Teacher Q & A
Christin Frenzel
Q: What made you decide to become a Pilates teacher?
I was working as a personal trainer & group fitness instructor at the YMCA in Brentwood, TN when they were working to start a Pilates program. I was invited to join in on the Balanced Body teacher training that was being hosted in our facility so I said "why not". I fell in love immediately and the rest is history!!
Q: What is your teaching style?
My style is definitely progressive but simple. I really like to work with the body(s) in front of me. Exercises and workouts don't have to be crazy to be effective plus Joe really knew what he was doing with his classical movements;)
Q: What client population are you drawn to?
A: I really love working with all walks of life and I have experience with everyone from teenage athletes to elderly folks. My favorite thing in the world is connecting with people that want to work hard, learn and improve!!
Q: What are three words that best describe your personality?
A: Kooky, Inclusive & Authentic
Jody Rice
Q: What made you decide to become a Pilates teacher?
A: I fell in love with the work! Long before I became an instructor, I practiced for 10 years prior. As a long time runner, pilates allowed me to enhance my fitness and I quickly realized all the work I did in the studio helped with what I wanted to do outside. This allowed me to continue to run injury free and still does!
Q: What is your teaching style?
A: I would describe my teaching style as athletic and energetic. The client determines the work and the focus is always on reaching their goals.
Q: What client population are you drawn to?
A: I enjoy working with clients with athletic aspirations or those recovering from injury. I suffered a stress fracture over 10 years ago in my hip and was able to rehab quickly through Pilates. I think this gives me insight to those who have suffered a setback and are trying to get back to an active lifestyle.
Q: What are three words that best describe your personality?
A: Curious, Enthusiastic & Adaptable!
Danielle Brandenburg
Q:What made you decide to become a Pilates teacher?
A: After graduation from UNR, I was determined to find a form of exercise that I truly enjoyed and that I could do multiple times a week. I knew I loved Pilates so I did some research on the best studios in Reno which led me to Purely Pilates where I actually took my first reformer class. Fast forward to almost a decade of personally practicing Pilates, I gained a lot of knowledge about movement and mindfulness. Everything I learned in during a Pilates class always made so much sense to me and the mind-body connection made the hour long classes feel like they went by in 15 minutes. I began encouraging/annoying my family and friends to try Pilates so much so, that finally one of them asked me why I didn't just teach. I enrolled in the Teacher Training program through Purely Pilates shortly after.
Q: What is your teaching style?
A: My teaching style definitely changes depending on the body that's in front of me. I love being able to try new things and push clients that are a little more experienced or athletic but I also get excited every time a new student comes in and I can focus on the core Pilates principles and get back to the basics. Often times the basics are the first to go out the window so I try to emphasize the foundational movements of Pilates and then being able to add on or modify based on who is in class that day. I love to sprinkle in balance work into my classes and stress the importance of full mind-body connection and finding good form before and during movement.
Q: What client population are you drawn to?
A: I don’t have a favorite type of student, but I will say that there is no better feeling than when a student reaches their personal goals, whether its increasing flexibility or being able to get up off the floor, being able to help them in their journey is a huge reward for me.
Q: What are three words that best describe your personality?
A: Thoughtful, hardworking & easygoing
Anna Yankova
Q: How did you decide to become a Pilates teacher?
A: I fell in love with Pilates when I was a freshman at UNR. Moving out on my own and finding my footing as a young adult was difficult, Pilates helped calm my mind and move my body in ways that I had not experienced with other types of exercise. After college, I worked in the service industry (I still do!) and I felt my body deteriorating. I went back to Pilates as a way to recover from years of wear and tear from running around serving tables and bartending. What I discovered was that my body and mind felt so amazing after just my first class back on a reformer. Pilates inspired me to get back to a healthy body and mind, and through that, I realized I wanted to help others feel as amazing as I did.
Q: What is your teaching style?
A: I am still developing my teaching style, I’m enjoying learning other teachers styles while sticking to the basics As of now, I would consider my style contemporary with a lot of the basics incorporated. I believe that there is so much power in the basics of Pilates and that building that foundation is so important before trying all those crazy moves you see on social media.
Q: What client population are you drawn to?
A: I am drawn to movement, helping clients get to a place that they feel confident and excited to move is one of my favorite things! I’m drawn to clients who love to move and who love to laugh!
Q: What are three words that best describe your personality?
A: Creative, charismatic & funny
Marisa Buckley
Q: How did you decide to become a Pilates Instructor?
A: I have been teaching yoga for 5 years now, and teaching yoga actually inspired me to teach Pilates. I find the two practices very complimentary to each other. I truly love and enjoy practicing yoga, however, Pilates is my favorite physical workout due to its close roots to dance.
Q: What is your teaching style?
A: I love to challenge my students, providing them with strong cues and options for taking exercises to the next level. I always try to incorporate a lot of core work, as I believe a strong core is key to a body's proper functioning.
Q: What client population are you drawn to?
A: As a yoga instructor, I speak a lot about energy in the body and in the poses. I like to help students who want to connect to the energy in their bodies. I like to remind them that in certain positions energy is either being released or invited into their bodies, helping them create a solid mind body connection.
Q: What are three words that best describe your personality?
A: Adventurous, Spontaneous & Generous
Shoshana Granat
Q: What made you decide to become a Pilates teacher?
A: I loved that Pilates’ technique incorporated my love of strength training, ballet alignment, balance and rehabilitation all into one beautiful practice.
Q: What is your teaching style?
A: Client-centric, encouraging each participant to focus on their body’s response to the exercises and modifying as needed.
Q: What client population are you drawn to?
A: Anyone who demonstrates patience to learn how to safely work *with* their body and not fight against it.
Q: What are three words that best describe your personality?
A: Energetic, Supportive & Spontaneous
Keri Mason
Q: What made you decide to become a Pilates teacher?
A: I decided to become a Pilates teacher after taking Pilates classes for several years. I was inspired by my instructors and jumped at the opportunity when one of those instructors asked if I was interested in teaching. Teaching Pilates aligned perfectly with my passion for movement and my background in physical therapy.
Q: What is your teaching style?
A: I always have a plan for each class, but I am flexible within class sessions in order to adapt to any feedback (verbal and non-verbal) I am receiving. I strive to teach a balanced class targeting all muscle groups and including movement progressions so everyone can work where they are comfortable and challenge themselves as they desire. A well-rounded class will include activities for strengthening, range of motion, muscle lengthening and balance. I encourage clients to be mindful and work with purpose, precision and control.
Q: What client population are you drawn to?
A: I really enjoy working with clients at various levels of fitness. I am drawn to those who are new to Pilates because I love being able to introduce them to the magic of the reformer! I love it when clients leave the studio feeling centered, balanced, strong and accomplished.
Q: What are three words that best describe your personality?
A: Independent, Thoughtful & Determined
Christy Atencio
Q: How did you decide to become a Pilates Instructor?
A: I had a ski accident over 20 years ago and my surgeon told me in addition to physical therapy, as soon as 3 months and weight bearing I should do Pilates. So as soon as I was cleared to walk without crutches I signed up for Pilates. I had was a spin, group x and silver sneaker before my accident and after. Yet, a year after, I was so busy back teaching all these other classes and missed Pilates which had brought so much strength and mobility back to me, and I thought why don’t I teach that when it is the one that brought me so much relief, strength and mobility? So I decided to pursue Pilates because I believe in it so much! Hoping I could provide others with the strength and mobility to stay strong and flexible.
Q: What is your teaching style?
A: I like to go from one move to another layering. I like to teach to to get stronger. I like to challenge and give options.
Q: What client population are you drawn to?
A: Love them all, yet try to challenge everyone in class. I have found in Pilates the younger crowd accepts me more, yet I adore all ages.
Q: What are three words that best describe your personality?
A: Friendly, A Great Attitude & Kind
Laura Cooper
Q: What made you decide to become a Pilates teacher?
A: I've always known I wanted to eventually become a Pilates instructor since I first started doing Pilates a decade ago. However, when I obtained an injury due to stress and lack of self-care, I knew I needed to change my life trajectory. So, I took the plunge! And boy am I happy I did!
Q: What is your teaching style?
A: I love taking the fundamentals and elevating them to the next level. I enjoy creating routines that involve precise movements and dance-like motions, while always circling back to the basics. I always want to keep the body guessing, and I want my clients to feel like class flew by thanks to unique and invigorating movements.
Q: What client population are you drawn to?
A: Anyone and everyone willing to try new things and challenge their body in new ways!
Q: What are three words that best describe your personality?
A: Passionate, Honest & Driven (or so says my husband)
Emma Hartzell
Q: What made you decide to become a Pilates teacher?
A: Similar to numerous others, Pilates had a profound impact on my life. I was fortunate to apprentice under an exceptional instructor, educator, and mentor. When the opportunity to teach arose, my intense passion for Pilates made the decision a resounding "Yes". As a teacher, I cherish the times when I see that same passion passed on to others.
Q: What is your teaching style?
A: Balancing Empathy and Structure
In both our Pilates practice and life, there are days when we need to push harder and others when we must slow down and adjust our approach. As a frequent substitute, consistency can be key, as we all come to rely not only on the routine but also the personality of our usual instructor. I always value it when clients arrive at least 5 minutes before class begins, allowing me to check in and understand how they are feeling both emotionally and physically. One of the joys of teaching Pilates is the challenge of addressing individual daily needs while striving to deliver the best possible class experience for everyone.
Q: What client population are you drawn to?
A: Everyone is welcome to join – I have had the pleasure of training fantastic clients ranging from nine to seventy-seven years old. All ages and abilities are encouraged, but as with all physical exercise (especially new activities), you should be approved by your doctor to ensure safety and maximum benefit.
Q: What are three words that best describe your personality?
A: Sophophilic, Caring, & Passionate