People with a history of lower back pain, SIJ instability, sciatic nerve pain or piriformis syndrome may come to Pilates to seek support. In this blog, we take a look at the anatomy of the piriformis, common exercise misconceptions, and how to consider and develop a safe and effective Pilates program to restore balance and … Read more
Whether clients are born with hypermobility (greater than average range of motion in joints) or have acquired it through a condition such as MS or a stroke, hypermobility can be a tricky balancing act. Hyperextension of the knee is just an example. Melanie Byford-Young shares how to continuously return to neutral and teach your client … Read more
It’s all over the news. Pro athletes have discovered what others have known for years—Pilates works. Pacific Northwest Pilates co-owner and Lead STOTT PILATES Instructor Trainer, Leslie Braverman, takes a closer look three reasons why Pilates makes it to the big leagues. Lebron James (pro basketball), Hollie Avil (triathlete), Serena Williams (tennis champion) and Dara … Read more
The Clam is an excellent exercise…when executed well. Here, Melanie explains why she often uses a stability ball to facilitate movement, and what to look for and avoid.
Squish the what?! Melanie provides precautions, tips and her favorite exercise-of-choice to center the glenohumeral joint for clients with shoulder joint instability, a history of dislocations and/or pain, clicking and popping in the joint.
It’s easy to get fixated on the scapulae when working with Pilates clients. Melanie advises Pilates and movement professionals to look closely at the sternoclavicular (SC) joint too!
Arthritic fingers leading to ulnar drift makes it harder to produce a powerful grasp. Melanie Byford-Young and guest client, Mary, demonstrate spine stretch forward and a series to address varied angles and challenge for the shoulders and forearms while protecting the joints of the hand.
When Anterior Femoral Head Syndrome is present, it can relate to a thoracic alignment issue or pelvis twist, or even an overworking hamstring muscle. Melanie Byford-Young focuses on actively reseting and adding to your awareness when working with this condition.
Jewel is a STOTT PILATES® fully certified instructor on all equipment and all levels. She has worked in healthcare for more than 20 years and began seeking out Pilates training as a way to enhance her knowledge about moving in her own body in order to help those around her. Jewel believes that knowing how to confidently support our own bodies in movement is essential in optimizing one’s quality of life. She works with her clients to gain freedom of movement so they can feel good in their body and live their life to the fullest.
Training:
Fully Certified STOTT PILATES Instructor on all equipment & all levels
STOTT PILATES Injuries and Special Populations Course
STOTT PILATES Rehab Mat and Rehab Reformer Courses
Nancy’s mission is, “fitness activities to support your vibrant living,” and she uses her experience in Pilates, corrective exercise, MELT, and personal training to help clients meet their movement goals.
With over 30 years in the fitness industry as a personal trainer and group-ex instructor, Nancy was introduced to reformer Pilates in 2016 and loved it immediately. Originally certified through IMX Pilates, Nancy earned her STOTT PILATES mat and reformer certification through PNWP in 2022.
In addition to Pilates, Nancy teaches MELT small group and private sessions. Nancy battled foot and knee pain for over 20 years before discovering the MELT Method in 2015. MELT saved her feet and thus her fitness career; she is certified in all 5 levels of the format and is an instructor trainer for levels 1 and 2.
Training:
Heather is a professional dancer, movement educator, and is certified in STOTT PILATES mat and reformer. Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, she started dancing at an early age and in 2014 graduated with a BA in Dance from Lindenwood University, where she studied a variety of movement styles. She has performed with multiple professional dance companies based in Portland and St. Louis and currently dances with The Holding Project.
Since relocating in 2016, she has worked with several non-profits bringing dance to lower-income families, with the mission to make dance more accessible for everyone. After a few injuries and a car accident, Heather found Pilates helped her recover and regain the mobility and strength to dance again. She realized the extent of Pilates beyond simply strength training: it could be used to better help people understand the proper biomechanics of their bodies and develop efficient movement patterns that can help release pain and discomfort in their everyday lives. With this, Heather devoted herself to a new mission to help strengthen the mind-body connection in her students, while exploring joy and freedom of movement.
She has spent the past 7 years teaching Pure Barre and dance and currently teaches at Rebel Fit Gym working with people with Parkinson’s Disease. She enjoys working with varied and differently-abled populations to help improve posture, strength, flexibility, range of motion, and confidence.
Training:
Inga is STOTT PILATES fully certified instructor on all equipment and all levels.
In addition, Inga is a Physical therapist assistant with experience in rehab, manual therapy and currently works in home health for Adventist/ohsu medical system. Inga has worked with various populations and various medical conditions.
In 2020, Inga fell in love with Pilates for her own rehab and she is passionate about sharing her knowledge with others. She has a Bikram Yoga Certification since 2004, and has taught group and private lessons.
Training:
Debra began her journey with STOTT PILATES® after experiencing 18 years of chronic pain from injuries sustained in a car accident. She immediately became fascinated with the STOTT PILATES method, realizing it was the only modality that actually worked to heal her body. Following rehabilitation, Debra attained Full Certification in 2005 and was promoted to Instructor Trainer in 2006. Her STOTT PILATES training is complemented by a background in dance and gymnastics. In 2016, Debra became a Merrithew® Lead IT.
Debra works with people in all states of health, wellness, recovery and restoration, including high-level athletes. She has worked with the touring cast of Cirque de Soleil’s Amaluna, as well as a number of professional athletes. In 2014 she began to travel annually to Korea to provide STOTT PILATES professional training for enthusiastic Korean students.
Debra revels in learning about new, innovative mind-body modalities, integral anatomy, and all things movement-related. This is exemplified by her enthusiasm and leadership in ZEN•GA®, Merrithew Fascial Movement, and other mindful movement modalities. She has been immersed in the study of fascia since 2009 and is consistently successful with client concerns, addressing complex dysfunction often through a fascial lens.
Training:
Elle Sevi was born and raised in Oahu, Hawaii where she began her dance training at a young age.
She went on to achieve her BFA from The Boston Conservatory majoring in Dance with an emphasis on Ballet Pedagogy. It was here at the Conservatory where she got introduced to Pilates as a way of cross-training and instantly fell in love.
Elle currently is a professional dancer and teacher in Portland, Oregon. She is passionate in helping clients reach their health and fitness goals. Elle enjoys teaching all ages and abilities and believes everyone can benefit from Pilates.
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Katherine has more than 10 years of experience teaching group classes and private clients of all backgrounds and abilities. Brown pursued her Pilates education at Pacific Northwest Pilates, Central YMCA Pilates Academy in London, England, and STOTT PILATES headquarters in Toronto, Canada. She holds certifications in Total Barre™ and ZEN•GA (Mat and Equipment), and a “Specialist” certification in Pilates for Athletic Conditioning. Brown believes Pilates is more than just exercise. It’s a way to improve how our bodies function in a lasting way, which can free us from pain and injury. She emphasizes correct biomechanics and heightened body awareness to help her clients create healthy patterns of moving and living.
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Holly Shaw graduated from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City with a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts in Ballet with emphasis in Performance and Teaching in 2010. As a professional dancer, Holly’s career includes dancing with Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, BodyVox, Éowyn Emerald and Dancers, and skinner|kirk DANCE ENSEMBLE, and now currently works with the push/FOLD dance company as the Managing Director and as a performer.
During her time at university, Holly discovered Pilates as a useful cross-training tool and an integral piece in maintaining overall health and stability, and working with her own body with scoliosis. After graduation, Holly moved to Portland, OR and immediately began teaching rehabilitative and generative STOTT Pilates, and beginning her path as a STOTT PILATES® and Total Barre Instructor Trainer as a part of the Education Team at Pacific Northwest Pilates. Focusing on health and movement in everyday life, her work with her clients spans building core strength, developing athletic capacity, rehabilitating from old injuries, pre and post-op management, pre and post-natal focus, and finding ways to execute daily tasks safely.
Outside of her work with PNWP, Holly’s company, Elevated Movement provides onsite movement-based programs for assisted living facilities in the Portland metro region. Holly also holds a certification as a Reiki II practitioner and energy healer, adding a compassionate and holistic approach when working with students and clients.
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Amy Edmonson is a certified STOTT PILATES® and MELT Method® instructor.
After living with chronic pain, both her physical therapist and chiropractor recommended Pilates as an exercise method. After committing to a consistent Pilates practice she noticed a reduction in
pain and flare-ups. The results, and the continued need to reduce work hours spent at a desk, inspired her to train as a Pilates instructor in 2012. While going through the instructor training at PNWP she was introduced to The MELT Method. MELT’s techniques simulate massage therapy and the specific moves on a soft roller help rebalance the nervous system. The method became a strong asset in pain reduction and a great compliment to the Pilates movement. Through her own experiences, Amy easily empathizes with others living with chronic pain and combines the methods of Pilates and MELT to reestablish the fluidity and balance of the body.
She loves to help develop clients’ understanding of how their bodies navigate and adapt to their way of life and how they can improve that adaptation by strengthening body awareness and creating better movement patterns.
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Janet was introduced to Pilates after a car accident that injured her spine in three places and left her in constant pain, deconditioned, and discouraged.
An avid athlete, movement enthusiast, and active mom she found recovery and a whole new way of moving and thriving through Pilates. She intentionally passes on what she has learned through her teachings with verbal clarity, creativity, enthusiasm, compassion, and hope. She enjoys working with clients of all ages, fitness levels, body types, and backgrounds and especially those brand new to Pilates or those recovering from injuries.
Janet is a Fully Certified Momentum Pilates Instructor and has been privileged to partner with her clients for their good health for 16 years now. She has worked at PNWP since 2008 and has taken multiple STOTT Pilates rehab courses. Janet grew up in Quito, Ecuador, and is fluent in Spanish and conversational in French.
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Mandee holds a full certification in STOTT PILATESⓇ and has been teaching since 2011. She holds further certificates and has taken courses in Injuries & Special Populations, Zenga & Fascial Movement Foundations, Core Align, Hypermobility, specializes in Prenatal/Postpartum and Pelvic Floor, and is a Specialist in Pilates Based Education for Neurological Conditions (PMA). She has taken master courses with training in the cervical spine & whiplash, hip & knee replacements, and many, many more areas of specialty. Her goal is to help people live differently in their bodies to create a pain-free life of movement. In 2015, she left her corporate job as an apparel developer at Nike to pursue wellness full-time. You can read more about her story of moon-lighting as an Instructor and making the switch to full-time teaching here. Mandee has found deep joy in making her passion her lifestyle, and being able to share it with others brings her deep contentment, otherwise known as Santosha in Sanskrit, the ancient language of yoga. You can learn more about her at http://www.santoshapilates.com.
Training
Lisa Buchmiller began dancing at an early age at the Tri-Cities Academy of Ballet in Richland, WA. Classically trained in ballet, tap, and jazz, she performed with Mid-Columbia Ballet under the artistic direction of Debra Pearse Rogo.
In college, Lisa discovered her true passion: teaching movement and dance. Lisa is the co-creator of The Ellové Technique®, a certified personal trainer and yoga instructor. She has been teaching group exercises and training clients for over 20 years. In 2021 she began her STOTT PILATES® training at PNWP and became certified in 2022.
When working with clients individually or teaching a class, Lisa combines her expertise in many different disciplines to help her students and clients find joy in mindful movement.
Training:
Shelly Burns is a certified STOTT PILATES instructor and is currently working toward her full certification. Originally from Louisiana, Shelly worked for many years in Dallas, TX as an academic medical librarian before relocating to Vancouver, WA.
She has a background in dance and has been a student of STOTT PILATES since 2015. After experiencing pelvic floor issues while running, she was referred to Pilates by her physical therapist, which was a life-changing experience. The versatility of Pilates and the applicability to all bodies, ages, and experience levels ranging from post-rehab clients to elite athletes is what piqued her interest in this unique methodology.
Additionally, Shelly sees the value Pilates brings to exercise by focusing on postural components, mind-body awareness, and control and using the breath to stabilize the core and drive movement.
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Now in her 25th year of teaching Pilates, Martt Lawrence arrived in Portland in 2019 after spending over two decades working with dancers, athletes, and students of varying injuries in San Francisco. Originally certified in 1996 under classical teacher Carol Apel, Martt was re-certified in 2005 by Romana’s Pilates and Metropolitan Pilates under the tutelage of Master Teacher Dorothee VandeWalle at Metropolitan Pilates in Seattle.
In January 2006, Martt opened The Pilates Center of San Francisco inside the ODC Dance Commons which she owned and operated for nearly 14 years. In 2008, she became a certified Teacher-Trainer and her studio became a training center for Metropolitan Pilates apprentices. Martt’s teaching is informed by her movement experience as a former professional dancer with the Houston and Cincinnati Ballet companies as well as a professional modern dancer and choreographer in the SF Bay Area.
Prior to opening her Pilates studio, Martt taught Pilates at Golden Gate Pilates in San Francisco, Elément Pilates studio in Paris, France, and was the main Pilates Instructor at The San Francisco Ballet and San Francisco Ballet School from 2001-2006. In addition to teaching Pilates, Martt teaches yoga and was certified under Laughing Lotus, NYC, in 2010. She is grateful to have the opportunity to learn and share her skills at Pacific NW Pilates.
Jeanette began her personal Pilates practice in 2003 after suffering years of debilitating lumbar spine disc herniation and surgery. It was through Pilates that she discovered its profound benefits and became a dedicated believer in the system. Jeanette credits her quality of life, strength, and mobility to the rehabilitative effects of Pilates and believes strongly in the daily application of Pilates principles.
After building an 8-year connection with Pilates at the Multnomah Athletic Club, Jeanette was introduced to Pacific Northwest Pilates. In 2013 she was awarded Certified STOTT PILATES ® Instructor status for all levels on all equipment and immediately began her journey instructing clients. Jeanette is eager to educate and empower people of all ages and fitness levels to find their personal best with the use of the mind-body connection, opening the door to mindful movement that results in transformation within their body. With an enthusiastic attitude Jeanette communicates with a conscious and direct yet lighthearted style to create a personal dialog with clients. Her goal is to aid people in finding easeful movement to develop strength and eliminate discomfort, prevent injury and work toward their ultimate fitness goals.
Jeanette’s emphasis on proper form, and constantly monitoring her client’s movement and form with her eye for detail is an essential part of her practice- to ensure safety. Witnessing clients gain confidence, energy and comfort are one of Jeanette’s favorite parts of being an instructor. Assisting people in improving self-image and quality of life is key to her enjoyment in the field. Jeanette has experience working with rehabilitation clients including those with spinal surgeries, joint replacement, shoulder, knee, and ankle injuries, and SI issues.
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Martha Lundberg is a STOTT PILATES® Certified Instructor. Besides teaching healthy and injured clients, Martha is dedicated to working with cancer survivors, following her own breast cancer diagnosis in 2010. She found the mind-body connection instrumental to her recovery after treatment.
Martha has received training on all Pilates equipment and has taken multiple STOTT PILATES® Rehabilitation courses and Therapeutic Pilates Workshops. She also has certification as a Cancer Exercise Specialist and training in the Physical Activity and Lymphedema (PAL) Trial intervention.
Martha has a Master of Science in Public Health and a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy.
Meg found Pilates as a way to work out shoulder and neck pain from climbing, swimming, and a desk job.
Pilates’ focus on core stability and alignment helped with her shoulder issues and as a way to cross-train for climbing, hiking, and other outdoor adventures. The mind-body connection was centering and a stress reliever.
Meg likes working with people and introducing them to and helping them integrate the benefits of Pilates into real-life situations. From her own Pilates practice, Meg knows how important it is to develop strength and flexibility in order to keep doing the activities we like to do.
Training:
Gina Frabotta received her Pilates Certification from The Physicalmind Institute in 2003 and earned her Pilates Method Alliance certification in 2016. She has an additional three years of experience teaching Pilates while studying Modern Dance at Ohio University where she received her bachelor’s degree. She has a wealth of experience working with different populations.
Over the years she has worked with professional athletes, swimmers, and dancers and has a long history of working with injuries; especially back injuries. She has focused her attention on working with pre/post-natal clients, seeing some of her clients through three pregnancies and beyond. Gina believes anyone can benefit from Pilates, hence her array of experience with varied populations. Her clients have ranged in age from 12 years old to 93!
She is also a certified Yoga Instructor and Personal trainer continually striving to expand on her knowledge to share with her clients. Gina’s caring approach and attention to detail help individuals realize their full potential. She is proficient in educating her clients on how to execute the movements with the precision necessary to gain maximum benefits, while at the same time exuding a passion for the joy of movement.
Training:
My love for the human body and movement began while watching Gene Kelly dance on screen. Copying his movements in my living room led to an 18-year dance career, which further fueled my need to know how the human body moves. Now, as a STOTT PILATES® certified instructor and a Physical Therapist, it is my mission to develop the least invasive and most effective, yet comfortable combination of treatments to help my clients along any personal journey back to a healthy, happy, and moving body.
18 years of ballet and modern dance has given me a unique ability to step back and see the overall picture before delving into the details. This is important when treating any of my clients, as it helps to develop a more holistic approach. My education as a Physical Therapist gives me the ability to prioritize treatment of individual joint dysfunction and soft tissue restrictions, as well as integrate these changes into their system as a whole. I am happy to work with any client to rehab from injury, injury prevention, and return to sport.
I love working with patients of all different diagnoses and backgrounds, from those who suffer from chronic pain and significant disabilities to individuals working to return to their sport and their passion. I am particularly fueled by working with children as it allows me to be utilize more creativity and play in my treatment programs.
Training:
Sue has been moving her entire life. Like many Pilates teachers, she was a contemporary dancer & choreographer who turned to Pilates and other practices because of injuries. Since retiring from dance, she has been studying yoga, Pilates, fascial fitness techniques, and somatic exercise, finding that combination transformative for her day-to-day practice.
She began this path in 1998, becoming a certified yoga teacher. After knee surgery, she turned to Pilates at the suggestion of her physical therapist. Once she got on a reformer, she never looked back, becoming a STOTT Pilates instructor in 2003. She’s been a full-time teacher ever since and has a great interest in using yoga and Pilates as therapeutic, rehabilitative tools. One of the greatest joys for her as a teacher is seeing people reclaim their bodies and find ease and comfort instead of pain and confusion.
Sue loves to teach students of varying levels and abilities. She creates an atmosphere of camaraderie and support among her students and has a warm demeanor as a teacher. While keeping the safety of each student in mind, she believes in gently encouraging each person along their own path of self-discovery. To read more about Sue, visit www.suebrantleyyoga.com.
Training:
Peggy has been a STOTT certified Pilates instructor since 2008.
She has been teaching fitness classes of all different styles for the past 15 years. Peggy graduated from Moorhead State University in Moorhead, MN with a degree in Social Work. Her passion for working with people and improving their health and wellness led her into the field of fitness and pilates.
Peggy gets great joy and is truly inspired working with people who have the desire and the commitment to improve their physical well-being through pilates.
Training:
Briley is a classically trained ballet dancer currently working with Push/FOLD and The Holding Project in Portland, Oregon.
Dancing all her life — the past eight professionally with elite companies such as Atlanta Ballet and Nevada Ballet Theatre — Pilates has always been a cross-training tool she uses to increase her body awareness, power, and strength. She utilizes her background in dance and athleticism to expand her clients’ awareness of their own bodies helping them to achieve a greater degree of movement efficiency. Briley believes the mind-body connection practiced in Pilates can be transferred over into every aspect of life. She encourages her clients to work internally offering creative imagery and tactile cueing.
Briley loves teaching individuals of all ages and backgrounds seeking general conditioning, athletic training, injury prevention, or rehabilitation. She specializes in working with dancers and athletes and enjoys teaching future instructors.
Training:
Emma Uebele is a certified STOTT PILATES® Instructor. She came to Pilates as a young teen to avoid double knee surgery and combat undiagnosed chronic back pain. Since then, Pilates has been a cornerstone of her rehabilitation from multiple injuries and laid the foundation for a life with greater awareness and miraculously less pain.
Emma has completed the Injuries and Special Populations course and believes strongly in Pilates as a tool to strengthen and re-empower the body, to live with less pain and greater confidence and ease. Emma is also pursuing a Master’s Degree in Expressive Arts in Switzerland part-time and is fascinated by how movement and the arts can be tools for healing on an individual and communal scale.
When not in the studio she can likely be found making art or hiking around the Pacific Northwest.
Training:
Daphna was first introduced to Pilates in 2001 while living in Israel and trying to balance healthy living with a demanding career. Based on her personal experience, she has become a true believer in Pilates as a means to rehabilitate injuries, improve muscle imbalances and relieve stress.
She completed her full STOTT PILATES® Instructor certification in 2007 including the Injuries and Special Population Course as well as various Rehab courses and workshops. She enjoys helping people struggling with injuries and physical challenges. She has particularly developed an interest and expertise in working with clients with Parkinson’s disease. With a background in dance and a passion for athletics Daphna also enjoys working with people that like to challenge themselves and use Pilates to improve their strength and agility.
Daphna loves to learn and to experience new things so she continuously invests in advanced education and skills development. Daphna began teaching Pilates after being a winemaker for several years, working in wineries in Israel, USA, and Australia. She is an avid scuba diver, climber, and trekker.
Training:
Anna Marra, STOTT PILATES Instructor, is fully certified and has completed the Injuries and Special Populations course. Anna is a professional dancer with BodyVox and a freelancer in Portland, Oregon. Her work experiences ultimately cultivated her passion for teaching and interest in body care, leading to her pursuit of Pilates training.
Practicing Pilates alongside her dance training, Anna feels the benefit of this exercise carries over to every aspect of life; from athletic performance enhancement, injury prevention, injury rehabilitation, to general fitness and physical well-being.
She loves working with individuals on achieving their personal health and fitness goals and creating a better quality of life.
Training:
Leslie was a 15-year professional dancer when she was led to STOTT PILATES® because of an injury – she credits pilates for prolonging her career. Leslie became a STOTT PILATES® instructor in 1997 and was most recently awarded the title of STOTT PILATES® Lead Instructor Trainer, which qualifies her to teach other Instructor Trainers around the world. In her career, she danced 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 was a Level One ARTS recipient (sponsored by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts) in 1989 and was a semi-finalist and one of five sponsored Americans to compete in the 1988 Prix de Lausanne International Dance Competition in Switzerland.
Leslie loves to use her experience to train dancers, athletes, fitness clients, and aspiring instructors. She is co-owner of Pacific NW Pilates since its launch in 2001 and leads in managing and marketing the studio.
Training:
Melanie Byford-Young was first introduced to Pilates while working in an outpatient physiotherapy clinic and has since become an innovator in the field of Therapeutic Pilates. She specializes in unwinding complex injuries and working with a wide range of rehabilitation clients.
In 2001, Melanie co-founded Pacific NW Pilates in Portland, Oregon, and started instructing STOTT PILATES® courses and workshops. Over the past eighteen years, she created a series of training and education curriculum, including the STOTT PILATES® Rehabilitation courses, Therapeutic Pilates Workshops for Pacific Northwest Pilates, and online courses for Medbridge Education. She has taught throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Brazil, and Asia, and has made guest appearances at conferences including IDEA World Fitness, Body Mind Spirit, John Garey Fitness and Pilates, and at the Merrithew UK Symposium.
Melanie was originally a licensed physical therapist, graduating from McMaster University in Ontario with a Bachelor of Health Science in Physiotherapy in 1991. She also earned her post-graduate Certificate in manual and manipulative physiotherapy Canadian Physiotherapy Association.
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