Club Pilates

Bios

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  Vanessa Calabro

  Pilates Instructor

  Vanessa Calabro has studied Pilates, kinesiology, exercise physiology, as well as nutrition. She earned her comprehensive Pilates certification from “Pilates Technique” training program in California and has over 14 years of Pilates teaching experience. Vanessa’s quest for fitness education began decades ago with her own desire to overcome obesity and gain her own strength and agility. Vanessa is known for her compassion and support for those who may feel shy and inhibited in beginning new exercise programs and is well known as the trainer who gets results and keeps you smiling. In addition to teaching group Pilates classes, Vanessa is a guru of one on one customized Pilates Private sessions where she can get to know your needs on a personal level and help you truly reach goals that you may have thought impossible

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  Niia Bishop

  Pilates Instructor

  Niia Bishop began studying movement at age 5 as a dancer. She won a scholarship to the Alvin Ailey School of Dance, where she studied ballet, modern, African and jazz until a knee injury benched her at age 16. She began dancing less frequently again, and took classes at Mt. Holyoke and Smith Colleges while earning her bachelors as Amherst College. Though able to participate in sports like rugby and equestrian, her knee injury from high school continued to plague her. Niia danced professionally in companies in Massachusetts and New York before deciding to attend the University of Michigan to pursue a PhD in Comparative Literature. She began practicing pilates in her home with Windsor Pilates DVDs. She found the results so profound that she began a certification in mat and machine Pilates in 2007. In 2009, with the both of her son Reza, she created a mommy and me Pilates class called Mamilates, which she calls "a cross between Gymboree and Windsor Pilates." She taught this class in NYC, Long Island, and Buffalo. She is very excited to be part of the Club Pilates Matthews team. She hopes to bring her decade of Pilates experience to help members achieve their goals.

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  Suzannah Fletcher

  Pilates Instructor

  In 2017, following two car accidents, a bicycle accident and in an effort to find a reliable method to help her regain, retrain and restore her body to a better functioning state, Suzannah joined Club Pilates Matthews. Her Pilates practice became a critical part of her healing. With consistent Pilates workouts, she could feel her muscle-memory returning, her body strengthening, her flexibility and balance improving and her entire body correcting itself. Her experience inspired to share Pilates with others. She completed the Club Pilates Teacher Training program and became a comprehensively trained Pilates Instructor in early 2019. Suzannah teaches group classes and offers private sessions at Club Pilates. For over 30 years, Suzannah was employed in Integrative Health Care as a GM and Chiropractic Assistant during which time she explored and practiced various therapies including Applied Kinesiology, Iridology, Colonic Therapy, Trigger-Point Therapy and Massage Therapy. Never having feared stepping outside of the box, she also owned and operated a local restaurant for seven years. She continues to work as an Executive Personal Assistant for two clients and manages vacation rental properties. During her down time she enjoys spending time with her family, her dog and friends. Her love of reading gives her joy in the quiet times but she’ll also rock it out at a great music concert as often as possible!

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  Jessica Lim

  Pilates Instructor

  Jessica is a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher. She discovered an early love of movement through ballet, yoga and many other active exercises and she found Pilates is graceful, intuitive yet challenging form of movement. As she continued practicing Pilates on a regular basis she discovered it helped improve muscle imbalances, strength and flexibility. Her interest in Pilates grew and led her to master each movement in its accuracy, while focusing on form and alignment. She completed her comprehensive teacher training in New York at Gramercy Pilates NYC. To expand her journey with Pilates she was awarded with the title of Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher (NCPT) in 2019. She also completed Club Pilates Bridge Training. Jessica recently moved back to Matthews after living in New York and is sharing her experience with members as an Instructor in Club Pilates. She wants to be your inspiration!

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  Niki Hitch

  Pilates Instructor

  Niki is a mom of three active kids. She and her husband have resided in the Matthews community for almost 20 years. Prior to having children, Niki was a multi-franchise owner of a children's gym for over ten years. While raising her children she was also busy pursuing her passion of helping people make healthy choices for themselves, their families and the planet. She is a blogger for Spunky Avocado, a Certified Integrative Health Coach, Certified Ghosh and Yin Yoga Instructor and in the final stages of completing her Comprehensive Pilates Instructor Certification. She is thrilled to be part of the Club Pilates team. When not at the studio she can be found travelling, outside at the sports fields, rock climbing or paddleboarding with her labs. She believes we can grow old and feel good and lives by the quote, "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." ~George Bernard Shaw

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  Alyssa Miller

  Pilates Instructor

  Alyssa fist discovered Pilates in the fall of 2016. Shortly after, she registered for the Club Pilates Teacher Training Program through the Tempe, Arizona studio. Alyssa has a passion for Pilates that she loves to share with her clients. If you are looking for a great workout, want to focus on a specific goal, or you are new to Pilates and want to learn more, she would be excited to work with you. In addition to her Club Pilates background, Alyssa holds a B.S. in Kinesiology from Arizona State University, and is a Barre Above certified instructor. When not in the studio, Alyssa can be found spending time with her husband and dogs, reading, golfing and playing board games.

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  Julie Harrington

  Franchise Owner and Pilates Instructor

  Julie started practicing Pilates to gain strength after major surgery. She had tried many fitness program and believes that Pilates is the most effective full body exercise system. After a career in medical publishing, she opened Club Pilates Matthews, created a stunning studio, recruited a wonderful and diverse team and became a comprehensively trained instructor. She's completed teacher training with Power Pilates and Club Pilates. Julie has found tremendous physical and emotional benefits through her study and practice. She finds joy in sharing her passion for Pilates with members and the team at the studio.

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  Connie Rankin

  Pilates Instructor