Instructor Trainers

Estela became a physiotherapist in 2006, and it was while working as a physiotherapist that she came across the STOTT PILATES^® method as a form of preventative exercise and also a rehabilitation tool. It didn’t take long for her to begin her training in STOTT PILATES with Merrithew^®. She started first with the STOTT PILATES Rehab courses and quickly followed suit with the STOTT PILATES Full Certification.

Being such an important tool in her daily practice, observing how her clients were reaping the benefits from this type of exercise, and eager to share her understanding and experience of the STOTT PILATES method with other professionals, she decided to become a Merrithew Instructor Trainer.

Her passion for knowledge and learning led her to receive her Masters in Physiotherapy Sciences at the Faculty of Human Kinetics in Lisbon, Portugal, and later on her Medical Degree from the University of Minho. Nowadays, Estela splits her time between her career as a family doctor, Pilates instructor and Instructor Trainer specializing in STOTT PILATES courses. Being able to promote health and empower her clients towards a healthy and pain-free life is one of her greatest joys.

Esther began her training in STOTT PILATES^® in 2006 and is now an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES and CORE^™. Looking to expand her knowledge base, she has attended several courses focusing on movement screenings including Kinetic Control, Performance Stability and Be Activated. A specialist in Personal & Group Training, she is also a ZEN•GA^® Qualified Instructor. Esther is an energetic and very technical instructor who manages her own center in Valladolid, Spain.

As the Chair of the Maggie Allesee Department of Dance in the College of Fine Arts at Wayne State University, Eva’s primary research is in education, pedagogy, teaching methodology and dance science. Her courses in Dance Kinesiology and Movement Analysis reflect her interest in the integration of body and mind conditioning for dancers. Eva was recently named a Merrithew^® Lead Instructor Trainer for STOTT PILATES^®. She has also achieved Level 1 Certification in Gyrotonic^® and apprentice level in Gyrokinesis. Eva is a dancer, choreographer, gifted professor and mentor to new STOTT PILATES instructors at Equilibrium.

Fabiana began her STOTT PILATES^® education in 2002, and became a fully-Certified Instructor. In 2006, she became a Merrithew^® Instructor Trainer. Currently she is the Pilates Coordinator at Spirale, and runs Aprenda Praticando, a project that promotes Pilates classes for Instructors, incentivizing them to practice exercises, review the repertoire and meet new Instructors. She holds a degree in Physical Education from the University of Mogi das Cruzes.

Fabio was first introduced to the STOTT PILATES^® method in 2007 while finishing his education in Physical Education. He fell in love with the method and became certified as a STOTT PILATES instructor in 2008, sharing the passion and benefits of the method with clients of all levels and ages. In 2011, he became an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES and has been teaching the method throughout Brazil since then. A passionate mountain biker for over 20 years, Fabio has competed in some major events in Brazil and now rides just for fun!

Fang Yu embarked on her journey with STOTT PILATES^® in 2018 during her studies at Lan Pilates. Having personally experienced the transformative benefits of Pilates in resolving her severe cervical pain, she is passionate about helping others achieve similar relief and well-being. Through dedicated learning and teaching, Fang has helped numerous clients alleviate physical pain and improve their posture. The trust and support she receives from her clients continually reinforces her belief in the value and science of STOTT PILATES.

Committed to sharing the joy and health benefits of Pilates, her goal is to help more individuals achieve a healthy and fulfilling life.

Gabriela has always been interested in movement and the arts. She discovered the joy of dance and her passion for performance at the age of 12. Instead of pursuing electromechanical engineering at university as planned, she enrolled in theatre school, becoming an actor and dancer.

In 2003, she was invited to join a prestigious Pilates studio where she met Stefania Michas, who introduced her to the STOTT PILATES^® method. Gabriela fell in love with the contemporary approach of STOTT PILATES. She completed her full certification in Seattle at Bodycenterstudios with Kristi Quinn, becoming part of the first cohort of STOTT PILATES instructors in Mexico.

Since then, she has not stopped sharing her knowledge with clients, helping them improve their quality of life.

In 2016, she was invited to become part of Akrostudio’s Instructor Trainers in Mexico. She later obtained her STOTT PILATES Matwork & Reformer Instructor Trainer certification in 2017 and Total Barre® Instructor Trainer certification in 2018.

She lives in Mexico City, has a handsome boy, and a Floating Instructor Trainer, where she passionately teaches and guides new students to discover the benefits and functional methods of the STOTT PILATES and Total Barre^® programs.

Gabrielle, an active teacher in the fitness industry for over 10 years, earned her full STOTT PILATES^® Instructor certification in 2011, and became an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES in 2013. She is a graduate of Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina with a Bachelor of Science degree in Commercial Recreation Management. Gabrielle, an avid runner, discovered the benefits of Pilates in 2007 and saw increases in her training performance with less injury. Gabrielle is also trained in Total Barre^®, CORE^™, and TRX and is an ACE certified Personal Trainer.

Gail received her full certification as a STOTT PILATES^® Certified Instructor in 2004 and became an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES in 2008. She is a Gold Certified Pilates Instructor with the Pilates Method Alliance and is also an ACE Certified Personal Trainer. She has complemented her Pilates training with Yoga teaching training courses. In addition to her fitness credentials, Gail holds a B.S. degree in Finance from Santa Clara University in California.

Gayle became a fully certified STOTT PILATES^® instructor in 2000 then went on to become an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES in 2003. Gayle holds a B. A. in dance from Michigan State University and performed professionally as a leading dancer with Harbinger Dance Company for 12 years. She enjoys mentoring Pilates students enrolled in Equilibrium’s comprehensive training program: helping them to determine the best ways to make Pilates effective for themselves and their future clients. She is very passionate about helping her clients stay active throughout their lives. Gayle is a Breast Cancer Post-Rehab Specialist, certified through the Pink Ribbon Program. She is trained in the Gyrotonic Expansion System, TRX Suspension System and TRX Rip Training. She is also a MELT Hand and Foot Instructor.