"Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness."

"A few well-designed movements, properly performed in a balanced sequence, are worth hours of doing sloppy calisthenics or forced contortion."

"Moreover, such a body freed from nervous tension and over-fatigue is the ideal shelter provided by nature for housing a well-balanced mind that is always fully capable of successfully meeting all of the complex problems of modern living." -Joseph H. Pilates
 

OUR STAFF

Selena Roque, Pilates

Selena first began studying Pilates at the age of thirteen while training at the San Francisco Ballet School.  She continued to study dance at other such notable institutions as Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet School and the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance. Her goal of pursuing a professional career in dance led her to California State University, Long Beach where she earned her degree in Dance with an option in Dance Science. There she continued to study Pilates and upon discovering its beneficial value to both her body and mind she decided to become certified as a Body Arts and Science International Comprehensive Pilates Instructor with a Dance Specialization under Karen Clippinger M.S.P.E. Professor.Besides teaching Pilates, Selena now dances professionally in the Chicago area.  Selena especially enjoys incorporating dance conditioning into her teaching style and has a deep appreciation for helping people to live healthier lifestyles and to achieve their fitness goals.

Allison Anich, Pilates

Allison Anich holds a B.F.A. in Dance from SUNY Purchase College Conservatory of Dance.  Her professional dance credits include three productions with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Dutch National Project with the Joffrey Ballet, and an international tour with Tania Pérez Salas Compañia de Danza of Mexico City, Mexico.

Allison discovered her passion for Pilates in 2005 when she took a mat class with master instructor Regan Hoerster, who owns and operates a studio devoted to classical Pilates in Oak Park.  Allison credits the intensive 750- hour certification program for it's strength in educating future instructors and exposing her to clients of all skill levels. She is devoted to teaching Pilates with creativity and inspiration and enjoys sharing her knowledge of Pilates as well as continuing to educate herself through work with other master instructors and the study of yoga and dance.  She is also certified in Reiki. 

Lesley Werle

Lesley Werle grew up in Algonquin, IL where she spent her time playing sports and climbing trees. She holds a BFA in dance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It was there that she discovered Pilates and what it can do for her as a performing artist. She has been living in Chicago since 2008 dancing professionally and continuing to practice Pilates. She is a NASM certified personal trainer and completed her full Stott Pilates certification at Elements In Motion. Lesley is a firm believer in the Pilates Method as a practice to enhance the quality of life for all people.

Kelley Watson

Kelley Watson is a classically trained Certified Pilates Instructor. She has been certified through the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) since 2006 on mat and equipment, and has accumulated over five years and 4,000 hours of collective academic and teaching experience for all populations at all levels.  Kelley began her training in 2005 at Body Endeavors, Chicago and completed her training at Village Pilates Studio, Oak Park, and at From the Center Pilates, Chicago. She has furthered her academic training through earning college credits in physiology, anatomy, bio-energy, and spiritual healing.  She holds special certifications for pre and post natal, spinal condition and senior populations. 

Kelley is one a handful of instructors state-wide to earn certification through the Pink Ribbon Program, qualifying her to teach restorative, post-operative Pilates exercises to breast cancer survivors.  Her life-enhancing approach is whole body, with emphasis on core and upper body musculature which restores posture, agility and mobility to the body. A former figure skating coach, Kelley skates  for fun.

Marie Doherty

While living in New York, Marie found Contemporary Pilates through a Brooklyn based studio, The Fitness Guru, founded by NBC’s Fitness Blogger, Michael Feigin, and his partner Lawson Harris. After suffering from a back injury, Marie found Pilates as a means to rebalance and regain strength and flexibility in order to continue her dance career and healthy life style. Inspired by the benefits of Pilates, Marie underwent a 750 hour Pilates certification program. The rigorous program required hours of class time, observing, continuing education, and teaching as an apprentice for one year. Marie is inspired daily by her clients who choose Pilates as a means to discover movement to help create a sound, healthy body and mind. She is thrilled to share her knowledge of dance and Pilates with clients and inspire them to discover the love of movement, strength and flexibility. Marie has a constant practice of Yoga, Pilates and dance daily, she is always exploring and learning new information to share with her clients.

Sarah Napathalung

Sarah is a native Chicagoan. Her dance background and love of feeling and staying fit led her to a career in Pilates. She is certified through Pilates Chicago, a Pilates Method Alliance certified instructor training studio in Rogers Park. She is passionate about Pilates as not only a great workout, but also as a corrective mind body experience, and is dedicated to preserving the exercises as Joseph Pilates intended while making them accessible to all. She recently left behind the office work life, and is thrilled to be on this new journey. She loves sharing her enthusiasm for Pilates with her clients. In her spare time, she thoroughly enjoys practicing yoga, wine tastings, bike riding on warm days, and eating whatever her chef husband prepares for her.