Instructors
Kimm Mahoney-Watson is Owner and Studio Director of Pilates Bodies Studio. She earned her Master’s Degree in Dance from the University of Oregon in Eugene and has taught Dance (ballet, modern, jazz, tap and dance theory classes), Pilates, T’ai Chi, and Mind/Body Education at Portland Community College since 1995. Additionally, Kimm’s background includes more than 30 years of teaching numerous forms of fitness training.
In 1998, Kimm received her Pilates training and certification from Second Generation Teacher, Michele Larsson of Core Dynamics Pilates. Core Dynamics is dedicated to continuing the work of First Generation Teacher Eve Gentry. Since receiving her Pilates Certification, Kimm has had the opportunity to further her education by studying with First Generation Teachers, Kathy Grant and Mary Bowen, as well as such notable teachers as Julian Littleford, Jillian Hessel and Irene Dowd. Kimm received her T’ai Chi certification from David-Dorian Ross, an internationally-awarded T’ai Chi expert.
Kimm's training and years of experience teaching movement have given her a superb ability to assess her clients’ ineffectual postural patterns and teach them a more efficient way of moving. As a result, clients experience decreased pain, increased strength and greater flexibility. As a movement teacher for more than 30 years, Kimm is passionate about what she does – helping people feel better.
Kimm offers private and semi-private one hour Pilates sessions using the Pilates equipment and teaches group Mat Pilates classes and T’ai Chi.
Kimm is also Artistic Director of Kinetic Images Dance Company, Inc. www.KineticImages.org
Heather Thompson received her training from Master Teacher Romana Kryzanowska in 2000 and has been teaching Pilates for the past 10 years. Heather has taught with amazing instructors including Mari Winsor with Winsor Pilates, Siri Dharma with Live Art Pilates and Adylia Roman, certified UCLA Athletic Trainer in California. Heather has taught at Brooke Siler’s Pilates studio in New York City and also performed in Mari Winsor’s advanced video series.
Heather continues her studies yearly and recently became certified in AIS, Active Isolated Stretching. This method has been helping people learn how to actively and efficiently stretch their bodies and alleviate themselves from pain and injuries.
Heather feels very fortunate to have had the chance to learn from so many wonderful teachers and looks forward to continuing her education in the field of health and fitness. Heather feels the Pilates Method is wonderful therapy for every body.
Shannon Coffel Vial is a certified fitness professional with over 25 years experience. In 1995, after teaching years of traditional aerobics and strength training, she experienced the many benefits of Pilates in her own body and knew this was important work. She trained to teach with Deborah Lessen at the Green Street Studio in New York City and began teaching in NYC in 1996. She moved back to Oregon in early 1997 and began teaching Pilates in Lake Oswego that same year.
Shannon is committed to ongoing training and continues to learn from noted Pilates and movement professionals such as Michele Larsson of Core Dynamics, Irene Dowd and Jillian Hessel. She holds additional certifications through The Cooper Institute for Aerobic Research, American Council on Exercise, and Active Isolated Stretch.
Shannon is excited about the benefit the Pilates method can bring to most anybody. Her years of experience and ability to assist her clients in a new understanding of efficient and effective movement have proven successful with people of all ages and fitness levels.
We are pleased to introduce our associate teachers
who provide supplemental exercise programs.
Yoga has been a part of Darcy Feinstein's life for the past 16 years – initially practicing at home with videos by Rodney Yee - while her children were little. Two years ago, Darcy began practicing Bikram Yoga and it was there that she could really feel the benefits, both mentally and physically, of Yoga. Darcy felt so inspired, as she still does at this moment, to spread the word about the healing and preventative properties of Yoga.
Darcy became certified in 2009 through Corepower Yoga in their 200 hour power Vinyasa instructor training. In August 2010, Darcy received her 200 hour certification in Hot Yoga and Hot Power Fusion, also through Corepower Yoga.
Yoga is Darcy’s passion. She hopes to share and teach Yoga to children – people of all ages and levels, as well as inspire people to experience the amazing benefits of moving your breath and quieting your mind. Namaste.
http://web.me.com/darcyfeinstein/Darcy_Yogi/Welcome.html
Maia (Margarita “Maggie” Evart) has been bellydancing since 1996, studying with many Masters of the dance. She performed extensively in the San Francisco Bay Area, both as house dancer for three Middle Eastern restaurants and for private and corporate events.
Since moving to the Portland area, Maia has focused on teaching. Her goal as a teacher is to help students safely achieve mastery over the movement vocabulary along with an understanding and appreciation for the unique musical and cultural aspects of the dance in a fun, supportive and lighthearted environment.
Danielle Mery-Stern is a dedicated Nia practitioner and instructor who lives by the simple belief that “through movement we find health.” In 2006 she received her teacher’s certification after intensive training at International Nia headquarters in Portland. She had the honor and privilege of learning directly from the inspirational creators of Nia, Debbie and Carlos Rosas. Danielle has deepened her practice through continuing education, research, and discipline as both an instructor and a student.
Danielle’s background in dance, music, and martial arts prepared her for the movement forms used in Nia. She trained in ballet for several years, and this solid foundation led her to explore other dance arts including jazz, modern, and belly dance.
Danielle is thrilled to share the joy of Nia with students who seek pleasure rather than pain as they move their bodies toward health. Nia increases strength, flexibility, agility, mobility, and stability. The combination of structure (Nia is based on 52 moves as well as 13 principles) and creativity is appealing to Danielle and to her students, who come in all shapes, sizes, and fitness levels.
Nicole Goldsbury is a certified personal trainer with the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Health and fitness have always been an important part of Nicole's life and really became her focus during her college years. After moving to Chicago and working behind a desk for ten years, she decided she wanted to make fitness her full-time job. In 2011, she moved back to Portland, received her certification in personal training and started Bella Vita Fitness.
Nicole teaches group fitness boot camp classes which combine strength training and cardiovascular exercise to deliver a complete workout that is efficient and effective. This type of training is great for not only helping people successfully shed pounds, but also great for toning up and gaining strength. No two classes are the same and our aim is to have fun and stay energized! Nicole truly enjoys helping others see their potential and reach their health and fitness goals.
Tamra Holder has been studying and practicing yoga since 1999 and teaching yoga since 2002. Her initial training is in the Anusara Yoga style. In Summer of 2011 she completed the 500-hour Healing Yoga Foundation teacher training . She gratefully teaches in the renowned T. Krishnamacharya yoga tradition. In March 2010 she was one of seven people to complete the first ever training in Aston for Yoga; an application of Judith Aston's movement principles to yoga postures and a process for seamlessly integrating massage and movement education in an individual session.
Tamra has been a Licensed Massage Therapist in Oregon since 2003. Her bodywork and yoga instruction is informed by her training with visionary and master teacher Judith Aston, the creator of an innovative system of bodywork, ergonomics and movement coaching designed to restore natural alignment and dynamic well-being. Tamra applies Aston® movement principles to help you neutralize the effects from injury, strengthen, restore balance and reclaim vital energy.