Instructor Trainers

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 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 has been part of the Northeast Pilates and Praxis Team since 2010. She is a NASM-CPT, CES, and holds a BA in Psychology from Russell Sage College, where she also studied art, music, and movement therapies. Caroline inspires her clients to improve their lives through movement regardless of age or physical condition with a combination of compassion and humor.

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.

Caroline’s international career as a professional ballet dancer made Pilates an essential part of her training and daily life. However, an unexpected health condition abruptly ended her dance career. Turning to the STOTT PILATES^® method, for rehabilitation, she not only regained strength but also deepened her appreciation for its transformative effects on both body and mind.

Determined to share these these benefits with others, Caroline moved to Toronto in 2017 to train at the Toronto Corporate Training Center (CTC). After earning her full certification, she joined the instructor team at Merrithew^® headquarters, where she refined her teaching skills and broadened her expertise.

In 2020, she founded MindBodyPlace, a boutique studio dedicated to high-quality Pilates training for both professional and recreational athletes. Her passion for movement education continued to grow, and in 2024, she became a Merrithew Instructor Trainer specializing in STOTT PILATES.

Caroline holds a Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts from the Ernst Busch University of Theatre Arts in Berlin and is a graduate of the State Ballet School Berlin. She is also a certified Level 1 GYROTONIC^® trainer, adding another dimension to her movement expertise.

Dividing her time between Italy, Mexico and Canada, Caroline works with clients, teaches STOTT PILATES instructor courses and hosts Pilates and wellness retreats, sharing her love for movement with a global community.

Carolyn Geerling-Goryl first experienced Pilates, while living in California, and fell in love. A graduate of Western Michigan University with a degree in Exercise Science, she has worked in the fitness industry in many capacities including as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor. Carolyn is a fully certified instructor and is an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^®; specializing in STOTT PILATES^®. She is also the Michigan Professional Affiliate Coordinator for AFAA (Aerobics and Fitness Association of America) and believes that Pilates is so appropriate and valuable to every body from the athlete to the injured, from the fitness enthusiast to the overweight client, from 18 to 80! She has enjoyed bring her personal training background and group fitness experience to individual clients as well as into her Cardiolates, Group Reformer and Matwork classes!