Instructor Trainers

Laureen is an integral member of a dynamic team responsible for the global development and implementation of training and certification programs. Her spirited approach to teaching has made Laureen a vibrant international presenter, trainer and examiner. An NSCA certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist and a Pink Ribbon certified instructor, she began teaching Pilates in 1995, and is now a Merrithew^® Pilates Master Instructor Trainer specializing in STOTT PILATES^®, ZEN•GA^®, Total Barre^®, Halo^® Training and Merrithew Fascial Movement. Laureen is a featured performer and associate producer of many Merrithew DVDs, the associate editor of numerous teaching manuals and author of articles in several industry publications.

Prior to joining Merrithew, Laureen worked for Tennis Canada where she was responsible for Canadian and international public relations in the capacity of media relations and communications, player relations and event organization. Laureen studied Dance and Physical Education at York University in Toronto where she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.

Laurentia was trained in ballet and traditional dance at a young age and it is through her passion in body movement that she was intrigued to learn about Pilates. She received her STOTT PILATES^® certification in 2012 and became a certified Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES in 2014. Along with the STOTT PILATES method, Laurentia is also qualified in CORE^™ Athletic Conditioning & Performance Training^™ and an Instructor Trainer for Total Barre^®.

In 1997, LeeAnn began working with athletes in the prevention, emergency care and rehabilitation of injury. She developed her passion for teaching during two years of instruction in the Athletic Training Program at James Madison University. But it wasn’t until 2004, after spending several years as a rehab integration specialist (as well as with working through her own struggles with Scoliosis), that Pilates emerged as a focus for her.

LeAnn since went on to become an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® in 2007, specializing in STOTT PILATES^®. The same year, she joined Balance Pilates Training Center in Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.A.. She now possesses 25 years of experience working in the fitness industry, and continues to love sharing her knowledge and skills with future instructors.

Clara Chen had always been an avid Yoga practitioner. She was introduced to STOTT PILATES^® back in 2018. She was amazed at how STOTT PILATES helped her improve her posture and correct knocked knees. Her transformative journey inspired her to pursue Halo^® Training which enabled her to help clients improve their postural alignment. Clara Chen is now a STOTT PILATES Pre- and Post-Natal Specialist and she also became STOTT PILATES certified in Mat and Reformer in February 2022. She became a Halo Training – Part 1 Instructor Trainer in November 2022.

Leonieke Albreghs’ Pilates journey first began after undergoing a major surgery in 1999. Leonieke used Pilates as part of her rehabilitation after surgery. In 2000, after years of continuous studies and teaching in health clubs, she discovered STOTT PILATES^® and became inspired to further her education in the method. Building on her background as an aerobics, dance and school teacher in The Netherlands, she was keen to share with others the knowledge that had eased her pain. Leonieke’s extensive Pilates education and teaching experience began in 2008 while living in The Netherlands. She has since moved to The U.K. and has continued to share her passion for teaching STOTT PILATES.

It was not long after that Leonieke’s love, dedication and passion for educating others about Pilates encouraged her to become a Merrithew^® Instructor Trainer in 2016 specializing in STOTT PILATES.

Leslie Braverman is a former professional dancer with a 15-year career performing with leading companies including Cleveland San Jose Ballet, The Richmond Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theatre, and BODYVOX. She trained at the North Carolina School of the Arts, earning the Peabody Scholarship Award, the ARTS Level One Award, and was one of five U.S. dancers sponsored for the Prix de Lausanne.

Introduced to Pilates during her dance training and later to STOTT PILATES^® through injury rehabilitation, Leslie credits the method with restoring her movement and extending her performing career. She became a STOTT PILATES^® Certified Instructor in 1997, an Instructor Trainer in 2000, and a Lead Instructor Trainer in 2012.

Based in Portland, Oregon, Leslie is the co-owner of Pacific Northwest Pilates Education, a long-standing Merrithew^® Licensed Training Center she co-founded with Melanie Byford-Young in 2001. She oversees strategic direction, educational programming, and marketing for the center while teaching courses, workshops, and training programs year-round.

Leslie has presented Merrithew courses and workshops across the United States, Canada, Spain, Japan, and Turkey. In addition to mentoring aspiring instructors, she is passionate about training dancers, athletes, and clients of all ages—blending the artistry and athleticism of her dance background with the science-based foundation of STOTT PILATES.

 

Formerly a professional dancer, Leslie was introduced to the STOTT PILATES^® method after an extensive knee injury and a multitude of surgeries ending her career as a dancer. Her familiarity with body movement and muscular strength made the transition to Pilates feel completely natural. She quickly advanced herself in the industry and is now a Merrithew^® Lead Instructor Trainer specializing in Total Barre^® and STOTT PILATES. She is a valued member of the Merrithew education team and presents on their behalf. Leslie continues to train both future instructors and private clients including Cirque du Soleil performers, NHL Players, Olympic athletes and is an adviser/instructor to “SpiderTech Kinesiology” Executives.

A native Brazilian, Leticia has been in the health and fitness industry since 2001 when she began dance lessons. In 2005 she was certified by UNIFIEO as a physical educator, but sustained considerable joint damage after teaching a large number of fitness classes. Leticia began her career with STOTT PILATES^® in 2007 to enhance her knowledge and use the technique for her own benefit. Realizing the benefits, she left the gyms and became an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES in 2010.

A former Indonesian athlete in badminton and swimming, Lily became a STOTT PILATES^® Certified Instructor in 2004, and an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES in 2007. In 2012, she was named a Lead Instructor Trainer. She is also is Certified Redcord Active Instructor Trainer. Based at the Merrithew Licensed Training Center in Jakarta, Indonesia, this high-energy Indonesian native has traveled to present workshops and teach the STOTT PILATES method around the world. Lily’s vibrant and down-to-earth attitude has made her one of Indonesia’s most respected Pilates personalities. In addition, Lily is a regular contributor for leading health, fitness and women's magazines and a member of the advisory board for Pilates in SHAPE Magazine Indonesia. Teaching is a part of her never ending pursuit of knowledge as to what she believes “We learn so much more when we are teaching.”

Lisa first became aware of Pilates when she was 16 years old, but it wasn't until she joined ballet Memphis in 1999 that she was introduced to STOTT PILATES^®. She received her STOTT PILATES certification in 1999 and became an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^®; specializing in STOTT PILATES Matwork and Reformer in 2009. Lisa has a BS in Ballet with an Outside Field in French from Indiana University. She danced professionally for 10 years with Louisville Ballet, Lexington Ballet and Ballet Memphis and was a guest artist with a number of smaller companies. Most recently, Lisa graduated from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in May of 2014 with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy, and has recently relocated to the D.C. metropolitan area where she is working as both a Physical Therapist and a STOTT PILATES Instructor and IT. She is currently in an orthopedic residency program for Physical Therapy and is pursuing an orthopedic specialty license. Her continued education has enhanced and informed her teaching and personal practice.