Michelle brings with her 21 years of experience teaching people of all ages, walks of life, fitness levels, health status, and history of injury. She believes each session is a collaboration between instructor and client, and that her job is to help people feel the power of the Pilates Method of Body Conditioning as created by Joseph Pilates.
A third generation teacher, Michelle completed the comprehensive 700-hour Excel Teacher Training Program at Excel Pilates DC with Romana Kryzanowska-trained mentors and was certified in 2002. Michelle earned a Gold Certification from the Pilates Method Alliance in 2005 and is Pink Ribbon Program certified to work with breast cancer survivors. Michelle holds a degree from the University of Virginia in Political and Social Thought, and worked in journalism and elementary education, before walking into her first Pilates Mat class in 1999 and never looking back.
That first six-week series of Mat classes opened Michelle’s eyes to a way of exercising that felt completely new (though the method was decades old even then) and made immediate sense. It was challenging and thoughtful, and Michelle knew it was what she needed to address her increasing aches and pains. It was truly life changing, and Michelle started getting stronger and feeling better. It is this personal experience of the health-giving benefits of Pilates that inspired Michelle to become a teacher and help empower others to learn the method.
Michelle truly believes that Pilates is for everybody. Yes, even men! Her clients have included competitive equestrians, pre and post-natal people, people with joint replacements and back injuries, marathon runners, children and nonagenarians. Michelle believes the beauty of Pilates is that the principles apply and guide the teacher, no matter who walks in the door. It has famously been said that Pilates is stretch with strength and control, and that control is the most important element. Control requires mental focus and concentration. Focus combined with healthful movement results in workouts that leave one refreshed and energized. Michelle’s goal every day with every client is that they leave the studio feeling better than when they stepped inside.