies, and theater productions. After over 20 years of performing, Marilena switched to the fitness industry, Pilates specifically. In 2016, she opened her own small Pilates studio in London, where she teaches groups and individuals. Her dedication to the STOTT PILATES^® Movement System inspires her students.

Born in Russia, Marina studied German at the University for Foreign Languages in Almaty, Kazakhstan. After moving to Europe in 1997, her passion for fitness and wellness led her to become a certified Aerobic Instructor and a STOTT PILATES^® Certified Instructor. She holds a certification as an Aerobic Instructor from BSA Akademie in Germany (1999-2000) and FISAF (Federation of International Sports of Aerobics and Fitness) in Paris 2001. Shortly after, she completed her first STOTT PILATES training in Toronto, Canada at our Merrithew^® Corporate Training Center. She received her first certification in STOTT PILATES Matwork level 1 in 2004. She then became an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES in 2010 and a proud owner of BRUSSELS PILATES a Merrithew Licensed Training Center Satellite. Marina speaks Russian, English, French, and German.

As a student, Marina competed in track and field events and earned Coaching (Track and Field) and Rehabilitation degrees. In 1995, Marina opened her first professional studio in Russia. In 2008, Marina earned her first STOTT PILATES^® certification in Toronto. She moved to Singapore in 2011, where she opened Smart Fit Studio. Marina completed her training, becoming an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® in September 2016, specializing in STOTT PILATES Mat and Reformer. Like many devoted athletes, Marina's past injuries led to her focus on injury prevention and rehabilitation, and her personal experience fuels her expertise and empathy. Marina works closely with doctors, physical therapists and other medical professionals and top professional athletes to sustain high levels of performance.

Like many, Marissa was fortunate to discover Pilates during her recovery from a back injury. A rock climber and all-around active person, she noted significant benefits to her climbing skills and other activities, including skiing, tennis, cycling, running, hiking and dance. A medical speech-language pathologist and clinical researcher, Marissa was pursuing a Ph.D. in Neuroscience when she realized that her love of Pilates, teaching and neuromotor sciences could all be synthesized in her work as a Pilates instructor. She devoted herself to the STOTT PILATES^® method in 2013 and excelled at it, becoming an Instructor Trainer in 2017. She dedicates her time to advancing her knowledge of biomechanics and uses her knowledge of neuromuscular control and motor learning to create a solid understanding of anatomy, strength and movement for students. Her therapeutic background provides her with a unique ability to identify individual learning styles and translate the work accordingly in a fun way that builds confidence and independence.