Instructor Trainers

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 first introduced to STOTT PILATES^® in 2008, shortly after completing her degree in Physical Education and Sport. With a strong background in dance, sports and fitness, she immediately connected with the STOTT PILATES method and chose to deepen her education in the discipline.

While pursuing her STOTT PILATES certification, Maria also completed her degree in Physiotherapy, specializing in movement and therapeutic exercise. In 2014, she founded PITZ, a Pilates and rehabilitation studio, where she continues to practice as a physiotherapist and studio manager. Her dedication to teaching and skill development led her to become a Merrithew^® Instructor Trainer, a role that has allowed her to teach in several countries across Europe and the Middle East.

Maria is passionate about integrating movement, science and communication. She has authored a book chapter exploring the impact of communication on rehabilitation and exercise prescription, an area she believes is essential for effective clinical practice and teaching. She is currently collaborating with the Merrithew team in the development of Professional Development Courses, contributing to the growth, innovation and ongoing education of the global community.

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.

Born in Athens, Greece, Marilena discovered her love of movement at a young age—an early passion that grew into a successful career as a professional ballet dancer.

Her talent took her to London in 1991 on a coveted scholarship to the Urdang Academy of Ballet & Performing Arts in Covent Garden. Soon after, she was invited to perform as a soloist with the Vienna Festival Ballet Company, dancing iconic leading roles and touring stages across the UK and Europe. Her versatility opened doors to the West End, as well as television, media, and film—broadening her creative footprint far beyond the classical stage.

After more than 20 years of performing, Marilena embraced her next chapter with the same passion: Pilates. In 2016, she launched Fitnation, her own studio in London, offering highly personalised one-to-one and small-group training.

Today, Marilena’s deep commitment to the STOTT Pilates^® Movement System continues to guide and inspire her students on their own journey toward strength, alignment, and mindful movement.

Marina Buntovskikh is a STOTT PILATES^® and Total Barre^® Instructor Trainer, and the founder of Brussels Pilates Academy, a Merrithew Hosting Training Center in Belgium since 2010. With more than 20 years of experience in movement and education, she trains instructors internationally in Matwork, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair & Barrels (CCB/ACCB), Injury & Special Populations (ISP), and Total Barre.

After completing her studies at the University for Foreign Languages in Kazakhstan, Marina moved to Europe in 1997 and began her career as a certified Aerobic Instructor (BSA Akademie & FISAF) before pursuing her full STOTT PILATES training in Toronto, Milan, Stockholm, Hamburg and Geneva. She became an Instructor Trainer in 2010 and has since developed Brussels Pilates Academy into a leading Pilates education center in Belgium. She teaches in French and English with a strong focus on functional anatomy, biomechanics, and mindful, intelligent cueing.

Marina speaks four languages—Russian, French, English and German—and is known for her precise, structured and supportive teaching approach.

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.

Marketa was introduced to Pilates in 2006 at the John Garey Pilates studio in Long Beach, California. She quickly discovered the benefits of Pilates on building strength, flexibility and resolving persistent joint pain. After retiring from a professional career in the Information Technology industry, she set her next goal on becoming a fully certified STOTT PILATES^® Instructor.

Marketa is passionate about using Pilates to help people feel good in their bodies and have the best quality of life. Her belief in the STOTT PILATES method and commitment to education led her to become an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew specializing in Matwork & Reformer in 2022, and in Anatomy in 2025.

Marketa holds a NPCP certification as a National Pilates Certified Teacher, Franklin Method Educator Level 1, Fascia Movement Specialist and Rehabilitation Specialist. Marketa is also trained in Breast Cancer Rehabilitation.

Marketa is teaching in Europe as well as at several facilities across the US. She maintains a private Pilates training practice in Delaware. Marketa is teaching in both Czech and English.