Instructor Trainers

Brooke has been active in the fitness industry for the past 7 years and has been an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES^® since 2008. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a dual major, a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography and a BA in Psychology. While pursuing a professional dance career, she discovered a new passion for fitness and holds several national fitness certifications. Her client work specializes in corrective exercise training, cardio respiratory training, weight management, and exercise performance.

Caleigh Kierstead is a former professional ballet dancer. She was originally introduced to Pilates as a compliment to her dance training while studying at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School. She found that it quickly made improvements in both her dancing and daily life. When moving on from dance she knew she wanted to stay in the movement world. After taking the STOTT PILATES^® Intensive Matwork course she knew she had found her calling and completed her STOTT PILATES Full Certification in 2016. With a constant drive to continue learning, she decided to take the next step and share her passion for teaching Pilates with others through becoming a STOTT PILATES Instructor Trainer in 2019. Caleigh is currently continuing her education in anatomy and physiology as a student at the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy.

Cari’s comprehensive understanding of the human body complements her role as a Instructor Trainer, providing students with a unique, wide-ranging approach to fitness. Holding Bachelor of Science degrees in Exercise and Sport Science as well as Nursing from the University of Utah, she has a well-rounded health background. As an ACE Certified Group Fitness Instructor she is skilled at delivering proper attention to all clients, whether they opt for private or group instruction. Cari also owns Aspire Pilates Training Center in South Jordan, Utah.

Carlo is a Pilates passionista, who loves to inspire students and clients. Born and raised in Mexico City, he started practicing classical Pilates in 1996 while dancing ballet professionally in the US. But it was until after a debilitating lower back dance injury that he discovered the benefits of spinal rehabilitation through the STOTT PILATES^® method. Merrithew^® education inspired him to become an osteopath, and he now incorporates STOTT PILATES into his rehabilitation treatment with patients. Carlo is a STOTT PILATES Mat & Reformer Instructor Trainer, a STOTT PILATES Rehab Reformer Levels 1 & 2 trained instructor and owner of Core Pilates Studios in England, a Merrithew Host Centre for education. He holds a BSc. Ost.(Hons) from the College of Osteopaths in London, UK, a BFA in Ballet from the University of Utah, and can be seen on Merrithew Connect^™ videos.

Carlos Yuste Vaquerizo's high energy and youthful humor makes him an impressive motivator, displaying his passion in all aspects of his work. He became a Certified Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES^® in 2006, and CORE^™ in 2013. He has continually distributed his knowledge through teaching in Europe, South America and Asia. Carlos brings a high degree of knowledge to the forefront, with his advanced education and certification in physiotherapy from the University of Nursing and Physiotherapy of Castilla in Spain. Carlos continually strives for more and exemplifies his passion, as he is actively involved in management of the International Education Department of his affiliated studios. He is now a Merrithew Lead Instructor Trainer.

Carol is a Merrithew^® Lead Instructor Trainer specializing in all branded programming, including: STOTT PILATES^®, Total Barre^®, ZEN•GA^®, Halo^® Training, CORE^™ and Merrithew Fascial Movement. She is also part of the ZEN•GA and CORE programming teams. She has been an Instructor Trainer since 2003, and is based out of New England’s Northeast Pilates Education Center. Carol received her BFA in Dance from SUNY Purchase, and ran her own dance company for over a decade, performing and teaching throughout New England. Carol is currently on the faculty of the Dance Department at Endicott College, where she teaches a “Mind, Body and Awareness” course. She is certified and has trained in several other fitness brands, including a 200 HR (RYT) Yoga Certification, Personal Training, TRX and TRX Rip-Trainer, Zumba, SPINNING and Indo-Row. Carol lives in Gloucester, MA with her daughter, mother and dog, and her hobbies include cycling around the North Shore of Massachusetts, gardening and cooking with local produce.

Caroline was introduced to the STOTT PILATES^® method in 2006 while on an extended trip to Australia, and felt that she had found her calling. Although she had earned an MBA, a bachelor’s degree in Science and a dance specialty, she realized that the depth required to instruct the STOTT PILATES repertoire required her full attention. Following many years of study, she became an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES in March 2013. Established in 2009 by Caroline, the Studio BIOPILATES^® PARIS was the first STOTT PILATES Host Center in France. The studio is committed to teaching and maintaining the high standards in health and wellness established by Merrithew. Caroline speaks French, English and Arabic and can teach courses and workshops in any language and ensures her clients and receive a truly unique French experience.

Caroline Heiss, a trained ballet dancer, danced professionally in Munich and Stockholm during which time, she discovered Pilates as an additional form of training. She has completed her STOTT PILATES^® education in Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair and Barrel and ISP in Stockholm and Munich. In the spring of 2009, she became an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^®, specializing in STOTT PILATES Mat and Reformer.

Caroline is a Merrithew^® Lead Instructor Trainer, who comes from an athletic background and has competed at a national level. She has worked in the fitness industry as a personal trainer and fitness class instructor. She is trained and qualified in sports massage therapy and incorporates this expertise into her Pilates teaching.

Caroline’s client base ranges from ages 16-92. With over 30 years of experience in fitness and sports massage therapy, she is able to offer her client base creative and innovative classes and 1-2-1 sessions which have had life-changing results for those seeking rehabilitation after accident or injury.

Caroline prides herself on her dedication and commitment to the STOTT PILATES^® method and is never-ending in her own self-development. She is passionate in her quest to provide first-class training in her continuing education of others. Caroline began her STOTT PILATES training in 2004 and has been a Merrithew Instructor since 2007.

Pilates was a natural progression of Caroline’s professional dance career. After training at The Stella Mann College of Performing Arts, she performed all around the world. Caroline went on to complete her full STOTT PILATES^® Certification, and is a Merrithew^® Instructor Trainer specializing in STOTT PILATES and Total Barre^®. The remarkable benefits of Pilates for rehabilitation from injury became clear to Caroline in 2015 after her pelvis, back, collar bone and ankle were each fractured in an accident. Caroline credits Pilates with giving her the ability and strength to recover faster than any of her doctors has predicted.