Instructor Trainers

Chase earned his B.S. in Kinesiology in early 2012 with a focus on Fitness from California State University, Long Beach. He began at John Garey Fitness & Pilates as a certified personal trainer through the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America and since has earned accreditation through Johnny G Krankcycle, TRX Suspension Training, and the Spinning/SpinPOWER program. Most recently, Chase earned the prestigious title of CORE^™ Instructor Trainer through Merrithew^™, enabling him to train and certify other instructors. The combination of these certifications, along with years of experience in both traditional and corporate fitness settings, promotes a perfect blend of science, fun, creativity, and motivation in each class. Expect to be challenged and inspired each time you embark upon a workout with Chase.

With a Bachelors and a Masters degree in Engineering from the University of Tennessee, Chau worked in manufacturing and corporate settings for over 10 years. Pursuing her passion of Modern Dance and fitness, Chau decided to change her career path to become an educator and instructor of fitness. With a focus on the education and training of the STOTT PILATES^® method, she became a Lead Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^™. Chau has instructed STOTT PILATES certification courses in North America, South America and Europe. She is the owner and education/program director of Pilates South Texas, the exclusive Merrithew Licensed Training Center in Houston, Texas.

Cherie obtained her BFA in Dance from University of North Carolina School for the Arts and began teaching Pilates in Toronto at the Merrithew^™ Corporate Training Center in 1993 after training under Moira Merrithew. She became an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew specializing in STOTT PILATES^® in 1998, and has instructed at the following LTCs: Equilibrium - Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; Bodycenter - Seattle, Washington; Full Circle Studio - Vancouver, BC and currently Inspire Health - Atlanta, GA.

Cheryl is a physical therapist and fitness enthusiast with over 20 years of teaching experience. She graduated from the University of Vermont in 1996 and was first introduced to Pilates while working as a PT. Quickly realizing the benefits to the rehab population, she pursued her STOTT PILATES^® certification in 2000 and is now a Lead Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^™, teaching STOTT PILATES and STOTT PILATES Rehab. She is the owner of Symmetry Pilates Center in New Hampshire where she teaches classes as well as works one on one with clients. Cheryl is an avid runner and triathlete and is a two-time IRONMAN finisher completing Ironman Lake Placid (2011) and Ironman Coeur D’Alene (2013). A lifelong athlete, Cheryl enjoys educating and motivating others to reach their personal fitness goals – knowledge is power.

After graduating from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with a master’s degree, Thicha spent 15 years working in the banking industry before leaving the corporate world to follow her long-time dream of becoming a Pilates Instructor. After suffering back and ankle injuries in 2002, she experienced the therapeutic benefits of Pilates first-hand and decided she wanted to teach others. She obtained her full STOTT PILATES^® certification in 2007 and became a Merrithew^™ Instructor Trainer specializing in STOTT PILATES the following year. Thicha was awarded the prestigious title of Lead Instructor Trainer, and focuses on the education and training of the STOTT PILATES method. Her passion for movement originates from her many years as a professional ballet dancer and a dance educator. She holds a Certificate of Higher Education (Dance) from the University of Surrey, UK, an advanced-level certification from the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), and is a registered RAD teacher. She is also a certified 200-hour Yoga Alliance teacher, GYROTONIC, GYROKINESIS and GYROTONER trainer.

Formerly a member of the British Olympic Windsurfing Team, Chrissy enjoys working with a range of clients from international athletes to rehabilitation clients. Chrissy became a STOTT PILATES^® Certified Instructor in 2004 and furthered her training to become an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^™, specializing in STOTT PILATES in 2007, and ZEN•GA^® in 2013. Currently she works alongside physiotherapists and sports masseurs in a studio well equipped with STOTT PILATES equipment, where she teaches as a Merrithew Lead Instructor Trainer in group classes as well as one-on-one personal sessions.

Fifteen years of classical ballet training brought Christine to Merrithew^™ and inspired her to become a Merrithew Instructor Trainer, specializing in STOTT PILATES^® and ZEN•GA^®. Christine owns and operates Breathe Pilates Place (2015) in La Plata, Maryland, and trains her clients in STOTT PILATES and ZEN•GA principles.

In addition to her studio, Christine also provides STOTT PILATES training at Balance Pilates Training Center, a Merrithew Licensed Training Center in Richmond, VA. Plus, she teaches Pilates and ballet clients throughout the Northern Virginia, Southern Maryland and Washington D.C. metro areas – including at Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, VA, and College of Southern Maryland in La Plata, MD.

Christine is also an ACE Certified Personal Trainer. She continues to challenge her own body to learn new movement forms through the study of circus arts, flying trapeze and aerial yoga. In 2020, she became a Merrithew Lead IT.

Christos was born in Greece and studied Sport Science and Physical Education at Democritus University of Thrace, Greece. He earned his Bachelor degree in 2004, and after coaching in different sports, he focused and specialized in Pilates. Christos studied at the Corporate Training Center in Toronto where he became fully certified in 2011 and shortly after became an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^™ specializing in STOTT PILATES^®. He currently teaches at the I Love Exercise Pilates Studio in Geneva, Switzerland.

Claudia first got involved in aerobics and fitness in Paris, France where she was studying for a bachelor’s degree in Business and Tourism. She was drawn to Pilates for rehabilitation after several athletic injuries and soon discovered the STOTT PILATES^® method. She became an Instructor Trainer and taught at the Corporate Training Center in Toronto until she opened her studio and Licensed Training Center, Pilates Italia, in Milan, Italy and a satellite location in Brussels, Belgium. Claudia is proud to be a Merrithew^™ Lead Instructor Trainer. She is also an Osteopath. Claudia is fluent in four languages and is a cancer, multiple sclerosis, neurologic and isometric rehab Specialist, as well as a Pink Program^® Instructor Trainer. She strives to continue her athletic life, and loves teaching students and clients alike.

Connie discovered Pilates while earning her BA in Dance at York University in Toronto, Ont. She received her full STOTT PILATES^® Certification in 1997 and later became a Merrithew^™ Lead Instructor Trainer. Connie co-founded The Pilates Body Studio in Mississauga, Ont. which is now a Merrithew Licensed Training Center. Connie has fueled her passion for teaching movement as an avenue to improved health by continuing her studies in anatomy, biomechanics and physiology at the Canadian College of Osteopathy. As an Osteopathic Manual Practitioner, Connie is inspired daily by her patients and their journey to achieving health and ease of movement. Connie is a member of the Ontario Osteopathic Association.