Instructor Trainers

Talina Barsalou, a STOTT PILATES^® Instructor Trainer, has built a lifelong connection to movement and wellness. While earning her Business Degree at the University of Victoria, she began her fitness journey with her first certification through the YMCA. This early step sparked a deep passion for mindful movement.

Since then, Talina has earned multiple functional fitness certifications, completed two yoga teacher trainings, and achieved full STOTT PILATES certification. In 2021, she took the next step in her journey by training to become an Instructor Trainer. Mentored by exceptional educators in Victoria, Vancouver, and Toronto, including the renowned Tessa Crofton, she has continued to deepen both her practice and teaching.

Whether working one-on-one with clients in rehabilitation, supporting sport-specific conditioning, leading group classes or guiding aspiring instructors, Talina finds joy in helping others discover the power of Pilates and movement to transform both body and mind.

Tamara started studying Pilates more than 25 years ago to prolong her career as a professional dancer. During the 18 years of her performing and touring career she practiced numerous forms of body work, including Pilates, Gyrotonic and yoga. In 1998 Tamara received her instructor certification for STOTT PILATES^® and in 2003 she became an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES and less than a year later, the Pilates Centre was designated a Licensed Training Center, certifying instructors from all over the Mid-South. Tamara accepted a position as for Ballet Ballet Mistress Memphis in 1999 and started the Pilates Centre of Ballet Memphis, the first certified Pilates program in Memphis. Tamara continues to add to her skills through training and workshops.

Tania is a leading Pilates educator with a passion for elevating movement through evidence-based practice. She teaches at the STOTT PILATES^® Academy Toronto and runs a thriving private practice in Toronto, ON, Canada. She has completed advanced full-body dissection training to deepen her understanding of fascia and biomechanics. Known for her clarity, curiosity, and compassion, Tania helps both movers and instructors unlock more efficient, intelligent movement.

Prior to becoming a STOTT PILATES^® Instructor Trainer, her background and experience were shaped by managing her own experience with post-partum rehabilitation, which inspired her to pursue advanced education and ultimately become a STOTT PILATES IT.

She is passionate about learning more about how the human form moves and loves to share that knowledge with instructors and her clients. Her areas of specialization and special interest include anatomy, fascia research, working with people at all stages of life, osteoporosis, and rehabilitative movement.

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.

Austin Ma has loved sports since childhood. He pursued professional Sanda (free combat) training and won multiple awards in provincial competitions. Later, he explored diverse fields such as dance, boxing, and dirt biking, accumulating extensive sports experience. Though long-term, high-intensity competitive training caused him multiple physical injuries, it also ignited his curiosity to deeply explore sports science. In 2017, he earned the ACE Personal Trainer certification.

In 2022, he was introduced to STOTT PILATES^®, immediately drawn to its rigorous, research-backed training system. Through systematic practice, he not only saw marked improvement in his sports-related injuries but also developed a strong sense of purpose: to promote this training method. Since earning his first STOTT PILATES certification in 2023, Austin has taught regular clients and provided his services in hospitals and medical institutions.

Driven by a goal to share knowledge, Austin became a Merrithew^® Instructor Trainer in 2025, specializing in Stott Pilates Mat and Reformer training. “I want to dedicate my efforts to helping others improve their sports performance, prevent injuries, and strengthen the mind-body connection through scientific training,” he says.

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.