Instructor Trainers

Marsha received her certification as a STOTT PILATES^® Instructor in 2001, and became an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES^® in 2008. Marsha has always had a passion for body movement and dance, having spent over twenty years as a professional ballet dancer, instructor and choreographer. She holds a Masters of Science Education in Exercise Physiology from the University of Kansas, and is a certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist and Health Fitness Specialist through the American College of Sports Medicine. Marsha brings her extensive knowledge of movement biomechanics, as well as a genuine enthusiasm for bodywork to each workout.

Known for his clinical knowledge, endless humor, and abundant energy, Marshall earned his first fitness certification and began training clients in 1986. He holds a Masters degree with a special emphasis in Biomechanics and Athletic Training and is an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES^®. Marshall presents on behalf of Merrithew^® and divides his time between client assessment, staff development, instructor training, and writing.

Marta began her training with STOTT PILATES^® in 2005 and became a Certified Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® in 2007. She was granted Merrithew Lead Instructor Trainer status in 2018.

Martha has been teaching fitness since 1984 (over 30 yrs!). Martha began studying Pilates in 2001, earned her Full STOTT PILATES^® Certification in September 2004 and soon after became certified as an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^®, specializing in STOTT PILATES^®, (the only Pilates instructor in Maine to earn this status!) She has trained at the Merrithew Training Center in Toronto, and at Northeast Pilates Certification Center in Massachusetts. Martha holds national certifications for both group fitness and personal trainer through American Council on Exercise (ACE), is a TRX Qualified Instructor (Oct 2010) and is also a certified STAR LEVEL 2 SPINNING^® instructor. Her cycling adventures include Trek Across Maine (1997 & 1998), Dempsey Challenge 50 miles (2009 & 2010) and many of the Maine Bike Coalition sponsored rides. She has a love for learning and has taken several courses in anatomy and is continually staying updated of the latest research in the fitness industry. With a strong desire to help clients improve their fitness levels, she strives to make a healthy lifestyle enjoyable.

Mary Jo is a dedicated fitness professional with over 30 years of experience in the health and wellness industry. She is committed to coaching individuals on effective ways to achieve optimal health, movement, and fitness, empowering them to live with energy, happiness, and motivation. Mary Jo has been STOTT PILATES^® certified since 2002 and brings a comprehensive background in Yoga, Gyrotonic, functional movement, ZEN•GA^®, and Fascial Movement. She is a passionate advocate for holistic wellness, integrating mindfulness, embodied cognition, and bio-hacking to inspire limitless human potential.

Mary Jo currently serves as a STOTT PILATES Lead Instructor Trainer at Live Metta Pilates in Long Beach, California, where she has led comprehensive STOTT PILATES workshops and courses since 2003 while mentoring Instructor Trainers and students and upholding high standards of instruction. Alongside her Instructor Trainer role, she continues to work with private clients and has taught ZEN•GA programs since 2013 and Fascial Movement education since 2022, guiding mind–body training that integrates functional movement, strength, endurance, flexibility, and dynamic stability with a focus on myofascial health. Since 2018, she has also worked as a Certified Human Potential Coach, supporting transformative growth through mindfulness, embodied cognition, and bio-hacking. Across her career, which began in 1990, Mary Jo has accumulated more than three decades of hands-on experience helping clients and students achieve meaningful health, movement, and performance outcomes.

Matilda has been working as a Pilates instructor for over 14 years. She became a fully Certified Instructor in 2004 at the Merrithew^® training center in Toronto, and went on to become an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew specializing in STOTT PILATES^® in 2011, joining three others in Sweden. Besides her education in Pilates she is a trained classical dancer from The Royal Swedish School of Ballet and freelanced as a dancer before critically injuring her neck on stage. "The best part about my work is that I get to work with both people and training" says Matilda.

Matteo Margiotta was initially introduced to the STOTT PILATES^® method in 2004 during his rehabilitation from football-related injuries. Developing a deep passion for Pilates, he pursued full certification as a STOTT PILATES Instructor in 2008. Motivated by the exceptional results he witnessed, he subsequently embarked on a career at a Licensed Training Center in Milan, Italy, before ultimately establishing his own Pilates studio, Villa Pilates, in Bologna.

Currently, Matteo dedicates his expertise to working with athletes, focusing on injury prevention and facilitating muscle recovery following competitions. In addition to his instructing role, Matteo actively participates in sport management programs with Bologna's University and the Football National League. He consistently endeavors to introduce the Pilates method as an innovative approach within these contexts.

Megumi Nakagawa is a dedicated STOTT PILATES^® Instructor Trainer based in Fukuoka, Japan. Fully Certified in STOTT PILATES, Megumi is also trained in in Halo^® Training Part 1, ZEN•GA^® Mat, Total Barre^® , and Fascial Movement. As the driving force behind Fukuoka Prefecture, she has nurtured a vibrant Pilates community, shaping a new wave of instructors through an emphasis on communication and accessible learning.

Melanie began her career as a physiotherapist after graduating from McMaster University, treating orthopedic, post-surgical, and neurological clients in Squamish, BC. She later earned her FCAMPT designation and, after relocating to Portland, co-founded Pacific Northwest Pilates in 2001, which launched her path as an IT and Master IT.

She was inspired to become a STOTT PILATES^® IT because she recognized the method as a powerful therapeutic tool that effectively integrates mobility, stability, and strength. Its logic resonated deeply with her and allowed her to combine her passions for physiotherapy, Pilates, teaching, and travel.

Melanie remains motivated by the opportunity to empower clients and students, especially those with complex conditions who need knowledgeable guidance. Her dedication to research and continuous learning supports her leadership in education.

She specializes in assessing and programming for complex clients, particularly individuals who have not found success with other approaches, and she enjoys challenging intermediate and advanced students in group equipment classes.

Melina graduated from the Dance University in Campinas, Brazil in 2005, where she studied classical ballet and contemporary dance. Her background made it easier to teach people how to understand their own body and create a good quality of movement. Currently studying Physiotherapy in Brazil, Melina started her STOTT PILATES^® training in 2010, and went on to become an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES Matwork and Reformer in 2013. She added Cadillac, Chair and Barrels IT credentials to her resume in 2015, when she co-opened her own studio, Espaço Manawa. In 2013, she became the first Total Barre^® Instructor Trainer in Brazil. She continues to be an advocate of the STOTT PILATES method and the Five Basic Principles in particular.