Instructor Trainers

Shelly first discovered STOTT PILATES^® in 2008 and has remained dedicated to the practice ever since. With a background in competitive gymnastics and professional ballet, Shelly has always been connected to movement. She holds a B.S. in Kinesiology from Humboldt State University, specializing in Pre-Physical Therapy, with a minor in Dance.

Since 2012, she has been sharing her knowledge in various movement and fitness disciplines and finds teaching STOTT PILATES to be the most rewarding. Driven by her commitment to continual growth, Shelly became a STOTT PILATES Mat and Reformer Instructor Trainer in 2023. She aspires to teach therapeutic forms of movement while making the exploration of the human body an enjoyable experience.

Sheri is a Merrithew^® Lead Instructor Trainer specializing in STOTT PILATES^®, Total Barre^® and CORE^™ Athletic Conditioning and Performance Training^™. She’s also qualified in TRX^®, Kettlebells and ViPR^™.

After earning a Ph.D. from Harvard University, Sheri’s first career was as a college economics professor. While she loved teaching, her passion for sports and wellness surpassed her interest in economics. She began training in Pilates in 2002 and quickly noticed how Pilates improved her performance in all sports, and later remedied her running injuries.

Sheri shares her expertise and love of fitness with a diverse clientele, including fellow instructors, clients and athletes. She also holds ACE certifications in Personal Training and Health Coaching and is a running coach for USA Track & Field.

Silvia’s interest in Pilates began while she was teaching yoga and noticed a number of her clients who were injured and required a level of rehabilitation she couldn’t offer at the time. In order to increase her understanding of anatomy and offer exercises that could improve the lives of her students, she moved to Seattle, U.S.A. and began her education at at LTC Bodycenter Studios of Merrithew^®. In 2010, Silvia became a STOTT PILATES^® Certified Instructor. Five years later, she opened the first and only hosting center in Busan, South Korea. She now runs another VIA Pilates hosting center in Daegu, as well.

Silvia is proud and respectful of Merrithew’s teaching method and philosophy. Helping people in pain find relief and better balance has been the greatest joy of her life. In 2021, she became an Instructor Trainer, and now guides her students toward a better understanding of STOTT PILATES. She looks forward to sharing her enthusiasm and passion with many more clients and students both now and into the future.

Daisy is a movement practitioner with skills in structural integration, neuromuscular re-education, functional training. She began her career as STOTT PILATES^® Instructor in 2009 and continued to advance her training with STOTT PILATES Mat & Reformer IT (2014) and Cadillac, Chair & Barrels IT (2023).Her interest in understanding the body as a whole led her to train in Anatomy Trains Structural Integration (2017), Visceral Manipulation, Be Activated, and Clinical Orthopedic Manual Therapy by Joe Muscolino. She also studied with James Earl in Born To Walk, Functional Bodywork and Born To Move.

Daisy is Trained in Developmental and neuro-movement methods, including multiple JKA certifications and Solvent and Glued by Jeremy Krauss. In the movement arts, she certified in Zenga and Fascial Movement, allowing her to blend fascial science, mindful movement and performance training.

With this unique combination of modalities, Daisy offers a comprehensive, integrative and client entered approach supporting enhanced movement efficiency, rehabilitation and overall wellbeing. She loves teaching and helping her students find their own path to becoming confident, skilled instructor.

Sophie originally trained as a Horse-Riding Instructor, qualifying in 1999 with the British Horse Society. She then moved into Horse Racing, training horses for point-to-points and hunter chases. After sustaining multiple injuries, she began training in the STOTT PILATES^® method. Seeing the results in her own body—stronger, more resilient, and pain-free—she embarked on her journey to become an instructor. Sophie qualified as a STOTT PILATES Certified Instructor in 2007 and continued her training, qualifying in ZEN∙GA^®, CORE^™, Total Barre^® and Fascial Movement, specializing in Athletic Conditioning & Group Mat work. Her client list spans all ages and needs, from post-surgery rehabilitation to performance enhancement for elite athletes, including England National Professional Footballer Trevoh Chalobah and Premier League Club players for Chelsea FC. Sophie naturally progressed to become a Merrithew^® Instructor Trainer. She loves training the next generation of teachers, sharing her passion and wealth of experience.

Stacee’s comprehensive knowledge of the human body and healing has strongly influenced her role as a Merrithew^® Instructor Trainer. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Physiology, has been a Licensed Massage Therapist since 2011, is a 200-hr Registered Yoga Teacher and is trained in iRest Yoga Nidra. She began her Pilates Training in 2007 and became an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew specializing in STOTT PILATES^® in 2009, and ZEN•GA^® Mat and Equipment in 2013. Stacee enjoys working with a range of clients but feels especially drawn toward exploring root causes for those struggling with injuries. Her teachings integrate her trust in the innate healing qualities of the body and empowering the connection between the mind and body. She enjoys blending many healing practices and prioritizes a calm, creative, and playful environment.

A professional ballet dancer for more than 12 years, Stephanie was introduced to the STOTT PILATES^® method during her rehabilitation from a back injury. After retiring from the stage in 2001, Stephanie worked as a ballet instructor and an administrator in the Classical Ballet Training Program at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. Her desire to give the students in the program the valuable benefit of Pilates prompted her to become a STOTT PILATES Certified Instructor. In 2003 she founded Pilates Movement Studio and later became a Merrithew^® Lead Instructor Trainer specializing in STOTT PILATES and Total Barre^®.

Stephanie Laoun (she/they) is a certified STOTT PILATES^® Instructor Trainer whose passion for helping others shines through in their teaching. Stephanie's classes are accessible and fun, leaving students feeling inspired and empowered, with the knowledge to move their bodies mindfully and with ease.

With a background as a high-level tennis player and a Tennis Canada certification, Stephanie turned to Pilates for rehabilitation from a chronic injury that impeded their ability to play and compete. The STOTT PILATES methodology was key to their successful return to the sport they love. Eager to share this training and expertise, Stephanie aims to help students achieve their movement and career aspirations, just as Pilates did for them.

Stephanie completed her certification under the tutelage of Darcy McMurray, Tessa Crofton, and other well renowned STOTT PILATES Instructor Trainers (IT) in 2018. She has since been teaching full time in Vancouver, Canada. She earned her IT certification in 2023 and is eager to spread her knowledge with other future instructors.

Sungmin began training in dance at the age of eight and enjoyed a successful dance career as a teenager. As part of her professional dance training, she was always interested in and attentive to rehabilitation.

Sungmin graduated from Yonsei University with a B.A. in Physical Education. During her studies, she undertook an internship as Athletic Trainer with the university’s soccer team, which inspired her to learn more about the different methods of exercise for rehabilitation and injury prevention. This passion launched her on a career path in Pilates, where she has specialized in STOTT PILATES^® since 2005.

After becoming a STOTT PILATES Certified Instructor, she pursued a master’s in sports medicine at Yonsei University. In 2008, she worked as a clinical exercise specialist at the Severance Hospital Health Care Center in Seoul.

In 2010, she opened her own Pilates studio in partnership with her husband, an orthopedist. Together they offer extensive rehabilitation and injury prevention exercises to clients with a variety of medical conditions and physical restrictions.

Takayuki boasts more than eight years of solid professional experience in the fitness industry. He has shown exceptional client relationship-building skills, proven by his becoming the No.1 Instructor in Japan. A personal trainer since 2000, Takayuki became a STOTT PILATES^® Certified Instructor in 2004 and became a Merrithew^® Instructor Trainer specializing in STOTT PILATES in 2009. He went on to become an IT for CORE^™ in 2013. He prides himself on having had professional dancers and athletes as his clients throughout his career.