Club Pilates

Bios

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  Victoria Smalc

  Instructor

  Victoria is originally from the Cleveland area, and has recently moved back to Cleveland after living in NYC for 15 years. Growing up as a dancer, Victoria was first introduced to Pilates at the age of 16. After moving to NYC to attend Fordham University, she continued her Pilates private training while also pursuing her professional dance career. Victoria danced, taught and continued training in NYC until her move back to Cleveland. Victoria has taught Barre and Pilates Mat at various gyms and studios throughout Cleveland, and has recently completed the Club Pilates Teacher Training here at Broadview Heights! She is very grateful and excited to be teaching in a warm friendly studio and is looking forward to helping expand the Club Pilates brand throughout Cleveland!

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  Laura Wallace

  Instructor

  Laura’s motivation is helping others to keep moving toward their health & fitness goals! Four years ago, Laura left a 24-year long career in retail as a buyer and general manager, followed her heart and became a fitness instructor. She’s since become an ACE Certified Personal Trainer & Nutrition Specialist and an energetic group fitness instructor certified in TRX Suspension Training, Barre, TriggerPoint GRID foam rolling and WaterRower rowing. Laura has been practicing Pilates for over 12 years in the Cleveland and Akron area. She is certified in Reformer, Mat, EXO Chair, Springboard, Ladder Barrel, Cadillac and Spine Corrector through Club Pilates. For so many reasons – mind/body connection, core focus, increased flexibility to name a few – Pilates is her first love of fitness. When not at the studio, Laura is a dog walker, enjoys spending time with family and friends, and loves to travel. Her favorite season is “football”! Be moving, be learning, be living, be present!

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  Jennifer Papanikolaou

  Instructor

  Jennifer grew up in the Cleveland area where she began her dance training. She graduated with a BFA in Dance from Adelphi University in New York where she also danced professionally. Jennifer trained with Romana Kryzanowska, a world-renowned protégé of Joseph Pilates, at the Pilates Studio of New York. She finished her certification in 1997 and taught private and group classes in NYC, until moving to Los Angeles in 1999, where she continued to dance professionally and teach Pilates. She then joined with a physical therapist in the LA area and helped start up a Pilates program for the physical therapy clinic. Jennifer is also an ACE certified personal trainer. Jennifer moved back to the Cleveland area as a mom of twins and enjoys teaching Pilates to clients of all levels.

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  Clare Vesecky

  Instructor

  Clare Vesecky is a PMA® Certified Pilates Teacher with a friendly, functional and personalized teaching style. She strives to teach each class in a way that leaves you feeling strengthened, stretched and invigorated! Clare began teaching mat Pilates in 2009 and later completed a comprehensive 450 hour training program through Pilates Academy International when she was living in Chicago. She initially was attracted to Pilates after discovering what an effective cross-training method it was for her running. Years later, she found her way back to Pilates after sitting all day at an office job left her feeling sluggish and tight in her back. Pilates revitalized her body and mind and she loves being able to share the benefits of the practice with others through teaching. Clare has completed continuing education in Pilates for scoliosis as well as pre and post natal Pilates, which she put to good use through her own pregnancy and postpartum journey. Clare holds a bachelor’s degree in Community Health from Ohio University. She has also taught Cardiolates®, Zumba®, spinning, cardio kickboxing and suspension training.

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  Kari Willis

  Instructor

  Kari found her passion for Pilates through her dance background. She loved what Pilates did for her body and mind, and it quickly became part of her everyday routine. She decided to make it her career in 2009, through Balanced Body Pilates. Kari trained in Cleveland, OH with Troy McCarty and in Asheville, NC with Jennifer Gianni. Kari likes to focus on personalizing each individuals experience with Pilates, directing clients to listen to their body as the key for their practice. She enjoys embracing the fundamentals of Pilates and it is represented in her teaching style, which would be a classical style base to remember the nature of the practice, with a contemporary mix for flow, fun and modifications. Kari is also a Reiki Master, Yoga Instructor and holds a degree in Business management. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, crafting, and spending time with her family and her dog, Felix.

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  Anna Roberts

  Instructor

  Anna Roberts discovered Pilates while earning her B.F.A. in dance at the University of Akron. In 2002 she received her comprehensive certification from Julian Littleford of J.L. Body Conditioning in Del Mar, California. Additionally, she holds certifications in Zumba and ACE group exercise. Anna taught Pilates throughout her professional dance career and now divides her time between teaching ballet and Pilates. She brings 19 years of experience to her Pilates clients and has helped them rehab from injury as well as obtain their personal fitness goals. When Anna isnʼt teaching, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Scott, and their two dogs, Daisy and Buddy.

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  Kathleen Quinn

  Instructor

  Kathleen Quinn is a certified level 2 Stott Pilates Instructor. She has training in pre and post rehab with a special emphasis on knee rehabilitation, Osteoporosis management, pre and post natal, and training in the very popular Ballet Barre workouts. Kathleen has practiced Pilates for several years. Upon moving to Columbus Kathleen decided to take her love for Pilates to the next level and become a certified instructor. She began training at The Pilates Studio of Central Ohio, now OnCore Body Center in Dublin, Ohio. After completing training in Mat, Reformer, Chair, Cadillac and Barrels she received her certification in 2012. Continuing with her training Kathleen completed all courses in advanced level work and Total Barre and is certified in level 1 Halo Training. Kathleen is a former professional Ballet dancer who had the privilege of working with some of the best programs on the East Coast. After suffering an injury, Kathleen found Pilates and instantly fell in love with the practice. The low tension, core focused workout was a huge help in her recovery and the all over body workout was an added bonus in keeping her in shape.

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  Colleen Carey

  Instructor

  Colleen is a group fitness class enthusiast and became interested in Pilates in college. She completed her training through Club Pilates and is certified in Mat, Reformer, Springboard, EXO Chair, Ladder Barrel, Spine Corrector, Cadillac, TRX, Functional Standing Movement and TriggerPoint. She believes Pilates is great for all ages and fitness levels. In her fun and challenging classes, she focuses on core strength, spine alignment, and breath. She looks to see improvement in each student through safe practices. Colleen is looking forward to continuing her Pilates practice and education. In her free time, she enjoys traveling to visit family and friends and cheering on Cleveland sports teams.

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  Julie Sternad

  Instructor

  Meet Julie! Julie is an ACE AEA Certified Instructor and Personal Trainer, The Arthritis Foundation and Johnny G MadDog Spinning Certified, and Club Pilates trained in Mat, Reformer, EXO-Chair, Springboard, Triggerpoint, Spine Corrector, Cadillac RTC, and Ladder Barrel. Julie's been practicing Pilates for ten years in the Cleveland area. She loves that Pilates brings the mind-body connection, the feeling of being lengthened, and having a tall and neutral spine. She believes Pilates is a huge part of a healthy mind, body, and soul . Pilates came into Julie's life with a two-year battle with a devastating cancer diagnosis. "Some days, all I could do was focus on a long spine and engage my abs, and that alone changed how my mind worked. Today, I get great joy when a student tells me, 'I felt muscles I never knew I had!'." Julie grew up in Colorado, where she hiked, fished, and climbed with her dad. She enjoys biking, swimming, gardening, and eating great food! Her life revolves around her family with Sunday dinners and traveling to watch her sons wrestle.

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  Jackie Blades

  Instructor

  Jackie is the General Manager at our Broadview Heights location! And a resident of the Westside, so you'll see her for some subs! As a lifetime athlete Jackie danced and played basketball and soccer growing up, eventually focusing solely on soccer. She went off to play D1 soccer at Northwestern, graduating with a Communication Sciences and Disorders degree with a focus in Speech Therapy. Through her athletic life Jackie acquired some back issues which sidelined her ability to run or workout without pain. When a friend introduced Pilates to her she was instantly in love. A work out she could do comfortably AND help her build her back up so she can run again. She received her training in our studio - in Mat, Reformer, EXO-Chair, Springboard, Functional Standing Movement, TRX, Trigger Point, Ladder Barrel, Spine Corrector, and Cadillac. In her training Jackie has learned how to share her passion for Pilates and how to help others live a more pain free and functional life! When she's not at the studio,Jackie loves to read, share your favorite books with her :)