"It is the spirit that shapes the body."  Joseph Pilates

Instructors

Rene Craig - Master Trainer-PMA CPT

Prior to becoming a fitness professional, I was an overweight, out of shape, stay at home mom who led a sedentary lifestyle.  I didn't know how to start, much less maintain, an exercise program or a healthy lifestyle.  My fitness journey began 19 years ago when I made an appointment with a  dietician in order to lose weight.  On the very first visit she informed me that for weight loss to be permanent, exercise was a must.  By making exercise a part of my daily life along with healthy lifestyle changes I took control of my health and fitness.  A passion for fitness was discovered and a dream to help others achieve their fitness goals was born. Over the years I have taught group fitness, yoga, pilates, body sculpting and cardio heart rate training as well as personal training.  In 2004 I became a Stott Pilates Certified Instructor and have continued my education over the years.  I enjoy helping others reach their fitness goals through pilates, personal training and phone coaching.  I receive great satisfaction when my clients reach their goals, whether it is improving race times, losing weight or relieving stress and feeling more energized because they have made fitness a part of their daily lives.  I believe a true teacher should also be a lifelong student.  I am always striving to increase my knowledge, skills and understanding of the human body and movement so my clients will receive the highest quality training available.

Gait Anaylsis Workshop 2011

Ped O Pul Training 2011

FAMI (Functional Anatomy for Movement and Injuries) 2011

PMA Certified January 2011

Master Teacher Trainer Certification with Pilates Sports Center 2010

Jumpstart MAT(Muscle Activation Technique) Trained 2010

Stott Pilates Fully Certified Instructor Levels 1 & 2 2009

Stott Pilates ISP (Injuries and Special Populations) Trained 2008

Stott Pilates Advanced CCB Trained 2008

Stott Pilates Advanced Reformer Trained 2007

Stott Pilates Advanced Matwork Trained 2007

Stott Pilates CCB Trained 2006

Stott Pilates Matwork Trained 2006

Personal Trainer Certified by American Council of Exercise (ACE) 2005

Stott Pilates  Reformer Certified Instructor 2004

Fitness Coach licensed by The Association of Fitness by Phone Coaches 2004

Heart Rate Training provided by Heart Aerobics, INC 2004

Yoga Instructor Certified by Yogafit 2002

Advanced Training for Weight Management by Dorene Robinson  RD, CN 2001

Personal Trainer Certified by Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) 2000

Group Fitness Instructor certified by Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) 1998


 Shirley Hilton - Certified Trainer- PMA-CPT

In 1998 I walked into my first Pilates class and immediately fell in love with the breath and movement. I truly wanted to share this with others, so I started a mentorship program with Alisha L Cohen, who was my instructor at the time, and certified with her June of 2002.  I immediately started teaching mat classes in Winter Park, Florida. I moved to Oklahoma and continued to study, certifying with PhysicalMind Institute Mat in February of 2004 and Advanced and Standing Pilates in April 2004. I also took the Yoga for Fitness Certification workshop in Oklahoma City in 2003.  Always looking for new knowledge and creativity I continued my education with Stott Pilates completing the full equipment certification in 2010. I have also attended several Pilates Method Alliance Conferences along with Pilates on Tour. With this I have had the privilege to attend workshops or lectures with first generation teachers of the Pilates Method… Mary Bowen, Ron Fletcher, Lolita San Miguel, and Kathy Grant along with our new generation of teachers Rael Isacowitz, Jonathan Urla, and Mari Winsor. When I travel, I love to find Pilates studios and take sessions with my peers. I always learn something new. I am continuing my journey, and I do feel that it is a journey, by studying for the Pilates Method Alliance certification which I hope to complete this fall. My husband has always encouraged me to challenge myself and continue to learn along with my Pilates Edge family, without whom I truly do not think I could have done this. Pilates is something I will be able to take with me as I age and continue to grow as an instructor as well as a person, and for that I am grateful. 

PMA Certified 2012

Gait Anaylsis Workshop 2011

Ped O Pul Training 2011

Jumpstart MAT(Muscle Activation Technique) Trained 2010

Stott Pilates Level 1 Certified Instructor 2010

Stott Pilates CCB Trained 2009

Stott Pilates ISP(Injuries and Special Populations) Trained 2008

Stott Pilates Reformer Trained 2008

Stott Pilates Advanced Matwork 2008

Stott Pilates Matwork Certified 2006

PhysicalMind Certified 2004


Cierra Smejkal-Certified Trainer- PMA-CPT

My first Pilates experience was really quite by accident. Early in 2002 I was looking for a fitness program that would answer my specific requirements for a discipline that would bring in mind/body balance and awareness, would add grace and flexibility and would keep me fit while encouraging me to continue to higher levels of fitness achievement. I must say, I did not get hooked in my first private lesson but after about five lessons I truly began to see subtle changes in my body. I began to build a leaner, longer muscle structure; my waistline felt and looked more toned; and I began to find grace and balance. After two solid years of multiple private lessons per week, I had really found a new fitness level and practice that encouraged me to go deeper. I began training for the sprint tri-athlete events around the city. To my astonishment, my "pilates body" was strong, lean, balanced, and could take the cross training with no injury. By this time I was simply hooked and in love with the Joseph Pilates Principles and discipline. My practice went to a new level when I began my instructor certification program with Balanced Body. I am continuing my education by obtaining my certification with the Pilates Method Alliance. I was and still am excited to teach and train others. I am passionate about people, their fitness level, and their improved abilities to achieve fundamental life physical skills. I enjoy encouraging others to dig deep, press in, and enjoy the journey.

PMA Certified 2012

Balanced Body On Tour Exo Chair 2009

Balanced Body University Pilates Arc 2009

Balanced Body University Mat 2 2008

Balanced Body University Mat 1 2008

Balanced Body University Reformer 3 2008

Balanced Body University Reformer 2 2007

Balanced Body University Tower 2007

Balanced Body University Reformer 1 2007


Sami Kropp

I started taking pilates at age 15 because of a dance related injury.  Pilates has made a true believer out of me.  It has made such a difference in my own dancing...keeping me strong, flexible and injury free!  I also have a major appreciation for the human body and how it works.  I love being able to share all of the information and knowledge I have collected over the years of  being in the industry.  It is never boring.  The more you know the more you realize there is so much to learn and teach.  I am thankful for the good health I enjoy and want to pass that knowledge on to my clients...paying it forward.  It is exciting to see my clients take ownership of their bodies and workouts.

 

 

 

Stott Pilates Cadillac Training 2012

Ped O Pul Training 2011

Stott Pilates ISP(Injuries and Special Populations) 2011

Stott Pilates Barrels Trained 2009

Stott Pilates Chair Trained 2009

Stott Pilates Reformer Trained 2008

Stott Pilates Mat Trained 2008

Hartel Dance Company 2011-present

R.A.C.E Dance Company 2010-present

Applause Dance Studio 2009-present

Oklahoma City Ballet 2009-2011

Tulsa Ballet 2008-2009


Jami Haywood

Pilates is the perfect merging of my background in dance, fitness, and mental health. It is as if everything I have studied or done in the past was but a stepping stone to where I always wanted to be - studying and teaching the principles of Joseph Pilates. In his small but powerful book, Return to Life Through Contrology, Joseph Pilates states that his method develops the body uniformly, corrects wrong postures, restores physical vitality, invigorates the mind, and elevates the spirit. There is nothing more rewarding than teaching others to develop balance, strength, mind-body awareness, self confidence and a sense of calm. I grew up in a home of dance as my mother started her own studio when I was 10 years old. I taught in my mother's studio through high school and later danced in a small group during college. My early studies in college included dance but I ultimately earned a masters degree in counseling psychology and a specialist degree in school psychology. Several years ago, I retired from a rewarding 30-year career in mental health and school psychology. A long-time (but not always faithful) member of the YMCA, I taught cardio kickboxing and general toning at the Edmond YMCA as I prepared to retire. While I had dabbled in Pilates through occasional classes and videos, I fell in love with Pilates after taking Shirley Hilton's class. Shirley's knowledge and ability to cue a class through an amazing mat program fulfilled a hidden longing. I suddenly felt at ease in my own body again. Shirley mentored me and introduced me to Rene Craig and The Pilates Edge. The use of equipment and props took pilates to an even greater level and I began training immediately. Currently I am continuing formal Stott Pilates training in October 2011 for the Cadillac and the Barrels. Regardless of your age and fitness level, I know that you can significantly improve your muscular balance, core strength and stability, and mind-body awareness. Get ready to leave the outer world behind while you breathe through movements that will both challenge and relax you.

Stott Pilates ISP (Injuries and Special Populations) 2012

Ped O Pul Training 2011

Stott Pilates CCB Trained 2011

Stott Pilates Reformer Trained 2010

Stott Pilates Advanced Matwork Trained 2009

Stott Pilates Matwork-Plus Trained 2009

YMCA Certified Pilates Instructor 2009

YMCA Foundations of Group Exercise Certified 2009

YMCA Healthy Lifestyles Principles Certified 2008

American Training Professionals Basic Cardio Pump Certified Kickboxing Instructor 2005


Dallas Noerdlinger

 I started taking Pilates when I was sixteen and completely fell in love with the breath, movement, and mind-body connection I experienced. Throughout my life I have been very active; I danced when I was younger but after my first few Pilates classes I became a huge proponent of the benefits of the Pilates method. Shortly after I began taking classes I was inspired by the wonderful teachers I had to become an instructor. My career in Pilates is just starting but I am amazed by everything there is to learn. Currently I am going to school as a kinesiology major; the anatomy dimension of Pilates is critical to this course of study. I am excited to further my education of Pilates and feel it will be a life long journey. My goal is to see my clients leave class feeling as confident and vital as possible and for clients to develop awareness of their posture and alignment while learning the complete coordination of body, mind, and spirit. I am delighted to work with new clients, if their goal is simply to build strength and flexibility, mind body awareness or for rehabilitation needs my passion for Pilates will continue to grow.

PSC Trained Mat 2012

PSC Trained Reformer 2012

PSC Trained Cadillac 2012

PSC Trained Chair 2012

Stott Pilates Reformer Trained 2011

Stott Pilates Mat Trained 2011