Marilee P. Certified Instructor, PMA Certified, TPC Masters
Owner
Essence Pilates Chicago
Essence Pilates North Shore
Essence Pilates Online
Marilee, a mother of two has been a fitness instructor since 1995 and Personal Trainer since 1999. She is certified with AFAA, Mad Dog Spinning, The Physicalmind Institute and The Pilates Method Alliance (PMA). In 2009, Marilee finished The Pilates Center of Boulder, CO, Masters Program. Marilee is an avid cyclist and has coached spinning and outdoor training to members of the University of Colorado cycling team. She has taught at many well-known health clubs in Chicago, IL and Boulder, CO.
Prior to a career change into Pilates, Marilee worked in the financial industry selling money management for large institutions. Pilates became a way of life for Marilee after trying to manage the aches and pains from her hobbies of cycling and running.
Marilee completed the Boston Marathon in 2009 after qualifying at the Green Bay Marathon in 2008 and has completed in the Chicago triathlon along with other local races.
Kelly Jo T.
Regional Manager, Certified Mat Instructor, Apprentice Instructor
Essence Pilates Online Partner
Essence Pilates Chicago Kelly Jo has always been a sports enthusiast, and brings years of fitness experience to the Essence Spa. She is an avid runner and competes in many races and marathons. With a degree in Sports Management from Bowling Green University, Kelly Jo spent 9 years working for the Bulls organization and 2 years at Wilson's Sports. Presently, Kelly owns her own dog-walking business, KJ's K-9's, and has been doing Pilates for 6 years. She is now excited to be part of the Essence Pilates Team! Kelly Jo is currently training for her full certification with Essence Pilates.
Whitney G.
Certified Mat Instructor, Certified Pilates Instructor, PMA Certified, Certification Director, Chicago Studio Manager
Essence Pilates Chicago
Essence Pilates Northshore
Whitney was introduced to Pilates in Texas, where her mother (a physical therapist) uses it for rehabilitation in her physical therapy clinic. Whitney then moved to Boulder, CO where she received a B.A. Degree in Integrative Physiology from The University of Colorado. While in Boulder, she began doing Pilates on a regular basis at The Pilates Center, and immediately noticed the positive changes it was making in her health, mind, and body.
Her belief in the Pilates Method was further confirmed after experiencing a roll-over car accident that left her with shoulder and neck pain. Practicing Pilates as a form of rehabilitation allowed her to gain a deeper compassion for those suffering from chronic pain.
She has also been able to use her Pilates to further enhance her performance in other physical activities such as running, spinning, and yoga. Whitney received her certification from The Pilates Center in 2009. She is also certified by The Pilates Method Alliance (PMA). She has taught Pilates at well-known studios, heath clubs, and physical therapy clinics in Boulder, CO and Texas.
Whitney is head of the Teacher Training Certification program at Essence Pilates and prepares apprentices for PMA certification.
Maggie B.
Certified Instructor, PMA Certified
Essence Pilates North Shore
Maggie came to Pilates two years ago as a way to supplement her regular fitness routine. She soon fell in love with Pilates, and made it a regular part of her weekly exercise regimen. She began noticing differences in her mental and physical awareness leading to, among other things, improved flexibility and core strength. After experiencing its many benefits, Maggie is excited about sharing her knowledge of Pilates with others.
Maggie recently completed her mat certification through the Physical Mind Institute. She is now undergoing equipment certification through Balanced Body University. Maggie enjoys the many rewards of learning and teaching Pilates, while also being a full time Kindergarten teacher in Libertyville.
Janet S.
Certified Pilates Instructor, Balanced Body University
Essence Pilates North Shore
Janet was first introduced to pilates while she was training to be a professional dancer here in Chicago. While training with Hubbard Street, Ballet Chicago, and Joel Hall Dance Company, Janet took a scholarship ballet with Homer Bryant and pilates was a regimen in his ballet floor bar class.
Janet holds a BS in Dance Education and Physical Education from the University of Michigan. She has a throurough knowledge of both Anatomy and Kinesiology.
Janet currently resides in the North Shore area with her husband and three children.
Wade S.
Certified Instructor
Essence Pilates Chicago
Wade Schaaf is thrilled to be joining Essence Pilates after having recently received his certification from Power Pilates. Despite being fresh from the Power Pilates certification program Mr. Schaaf is already teaching at numerous studios in the Chicagoland area. Wade comes from Chicago where he trained in ballet and contemporary dance for several years. After graduating from Northern Illinois University with a B.F.A. in dance performance, Mr. Schaaf went on to dance professionally for such companies as The Ohio Ballet, State Street Ballet, Omaha Theater Ballet, River North Chicago Dance Company, and currently he dances for Thodos Dance Chicago. Wade uses his extensive knowledge of the movement and the human body, and his enthusiasm for helping others reach their goals, to make training in PIlates a rich and rewarding experience
Mary S.
Studio Manager Northshore, Certified Mat Instructor, Apprentice Instructor
Essence Pilates Northshore
Mary first joined the Essence team working the front desk of our North Shore studio, took one look at the Reformer, and the rest is history! Originally from Wisconsin, Mary has a BA in Psychology and Dance, and is pursuing her Masters in Elementary Education. Pilates, for her, brings all of these passions together. Mary believes that true health and fitness begins from within, and Pilates is the perfect answer to this balance of mind and body.
Mary is currently enrolled in Essence Pilates' Apprenticeship Program, and is training to become a PMA certified instructor. In addition to sharing Pilates with her North Shore clients, Mary has created and teaches a Pilates for Kids class at the school she is currently teaching at. It was Joseph Pilates' dream to one day have Pilates, daily movement and fitness within the classroom walls, and Mary is excited to share this dream!
Darrian F.
Certified Instructor
Essence Pilates Chicago
Darrian began studying Pilates at age 19 after joining the world renown Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City; before which, he danced with The Chicago Joseph Holmes Theater. At first as prescribed injury rehab, then as maintenance, he was personally taught by Romana Kryzanowska , Sean Green and several other Masters. He later danced with Donald Byrd/The Group and in several Broadway Shows and National Tours. Darrian was certified in 1998 in Los Angeles at PILATES BODY (formerly A Body Prepared) in The Classic 5 of 5. There he became a staff trainer, certification assistant, head trainer and finally the lead certification trainer. Over the same time span he studied with Ron Fletcher, Cathy Corey, Jillian Hessel and Cathy Grant and, assisted them at Guest Master Trainer appearances. He was a Production Studio Trainer (PST) for Columbia Pictures and Disney Studios, responsible for conditioning and transforming the bodies of actors before and during production. You may also see him along side fitness celebrities Denise Austin, Kendal Hogan, Yummi Lee or Tracy King as a fitness model in their respective exercise and/or Pilates videos.
Tiffany V.
Certified Mat Instructor, Yoga Alliance
Essence Pilates Chicago
Tiffany V. turned to Pilates after receiving a dance related stress fracture in her shin. It became more than rehabilitation for her, it turned into a passion. She is mat certified through the Pilates Institute of America. A graduate of The Juilliard School she has a love for dance and all things related to the body. She is a former member of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and Luna Negra Dance Theater here in the city and she has also performed with the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Additionally, she holds a 200 hour Yoga certification through CorePower Yoga. Her career as a fitness professional began in 2005 when she received a personal training certification through NASM. She is excited to begin as an apprentice within the Essence Pilates Teacher Training Program, Summer 2010.
Julia D.
Apprentice Instructor
Essence Pilates Northshore
Julia was first introduced to pilates shortly after the birth of her now, teenage, twin girls.
Looking to get back in shape and keep up with her twins., Pilates helped to give her the endurance and assisted her in losing more than 100 pounds.
Shortly after undergoing total knee replacement she moved to the UK where pilates was a part of her rehabilitation. She was amazed at the effect pilates had on her recovery and fell in love with it.
She has been practicing pilates avidly for over 5 years and is currently enrolled in the certification program at Essence Pilates.
Her goal is to share the balance, stability and strength that is gained from practicing pilates.
Mary B.
Certified Instructor, Zumba
Essence Pilates Chicago
A former dancer who is still addicted to movement, it is a pleasure for Mary to join the great team at Essence Pilates!
Mary has been a Pilates addict for over 20 years! Her Ph.D. is in Dance Education from NYU's Steinhardt School of Education, with a Masters from Teachers College and a Bachelors Degree from Barnard College both of Columbia University. Formerly on faculty of professional studios and college dance programs in NYC& Texas, Mary now works regularly with professional and aspiring professional dancers designing Pilates-based exercise regimes to decrease/avoid recurring injuries in dancers and teaches Pilates across the Windy City. She is also assisting in the research/teaching projects with faculty of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.
Certified in teaching multiple dance techniques, she is also a senior personal trainer (NASM), and a fully certified apparatus instructor in the Body Arts Science International (BASI) form of Pilates technique, and post-graduate studies in Pre/Post Natal Pilates as well as "Pilates for Dancers" taught by Karen Clippinger, author of Dance Anatomy and Kinesiology and Senior Faculty member of BASI. A nerd at heart – Mary will never stop learning – it is too much fun! J
Francine P.
Middle Eastern (Belly) Dance Instructor
Essence Pilates Chicago
Francine witnesses and draws from the many healing properties of this dance and deeply acknowledges the body as a sacred vessel which carries spirit into the physical world.
Her passion and gifts are revealed in the dance as she teaches the age old art with humor and love.
Francine Passias is a Certified Hakomi Body-Centered Experiential Practitioner & Advanced Hypnotherapist. She is trained in Continuum Movement, Living Dance, Middle Eastern Dance, Somatic Release, and Traditional Earth Energy Medicine.
Tyra N.
Registered Yoga Teacher/Hatha Yoga
Essence Pilates Chicago
Tyra is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) who completed her Hatha yoga instructor certification at Global Yoga and Wellness Center. She began practicing yoga in 2000 at a local Health Club and her teacher was so gifted and creative she got addicted. She has practiced Anusara, Vinyasa and Kundalini methods and has taken a Workshops with Anna Forrest, Rita Knorr and Rich Logan. She believes that it is important to pay close attention to alignment and safety, trying to make sure that her students, whether new or experienced can be challenged in the class by making modifications. She has been an avid runner, completing her first marathon in 2009. She enjoys the philosophy of yoga and tries to include a bit in each class so the focus is on the mind as well as the body. “Every time we practice it will be a new experience - we should embrace, enjoy and take something from each one.”
