Club Pilates

Instructor Bios

• 

  Michelle Parolini

  Instructor

  Michelle has been practicing Pilates for over 18 years. She got into it for a "stronger core" to support her cycling. After 2 years of practice, she wanted more and completed her Pilates Comprehensive. Favorite thing about pilates/working at Club Pilates: being able to introduce the Pilates Method to any body through our different class levels.

  Services:

• 

  Susan Crittenden

  Instructor

  My interest in the Pilates Method began after injuring myself during a regular gym workout. My Chiropractor told me I had scoliosis, and that jumping with a 40-lb barbell on my back isn’t a good idea. He suggested I look into Pilates, because it’s easier on the spine and joints. After my first few lessons I was hooked! I wanted to know everything there was to know about Pilates. That was in 2007. With my Level 1 Peak Pilates teacher training certification in 2009, I began teaching mat & apparatus. I went on to complete my full comprehensive certification from Peak Pilates in 2014. Teaching Pilates is what I love to do! Helping others to get a good, safe workout is what I strive to do every day. Pilates is for every “Body”……...

• 

  Elyssa Turcan

  Lead Instructor

  Elyssa is a Pittsburgh native graduating from Point Park University in 2007 with a BFA in Musical Theatre. Shortly after graduation, she moved to New York City where she lived for the next 10 years. Elyssa received her Pilates training from The Kane School in New York City and taught at Equinox shortly after completing her training program. Elyssa returned to Pittsburgh in 2017 and began teaching at Club Pilates in 2018. Growing up a dancer, Elyssa relates to the movement and the mind-body connection of Pilates very well. It is the only form of exercise that does not aggravate and has actually improved her low back injury. It's also a form of exercise that has increased her flexibility and made her feel as strong as ever. Elyssa truly believes Pilates can improve anyone and everyone's life and is eager to demonstrate it to as many people as possible.

• 

  Kathy Mower

  Instructor
• 

  Jeanine Pronio

  Instructor

  Jeanine is born and bred in Pittsburgh. She comes from a family of 4 siblings, 2 brothers and 1 sister (her best friend). She attended Sacred Heart elementary and high school in Shadyside. After graduation, Jeanine worked at the University of Pittsburgh. She also became a member of the Phoenix Fitness Team, where she taught aerobics in the Shaler and North Hills area. She returned to school and completed her undergraduate studies at Robert Morris University, where she received her BSBA degree and met her husband, Jim. This wasn’t enough! She yet again returned back to school and attended UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing where she received her RN. She is a certified oncology nurse and is currently working a UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. Jeanine has always been a fitness enthusiast. From doing workout videos (yes, videos) to working out in gyms, to playing tennis, to road cycling. You name it and Jeanine has probably tried it. Several years back, she found Pilates and has dedicated her workouts to this format. It is a total mind and body workout. As you continue to practice you see the results and feel good about what you have accomplished. That is why Jeanine has chosen to become a Pilates instructor. Pilates allows everyone to workout at their fitness level, offering many options and variations of exercises, in a safe environment. Jeanine’s motto is “Live Life With Passion” and this is how she has chosen to express it!

• 

  Lisa Sentner

  Instructor
• 

  Stephanie Gibbs

  Instructor

  Stephanie is a 27 year-old Peak Pilates teacher from Atlanta, GA. After graduating from The University of Alabama in 2014, and moving to Pittsburgh, she discovered her true passion for Pilates while recovering from a serve low back injury. Pilates completely transformed her body, as she was able to avoid surgery, and completely recover from her injury. Stephanie has been teaching classical Pilates for 4 years and just completed her full comprehensive Peak Pilates certification in June of 2019. She is thrilled to be a part of the CPNH team and bring the life-changing benefits of Pilates to everyone.

• 

  Lisa Sentner

  Instructor
• 

  Beverly Gillot

  Instructor
• 

  Emily Henderson

  Instructor

  Emily began falling in love with Pilates about 4 years ago when she was searching for a form of exercise to heal an unexplained back injury. Through private sessions and then eventually group classes, Emily not only found healing for her back but also her mind! About a year ago, she decided to learn more about the amazing results she had experienced through Pilates by starting the instructor program through Club Pilates. She is grateful for the opportunity to share Pilates with all the members at CP NH!

• 

  Sarah Hoffman

  Pilates Instructor

  Sarah has worked in the fitness field for over 20 year now. She grew up playing sports, and ended up playing Division I college tennis at Valparaiso University. All this time she knew she had scoliosis, and turned to Pilates to help. She loved the benefits of it, and initially took mat training through the Physical Mind Institute, then took the rest of her training through IMX Pilates and Balanced Body. She is excited to be part of the Club Pilates team to help everyone get stronger and balanced through Pilates. Sarah also specializes in TRX and Kettlebells. She lives in Plum with her husband, 3 kids, and dog, and continues to play competitive USTA tennis leagues and tournaments.

• 

  Leanne Holtz

  Leanne Holtz was born & raised in Pittsburgh. She studied dance from age 3 through high school. She fell in love with Pilates in 2005 and became certified in Mat Pilates through the American Fitness Professional Association. Her love of mind/body movements led her to also become certified in Yoga. She has taught Yoga and Pilates throughout the Greater Pittsburgh area. Her passion for dance also continues in her adult life. She is proficient in Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, and Cha-Cha. In 2018, she began her journey into helping people achieve their fitness goals through the Pilates Method full time. Leanne achieved her comprehensive Pilates certification through Club Pilates. Aside from expressing herself through Pilates, Dance, Yoga, and Snowboarding, she enjoys hiking and snuggles with her rescue Boxador, Ace.

• 

  Trey Johansen

  Owner

  Favorite thing about Pilates: Pilates became a new strength training workout for me after letting go of weight-lifting a few years ago due to injuries and joint issues. I began yoga almost 10 years ago to avoid back surgery on a ruptured disc in my lower back. Yoga was great for flexibility and balance, but it didn't provide the kind of strength training I wanted. Later, I discovered Pilates and found that the equipment delivered the strength training I had been missing. Pilates is incredibly low impact while being an effective form of strength training, which is why it has become my go-to workout. I chose to become a Club Pilates owner because of its mission: to make premium, reformer-based Pilates group classes accessible to a much larger audience than previously possible by delivering high-quality instruction and equipment at an outstanding value. Pilates benefits everyone who practices it, and it can be practiced by almost any person around.

  Education:

• 

  Christina Johansen

  Owner

  Favorite thing about Pilates: I love that Pilates has the power to transform the mind and the body. Since I began practicing Pilates, I have noticed a change in my body. I also love that for the 50 minutes in class I can clear my mind of everything - work, kids, my grocery list, my to do list - and focus on myself.