Lead Instructor Trainers

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 earned her M.A. in Dance from American University in Washington, D.C., specializing in teaching, kinesiology, and choreography. She performed professionally throughout the U.S. and Europe before becoming an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® and a Lead Instructor Trainer for STOTT PILATES^® in 2003. Over the past seven years, Kristi has expanded her teaching internationally, leading instructor training courses and workshops across China, Vietnam, and Japan. Today, she shares her passion for education and movement as the owner of Bodycenter Studios, a Licensed Training Center for the STOTT PILATES^® method in Seattle, Washington, where she mentors and develops new generations of Pilates instructors.

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 Braverman is a former professional dancer with a 15-year career performing with leading companies including Cleveland San Jose Ballet, The Richmond Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theatre, and BODYVOX. She trained at the North Carolina School of the Arts, earning the Peabody Scholarship Award, the ARTS Level One Award, and was one of five U.S. dancers sponsored for the Prix de Lausanne.

Introduced to Pilates during her dance training and later to STOTT PILATES^® through injury rehabilitation, Leslie credits the method with restoring her movement and extending her performing career. She became a STOTT PILATES^® Certified Instructor in 1997, an Instructor Trainer in 2000, and a Lead Instructor Trainer in 2012.

Based in Portland, Oregon, Leslie is the co-owner of Pacific Northwest Pilates Education, a long-standing Merrithew^® Licensed Training Center she co-founded with Melanie Byford-Young in 2001. She oversees strategic direction, educational programming, and marketing for the center while teaching courses, workshops, and training programs year-round.

Leslie has presented Merrithew courses and workshops across the United States, Canada, Spain, Japan, and Turkey. In addition to mentoring aspiring instructors, she is passionate about training dancers, athletes, and clients of all ages—blending the artistry and athleticism of her dance background with the science-based foundation of STOTT PILATES.

 

Leslie is the Senior Manager, IT Experience at Merrithew^®, where she considers it an honour to support, guide, and mentor Instructor Trainers around the world. In this role, she is dedicated to fostering growth, maintaining excellence in global education standards, and helping Instructor Trainers thrive within Merrithew’s expanding international community.

Before stepping into her leadership position, Leslie built a distinguished career as a movement professional. Formerly a professional dancer, she was introduced to the STOTT PILATES^® method following a significant knee injury and multiple surgeries that ended her dance career. Her extensive understanding of body mechanics and strength made her transition to Pilates both natural and impactful.

Leslie quickly rose within the industry to become a Merrithew Lead Instructor Trainer specializing in Total Barre^® and STOTT PILATES. As a long-standing and valued member of the Merrithew education team, she has presented and mentored instructors around the world and contributed to the development of new workshop content.

In addition to her global education work, Leslie is the owner of Pilates in the 6, a Toronto-based boutique studio where she continues to train clients and apply her deep expertise in movement, rehabilitation, and performance. Her client experience includes working with a wide range of populations, including Cirque du Soleil.

Lily Touw is a Merrithew^® Lead Instructor Trainer with a lifelong passion for movement, health, and teaching. A former badminton and swimming athlete, she began her Pilates journey in 2003 and became the first Certified STOTT PILATES^® Instructor in Indonesia. Since joining the Merrithew Instructor Trainer team in 2007, Lily has taught education throughout Asia and internationally, known for her warm, clear, and encouraging teaching approach.

Alongside her Pilates expertise, Lily has pursued extensive training in complementary methodologies, including Redcord NEURAC, Anatomy Trains Structural Integration, Barral Visceral Manipulation, Myofascial Decompression, Functional Movement Systems, Feldenkrais, and multiple Merrithew rehabilitation courses. This interdisciplinary background enriches her work with instructors and clients alike.

In 2020, Lily created the LINKD Method to gently support and enhance Pilates practice through sensory awareness, neuromyofascial understanding, and developmental movement principles. She is committed to helping people discover more ease, clarity, and confidence in how they move.

Lisa decided to pursue her passion of movement and the human body by becoming fully STOTT PILATES^® certified in 2005 and then an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specialising in STOTT PILATES the following year. In 2016, Lisa received special recognition as a Merrithew Lead Instructor Trainer for STOTT PILATES, she is also a Lead Instructor Trainer for ZEN•GA^® and Total Barre^®.

Lisa is the founder and owner of The Movement Lab, Cape Town. Her studio is the only Merrithew Licensed Training centre in Africa, where she also offers music-driven, challenging and creative Pilates classes.

A professional dancer, Marcela was first introduced to Pilates as a means of conditioning. She became a STOTT PILATES^® Certified Instructor in 2001 and in 2007 she progressed to the level of Merrithew^® Lead Instructor Trainer specializing in STOTT PILATES. Marcela’s long history with body movement began with training in classical dance in her native Argentina and moved on to contemporary dance in New York City. She has danced with Ballet Proarte in Argentina, the Ballet Nacional de Cuba, and Ballet de l’Opera de Paris, and holds a French National Diploma in Ballet Teaching and a National Certification from the American Ballet Theatre. Able to teach in English, French and Spanish, Marcela’s passion is an integrated education with a focus on strong technique, a healthy body and a free spirit.