Instructor Trainers

Tessa Crofton is the founder and director of West Coast Pilates and Health Inc., which has been located in Victoria, BC for more than 17 years. Tessa has always had a passion for movement and physical health, and is a well-known member of British Columbia’s Pilates community, as well as a valuable resource, leader, and mentor to Instructors. She is a certified personal trainer, group fitness leader and strength trainer. In 2000, Tessa became a Merrithew^® Lead Instructor Trainer specializing in STOTT PILATES^® and ZEN•GA^®. She also holds multiple certifications with BCRPA and canfitpro and has been a Presenter on behalf of Merrithew at the Canfitpro Conference in Vancouver the past 2 years. Tessa works with physiotherapy patients on the road to recovery, triathletes and fitness enthusiasts to enhance their athletic performance, and breast cancer survivors to rebuild their strength and spirit. Tessa practices Pilates and other mindful movement modalities to improve flexibility, strength and endurance in her own athletic endeavors. Her passion for learning and sharing continuing education has helped Tessa become a sought-after teacher and a Merrithew Lead Instructor Trainer.

Tim became an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES^® and CORE^™ in 2007 and moved to Brazil as a Lead IT shortly thereafter to train instructors in the STOTT PILATES method at Pilates Studio Fit; a Licensed Training Center in São Paulo. He moved back to the United States in 2011 and now is pursuing a Ph. D. in Exercise Science emphasis on Low Back Pain Research. Tim is a Licensed Massage Therapist, a Full Body Active Release Techniques Provider, and an Active Isolated Stretching Therapist. In addition to his schoolwork and training Pilates instructors, Tim acts as an NCAA sports massage therapist for collegiate swimming and diving teams such as Harvard, Iowa State and the University of Texas. He is also the assistant coach for the University of Texas Triathlon team.

Originally from Tokyo, Tomo obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health and Exercise Science from Colorado State University, where she and gained extensive practical experience working with the body as an aide in orthopedic physical therapy clinics. It was in the field of rehabilitation that Tomo discovered Pilates and she decided to pursue her STOTT PILATES^® certification with the belief that the method could help people maintain a strong mind and body. She became an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES in 2009 and continually draws from her diverse background and knowledge of the human body in teaching students and helping clients achieve their fitness goals.

Tomoko began her training with STOTT PILATES^® in 2003 and received her Full Certification in 2005. She became a certified Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® in 2007.

Tracy Dawber has been teaching Pilates for more than 17 years. Originally a fully-trained classical ballet dancer and teacher, Tracy opened her own studio and taught Ballet for 9 years. While looking for an exercise to do for herself, a friend recommended Pilates. Her search led her to STOTT PILATES^® and she decided to embark on training and certification in 1999. After completing her Full Certification, Tracy went on to become a Merrithew^® Lead Instructor Trainer specializing in STOTT PILATES.

Tracy came to Pilates with a long history in movement of the body. With a Master of Fine Arts in Modern Dance from the University of NC at Greensboro, he worked as a professional dancer before an injury changed the direction of his career. In search of rehabilitation, he found Pilates and after 6 months, the pain he had experienced for two years disappeared. Amazed by the healing nature of the method, Tracy became certified with STOTT PILATES^® in 2004 and is currently a Merrithew^® Lead Instructor Trainer specializing in STOTT PILATES. His new career path has allowed him to travel to many places from Montreal, Quebec to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, UAE teaching and training in the exercise technique.

In 2005, Tresa left a 20-year paralegal career to become a STOTT PILATES^® Certified Instructor. After completing her courses at The Sweatshop in St. Paul, she began teaching classes and working privately with clients there. In 2010, Tresa became an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES and remains at The Sweatshop now teaching students in addition to her client base. Her dynamic personality and keen sense of humor bring enthusiasm to the educational setting and make her an approachable mentor and information source. In addition to Pilates, Tresa is a TRX Suspension System, Russian Kettlebell and CrossFit enthusiast.

Vichael is the proud co-owner of VIM Pilates Studio, a Merrithew^® Host Training Center in Hong Kong. In 2010, he became the first Merrithew Instructor Trainer specializing in STOTT PILATES^® in Greater China region. Awarded the Rookie IT in 2012 and is a Lead IT currently.

Being able to teach bilingually in English and Chinese, Vichael has trained students in Canada, Hong Kong, Korea, Mainland China and Taiwan, Thailand. His courses and workshops always attract a wide array of students.

Vichael is passionate about teaching, He tries to keep his client teaching despite his busy schedule of instructor trainings.

Vichael also enthuses about learning. He finished his Master study in Osteopathy after another one in Sports Medicines. He also gets trained by gurus in fascial sciences such as Thomas Myers and Robert Schleip.

Vichael’s extensive experience makes his teaching unique and practical. Students from different backgrounds all find it easy to learn from his classes.

Vita's journey in Pilates began through her own need for rehabilitation. After diligently studying the STOTT PILATES^® professional courses, she developed a deeper appreciation and understanding of its scientific nature and how it could impact the reshaping of her mental outlook. In 2020, Vita became a STOTT PILATES Certified Instructor, and she became a Certified Instructor Trainer in Matwork & Reformer in 2022.

Her enthusiasm for teaching and guidance is contagious, enabling hundreds of students - ranging from athletes to dancers to those recovering from illness - to better understand their bodies. She now operates a dedicated Pilates studio in Shenyang, China to spread internationally-recognized high-quality Pilates practices.

Vivian is a well-known fitness professional in the Philippines. She has taught aerobics and personal training for more than 40 years. Vivian won the Ms. Philippines title in Body Building in 1988, and was a television fitness program host in the 1980s. She became a Merrithew^® Lead Instructor Trainer specializing in STOTT PILATES^® in 2003 and is passionate about teaching students across Asia and Hawaii. Vivian is also a Level 3 Franklin Method Movement Educator. She takes a special interest in mentoring prospective Instructor Trainers and enjoys sharing business knowledge she has gained from owning a Merrithew Licensed Training Center since 2004. Vivian graduated "Cum Laude" with a Bachelor of Science in Education, with a major in Physical Education from The University of Santo Tomas, and also holds a Masters of Arts degree in Physical Education from Centro Escolar University. She is an ACE GOLD Certified Personal Trainer and an ACE Group Fitness Instructor. Vivian considers herself to be a lifelong student, and loves to integrate FUN as she shares what she has learned with others. It is from passion that Vivian has learned to be the first IT that has earned all 9 Specialty Tracks that Merrithew has offered to its STOTT PILATES Graduates.