PHI Pilates Instructors.

Christine is a rarity in the Pilates world – an experienced Pilates professional with a strong background in physical therapy and fitness. She is a frequent presenter at international fitness and rehabilitation conferences such as NATA, IHRSA, Club Industry, IDEA World, Filex, and Can Fit. Christine holds a masters in Physical Therapy from Slippery Rock University, a double BS in natural science and exercise science from Indiana University of PA, and a certificate in Athletic Training from West Chester University. She is a licensed physical therapist, an assistant professor in the Physical Therapist Assistant program at California University of Pennsylvania, an AFAA certification specialist, an ACE faculty member, a certified athletic trainer, and a certified instructor of the Method. An international presenter, Christine is the CEO of PHI Pilates. She is the co-author of The Pilates Reformer Manual, The Pilates Mat Manual, and the co-star of six Pilates videos. She has written for and has been interviewed for articles in IDEA Health and Fitness Source, PT News Line, PT Advance for Directors, Self Magazine, Club Business International, and many others. Presently she is a doctoral candidate in education at Indiana University of PA.

PHI Staff Bios:

Shellie Sakash, PT, MS
Shellie is a master level instructor for PHI Pilates. She holds a Masters degree in Physical Therapy and a Bachelor of Science degree from Springfield College, Springfield, MA. As a licensed physical therapist, Shellie specializes in designing and incorporating Pilates-based rehabilitation programs into the physical therapy clinic. She is a presenter for PHI Pilates at fitness and rehabilitation conferences throughout the nation. Shellie has also served as a guest lecturer for the West Virginia University physical therapy program and the NSCA West Virginia State Clinic. She is currently working for Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy Associates, Inc. in Mt. Lebanon, PA to design and implement a Pilates-based rehabilitation program. Shellie is a certified Pilates Instructor through PHI Pilates.

Heather is a graduate of West Virginia University holding a BS Degree in Athletic Training as well as a BS Degree in Exercise Physiology. Currently, she serves as a Clinical Athletic Trainer and Certified Pilates Instructor at Health Works Rehab and Fitness in Morgantown, WV, where she also assists Physical Therapists in the implementation of various rehabilitation protocols in the treatment of patient injuries. She is certified in Pilates through PHI Pilates. She is employed at Healthworks in Morgantown, WV as both a personal trainer and instructor.

Since 1981, Miriam has been a student of the body and its movement. After many years working for others, she opened Mindful Movement Studio in May, 2005. Through her many years in the fitness industry, Miriam has worked with hundreds of people and has many certifications including ACSM, Pilates, Yoga, Gyrotonic® and Gyrokinesis®. “I believe that mindful movement increases body awareness, teaches you to lengthen and stretch your body while improving your strength and coordination. Your quality of life will improve because of this unity of mind and body. Honoring our body’s individual needs opens us up to the energy of life!”

Robin Truxel, MPT
Robin is a Physical Therapist who holds a bachelors degree in Clinical Science and a masters degree in physical therapy from Ithaca college. In addition to being a certification specialist for PHI Pilates, Robin practices Physical Therapy in an orthopedic setting utilizing Pilates principles and small props. Robin is fully-trained in Pilates by PHI Pilates and is currently teaching a variety of Pilates classes at her Pilates studio, tru Pilates, LLC in Charlottesville, Virginia. She is also CSCS certified through NSCA as a personal trainer.

Robyn Naymick
Prior to starting her fitness career in 1984, Robyn was a member of her school track and softball teams. She skated competitively and participated in various intramural sports. In the earlier years of her fitness career she taught group exercise classes for the university of the Pacific, and other various fitness establishments in Stockton, Ca. She studied dance at the Stockton ballet company and also with the Sacramento State University dance department. Subsequently she became a certified group exercise and personal fitness instructor. Robyn has worn many different hats in the fitness industry. Currently she is a group exercise and personal trainer for several facilities in Sacramento, CA. and leads teacher trainings for The Power House Institute. Her certifications are with NASM, ACSM, AFFA, ACE, SCHWINN, YOGAFIT and HEART ZONE. Her Pilates training is with The PHI Pilates Institute and Stotts Conditioning Pilates Education.

Marlina Lee
Marlina Lee has been the owner-operator of ‘The Club in Kona’ since 1988. There she serves as a Personal Trainer and group exercise instructor teaching a variety of classes that include Pilates, BodyFlow, BodyPump and Spinning. Marlina holds an MS degree in Education and a BA in Psychology and has been a certified fitness professional through both ACSM and ACE. She is also an avid surfer!

Lynn Patterson
Lynn is Pilates certified through PHI Pilates and holds positions as both a Master Trainer and an assistant instructor trainer for PHI Pilates. She has been an educational presenter at Body, Mind, Spirit, has performed in 5 Pilates videos and is a featured model in the PHI Mat Work Manual as well as in the February ‘03’ IDEA Source Magazine. In addition, Lynn is employed at Cameron Wellness Center in Washington, PA as a group exercise instructor and as the Assistant Pilates Programming Coordinator. She is certified through both AFAA and ACE and is trained in other mind/body disciplines including Yoga.

Kim Pechak
Kim wears many hats in the fitness arena. He holds a variety of certifications that include AFAA Certified Personal Trainer, ACE Certified Group Exercise Instructor, and Tomahawk Indoor Cycling. He has been fully trained to teach aspects of Pilates through PHI Pilates. Currently Kim trains and teaches a variety of classes in the Cleveland area. Active in the Pilates world, Kim is not only a national presenter for PHI Pilates, but is also a member of the Balanced Body Demo Team.

Ben Reuter, PhD, CSCS, *D, ATC
Currently Ben is an Assistant Professor for the Exercise Science and Health Promotion program, at California University of Pennsylvania. He earned his Doctoral degree in Exercise Physiology from Auburn University, and his Masters, with an emphasis in Athletic Training, from Old Dominion University. Ben is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, with Distinction, and is an Assistant Editor in Chief for the Strength and Conditioning Journal, a journal of the NSCA. He was originally introduced to Pilates as a method to treat an athletic injury. The success of the Pilates regimen, along with his interests in injury prevention and performance enhancement for endurance athletes, has led to his continuing involvement and education with Pilates. Ben has presented at the regional and national level, as well as authoring and coauthoring a number of articles.

Pam has a well rounded history including experience in the healthcare field, experience as a health and physical education teacher, a director of a 100,000 square foot hospital based health and wellness center and a director of a private Pilates studio. She holds numerous certifications including AFAA, Spin, Kick box, Rebounding, Stability Ball and numerous Les Mills(BTS) certifications (BODYPUMP, BODYSTEP, BODY FLOW, RPM,) . Pam’s passion for Pilates started shortly after being diagnosed with Cancer, and due to the many surgeries from the cancer, she lost much of her range of motion. She could not continue to run marathons and instead started taking Pilates classes and it made such a difference as she regained much of the lost mobility that she went on to study Pilates. Pam id fully certified through PHI Pilates, and Physical Mind Institute, and has continued her passion for learning in the Ron Fletcher School of Study. She is a PMA certified Pilates Instructor.

Elizabeth Morrissey, M.Ed.
Elizabeth is the owner of Elite Fitness Management, a health and fitness company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She has over 16 years of personal training experience and more than 25 years of exercise training in a variety of fitness areas. She is a certified Pilates instructor with the PhysicalMind Institute. She combines her professional health education background, experience and personal knowledge in reating a holistic approach to fitness. In addition, she is a health and fitness instructor with the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), and holds certifications with the American Council on Exercise (ACE) as a personal fitness trainer, Madd Dog Athletics as a spinning instructor and YogaFit, as a yoga instructor. Elizabeth has a M. Ed. in Health Education from Pennsylvania State University and a B.S. in Business from the University of Pittsburgh.

Ariel currently owns and operates Fusion Fitness Pilates and Personal Training in Heathrow, FL. He has been active in the fitness industry for over 15 years, 10 of which have been dedicated to Pilates. He holds certifications in Pilates with Phi Pilates, Physical Mind Institute, and Polestar Pilates.

Stephanie Wilkins received her Masters of Fine Arts in Dance and Performance from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts in New York City, where she first began her Pilates training with Pilates elder, Kathy Grant. After dancing professionally for over 10 years, she began her intense Pilates study and teacher training with Ragan Pilates in New York. Stephanie has returned to her hometown of Columbia, SC to open KayLynn Pilates, in partnership with her mother, Vicki Beatty.

Patrizia Tombesi Patrizia was born in Rome, Italy were studied and graduated at the National Academy of Dance in Rome. After moving to New York she was a recipient of Merce Cunningham dance
school scholarship in the Professional Training Program, She performed with several dance company in New York and toured internationally. Parallel to her artistic achievement Patrizia has always been interested in movement and education. She has been a resident artist in public schools teaching creative movement workshops as well as working as a Personal Trainer and Pilates instructor. She holds two national certifications, ACE and NASM and five work specific including RNT, ISSA post rehab, IM=X, and Phi Pilates. Pilates has always been part of her life and as a former gymnast and a dancer competing and touring internationally, she has been teaching for the past twenty years presenting in Italy as well as Australia. Patrizia is a PMA certified Pilates Instructor.

Lauren Nahas, MPT
Lauren is a graduate of Duquesne University where she obtained a Masters of Physical Therapy degree in August of 2004. She is a licensed physical therapist and home care therapist, as well as the Pilates-based physical therapy and wellness program coordinator at Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy Associates, Inc. in Mt. Lebanon, PA. Lauren enjoys utilizing Pilates in the clinic by incorporating the principles into her physical therapy rehabilitation programs. She also has an extensive ballet background which further enhances her knowledge of body movement and awareness. Lauren is a certified Pilates instructor and has received all her training through PHI Pilates.

Cheryl Tucker, PTA
Cheryl has been with PHI Pilates since its inception. Initially receiving her Pilates certification with Physical Mind Institute, she completed it with PHI Pilates. She is a registered yoga teacher through the Yoga Alliance and a Stress Management Specialist for a hospital based cardiac rehab program. Cheryl teaches at the PHI Pilates studio and has over 20 years of rehab experience as a Physical Therapist Assistant that she draws from.

Susan Holewinski
Susan is a senior trainer at Mindful Movement Studio in Indianapolis, Indiana.She has a B.S. in biology from Alma College (Michigan) and is a licensed secondary biology/chemistry teacher. In the fitness industry since 1992, Susan has worked with people if all ages and abilities ranging from preschoolers to track and field athletes. She has certifications from AFAA, Johnny G Spinning, PHI Pilates and the PhysicalMind Institute. She is a certified PMA instructor.