Lead Instructor Trainers

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.

Kelly's background in dance and her passion for movement led her to commit herself to a career in health and wellness. Drawn to the philosophy of the STOTT PILATES^® method, Kelly began her training in 2001. She became a Certified Instructor in 2004 and an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^®, specializing in STOTT PILATES in 2004, CORE^™, Athletic Conditioning Performance Training^™ in 2013 and Total Barre^® in 2015. She was the Professional Training Director at the SweatShop Health Club (LTC) in St. Paul, Minnesota for 15 years, and is now with Fluid Motion Maui with intentions to help Merrithew grow in Hawaii.

Kim first received her certification as an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES^® Rehab in 2007 and is now a Lead Instructor Trainer specializing in Injuries & Special Populations and Rehabilitation. An American Physical Therapy Association Orthopedic Certified Specialist, Kim has Masters Degrees in Manual/Orthopedic Physical Therapy and Sports Physical Therapy, as well as a PhD in Instructional Technology. Kim is also an Associate Professor at Wayne State University's Department of Physical Therapy, an international presenter and has been published on Physical Therapy topics. With extensive experience in applying the STOTT PILATES principles to clients with injuries and impairments, Kim uses the method with clients at Equilibrium as well as providing evaluation and consultation for acute performing arts and sports injuries.

Kristi received her MA in Dance at American University in Washington, D.C. in 1997, with core competencies in teaching, kinesiology, and choreography. She has danced professionally throughout the U.S. and across Europe before becoming an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® and a Lead IT for STOTT PILATES^® in 2002. Kristi realizes her passion for training new Pilates Instructors at Bodycenter Studios, her studio and a Licensed Training Center for the STOTT PILATES method in Seattle, Washington.

Krisztián comes from a background as a ballet dancer and became a Merrithew^® Instructor Trainer in 2006. Since then he graduated at Semmelweis University Faculty of Health Sciences as a physiotherapist. He also qualified as a personal trainer at the Hungarian University of Physical Education. At his studio in Budapest, Hungary, he teaches the STOTT PILATES^® program as well as GYROTONIC^®, TRX, TRX- Rip Training, and trains a variety of clients including dancers, athletes and agile recreational clients. As a physiotherapist, Krisztián works with patients who have neurological, rheumatological and orthopedical problems and rehabilitates trauma injuries. In 2020, he became a Merrithew Lead IT.

Laura began her Pilates career in 2005 while dancing as a professional ballerina. In 2008, Laura became an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^®, specializing in STOTT PILATES^®. She began teaching courses and private clients at Inspire Health, the STOTT PILATES Licensed Training Center in Atlanta, GA. In 2011, she moved to the outskirts of Nashville and opened her own studio. There, she hosts training courses as she continues to grow her family and the STOTT PILATES community in central Tennessee. Laura is passionate about educating and mentoring students, and she loves being a part of their respective journeys. In 2020, she became a Merrithew Lead IT.

Leslie was a 15 year professional dancer when she was led to the STOTT PILATES^® because of an injury and credits the method for prolonging her career. Leslie became a Certified Instructor in 1997 and an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® in 2002. She was most recently awarded the designation of Merrithew Lead IT, which qualifies her to mentor other Instructor Trainers around the world. Throughout her dance career, she performed with the Cleveland San Jose Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theatre and BODYVOX.

As a young dancer, she was a student of The North Carolina School of the Arts and was awarded the 1988 Peabody Scholarship Award for Excellence. Leslie loves utilizing her experience to train dancers, athletes, fitness clients and aspiring instructors. She has been co-owner of Pacific NW Pilates since its launch in 2001, and takes a primary role in managing and marketing the studio.

Formerly a professional dancer, Leslie was introduced to the STOTT PILATES^® method after an extensive knee injury and a multitude of surgeries ending her career as a dancer. Her familiarity with body movement and muscular strength made the transition to Pilates feel completely natural. She quickly advanced herself in the industry and is now a Merrithew^® Lead Instructor Trainer specializing in Total Barre^® and STOTT PILATES. She is a valued member of the Merrithew education team and presents on their behalf. Leslie continues to train both future instructors and private clients including Cirque du Soleil performers, NHL Players, Olympic athletes and is an adviser/instructor to “SpiderTech Kinesiology” Executives.

A former Indonesian athlete in badminton and swimming, Lily became a STOTT PILATES^® Certified Instructor in 2004, and an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES in 2007. In 2012, she was named a Lead Instructor Trainer. She is also is Certified Redcord Active Instructor Trainer. Based at the Merrithew Licensed Training Center in Jakarta, Indonesia, this high-energy Indonesian native has traveled to present workshops and teach the STOTT PILATES method around the world. Lily’s vibrant and down-to-earth attitude has made her one of Indonesia’s most respected Pilates personalities. In addition, Lily is a regular contributor for leading health, fitness and women's magazines and a member of the advisory board for Pilates in SHAPE Magazine Indonesia. Teaching is a part of her never ending pursuit of knowledge as to what she believes “We learn so much more when we are teaching.”