Instructor Trainers

Pilar started her practice as a physiotherapist in the neurological field, then transferred to the sports field. She specializes in Obstetric & Gynecologist Therapy as well as Myofascial Techniques. Pilar shares her enthusiasm in the Pilates Method teaching courses internationally in several University Masters programs. She received her Full Certification in the STOTT PILATES^® method in 2006 and became an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES in 2007 and the STOTT PILATES Rehab program in 2014. She was granted Merrithew Lead Instructor Trainer in 2018.

Pilar worked for more than 18 years in high performance sports as a gymnast trainer and coordinator of technical programs that develop efficiency and safety for competitive gymnasts. In 2003, she first experienced Pilates, and saw how it could improve athletic performance. She decided to certify in classic Pilates, and began applying what she learned to gymnasts as a complement to their workouts with excellent results.

Years later, she was working in a fitness club and spa as a personal trainer, and focused on injury prevention and post-rehab using Pilates. She chose to obtain STOTT PILATES^® Certification in order to add to her knowledge base and learn a more efficient and intelligent method of movement. STOTT PILATES provided her with a full and complete understanding of the biomechanics involved in all forms of exercise. As a STOTT PILATES Instructor Trainer, Pilar teaches courses in Spain and Portugal.

Pilar has been involved with movement from an early age. She began competing in rhythmic gymnastics at the age of 8, and later trained in professional ballet. Pilar abandoned her ballet career due to a knee injury and enrolled at university. She has a degree in Physical Education and a Masters degree in Health and Exercise. Pilar was introduced to Pilates in 2006 and has been teaching ever since. She is a Merrithew^® Instructor Trainer in STOTT PILATES^® Mat and Reformer. She owns a studio in Ibiza, Spain.

PJ is a highly sought after, internationally recognized, award-winning health and fitness icon. She has published numerous fitness and therapeutic programs spanning many disciplines, including Pilates for Breast Cancer Rehabilitation, Fascia and Movement, and Athletic Performance for Cyclists. In addition to being a leader in the mindful movement field since the 1980s, PJ is also a local of Beverly who has trained generations of North Shore residents and their families for decades.

She is well known in both the consumer and professional markets as a movement innovator and Merrithew^® Master Instructor Trainer, inspiring her local clients and fitness professionals from around the world. PJ specializes in STOTT PILATES^® and TRX^®, and has appeared in well over 80 fitness DVDs and digital platforms. She is highly driven, extremely passionate, and committed to all aspects of health and wellness. In her spare time, PJ, along with her husband, is an avid cyclist and participates in many charitable events.

Rachel Gleason is a physical therapist and professor at the University of Cincinnati's DPT program. Over the last several years, Rachel has completed her Full Certification with Merrithew^® becoming an Instructor Trainer in 2020 specializing in STOTT PILATES^®. Rachel is an IT for Over Fifty Fitness, where she offers courses and workshops. She also teaches Merrithew courses at the University of Cincinnati.

Rachel originally trained as a classical ballet dancer and worked in the profession from the age of nine. She started Pilates at the age of 14 as part of her rehabilitation for a prolapsed disc. After undergoing two back operations in 1996 and 2010, Pilates has enabled her to regain strength and control. It was only natural that she would end up becoming a Pilates instructor after understanding how beneficial this way of working is. Following her second back operation she became a personal trainer, a STOTT PILATES^® Certified Instructor and then a Merrithew^® Instructor Trainer. She has worked with many clients from all backgrounds and abilities, helping them achieve strength, control and flexibility. She thrives training clients and instructors to reach levels that they never thought possible. Her enthusiasm and dedication has helped many people improve their fitness and take control of their own health.

Bec has over 30 years of experience in the dancing industry, specializing in theatrical dance and acrobatics. After a career change and five children later, Bec completed the STOTT PILATES^® Full Certification. She has been teaching the STOTT PILATES method for five years now, along with Total Barre^®, ZEN•GA^®, and CORE^™.

Bec has always been passionate about teaching others, so becoming a Merrithew^® Instructor Trainer was a natural next step. She is impressed by the STOTT PILATES method as it develops strength, flexibility, and mobility, all while allowing people to have fun. She is fascinated by fascial movement and will continue to broaden her knowledge in this field.

Rebecca has been working in the health and fitness industry since 2000 and has her BA in Adult Fitness from Marshall University in West Virginia. She has been an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES^® since 2010 followed by CORE^™ and Total Barre^® since 2013. She is also a certified ACE Personal Trainer and an AFAA certified Group Fitness Instructor. Rebecca is the proud owner of Be Buff Pilates, a boutique Pilates studio that incorporates Pilates and Functional Training.

Prior to her life as a Pilates Instructor, Rebecca had careers in radio broadcasting as a disc jockey & traffic reporter and in cable television advertising, amongst others. She was first exposed to the Pilates method as a young dancer. Many years later, and looking for a "complete 180" career change, she was exposed to STOTT PILATES^®. She began her training in 2001 and became fully certified in the full STOTT PILATES^® repertoire. She became an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES in 2012 and has been teaching & training ever since. Rebecca relishes in the good Pilates has done her and absolutely loves sharing knowledge with her students.

Rebecca holds a BFA in Dance from California State University Long Beach and is a certified STOTT PILATES^® Instructor. She was introduced to Pilates in 1994, which further sparked her fascination for body awareness, alignment and core-strength. In 2013, Rebecca became an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES. Rebecca enjoys creating a workout experience that suits each person's specific needs, fitness goals and skill level whether they are athletes, those suffering with chronic pain, rehabilitation from surgery, or those who are simply seeking to learn more about their bodies. She loves watching the positive changes brought about by practicing STOTT PILATES and empowering her clients with a mind-body awareness that can be carried into their everyday lives. When Rebecca is not teaching Pilates or dancing, she can be found climbing in the North Cascades or backcountry skiing.