Instructors
Lisa
As a professional modern dancer, Lisa has been performing, teaching and touring across the country, and abroad for over 20 years, and holds a B.A. in Dance fron the University of Washington. She became fascinated with movement at the age of four, in tap dance class, and her curiosity of the body and movement continues today. Arriving in Seattle in 1992, she discovered Pilates to assist with her dancing. Lisa was introduced to the technique by Michele Miller, then, later studied with Master Instructor Cary Regan. After studying many different Pilates programs, Lisa ultimately chose STOTT Pilates and completed her Full Certification in 2004.
A profound love, and study of Yoga, led Lisa to the Samarya Center where, in 2006, she became a Certified Yoga Teacher, and began studying Integrated Movement Therapy. This teaching and movement journey has led her down many different paths of mind/body modalities including Aston Patterning, Feldenkreis, Gyrotonics, the Franklin Method, and the Alexander Technique, among many others.
Lisa brings all of these different movement modalities, and a thoroughly trained eye, into her teaching and can easily address each client's specific needs and challenges to help them actualize and integrate their mind/body potential in the safest, most effecient way. In more recent news, Lisa will complete her certification as a Nutritional Therapist in the spring of 2009, helping clients to reveal yet another layer of their mind/body connection through nutrition.
lisa@elementstudiosnw.com
Monique
Monique’s 19 year history in the fitness industry began on Maui in 1990 teaching group fitness and personal training. She obtained multiple certifications through AFAA (Aerobics and Fitness Association of America) and ACE (American Council on Exercise). She became a licensed massage therapist in 1994 and went on to teach Sports Massage and Structural Kinesiology at the Maui Academy of the Healing Arts. She has been studying Pilates for over 10 years and is certified in all levels through Stott Pilates. Monique holds a BS in Exercise Science and Wellness from Bastyr University where she is an adjunct faculty member teaching a Pilates and Integrated Movement course. She is also a Master Certification Specialist for AFAA teaching Primary Group Fitness Certifications, Indoor Cycling, Pilates, Yoga and Resistance Training workshops throughout the United States and internationally.
Monique’s love of health and fitness is not limited to her profession. A competitive triathlete since 1994, her superior performances have earned her top age-group rankings for many years. Monique has completed five Ironman distance triathlons including three times at the World Championships in Kona. Her dedication to her clients and peers has gained her the reputation of being top in her field.
monique@elementstudiosnw.com
Natalia
Natalia is a trained Stott Pilates Instructor coming from a background in aerobic exercise and physical therapy. She began her career as an aerobics pioneer in Moscow, Russia in 1991 when she received certification in rhythmic gymnastics. She later rose to group exercise director and general manager of a Moscow Sports Club. She continued her career in America in 2002 as a group exercise instructor working at All-Star Fitness, Pro-robics and other clubs. She is currently certified by AFAA in group exercise and is pursuing certification in Fundamentals of Movement for the Orthopedic Patient.
In 2007, Natalia received an Associates Degree in Physical Therapy and presently works at the University of Washington Exercise Training Center as a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant. In her clinical work, Natalia has worked extensively with patients having lower back pain, scoliosis and needing functional movement restoration after injury or surgery. She discovered Pilates as an exercise format ideally suited for fitness and rehabilitation, and decided to become a Pilates instructor to apply this knowledge when working with clients seeking to restore healthy movement patterns, musclular strength and balance, and proprioceptive self-awareness.
nataliatik@comcast.net
500 East Pike, Suite 201
Seattle, WA 98122
206.323.7905
