Club Pilates

Bios

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  Shannon Willits

  Owner and Master Trainer

  Pilates changed my life! As an active adult I’d tried every fitness modality known to human. I was strong and flexible, but I had little aches and pains that wouldn’t go away. After my first Pilates class I knew this workout was different. I felt a profound sense of well being and all my little aches vanished. After that class I never looked back. I’ve been doing and teaching Pilates since the late 90’s and traded my pantyhose and high heels for leggings and ToeSox. I’m so pleased to be a part of Club Pilates and to have the privilege of bringing “Pilates for Everybody” to our community. I earned my advanced level pilates certification with STOTT PILATES, completed a fellowship in Applied Functional Science (FAFS) and am currently a master trainer for Club Pilates, Barre Above and Relief Through Rolling a system of self-myofascial release. I'm certified in many other movement modalities including TRX, The MELT Method, BOSU and more. When I'm not working with our members I am educating and mentoring new Pilates instructors. In my free time I can usually be found on the dance floor doing West Coast Swing or playing with my granddaughter Vivian and my three rescue doggies :o)

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  Sway Hodges

  Lead Pilates Instructor

  Sway has always desired mindful motion, and for most of her life that desire has been fed with Dance and Pilates. In 1999 after many years of performing and choreography she began her Pilates training under the tutelage of master teacher Ramona Kryzanowska, Joseph Pilates' protegee, Ramona's daughter Sari Santo, Juanita Lopez and Bob Liekens. Upon completion of over 700+ hour certification program, Sway opened the first studio in her hometown of Memphis, Tennessee. Sway has had the privilege of working with the full spectrum of clientele, from professional athletes, such as golfer Loren Roberts, and busy moms, to those rehabilitating from serious injury or joint replacement. It is all about mind-body integration, focus on breath, fluid motion that Pilates offers each client for the "Real World Movement Education," that fuels Sway's desires to meet each client where they are at. Her greatest goal and joy is creating a program that will guide and educate clients towards a sense of strength, length, balance and awareness within their body and mind. Sway believes in continuing her education to deepen her connection to "the work." Some of Sway's continuing education includes: Efficacy of the Pre-Pilates work, Spine Mobility and its effect on Posture, Advanced Work on the Cadillac, Wunda Chair and Reformer.

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  Nancy Dengler

  Pilates Instructor

  Nancy was first introduced to Pilates in her early years as a young dancer in the ballet studio. It was during college, while pursuing her BFA in Dance, that she began a formal relationship with Pilates. Nancy quickly realized that Pilates was profoundly improving her movement and recruitment patterns for better range of motion, increased strength, mobility and physical ease. During the early years of this relationship, Nancy was the go-to demonstrator for Pilates Teacher Trainings at her studio. Nancy completed her formal teacher training in 2002 while simultaneously working in executive leadership in arts administration. She taught Pilates mat and group reformer classes regularly in local studios and opened her own fully equipped studio in 2012 where she saw clients privately until she relocated to Florida in 2017. Nancy advocates that success starts in the set-up and awareness precedes action. She strives to help others find their body awareness and to connect to new movement patterns for more optimal health and wellbeing. Nancy is also an RYT500 yoga teacher and PSIA Level 2 certified alpine ski instructor – before moving to Florida she could be found spending her winter weekends coaching little ski racers.

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  Brenda Varela

  Pilates Instructor

  Brenda has a BS and MBA in Finance and worked as a business executive, before retiring after raising two children, to pursue her passion in Pilates. She immediately fell in love with the practice, and after years of training, was invited to join the exclusive Legacy Program training by Lolita San Miguel, the only person remaining certified by Joseph Pilates. After graduating from her Teacher Training Program, she also completed the Polestar Pilates Education Program and is PMA certified. Brenda opened a studio to teach others how to improve their physical and spiritual well being, focusing on special conditions, recovery, and physical impairments for all age groups, including the elderly. Her technique is focused on body control and safety, teaching proper alignment, breathing and form, in order for everyone to achieve their full potential. Pilates is Brenda’s life and passion, and her mission is to pass her knowledge and experience to others, while continuously learning new ways to improve others well being.

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  Lindsay Matthews

  Pilates Instructor

  Lindsay first discovered Pilates while working as a fashion publicist in Manhattan. Looking for a supplement to her outdoor running routine in the icy winter months, Lindsay stumbled upon the Pilates method and soon recognized profound changes in both her body and mind. It was love at first “Hundred” for this childhood figure skater & dancer. After practicing Pilates for several years, Lindsay decided to return to her hometown in the Sunshine state to pursue teacher training with Club Pilates. She is thrilled to share her passion for movement with clients of all ages and levels in her energetic & creative classes. Radiating positivity and encouragement, Lindsay would love to guide you on your Pilates journey!

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  Ethie Kelly

  Pilates Instructor

  I am a certified Pilates Reformer instructor through STOTT PILATES. I am a retired Ultrasound Sonographer and have always had a love of exercise and being active. I started teaching Aerobics 30 years ago and have taught Step, Spin, Dance aerobics, Silver Sneakers, Aqua aerobics, Pound, Belly Dance, Stretch classes and Weight lifting classes. I have done Belly Dancing professionally and am also a licensed Permanent Make up artist. My favorite workout to teach is the Pilates Reformer. I find it safe and effective for young adults to seniors. Gaining strength, flexibility, and endurance with no danger to your joints is a fantastic benefit. Having had some previous injuries from other exercises, I love what the Reformer has done for my body. I enjoy teaching it as much as I enjoy doing it. I plan to do both for the rest of my life!

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  Sherri Kendrick

  Pilates Instructor

  As a youth competitive soccer player in Canada, my interest in health and fitness started at an early age. Unfortunately, two ACL surgeries in my twenties required me to reassess my personal goals and shift my focus away from the soccer field. I found resistance training provided me an outlet in my quest to build strength and feel strong. In my thirties I was a stay at home mom. As my daughter reached school age, I decided to further pursue my interest in fitness by attaining my Personal Training Certification through the International Sports Sciences Association. I continued on this path, completing a certification in both Exercise Therapy and Nutrition as well. It wasn’t until my thirties, when a Physical Therapist used Pilates to treat my back pain due to scoliosis, that I better understood the true importance of alignment, breath, and core strength. Now in my forties, I’m excited to work with you in your Pilates practice, and look forward to being a part of your unique health and wellness journey.

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  Brecken Welch

  Pilates Instructor and Membership Associate

  With the surge of "Health and Wellness" information released in recent years, I found myself growing more and more interested in the correlation between regular physical activity, and my overall well being! I'd read that regular movement/exercise would help boost my mood, relieve stress, help reduce the little aches and pains that I had started feeling way too young, and so much more. I decided to change my some what sedentary lifestyle and began my fitness journey lifting weights and taking Yoga classes. While I did receive many of the benefits mentioned above, I also gained a few injuries. I was looking for something that was going to be safe and effective, yet give me the same benefits I was receiving from the gym. I found Club Pilates shortly after and my hopes and wishes were fulfilled. Pilates is formulated to be the perfect combination of strength and flexibility, and gives me all the same benefits and more as any prior method I had tried. I have safely and effectively trained my mind and body through Pilates and can't wait to share all that I've learned with you!

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  Christina Lianza

  General Manager and Pilates Instructor

  Christina’s passion for health and wellness began at a young age. She played competitive sports year round starting at age seven and snowboarding in the mountains of New Hampshire during the winters. She soon learned the importance of having a mind, body connection and began incorporating holistic nutrition and natural homeopathic remedies as a daily practice. She graduated in 2007 with her BS in Business Administration and Marketing from the University of New Hampshire. She is also a Certified Holistic Health Coach through Institute for Integrative Nutrition. After coming to an intro class at Club Pilates Fort Myers, her love grew for the mind body connection that Pilates brings. Soon after she decided to jump into Club Pilates Comprehensive Teacher Training program to become a certified instructor. She is excited to help Fort Myers learn the benefits of Pilates while transforming their bodies inside and out.