Club Pilates

Bios

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  Becky Bare

  Club Pilates Teacher

  Born in Minnesota, Becky moved to Arizona in 2005 after living and leaving her heart in San Diego. There she met her husband and had her son. Becky grew up taking and teaching tap, ballet, jazz, and modern dance. After years in the gym weight training with a trainer and not finding the results she was looking for, Becky turned to Yoga and Pilates. Although she loved both, she found Pilates toned and lengthened her body the way she was looking for. She found the flexibility that she used to have when she took and taught ballet. She completed her comprehensive Pilates program as well as became certified in Barre. When asked what she loves about Pilates , her response was" I love the gracefulness and athleticism Pilates brings. There are so many options in creating an effective, fun, energizing class. I love seeing how Pilates effects clients in such a positive and uplifting way. The mind body connection is amazing! " When she is not teaching or bartending you can find her catching up with girlfriends over a glass of wine, vacationing at the beach with the family or at the baseball field watching my son play the game that he loves.

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  LuAnn Klein

  Club Pilates Teacher

  As a Certified Health Education Specialist, with a degree in Community Health Education from the University of Arizona, LuAnn has spent her career in helping others achieve optimal health and wellness through behavior modification programs in nutrition, weight management, smoking cessation, fitness and chronic disease management. She found Pilates to rehabilitate and regain strength after knee surgery. After several years of Pilates classes as a client, she enrolled in the Pilates Certification Program at Long Beach Dance Conditioning. Over 450 hours are spent in the classroom and in internship to receive certification. The course includes work with all apparatus and mat repertoire, coupled with functional anatomy and biomechanics, kinesiology, rehabilitation, injury prevention, posture analysis and adaptation. LuAnn channels this knowledge into an effective, challenging and rewarding Pilates experience for her clients. She specializes in working with those new to Pilates to understand the fundamentals of the method, along with those individuals who want to deepen their practice and more fully experience the benefits that Pilates has to offer.

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  Pamela Paley

  Club Pilates Master Teacher

  Pam Paley, our Lead Teacher, began Pilates journey more than 16 years ago. Pamela holds a BS in Science , Health and Physical Education and also was an Athletic Trainer . Pams journey with Pilates started while recovering from Cancer , when a member brought her to her first session and it was throughout the next several years that her love grew for the work that Pilates allowed her to do. Pam has been involved with fitness for most of her life, holds numerous certifications including Barre, TRX , ACE , NASM , Les Mills, Spin, and is also an Corrective Exercise Specialist through NASM , and completed numerous Pilates Certifications and workshops as well . She is a 2nd generation Pilates teacher as Pam was fortunate enough to study the Ron Fletcher Comprehensive Program of Study directly with Ron Fletcher ( who trained directly from Joseph Pilates. ) Pam has worked with professional baseball and football players , currently working with an LPGA player , and some Ironmen contestants. Many of Pams background is In working with pre and post rehab , back issues, hip replacements, many golfers , as well as those wanting to become stronger and healthier.. Pam also teaches around the country for Pilates Institute of America for other Pilates Teachers and Physical Therapists . You will find Pam teaching Pilates , Yoga , and Fitness on the Stand up Paddleboard as well as leading hikes and retreats .

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  Bridget Taylor

  Club Pilates Teacher

  Born and raised in Indiana, Bridget moved to Arizona in 2000 for a new job opportunity and life adventure. Bridget spent 20+ years in 3rd Party Logistics as a Manager (Warehousing and Distribution) before spreading her wings and dabbled in a few career paths before landing her current role with eSquared Communications, where she has been for the past 12 years and currently acts as the company’s Senior Key Accounts Manager. Fitness and exercise have always been a lifestyle for Bridget, whether in the gym lifting weights, CrossFit, hiking, and over the past year Pilates at Club Pilates Gilbert. She also set goals to compete in 3 of the Arizona OCB and NCP fitness and figure competitions in 2003-2006. Pilates is the one form of exercise that rejuvenated her excitement for fitness and a centering of her mind, body and spirit. She was introduced to Pilates in 2002 and since then she dreamed that teaching Pilates could someday be a career path. When Club Pilates announced the PMA Certification Program in 2017, she instantly knew that was her sign and joined the 1st group of trainees, knowing it was her time to make that dream a reality!

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  Caitlin McDonald

  Club Pilates Teacher

  Caitlin has always led an active life. As a young child she learned to cross-country ski in her backyard and participated in dance and gymnastics for many years. As a teenager, she tried ice skating, but unfortunately tore her MCL. Through PT, she learned the value of keeping her muscles strong to help support her weaker ligaments and tendons. She continued to be active once healed, pursuing horseback riding, downhill skiing, and hiking throughout college and into her adult life. She always wanted to help people, and received her Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Ithaca College in 2005. Caitlin worked as a laboratory technician at Cornell University’s Animal Health Diagnostic Center for about 5 years until she relocated with her husband, Great Pyrenees, and cat from NY to Arizona. She found another job as a research specialist at ASU’s Bio design Center but was not content with the work she was doing. She was no longer doing any of her previous hobbies, especially once the summer came. That was when she discovered Barre and Pilates. There was a studio very close to her home, and she became hooked on Barre and Pilates Mat. She loved Mat so much that she became certified to teach Mat classes, and started taking Pilates equipment classes. Her passion for the method really began to shine, and motivated her to pursue Pilates as an alternate career. She took on and completed comprehensive training while still working full-time at ASU in 2012-2013. She received her PMA-CPT in December 2013. Soon after, her ASU job dissolved, so she now dedicates her free time to sharing her knowledge and love of Pilates with others. She takes pride in creating workouts that anyone can finish with a sense of accomplishment. Her favorite aspect of Pilates is being able to help people feel better mentally and physically. Caitlin also volunteers at the Phoenix Zoo which allows her to share her passion for animals and conservation with others. Caitlin and her husband love giant breed dogs and added a Tibetan Mastiff to their family after losing their cat in 2012. After losing their Great Pyrenees in 2016, they added a Newfoundland puppy in 2016 shortly followed by a human son, Dmitri, in 2017. Caitlin’s other loves include electronic dance music, country music, crafting projects, traveling, French fries, and more.

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  Sheena Wituschek

  Club Pilates Teacher

  Sheena is an Arizona native, who graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Business Communication. After graduation Sheena started working in the Hospitality Industry and spent over 10 years in various Sales and Marketing roles. During this time, she found fitness as an outlet for the daily pressures of sales world. Always eager to try new things, she took her first reformer Pilates class and was instantly hooked. She loved the way Pilates challenged and changed her body. When Sheena was looking for a career change she knew, she wanted to teach Pilates!

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  Liz Trokey

  Club Pilates Teacher

  Liz Trokey is thrilled to join the Club Pilates team as an instructor. Liz is an avid runner, biker, and has been a lover of health and fitness for many years. Over 10 years ago while cross training for running Liz found the love for Mat Pilates. She is excited to have just completed her full Club Pilates certification in June of 2018. She decided to become an instructor to encourage and help others discover the benefits of Pilates for all bodies. She wants to help people feel good about themselves through movement and breath. When she is not in the studio, you can find her watching her kids play sports and music!

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  Grace Yum

  Club Pilates Teacher

  Grace Yum stumbled across Pilates at a local gym in 2010 and instantly fell in love. She was in slow recovery from a medical condition at the time, and it was the perfect low-impact method of strength training to help her regain her quality of life. Some of her happiest, healthiest hours over a period of almost a decade were spent on a reformer, and Pilates continues to be a source of pain management and stress relief for her. When she is outside the studio, she enjoys teaching music to children, listening to audio books and traveling with her husband.

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  Kimberly Polzin

  Club Pilates Teacher

  Kimberly Nelson-Polzin started attending Pilates classes over 20 years ago. Her commitment to the practice continued to grow over the years until she had the opportunity to become an instructor; by completing the Club Pilates 500-hour Teacher Training Program. Health and fitness have always been an important part of her life. Growing up with various medical conditions she sought out treatment that was non-traditional. Using Homeopathic Allergy treatments, she was able to overcome many obstacles. Pilates was the exercise program that produced the best results to help strengthen her body. As a Pilates Instructor she is combining her knowledge of health and nutrition for her clients achieve their goals. While pursuing health and fitness she graduated from Scottsdale Community College’s Culinary Arts Program in 2001. She competed and placed 1st in Arizona in the American Culinary Federation’s VICA competition. This Gold Medal earned her a spot in the national VICA competition where she placed 7th out of forty-seven contestants from around of country. Kimberly has also been involved in the world of wine for more than fifteen years. She began her beverage career at Fabiano Brothers in Midland, Michigan as part of their fine wine team. Returning to her native Arizona home in 2005, she continued her career with Republic National Distributing Company as a wine sales representative. She later transitioned to a management position on their wine team where she experienced success in growing both her own and her team’s accounts. In 2009 she took a position with Southern Wine & Spirits working her way up to a Division Manager of Valley of the Sun, Southern’s fine wine team. In 2012 as part of her continuing education she achieved Wine & Spirits Education Trust Level 3 Certification. Most recently, Kimberly was the On-Premise Director for Quench Fine Wines. She redesigned the sales structure to achieve the goals of the company as well as the brands they represented. Prior to Quench she was the Regional Director for Hahn Family Wines of Monterey County, California; she managed sales in Nevada, New Mexico and Arizona. Kimberly attended Arizona State University, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications with a minor in Psychology. Prior to her involvement in the wine industry she was employed as a marketing and advertising sale executive for various printing companies. The challenges presented and skills learned in that industry helped shape her into the leader she is today. Kimberly has always been active in various charities and fund-raising organizations including VICA Student Culinary Competition, Ad2 Phoenix, COMPAS2000 and the Scottsdale Culinary Festival.

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  Victoria Lang

  Club Pilates Teacher

  Vickie was born and raised in Long Beach California. She began her fitness journey and career over 35 years ago. Her background includes, Divisional Director of Group Fitness for 24 Hour Fitness .. Vickie holds various certifications and currently is the Recreation Coordinator of Fitness for the City of Chandler. Vickie has worked in non-for-profits, corporate wellness, private sector, and country club settings. During this time, she worked with high risk individuals coming straight out of physical therapy which was on-site, as well as expert athletes in golf, tennis and aquatics and everything in between. In 2004 Vickie was honored to receive Group Fitness Instructor of the Year from the International Fitness Professional Association (IFPA), and most innovative Group Exercise Programs in 1999 from the South West Division of 24 Hour Fitness. Vickie holds numerous certifications , Stott & Peak Mat Pilates ,NASM Personal Trainer & Corrective Exercise Specialist, A.C.E. and AFAA Group Exercise Instructor. Vickie was a modern dance major in the Los Angeles area, before getting into the fitness industry, and practiced Pilates with Mari Windsor and Merrithew, in conjunction with her dance training regimen. After almost losing her right leg from the knee down in a traumatic motorcycle accident, and recovering for two years with the aid of a wonderful physical therapist, she became extremely interested in learning more about how the body heals – This was the catalyst in Vickie’s journey and passion to help as many people find their strength from the inside out, and to push past the boundaries of what one can accomplish. The body follows the mind. Perseverance and steadfast practice will prevail. Joseph Pilates figured this out many years ago. Pilates saved her from any future surgeries doctors told her she might need. She is excited about working with Club Pilates members and guests utilizing solid Pilates foundational methods, coupled with state of the art TRX, Barre, Mat, Springboard and Chair exercises to help you live a vibrant and active lifestyle.

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  Rick Suttle

  Club Pilates Teacher

  Being a lifelong athlete, Rick Suttle is constantly pursuing Contrology. Naturally drawn to work with the human body, his endeavors lead him into the fitness industry back in 2008 when he realized his passion for teaching. Starting as a personal trainer, Rick Suttle excelled quickly being able to help his students reach their personal goals by translating movements with his unique teaching methods. Missing competition he left the fitness industry to become a professional ballroom competitor and instructor. As the Arizona native follows his competitive drive, he has discovered the potential of a free body through Pilates. Wanting to further his knowledge of Contrology, Rick Suttle began to study classical Pilates under the mentorship of Wendi Rae Cunningham in 2016. As a Pilates instructor with over a decade of experience watching and aligning the human body Rick Suttle is now helping “EVERY” body live pain free. Whether an athlete, or just starting out and looking to strengthen your core connection between body and mind, Rick Suttle will guide you to own your powerhouse.

• Julia Matson

  Club Pilates Teacher

  Julia was introduced to Club Pilates after moving to Arizona in 2016 from North Dakota. Following a car accident in her teenage years, she discovered that mat Pilates significantly helped reduce her low back pain. She fell in love with Pilates on the Reformer after joining Club Pilates and completing the 500 hour Pilates teacher certification program. After earning her Master's degree in English as a Second Language and spending many years as an English teacher traveling around the world, she has decided to call Arizona home. Julia is also a 500-hour RYT certified Yoga Instructor and has a 200-hour Holistic Nutrition certification. She truly believes in the sayings “Motion is Lotion for the Body” and “Move it or Lose it”. Julia enjoys traveling, meeting new people, being active outdoors and in Pilates and Yoga studios and spending time with family and friends. But most of all, she loves helping others improve their health and mobility through movement.