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INSTRUCTORS:
Jenna has been inspiring pupils for over a decade. Trained in ballet and classical dance, she has used the principles of Pilates in both her professional performance and teaching methods throughout her career. After retiring from the world of performance dance, Jenna brought her knowledge of anatomy and love of movement to New York, where she taught the Lotte Berk Method to students in the city as well as the Hamptons. Shortly thereafter, Jenna became a Stott Certified Pilates instructor, developing a clientele throughout Manhattan. She became aware of the profound effects that a regiment of Pilates enriched with the principles of Yoga was having on her students. Out of that awareness, her dream became a reality. Starting a home studio in Point Lookout in 2001, the success of Jenna’s technique quickly created demand and prompted the move to her beautiful Long Beach studio. South Shore Pilates has become the embodiment of Jenna’s passion for proper body alignment, as well as her love of Yoga and healthy living. The result is a fun, versatile and inspiring journey towards total body fitness.
Jenna currently lives in Point Lookout. She attended the ECA Fitness Conference in 2006 where was introduced to the connection between fitness and nutrition. She is currently working on combining instruction in nutrition and healthy eating with her fitness expertise. Jenna attended the ECA again in 2008. She has been an annual presenter at the New York Institute of Technology’s health fair since 2006. Jenna also attended the Mount Sinai School of Medicine’s functional anatomy workshop for movement professionals in 2007.
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Karina was born and raised in New Orleans, LA where she began dancing at the age of two. She studied classically with Delta Festival Ballet and The Boston Ballet School and received her BFA from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. She went on to assist Ann Reinking in numerous projects and performed in musicals, plays and operas. As a performer in New York City, Karina was introduced to the wonders of Pilates. As she made the transition from client to instructor, she enrolled at Polestar in the instructor training program. It enhanced her dancing through renewed body awareness and strength. It changed her life! She is thrilled to share her experience and passion for movement with students and looks forward to being a part of their discovery and joy! We are proud to add her unique outlook and expertise here at South Shore Pilates.
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Colleen began teaching at South Shore Pilates in March of 2005 after first coming to the studio as a client. She was looking for a way to get in shape after having her second child and was very bored with going to the gym. She had heard a lot about Pilates and decided to give it a try. She instantly fell in love with it and really enjoyed the connection she felt between mind and body. It allowed her an escape from every day life and maximized the use of her “me time”. Colleen loved Pilates so much she decided to sign up for Jenna’s apprenticeship program. She knew it would be a perfect way for her to continue to explore Pilates a little bit deeper as well as have enough time to spend with her two sons. She has become an excellent instructor giving extra attention to fine tuning and precision. Colleen has a knack for conducting a fun, laid back class while giving clean, clear descriptions and cueing at the same time.
Colleen attended an anatomy workshop in 2007 and plans to further her expertise with more courses in the near future.
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Theresa’s career as a Pilates instructor began with her first class at South Shore Pilates in 2004. Having many years of fitness experience, Theresa found Pilates unique in its devotion to strength conditioning with a strong emphasis on lengthening muscles to maintain and improve flexibility. After falling in love with the underlying principles of Pilates, she decided to take the next step and become an instructor. Upon completing the training program and undertaking clients and classes of her own, Theresa has found a special talent in introducing clients to the foundations of Pilates and it subtleties. After attending the ECA World Fitness conference in winter 2006, Theresa is hoping to add the element of healthy lifestyle coaching to her skills to help clients not just move better, but live better. She feels the greatest accomplishment in her teaching when she is able to see clients carry what they do in her classes into their daily life.
Theresa is a mother of three beautiful children and has lived in Atlantic Beach for 20 years. Prior to starting a family, she was an insurance agent and certified financial planner for five years. She is a graduate of Stockton State College in Pomona, NJ with a Bachelors of Science in business.
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Pat has always had a love of dance and movement. On the suggestion of a friend, she took a yoga class one morning that would change her life forever. Pat was hooked and began doing yoga daily and reading anything she could find on this ancient science. She finished her first yoga teacher training in 2002 at Serenity Yoga in Long Beach and started teaching open yoga classes at studios and in nursing homes, and to children at elementary schools. On her journey she met Jenna and was introduced to Pilates. Pat began to take Pilates equipment classes in 2004 and loved it. She also received her Kundalini Yoga Teacher certification in 2006 at Kundalini Yoga East in Manhattan. She finds that Pilates is a beautiful complement to her yoga practice. Pat truly has a passion for teaching and loves to work with people.
Pat worked for 10 years on Wall Street as a bond broker. She loved the excitement of the business and enjoyed the hard work and fast paced environment as a young, single woman. However, after getting married, she knew it was time for a change when she moved to Long Island and had 3 beautiful children within 5 years.
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Leslie's interest and love for Pilates stems from both her career in dance and her own challenges with scoliosis. Due to the 56 degree curve in her back she underwent spinal surgery following college. An 8 inch metal rod was inserted in the middle of her back and 8 vertebrae were fused to reduce the curve and stabilize her spine so progression would not occur. After a six month recovery, Leslie's commitment to continue her dancing led her to dance coaches that stressed strengthening and moving from the "core", which is not always easy for someone with scoliosis. She was introduced to an array of exercises which included those developed by Joseph Pilates. These taught her how to use each side of her body evenly instead of overusing one or the other. With this discovery, she was hooked on Pilates forever. It not only helped her to dance better, but more importantly it helped her to move through her daily life better!
Leslie's theatre resume is extensive, dancing from 1992-2002 as a Rockette at Radio City Music Hall. While at Radio City in 2002 she made the decision to go through the Stott teaching certification program at Pilates on Fifth in Manhattan. There were very few people teaching Pilates on Long Island at the time, and after completing the program she began to successfully introduce Pilates classes at various gyms and fitness studios throughout the island. Because of her spine issues and working with her own body through the years, Leslie loves training bodies that have structural challenges and seeing the AHA moment on peoples' faces when they feel their bodies working correctly for the first time.
Melanie was introduced to South Shore Pilates four years ago when she was compelled to change her daily exercise routine. Being in an office environment for over 10 years was starting to take a toll on her body. After years of weight training and aerobics, she was looking for a refreshing alternative. Her curiosity led her to Pilates and Yoga and she found that this new experience immediately boosted her energy, improved her posture, and enhanced her core strength. This lifestyle change and love for Pilates inspired Melanie to become a certified instructor. Her newfound passion and enthusiasm has translated into teaching success. Many clients rave about the results they achieve and the challenge of getting there. Melanie is able to incorporate a multitude of exercises into her classes that really keep clients motivated.
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OUR OFFICE STAFF:
Susan once suffered from back problems and started doing Pilates at the suggestion of her chiropractor. Soon after beginning Pilates, she felt much stronger, had less back pain, and became less dependent on her chiropractor. At the time, Susan was working for a local public relations/marketing company that was moving. She decided to come to work at South Shore Pilates since she loved the great atmosphere and how Pilates made her feel. Susan currently manages the studio, doing everything from ordering products for the boutique to scheduling clients’ appointments.
Susan currently lives in Long Beach with her husband, 2 beautiful daughters, and adorable dog Maggie. Prior to moving to Long Beach and starting a family, Susan lived in Manhattan and worked as the Manager for Special Scheduling at MTV Networks.
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OUR OFFICE STAFF:
Dana first came to South Shore Pilates in 2005, searching for a complement to her yoga practice. She found Pilates to be a perfect addition and it helped her to feel stronger and more motivated to work out. She has recently joined the staff at South Shore to assist Susan and Jenna in running the studio and to help Jenna expand on her “Healthy Lifestyle” component that she is working on.
Dana previously worked in retail, most recently working for Whole Foods Market in both Manhattan and Long Island. She helped manage the “Whole Body” departments as well as being the supplement buyer. Dana is also working on her master’s degree in nutrition at Columbia University. She is thrilled to be a part of South Shore Pilates, not only to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere and great classes, but also hopes to hold some nutrition workshops with interested clients. She currently lives in Long Beach with her husband and new kitten.
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