Lead Instructor Trainers

Jackie has always been involved in sports, fitness and physical health, which led her to a Physical Therapy degree from Université de Montréal in 1993 and she continues to add post-graduate courses to help improve her practice. In 2005, she tried a STOTT PILATES^® Mat course and saw the potential of incorporating it for her patients to help restore function and ability. She started using her anatomy background along with her new skills in Pilates and saw great results with everyone - from rehabilitation patients to group and private clients. An active teacher in Pilates for over nine years, she earned her Full STOTT PILATES Instructor Certification in 2012, and became a Lead Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES. Jackie specializes in acute and chronic general orthopedic conditions, sports medicine, post-surgery rehabilitation, breast cancer and postural dysfunction in kids and teenagers. Jackie is fluent in both French and English.

Jaqueline is a Merrithew^® Lead Instructor Trainer specializing in STOTT PILATES^® and ZEN•GA^®. She is the owner and director of Studio Flow in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Jaqueline is a professional dancer specializing in contemporary and brazilian ballroom dance. She also studied Biology at George Brown College in Toronto, Canada and Physiotherapy in Brazil. She is Cirque Du Soleil’s movement coach for the shows Corteo and Amaluna and is currently in an Europe tour teaching Pilates at dance congresses.

Jeff is a member of the Ontario Osteopathic Association (OOA) and a graduate of the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy (CAO). As a classically trained osteopathic manual practitioner, Jeff's training has given him a deep understanding of osteopathic principles. He applies his extensive knowledge of the human body by successfully diagnosing and treating a diverse range of musculoskeletal and physiological problems. He enjoys continually learning about the human body and improving his osteopathic treatments in order to help others.

In 2000, Jeff graduated with a degree in Nutritional Science from the National University of Malaysia. In 2006, after working for several years in the healthcare industry, he moved to Toronto and enrolled in the STOTT PILATES^® Certification program. Jeff was invited to become an Instructor Trainer for the Merrithew^® Education Department in Toronto in 2008. Since then, he has taught STOTT PILATES education programs and workshops internationally throughout Asia and Europe as well as in Canada.

Jeff's interest in human movement and health is complemented by his gentle and effective teaching manner, drawing both clients and fellow Instructors alike to work with him on a regular basis. As a well-known and respected Pilates Instructor in the industry Jeff is continually inspired by the opportunity to teach others and regularly participates in Pilates and movement workshops in order to deepen his knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics and teaching.

Jeff's passion for results-oriented, progressive, rehabilitative programming is rooted in his teaching approach. This unique style has established him as a lead Pilates Instructor who is able to provide high quality, diverse Pilates workouts for every client at any level, while being mindful of specific needs, focuses and goals.

Jenna is a passionate educator, mover, and lover of the outdoors. She is the co-founder of Awaken Studios, Awaken Retreats, and Awaken Transformation, which she runs with her husband, Joe. As a STOTT PILATES^® Lead Instructor, she brings a comprehensive approach to mindful movement education.

Her additional credentials include 500-hour Yoga Teacher Training, co-founding Awaken Aerial Education, life-coach certification, TRX, personal training, as well as a BFA in Dance and a Master’s in Education from the University of Utah. Beyond Pilates, Jenna has taught snowboarding, skiing, recreational therapy, and dance.

She is inspired by seeing clients transform their lives through mindset work, movement, injury rehabilitation, and personal growth. Above all, Jenna’s greatest joy is her four children, who continually remind her to live with presence, gratitude, and awe.

Jessica began her training in the STOTT PILATES^® method in 2001, and became an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® in 2004. She is now a Lead IT specializing in STOTT PILATES and Total Barre^®. Jessica currently lives in Florida and is trained to teach courses and workshops in Matwork, Reformer, CCB and Injuries & Special Populations. An ACE certified Personal Trainer, she has a passion for her profession which is reflected in everything she does.

Jill brings more than 40 years of expertise to the fitness industry, having served as an educator, trainer, and fitness director for various clubs throughout the Midwest. Her career reflects a deep commitment to advancing fitness education and training programs.

She was among the first twenty-five Instructor Trainers for STOTT PILATES^® and has held the position of Lead Instructor Trainer since 2000. Jill has also played a key role in international education, presenting workshops and conducting courses across the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Jill’s extensive experience includes designing and developing training programs for group fitness instructors, personal trainers, and Pilates instructors. Her passion for coaching extends beyond traditional fitness—she has coached Nordic skiing and collegiate rowing and remains actively involved in competitive rowing today.

Jo-Anne discovered Pilates while completing her MA at New York University. She went on to become a Merrithew^® Lead Instructor Trainer and has extended her passion for movement into completing a Diploma for Osteopathic Manual Therapy. Jo-Anne incorporates her osteopathy knowledge into her work with clients, boosting their awareness and perception of movement. She is also the mother of busy twin girls whom she says often remind her to live mindfully and fully.

Julie was introduced to the STOTT PILATES^® method in 2007 during rehab for an ACL injury. She became a Certified Instructor in 2008 and in 2013, became an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES. Julie is passionate for dance and education and is dedicated to help people by spreading the STOTT PILATES method throughout Korea. Since suffering from an injury while training as a dancer, she has become aware that many dance students are not exposed to proper rehab or training for movement. It is her intent therefore, to bring the STOTT PILATES method to local students and clients. In 2021, she became a Merrithew Lead IT.

Kanako has been involved in physical training for most of her life and was trained in ballet, jazz dance, and modern dance since early childhood. She turned to Pilates after a lower back injury as a means of conditioning and improving her strength. She immediately fell in love with it and since then, her passion hasn't changed. She trained in the STOTT PILATES^® method in Canada, Tokyo and Hong Kong and in 2006 she received her Certification as an Instructor. She went on to become a Lead Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES. In 2013, Kanako assisted with the World Tour stop in Japan and has taught Instructors in Singapore and Malaysia. A Certified Gyrotonic^® Trainer, she enjoys working with Instructors and clients helping them achieve their goals.

Katherine came to the Pilates industry from a dance background, having danced professionally in New York, Oregon and Idaho. While at University in New York, she came to love Pilates and relied on it to keep her fit and injury free. She achieved Full Certification with STOTT PILATES^® in 2010 after training first at Pacific Northwest Pilates with Master IT Melanie Byford-Young and later in England with YMCAfit. In 2011, she joined the team at the UK Licensed Training Centre, YMCA Pilates Academy as an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES, and is qualified in ZEN•GA^® Matwork and Equipment. She greatly enjoys helping people understand their own bodies and seeing the positive impact this method can have on functional fitness. She was granted Merrithew Lead Instructor Trainer in 2018.