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Pilates in Paradise » Our Instructors CHRISTI Christi began her fitness career in 2000 as a personal trainer. This is where she was first introduced to "pilates". Even though it wasn't the real thing, it was just enough to peak her interest. In June 2002, after much research and 120 hours of private instruction (at least 75 was required) with a certified Romana's Pilates instructor, Christi began her studies in New York under pilates protege, Romana Kryzanowska, and her daughter Sari Mejia Santo, and grand-daughter Daria Pace. Christi not only spent many hours in New York with many great teachers, but she also spent many hours in South Florida working with Level 3 Instructors completing the program in November of 2004. Christi also believes, like Joseph Pilates, that Pilates is a lifestyle. That lifestyle not only includes exercise, but eating well, sleeping well and having a sound mind. Christi shares this understanding and passion through her certification as a CHEK Level 1 Nutrition and Holistic Lifestyle Coach. She offers one on one, group, or internet coaching. Also in her tool belt are many different energy medicine courses. Christi brings a different element of understanding the power of the mind, intention and touch. Her extensive and varied background allows her to offer special one and half hour lessons offering special stretching and energy work before or after a pilates lesson.
KERRI ANN Kerri Ann took her first Nia class at a hospital in Charleston during a long health struggle. It was, by far, her best experience in that hospital! Years later, and thankfully much stronger, she trained for her White Belt with Denise Medved. It was that Nia experience that profoundly changed her perspective and life. Nia has been teaching her to heal herself in many ways, everyday, ever since. A beautiful compliment to her work as a Pilates instructor, Nia is a natural progression in her life of movement. Having recently had an amazing Green Belt experience in Montreat, NC with Carlos Rosas, she feels that her apprenticeship of Nia has just begun and that being a student of the greater work, both in Life, and in Nia, is a Joy! She is happy to be living in Key Largo, teaching and sharing the Joy of Movement through Nia & Pilates! Kerri Ann will always be a student and is grateful to be a teacher. "We HIGHLY recommend Kerri as a Pilates Instructor. Kerri was certified as a Romana's Pilates® Level IV Instructor Trainer in September 2008. Our records also show she is current with our annual Continuing Education (CPE) requirements. To verify this instructor's current status, or learn more about instructor leveling or certification visit us on our website at www.romanaspilates.com."
JIM In October 2008 Jim decided to work on becoming an instructor, and after a long, physical year he is now a certified Romana’s Pilates Instructor. Along the way he met and trained with Romana Kryzanowska and Sari Mejia, “just to mention a few of the most talented instructors in the world of pilates.” “I owe many thanks to both Christi and to my training instructors Kerri Bender and Jamie Trout for their support and patience during my life time of training.”
JAMIE The discipline and grace Jamie honed in the dance world afforded her to easily transition as she trained and became a certified Pilates Instructor in 1999. Jamie trained directly with Romana Kryzanowska, Joseph Pilates’ protégé, and continued her training with Sari Mejia Santo as she became a Romana’s Pilates® Instructor Trainer. Jamie has taught Pilates in: Atlanta, GA; at The Ritz-Carlton Spa in Key Biscayne, FL; and True Pilates New York in NYC; before joining Pure Pilates in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Jamie brings to Pilates her strong background of ballet, a unique beauty of motion, and a sincere talent to instruct.
RACHEL Seeing how Pilates not only gave her freedom from pain but also changed the shape of her body, she took what seemed to be the only next logical step. In October 2008 she entered the Romana's Training Program. The gifts that Pilates had enriched her life with, she wanted to have the opportunity to share with others. In the years to follow she has had the fortune to train with many other talented instructors. Their knowledge of Pilates and the human body have helped to shape her teaching career. |
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Christi Allen, owner and instructor at Pilates in Paradise, is a Certified Pilates Instructor Level 5 through world renowned Romana's Pilates. Christi has 1500+ hours of training in the Pilates Method from Master Teachers from all over the country.
Kerri Ann began dancing very early, though her formal training began at eight years old in the Charleston Ballet Theatre School. She graduated high school from North Carolina School of the Arts with an emphasis in ballet performance in 1993. She then began her professional dance career with the Charleston Ballet Theatre, performing with the Company for four seasons. This afforded her the opportunity to dance in many of the Classics as well as contemporary works. In 2003, she completed Romana's Pilates Teacher Certification Program in NY, where she apprenticed with Joseph Pilates' protege, Romana Kryzanowska. Since that time, Kerri Ann has been an instructor at Pure Joe Studios in Washington, DC and Reston, VA; and, more recently a guest teacher on the island of Bermuda, at Bermuda Bodyworks. Currently Kerri Ann is a Level IV Instructor Trainer at Pilates in Paradise in Key Largo, Florida.
After 30 plus years in Oceanographic Research, Jim wanted a change in life. Pilates gave this to him both physically and mentally. In 2007 he walked into Pilates in Paradise in Key Largo Florida, just to see what Pilates was about. There he met Christi Allen and Kerri Bender. He took an introductory session with Kerri and was hooked on the program! That day he knew he would continue doing Pilates for the rest of his life.
Jamie Trout (a guest teacher) is first and foremost a classical ballerina. The Atlanta, GA native studied at the prestigious North Carolina School of the Arts under the tutelage of Melissa Hayden and upon graduation joined Ballet Austin. Later Jamie danced for Duende, Atlanta Ballet, Ballet Concerto, and Ballet Theatre of Miami. As a performer with these companies and others, Jamie has performed in London, Honolulu, Budapest, and New York.