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Pilates Trainer Bios

Nicole Cueno
Kelly Dickey
Kamalar Howard
Mary Jacobson
Anna Kerr
Kelli Klein
Stephanie Meyer
Bonnie Oliver
Christine Petrich
Alejandra Tobar
Adrienne Vaughn
Jill Winegar
Yolanda Womack


Nicole Cueno
612-215-4203

Training Levels
Personal Training: Level 1
Pilates Training: Level 1
TRX Certified Trainer

Fitness Philosophy
"Fitness is a commitment to yourself, your loved ones, and your quality of life. Running is my passion and commitment and I like helping others find goals and improve fitness through running. More importantly, I love to help people find activities that spark something for themselves. The commitment then becomes easier…and more fun!"

Education

  • NETA Certified Personal Trainer
  • USATF Level I Coaching Certified
  • TRX training
  • Water Safety Instructor & and Private Swim Lesson Instructor
  • Lifeguarding, CPR, AED and First Aid Certified
  • Water Fitness Instructor
  • Masters from University of Minnesota: Evaluation Studies
  • Bachelors of Art: Grinnell College

Experience

  • High school and Adult Running Coach
  • Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifier (2008). PR: 2:42
  • 4-time All-American in the 1500, 5k, and 10k
  • Competitive road racer
  • YWCA Running Coach

Areas of Expertise

  • Endurance Training: beginners to elite athletes
  • Running Program Development
  • Triathlon Training
  • Strength training and injury prevention for running and triathlons
  • General Fitness Program Development
  • Aquatic Fitness


Kelly Dickey
612-215-4330

Training Levels
Personal Training: Level 2
Pilates Training: Level 1
TRX Certified Trainer

Fitness Philosophy
"My philosophy is to train clients with awareness, enthusiasm and make the workouts fun! I enjoy sharing my passion for movement and wellness. I teach body awareness along with the importance of the integration of health & fitness modalities, including the 7 dimensions of wellness. I love seeing hard work and dedication pay off as individuals strive to lead happier and healthier lives. Set realistic, challenging and measurable goals – Stay positive and HAVE FUN!"

Education

  • NASM - CPT Certified
  • B.S. Health Promotion & Wellness
  • University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

Experience

  • Group Fitness Instructor
  • Certified personal trainer – 2+ years
  • American Red Cross Instructor-Trainer – CPR/AED/1st Aid
  • Marathon/Triathlon Competitor
  • Prepared beginning runners to be marathon participants
  • Assistant track coach – high school level
  • Youth Running Program Leader - Boys & Girls Club
  • Smoking Cessation training
  • Student Chapter President – National Wellness Institute

Areas of Expertise

  • General Fitness
  • Functional Strength Conditioning
  • Core Stability
  • Behavior Change Facilitation
  • Stress Management
  • Endurance Training


Kamalar Howard
612-215-4108

Training Levels
Personal Training: NA
Pilates Training: Level 1

Fitness Philosophy
"As a dancer, I have always been in tune with my body and passionate about movement. As a Pilates instructor, I have the opportunity to teach others about their own bodies. I view Pilates as a form of exercise and conditioning, but also as a form of rehabilitation and even a tool to better improve one’s daily life. By valuing the individual body and its strengths and weaknesses, I focus on each person’s specific needs and limitations."

Education

  • BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) in Dance from the University of Minnesota
  • STOTT® PILATES® Certified Instructor

Experience

  • Completed an internship at SweatShop in Saint Paul, MN
  • Pilates Trainer at Fitness Focus in Mahtomedi, MN since September 2007
  • Train dancers in mat work at 4th Street Dance in White Bear Lake, MN
  • Teach dance classes at local studios to children and teens

Areas of Expertise

  • Essential, Intermediate, Advanced Mat & Reformer
  • Improving body awareness
  • Improving posture
  • Muscular Strength and Elongation
  • Flexibility


Mary Jacobson
612-215-4208

Training Levels
Personal Training: Level 3
Pilates Training: Level 3
TRX Certified Trainer

Fitness Philosophy
"My experience in both the fitness profession and the area of adult neurogenic rehab allow me to truly merge increased stability and mobility with improved performance in activities of daily living as well as overall fitness and athletic goals. A strong planned fitness program has made me feel and move so much better that I want to share that gift with others. Life is so much better when we feel good!"

Education

  • B.S. Communication Disorders
  • M.S. Communicative Disorders
  • STOTT® PILATES® Certified Instructor
  • National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer
  • Schwinn Certified Indoor Group Cycling Instructor
  • NETA Group Fitness Certified Instructor
  • Kettlebell Training

Experience

  • Previous occupation in adult neurogenic rehabilitation working on inter- and trans- disciplinary teams
  • Pilates trainer and group fitness instructor for 10 years

Areas of Expertise

  • Pilates
  • Rehabilitation
  • Injury Prevention
  • Sport Specific Preparation


Anna Kerr
612-215-4236

Training Levels
Personal Training: Level 3
Pilates Training: Level 1
TRX Certified Trainer

Fitness Philosophy
"I believe that fitness is achievable by all. Whether new to exercise or competitively training for an event, everyone should be able to find the balance that works for them. As your trainer, it is my goal to help you develop a program that meets your needs, establishes realistic goals, and gets you results, all while having a little fun."

Education

  • American Council on Exercise (ACE) Personal Trainer
  • Schwinn® Cycling Instructor
  • BOSU Trainer certified
  • BODYFLOWTM Instructor
  • N-Stretch
  • American Red Cross Lifeguarding, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid Instructor
  • International Fitness AssociationTM (IFATM) Group Fitness Instructor
  • Pre and Post-Natal Program Design

Experience

  • Group fitness and Pilates instruction
  • Office stretching seminar presenter
  • Special Olympics swim coach
  • Aquatic Fitness instructor trainer
  • Triathlon competitor
  • Former competitive power lifter

Areas of Expertise

  • Aquatic Fitness
  • Senior Populations
  • Pre and Post-Natal Exercise
  • Functional Fitness
  • Multi-sport athletic training
  • Core training


Kelli Klein
612-215-4383

Training Levels
Personal Training: NA
Pilates Training: Level 2
TRX Certified Trainer

Fitness Philosophy
"Because the ultimate goal of exercise is to enhance the quality of our lives, we have to always consider form and safety. We must regularly ask ourselves what we are trying to achieve with each exercise and how well the exercise fits our bodies."

Education

  • STOTT® PILATES® Certified Instructor
  • Sweat Systems Instructor Training Program
  • ACE Instructor Training and Certification – Group Fitness
  • Anatomy and Spinal Reconstruction – Paula Bergs
  • Annual Continuing Ed. courses to maintain certifications: 1993 - Present
  • BA: Mass Communications/Women’s Studies, College of St. Catherine
  • CPR and AED Certified

Experience

  • Group Fitness Trainer, since 1992
  • Pilates Trainer, since 2002
  • Program Design and Instruction of Special Delivery, Pre and Post-Natal Health for YWCA, 1996 – 2001
  • Program Design and Instruction of Kid Fitness for Preschoolers, 1998 - 2001
  • Pregnancy, Childbirth and Post Natal Recovery (x3)
  • Marathon/Triathlon Competitor

Areas of Expertise

  • Pilates
  • Group Fitness
  • Pre and Post Natal Health and Fitness


Stephanie Meyer
612-215-4185

Training Levels
Personal Training: NA
Pilates Training: Level 1
TRX Certified Trainer

Fitness Philosophy
"Trust that you are the most valuable guide to understanding your body. There are many different opportunities to learn about imbalances that exist within the mind, body and spirit. Doctors, healers, chiropractors, pharmacists, fitness professionals, massage therapists, etc. all provide us with different information about our bodies. One of the greatest challenges we face is learning and discovering how it all fits together. Connecting this information so that we may live well – feeling fully alive and present."

"Choose to know your body – it is one of the greatest tools of empowerment that you own."

Education

  • Associates of Applied Science Degree in Interior Design, The Art Institute International
  • Bachelor of Applied Science, St. Cloud State University
  • National Certifications: Yoga Fit®, Les Mills® BODYFLOWTM, Silver Sneakers®, Arthritis Foundation® Land and Water, Currently training in STOTT® Pilates Reformer
  • CPR/First Aid Certified

Experience

  • 2003 to 2008, Fitness Instructor, YMCA
  • Yoga and Pilates teaching style includes; fitness (vinyasa), restorative breathing with guided meditation. Emphasis on breath patterns, core stability, alignment and relaxation.

Areas of Expertise

  • Pilates
  • Yoga


Bonnie Oliver
612-215-4210

Training Levels
Personal Training: Level 2
Pilates Training: Level 1
TRX Certified Trainer

Fitness Philosophy
"Your body is more of your home than the house you live in."

Education

  • NETA Certified Personal Trainer
  • NETA Certified Group Fitness Trainer
  • BODYPUMP® Instructor
  • SilverSneakers® Instructor
  • CPR/AED and First Aid Certified
  • Group Cycle Certified
  • Minnesota School of Business/Health + Exercise Science

Areas of Expertise

  • First time exercisers
  • Senior fitness
  • Pre/Post Natal
  • Women’s Wellness Program Trainer
  • Strength training and Martial Arts
  • Improving flexibility/Yoga
  • Sport specific training
  • Fitness instructor


Christine Petrich
612-215-4348

Training Levels
Personal Training: NA
Pilates Training: Level 1

Fitness Philosophy
"I enjoy sharing a love of fitness and movement with others, which is why I started teaching fitness in the first place. I love teaching Pilates because it can help people feel better physically and mentally. Good exercise works the body. Exceptional exercise works the body and mind. Pilates provides a challenge for all fitness levels, from beginner to elite athlete. I look forward to providing each client a challenging yet gentle workout that will leave you feeling energized, strong, and relaxed."

Education

  • MEd in Kinesiology, University of Minnesota
  • NETA Certified Group Fitness Trainer
  • NETA Mat Pilates Certification

Areas of Expertise

  • Sedentary girls and women and people new to exercise
  • Regular exercisers looking to spice up their routine


Alejandra Tobar
612-215-4379

Training Levels
Personal Training: Level 1
Pilates Training: Level 1
TRX Certified Trainer

Fitness Philosophy
"When we feel better, we act and love better. It feels great to be healthy and fit. It is with this positive, supportive, and holistic attitude that I support students and clients in meeting and keeping their fitness goals. Whether you are rehabilitating, or training for a challenge, I have the tools to support your journey physically, mentally and emotionally. Cheers to the best you!""

Education

  • Stott certification at the Sweatshop
  • AFAA Personal Trainer
  • Green River Dance School for Global Somatics
  • University of TX in Austin-Psychology and Theater and Dance
  • Human Systems Dynamics Associate

Experience

  • Inbalance Pilates Studio
  • Fluent in Spanish
  • Community Organizer, Facilitator, Cultural Worker and Performer

Areas of Expertise

  • Pilates(also in Spanish)
  • Dance, Theater and Choreography
  • Somatic Body Work and Movement Therapy
  • Yoga


Andrienne Vaughn
612-215-4244

Training Levels
Personal Training: NA
Pilates Training: Level 1

Fitness Philosophy
"Health and well-being allow a person to archive a connection with themselves and the world around them."

"I love to see people making that connection, which in turn makes their life more fulfilling."

Education

  • Physical mind Pilates Mat Certifications
  • NETA® Certified Group Fitness Trainer
  • CPR/AED and First Aid Certified

Experience

  • Pilates Group Fitness Instructor, 2+ years
  • Marathon Training
  • Pilates Reformer Training

Areas of Expertise

  • Pilates
  • General Fitness
  • Nutrition and Supplementation
  • Vegetarian Diet


Jill Winegar
612-215-4211

Training Levels
Personal Training: Level 3
Pilates Training: Level 3
TRX Certified Trainer

Fitness Philosophy
"If you never did, you should. These things are fun, and fun is good." (Dr. Seuss)

Education

  • ACE® Certified Personal Trainer, 1992
  • ACE® Certified Group Fitness Instructor, 1988
  • STOTT® PILATES® Certified Instructor
  • STOTT® PILATES® Master Instructor Trainer, 2000
  • Kettlebell KBC Certification, 2006
  • BA, University of Minnesota, 1983
  • Pre-Physical Therapy, University of Minnesota, 1995

Experience

  • Group Fitness Instruction, 30 years
  • Personal Training, 20 years
  • Pilates Training, 19 years
  • Golden Door, Guest Instructor and Presenter, 19 years
  • Rancho La Puerta, Guest Instructor and Presenter, 19 years
  • Program Fitness & Pilates Director, Sweatshop, 25 years
  • STOTT® PILATES® Master Instructor Trainer, 9 years
  • Oxford UK Pilates Instructor Trainer, 5 years
  • Adjunct Professor University of Minnesota Dance Dept. Anatomy/Kinesiology
  • IDEA Fitness Conference Presenter, 2007
  • DCAC Fitness Conference Presenter, 2007

Areas of Expertise

  • Pilates
  • Functional Fitness and Training
  • Injury Rehab and Recovery
  • Posture and Gait Analysis
  • Breast Cancer Recovery and Rehab


Yolanda Womack
612-215-4346

Training Levels
Personal Training: Level 2
Pilates Training: Level 1
TRX Certified Trainer

Fitness Philosophy
"I believe exercise should make the activities of daily living easier and safer, improve overall health, maximize efficiency of the body’s physiological and spiritual systems, and most importantly, exercise should be fun. Focus more on being infinitely fit rather than short term weight loss."

Education

  • B.S. Kinesiology U of MN
  • ACE Certified Personal Trainer
  • Current Masters student in Applied Exercise Science
  • CPR/AED and First Aid Certified

Experience:

  • YWCA Youth Running Coach
  • Fitness Specialist
  • Rugby
  • Basketball

Areas of Expertise

  • Beginners/inexperienced
  • Strength and conditioning
  • Weight management
  • Rugby and basketball