I was drawn to Pilates over 16 years ago. Working as a massage therapist many clients repeatedly spoke of Pilates with such enthusiasm. After becoming a mother, I needed to connect with my core again. Having had an athletic background and working as a massage therapist for 8 years, Pilates instantly felt like a natural fit. My Pilates experience began on the Reformer and quickly my teacher suggested I consider starting teachers' training. After certifying in 2003 while living in Santa Barbara, CA. I returned home to West Michigan and began teaching in 2005 at Avalon School of the Arts. Continuing my education was a concern, where will I need to travel to? I received a gift, Master Trainer Ahme Bovee, relocated from Canada to open a studio in East Grand Rapids. It has been an amazing experience to train with Ahme and a wonderful compliment to be a part of their teaching staff from 2011 to 2015. Always growing with industry standards through Balanced Body University.

My journey over the last 16 years has been both physical and spiritual. I have had the pleasure of knowing some clients for 14 years, wonderful people inside and out truly all ages coming together to grow is an amazing thing to be a part of. With gratitude in my heart, I bring to you, Pilates in Holland. A studio where we learn to move better physically and mentally in everyday life, enhance performance, and laugh at what seems impossible. It is a privilege to help others grow their body-mind connection with Pilates principles.

What am I going to be when I grow up? A Pilates instructor! I love to teach, and I love exploring the anatomy of movement and its effects on how I feel as I do the things I do every day. Because Pilates has so helped the various aches and pains resulting from my desk job working as a Network Engineer for AT&T for 36 years, a broken knee, arthritis and lots of flute playing, I know that Pilates will always be a part of my life. So when I approached Mandy – “I have been thinking about teaching Pilates,” she was excited and I knew this would be a good fit.

I love the details, the nitty-gritty, of working with anatomy and technique. As a flute player and teacher, I can hear in the sound and tone of someone’s playing when small anatomy changes are made and how it helps my students achieve a better result in their playing. I love how this applies to being a Pilates student, I can see how strengthening or stretching certain muscle groups can alleviate or mitigate long-term pain and bring excellent results. This attention to detail is something I pride myself on and that I work hard to bring to my Pilates Reformer classes and private sessions.

I am currently doing my reformer training through Balanced Body and Master Trainer Ahmé Bovée under the mentorship of Mandy. As I step into this new career in Pilates, I look forward to seeing where this training takes me next. In addition to my work at the studio, I play the flute and am on the board with the Holland Symphony, I teach flute privately and help mentor young flute players in several of the local school systems. My husband and I enjoy spending time with our grandchildren and watching them explore and excel in various sports

Health and fitness have been an important part of my life. I've always enjoyed doing a variety of activities: walking, elliptical training, hiking, belly dancing, and hula hooping to name a few. I started Pilates in 2014 to increase my core strength after an incident that left me with some dislocated ribs. Amazingly, Pilates also helped me regain strength from previous injuries that had resulted in various surgeries. This inspired me to build on my knowledge of Pilates to improve my own practice. But I also wanted to help others, so I started training to become a teacher. I hold my mat certification from Balanced Body University and am continuing my training for Barre Pilates and Reformer through Master Trainer, Ahmé Bovée.

I also work full-time as a certified professional ergonomist. The knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics, and physiology I have gained through my education for this field allows me to bring this expertise to my teaching as well.

I’ve always enjoyed the feeling of movement, whether it be with Pilates, dancing, or taking a walk. I think it’s the fact that it allows you to focus and be present in the moment as well as feel a sense of accomplishment afterward. As a nurse, I understand the importance of preventative care and Pilates is all about doing just that. By keeping our bodies active and strong, we’re able to enjoy the things we love doing for longer.

I first discovered Pilates at Avalon School of the Arts, where my then 3-year-old daughter was taking dance classes. Mandy was offering a mat class two evenings a week and I thought, why not give this a try? This would be something for myself. I was hooked after the first class. That was 2008 and, not only have I grown in my love and understanding of Pilates, but I have had the privilege of doing this alongside an incredible teacher and friend.

No matter where I go, my journey keeps bringing me back to Pilates. After much searching and exploring it has been right in front of me the whole time. I am pursuing my Comprehensive Certification with Balanced Body and PMA.

I am a movement educator and I love to help my clients find joy in their bodies through the modalities of Pilates, Body Barre, and Nia. I have a unique ability to help you get out of your head and into your body, leaving judgment and comparison at the curb so that you can learn to move your own body’s way and find your most optimal health and smile while doing it!

I am a certified Nia Technique instructor and I am in my 13th year of teaching. I have taught all over the Midwest in beautiful and serene yoga studios, sassy dance studios, 4-star fitness resorts, on college campuses...to children, teens, athletes, couch potatoes, self-professed exercise haters, cancer survivors and everyone in between! Nia really is for EVERY BODY! I love how the fun and freedom of dance, the power of martial arts, and the strength and stress-reduction of the healing arts combine in Nia to make one seriously transformational fitness practice!

I have had a love for the discipline of Pilates since my early 20s and I am thrilled to be studying and certifying through Balanced Body Teacher Training Program with Master Trainer Ahmé Bovée and with my mentor, Mandy. I have completed my Mat training and Body Barre training and teach both classes at the studio.

I also have a love for music, travel, dance, paddle boarding, and hanging out with my family. I hope to bring some of my experiences from living abroad on a Fulbright Scholarship in Salvador, Brazil in Summer ’19 to my classes. A passion for movement and music runs deep in my blood, come move with me!

Pilates is about lifelong health and community for me. Sharing the art and science of Pilates is an opportunity to help others find more confidence in their movement and in their lives. When I began practicing Pilates two years ago, it was completely out of my comfort zone, but I joined the studio and dove in headfirst intending to better myself both mentally and physically. I also wanted to show my two adult daughters that taking care of oneself is an important part of life. Pilates was a big part of my weight loss journey and has given me a solid foundation to move my body actively.

In addition to the physical benefits of Pilates, I have found a beautiful community at Pilates in Holland. I am daily inspired by the warm and fun-loving energetic vibe of my colleagues and our clients. This has fed my passion for mind/body wellness and prompted me to do my professional training with Balanced Body Master Trainer Ahmé Boveé under the mentorship of Mandy. I want to share the impact that Pilates has had in my life with others in hopes that it will inspire them to get moving and get connected. One of my favorite quotes is `Be the change you want to see in the world` and I love how I can live that out at the studio. Having spent the last 13 years as a successful Salon Coordinator and Stylist, I love getting to know my clients personally. Pilates is one more way for me to connect and be that change.

I have two beautiful daughters who I love dearly and three fur babies that I call my farm. Come join me for mat class, I hope you leave filled with light, a fun-loving spirit, and that your body and mind are renewed and full of confidence!

Say ‘Yes!’ to new experiences! After nearly 10 years of being a student of Pilates, I jumped into my Pilates teacher training, and I’m so excited to share this practice with you as it has been life-changing for me. I have been been a stay at home mom for 15 years, and I knew that I was ready for a new challenge. Before having children, I was a nurse. Educating others on healthy movement and lifestyle is a natural fit for me and my whole family is cheering me on in this new venture.

In 2009, I attended my first Pilates class with Mandy, and I knew at that very first class that Pilates would be a part of my life from then on. I felt stronger, more flexible, more connected to my body right away, which over time has led to increased self-confidence. Mandy is so warm and welcoming and exceptionally good at fostering community, and as an instructor, it is my goal to do likewise for you. I am working on my instructor training with Master Trainer, Ahmé Bovée through Balanced Body, and being mentored by Mandy.

I have experience as a student with mat class, private sessions, group reformer, Nia, and Fierce Flow, all through Pilates in Holland. I have become a passionate student of these forms of movement and I feel it gives me a unique perspective on all we offer. When it comes to moving our bodies, it should be something we enjoy and feel good about because it means we’ll keep coming back for more. The positive effects of Pilates in my life extend far beyond the studio and it helps me realize what my body capable of. Saying ‘YES! to certifying and teaching Pilates has truly been a gift and I hope you will say your own ‘yes!’ and come join me for class. I am excited to share my passion, experience, and knowledge with you.

I have been a student of Pilates with Mandy since 2005 (we think!) and have been hooked ever since. It has been an amazing journey to be a student of, and then friends with, Mandy as she opened this studio, increased her class offerings, took on new teachers, and completed her certification. It is inspiring to say the least.

I have my Master of Arts in Education and taught elementary and middle school for many years. I was a project manager at a graphics design firm in San Francisco until we moved to Holland for my husband's job at Hope College. I was able to stay home with my daughter and son until they were both in elementary school and then started working in the office at Fellowship Reformed Church. I served as their Director of Communications for the last 4 years until leaving to spend 5 months in Europe during my husband's sabbatical.

Since leaving my job, I have been looking for a new creative outlet. When Mandy approached me about being the Creative Lead for Pilates in Holland, I couldn't have been more excited. I love the community of teachers and learners at PIH and am thrilled to share everything it has to offer with the world.