Instructor Bios

VALERIE ARMISTEAD

Valerie received her degree from George Mason University with a major in English and a minor in Dance.  Along with Pilates she has been teaching dance to children for 10 years.  Valerie enjoys running and rock climbing. Ms. Armistead received her comprehensive certification through Power Pilates in 2006.

 

ELLEN BOYLE

Ellen Boyle began studying Pilates almost eight years ago.  After three pregnancies found her out of shape and with severe low back pain, she began taking beginning mat classes.  Ms. Boyle was so impressed with the changes in her body that she continued studying Pilates, eventually deciding to become a Pilates instructor. Ms. Boyle is the Studio Coordinator for the Arlington location overseeing the apprentices, workshops, and continuing education for the studio. Ms. Boyle received her comprehensive certification through Power Pilates in July of 2007.

 

MAUREEN CULHANE

Beginning with SBL’s first Pilates mat class, Maureen easily fell in love with the work.  As a retired Fairfax County Public School teacher and a local dance and fitness instructor for 25 years with a passion for teaching, Maureen’s love of learning propelled her to become a Pilates instructor. Unwrapping the gift of Pilates is never ending.  Figuring out the physical puzzle that makes clients individuals, no matter their age, intrigues her.  Ms. Culhane received her comprehensive certification through Power Pilates in 2009.

 

EMILY COURTNEY

Emily, a competitive swimmer in HS, began lessons at a classical Pilates studio in Dallas, Texas, as off-season training.  Pilates helped her gain strength and build stamina and she helped her team take the State Title. Emily decided to return to her Pilates regime to gain back her strength and flexibility, when four years later, she cycled across the country and came home with a knee and hip injury.  She fell in love with the Pilates work all over again and is so grateful for the way her body feels and moves now.  Emily sees teaching Pilates as a gift you can give to individuals who are seeking stress relief, strength, stability, and a good stretch! Emily received her comprehensive certification through Power Pilates in November of 2009.

 

KIM CURTIS

Kim Curtis teaches Stretch, and Evolved Sculpt at both SBL locations. He is the Associate Director of Momentum Dance Theatre, performed with the Washington Ballet and danced in many shows with both the Washington Opera and Kennedy Center Productions.  Additionally he is also a company member of Le Neon Theatre Company and has choreographed for Scena, the Center Company and Le Neon.  As an actor, he has performed at Signature, the Washington Shakespeare Company and many other theaters.  Kim is mat certified through Power Pilates.

 

BONNIE GROVE

Bonnie began studying Pilates and yoga in 1999 while working part-time as a group fitness instructor.  She was so intrigued by the unique approach of Pilates to the concept of exercise that she decided to pursue a certification in 2005  Today, after completing over 600 hours of training and obtaining an advanced teacher certification from Power Pilates, she works full-time teaching Pilates (mat and apparatus) to clients in both Maryland and Virginia.  In 2009 she became a Teacher Trainer for Power Pilates, certifying new instructors in both mat and apparatus work.

WHITNEY HAYES

After close to a decade working in the field of communications and public affairs,  Whitney Hayes decided to turn her love of Pilates into a career by entering the comprehensive training program through Power Pilates.  Whitney developed her passion for teaching as a downhill ski instructor, and developed her love of Pilates after years of ski racing left her fit but with little flexibility. She has studied at Studio Body Logic for several years, and has never felt better.  Originally from Rochester, NY, she holds a bachelor’s degree in media and society from Hobart and William Smith Colleges.  Ms. Hayes received her comprehensive certification through Power Pilates in January, 2011.

 

MICHELLE KING

Michelle grew up in Northern Virginia and received her BA in Comparative Literature, with a focus on Greek and Roman classical texts, from George Mason University.  She studied classical ballet under the tutelage of Elisabeth Graetzer, former prima ballerina with the Innsbruck Opera Ballet and dancer with the Vienna State Opera Ballet.  Michelle became a student of Studio Body Logic in 2004, and was delighted at the improved strength and stamina she received from Pilates.  The Method’s rehabilitative properties have also helped her manage her chronic neck and back pain.  After deriving so many positive benefits from Pilates at SBL over the years, she felt a calling to share the work with others.  Ms. King received her comprehensive certification through Power Pilates in 2010.

DONNA KIRBY

Looking to improve overall physical fitness, Donna began studying Pilates at studio body logic in 2000.  She experienced, firsthand, the ability of Pilates to help manage chronic conditions and improve the quality of life.  Donna became a devoted student and continued to study as she traveled the country as a Navy wife and mother.  Ms. Kirby received her comprehensive certification through Power Pilates in September 2007.

 

KATHRYN LONG

Kathryn Long has spent much of the last seventeen years teaching Art and Fitness to children and adults.  Nearly a decade ago she committed to a more healthful lifestyle that brought about a life changing weight loss and revealed a passion for movement.  The desire to share her discoveries of the empowering and holistic benefits and pleasures of intelligent exercise motivates her work.  Ms. Long received her comprehensive certification through Power Pilates in October 2004.

 

LUCY BOWEN McCAULEY

Lucy Bowen McCauley teaches stretch at SBL Arlington. She is the Artistic Director and Choreographer of Bowen McCauley Dance and has been teaching ballet, modern, jazz and stretch in the DC area for over 20 years.  Her pioneering Stretch Technique, developed in the NY studios of exercise physiologist, Jean Paul Muston, has been featured in Sports Illustrated, USA Today, Dance Teacher and the Washington Post.  While McCauley has trained elite and medal winning Olympic gymnasts, her engaging stretch classes appeal to dancers, weekend athletes and anyone interested in keeping fit.

 

RACHEL MERGA

Originally from Manchester, England, Rachel’s dance career spans not only ballet and modern dance companies, but also musical productions including Grease, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cabaret and Fiddler on the Roof.  She has toured Southeast Asia and appeared on German and UK television.  Rachel began teaching at Studio Body Logic in 2005.  She moved to New York City to teach at the Power Pilates Training Center and to complete culinary school at the Natural Gourmet Institute for Health & Culinary Arts.  She has moved back to the area and is teaching at Studio Body Logic.  Ms. Merga received her comprehensive certification through Power Pilates.

SARAH MILLER

Sarah Miller has studied dance for over twenty years and received a BA in Dance Education from Old Dominion University in 2005. She was introduced to the Classical Pilates Method in 2002 after a severe shoulder injury threatened to end her dance career.  After studying for three years under second generation teachers, Kathryn Finney, Gayla Zuchevich, and Todd Rosenlieb in Norfolk,Va, Sarah decided to pass along her knowledge of Pilates in hopes of teaching other people about rehabilitation and lifelong health through the method.  Ms. Miller received her comprehensive certification from the Pilates Center at TRDance in 2006.

 

RACHEL MULLANE

When Rachel moved to Washington a girlfriend told her that she was taking Pilates and that it was a great workout.  Rachel started taking classes in 1999 at SBL, was hooked, and has been taking Pilates and apparatus classes ever since.  Not only did it change the way she moved, but also gave her a good stretch and stronger core muscles, which really helped her through her pregnancy with her twins.  Rachel entered the training program in 2008 and finds that the apprenticeship process has been a life changing experience. She has developed a deeper understanding of the Pilates method and the interconnectedness of the mind, body, spirit, and the world we live in. Pilates gives her bliss!   Ms. Mullane received her comprehensive certification through Power Pilates in 2009.  In addition, Ms. Mullane completed her Yoga RYT-200 hour certification in 2010.

 

ADRIENNE PUGH

Adrienne Pugh received a BA in Dance and Business Administration from Muhlenberg College in 2002.  Her dance background attracted her to classical Pilates and Studio Body Logic in 2007 as she was looking for other ways to stay active and expand her fitness repertoire. Since then, she has fallen in love with the grace and strength of the Pilates method.  She is enthusiastic about sharing her passion for healthy living and helping students achieve their personal health and fitness goals, as well as the mind-body connection realized through Pilates.  Adrienne works as a healthcare consultant in the greater Washington, DC area and is excited to be teaching on the Studio Body Logic staff.  Ms. Pugh received her comprehensive certification through Power Pilates in 2009.

 

JESSIE SAVAGE

Jessie is a massage therapist in practice for 20 years.  She trained at the Desert Institute for the Healing Arts in Tucson, AZ.  Jessie was drawn to Pilates because many of her clients have been helped through serious injuries with Pilates practice. Over 10 years ago she started taking classes herself at SBL and fell in love with the work and feeling good.  She chose to become an instructor so she could share that feeling with others. Ms. Savage received her comprehensive certification through Power Pilates in 2004.

 

ANN TASSEY

Ann has been an avid athlete since her high school days when she swam competitively. As an adult, she has completed four marathons and this past summer competed in her first triathlon. Three years ago after incurring several injuries due to long distance running, she turned to Pilates to heal her body.  She was so impressed with the mind/body connection and methodology that she wanted to share her enthusiasm with others.  Ann became Power Pilates certified in October 2011.