Instructors
| PSC Encino’s Pilates Instructor/Trainers | ||
| Emily Zachary-Smith | ||
| PSC Master Teacher Trainer/Staff Member, Encino, CA
Originally from Indianapolis, Emily began training at a young age for a career in dance, studying extensively at Butler University, and professional studios in LA and NY. She has been working throughout the U.S., and internationally as a professional dancer, teacher, and choreographer since 1998, performing in films, television, commercials, and theater. Emily was first introduced to Pilates while on a trip to New York. She loved it and found the connection to her dancing instantly. A few years later Emily began taking Pilates on a regular basis to help her training and prevent injury. She was amazed at the results, and noticed some of her chronic problems were no longer a major issue. The core connection and overall work was the perfect solution. After talking with instructors and other clients she learned what a positive experience Pilates is for all body types, physical abilities, interests, and goals. Most recently Emily was amazed with the overwhelming effects Pilates had during her pregnancy, labor, and while recovering post partum. She is thrilled to be a part of the Pilates Sports Center team and the Teacher Training Program.
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| Joshua Smith | ||
| PSC Master Teacher Trainer/Staff Member, Encino, CA
Originally from Cleveland Ohio, Josh was extremely athletic, excelling in soccer, track & field, dance, and more… He has been living in Los Angeles since 1998, working as a professional dancer, teacher, and choreographer. Josh got into Pilates years ago when his wife, Emily, suggested that they do it as a workout together. Being an athlete, the benefits of a stronger core, increased flexibility, and the mind body connection that Pilates offered was the perfect match. Now, he enjoys helping clients feel the full body workout that Pilates can offer, and more recently training others to teach Pilates through the PSC Teacher Training Program.
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| Seth Hampton (SH Willems Company Inc.) | ||
| PSC Master Teacher Trainer/Staff Member, Encino, CA
With twenty years of both personal and professional experience in the fields of fitness and wellness, Seth Hampton brings a unique perspective to the concept of human movement. As a Dance Major at the Juilliard School in New York and touring professional whose background in performance includes both Broadway and International Touring Companies of “A Chorus Line”, “Jesus Christ Superstar”, “Starlight Express”, “Evita” and “Peter Pan”, Seth has first-hand experience of how stress and injuries can affect our bodies. As a result of his determination to find a way to strengthen his body and augment his existing training background that includes bodybuilding, aerobic fitness and yoga, he turned to the techniques founded by Joseph Pilates. Seth’s continued pursuit of promoting and preserving vibrant health, improving and extending the quality of life and embracing the Pilates mind-body-spirit philosophy has culminated in the receipt of his Master Trainer Certification. His commitment now lies in his mission to share his knowledge with those seeking further exploration through the outward expression of energy and movement. Seth is a passionate educator and instructor who inspires his clients to discover, explore and enjoy the playfulness of movement. His trainings are uniquely personalized to ensure that regardless of age or fitness level, clients gain awareness and appreciation for their bodies that will enhance all aspects of their lives. Certification, Training & Participation in:
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| Rhonda Notary | ||
| Pilates Instructor/Staff Member, Encino, CA
Rhonda’s passion for Pilates and yoga began as a dancer. She studied dance for fifteen years and went on to dance professionally with The Radio City Rockettes from 1994-2002. She fell in love with yoga while in New York taking at Jivamutki and decided that a perfect career would be to teach yoga. She was certified through Center for Yoga in 2002 with an eclectic teaching style in Hatha yoga. That year, Kelli Altounian, the co-founder of Pilates Sports Center, introduced her to Pilates. The principles of alignment and building strength in the core is what made her to want to share this with her yoga students and become a Pilates instructor. In 2007 she graduated from Pilates Sports Center as a Pilates Instructor and is now apprenticing to become a PSC Master Teacher Trainer. Rhonda loves to help people overcome injuries, become aware of their breath, improve their posture and increase their range of movement. She gives a challenging workout that focuses on total body toning, strengthening and flexibility. Her credentials include:
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| Kadee Sweeney | ||
| Pilates Instructor/Staff Member, Encino, CA
Born and raised in Fort Worth Texas, Kadee has a life time passion for dance, performing, and teaching. In 2001 she moved to LA and began her career as a professional dancer working with celebrities including Nick and Drew Lachey (98 degrees Revelation Tour), Carmen Electra (Starsky & Hutch), Jennifer Garner (Thirteen Going on Thirty), Cedric the Entertainer (Cedric the Entertainer Presents), The Rock (The Rundown) and Wayne Brady (ABC 50th Anniversary). She has also done commercials for Pepsi and worked for companies including Maybelline, Merle Norman, Bellagio, and Treasure Island. Kadee’s has had appearances on Fit TV and videos including; Mark Blanchard’s Progressive Power Yoga, Winsor Pilates, Gunner Peterson’s “Core Secrets”, and Crunch Bikini Bodies. In 2007 she graduated from Pilates Sports Center as a Pilates Instructor. Her Pilates practice and teaching is a combination of all her experience in the dance and fitness industry. Kadee’s heart is to empower and encourage others into a blessed life of health and fitness mind, body and spirit. It is truly a joy for her to teach. Her credentials include:
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| Jessica La Mons | ||
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Pilates Instructor/Staff Member, Encino, CA Born in Brazil and raised in Northern California, Jessica first discovered Pilates at a young age as part of her ballet training and immediately saw the benefits of increased core strength, flexibility and improved posture on her dance technique. While studying at Santa Clara University Jessica continued her dance training and began coaching recreational gymnastics where she incorporated basic Pilates technique into conditioning sessions. With 12 years of dance training and a lifetime of dedication to physical fitness, health, and personal nutrition, Jessica is committed to deepening her understanding of anatomy, postural alignment, and the mind body connection of Pilates. As an instructor she gets great joy out of seeing her clients transform their bodies, gain confidence, improve their overall health, and lead pain free lives. Her credentials include:
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| Corrin Cramer Pierce | ||
| Pilates Instructor/Staff Member, Encino, CA Corrin was first introduced to Pilates by a ballet teacher in college, and continued practicing for 10 years before deciding to become a trainer. Her work as a massage therapist provided the foundation for her study of Pilates, as she had extensive training in anatomy and physiology, as well as postural assessment and the pathologies of common diseases and syndromes. Her training and experience in teaching a wide variety of dance, theatre, and improv have also influenced her Pilates style. Working for a physical therapist after finishing her Pilates education deepened her knowledge and appreciation of what an incredible rehabilitation tool Pilates can be, in addition to being a great workout. She considers each client individually, and tailors workouts specifically for each client’s issues even as they change day to day. Her goal for all her clients is that they take the workout out of the studio and into their regular lives. She enjoys working with clients with all sorts of physical challenges, from those recovering from surgery to those who want to improve their golf swing. She particularly enjoys pregnant and post-partum clients, especially since using Pilates to facilitate her own recent pregnancy, labor, and recovery. Her credentials include:
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| Ariel Kashanchi | ||
| Pilates Instructor/Staff Member, Encino, CA
After numerous car accidents Ariel’s physician referred her to a Pilates instructor to rehabilitate her recurring back pain. After seeing the pain diminish and the toned lean physique she had acquired Ariel fell in love with Pilates and threw herself into the Pilates world. She is a PSC instructor at PSC Encino and continues building her knowledge base to enhance her client’s Pilates experience. Her credentials include:
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| Kelly C. DiMeo | ||
| Pilates Instructor/Staff Member, Encino, CA
A Southern California native, Kelly’s lifetime has been devoted to the numerous aspects of physical fitness. As a youth she was professionally trained as an ice skater, vying in various regional competitions. In her 20’s she became immersed in Aerobics & weight training and was a fixture in local cycling tournaments. When introduced to the world of Pilates in 2004, she became an instant disciple & devoted herself to it with every fiber of her being. She immediately recognized the myriad benefits that Pilates offers for people of all fitness levels and ages. There was no question at this point—she decided to become a teacher of Pilates, and here we are…In addition to proper alignment, Kelly brings a jovial, athletic quality to her Pilates’ instruction, helping her clients to understand the freedom and joy of efficient bodywork. Her credentials include:
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| Nia Allen | ||
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Pilates Instructor/Staff Member, Encino, CA
Movement has always been an integral part of Nia’s life. With a concentration in modern dance at Oberlin College, Nia lived in NYC teaching dance to children in Greenwich, CT and studying dance further at DanceSpace in Manhattan. After making the move to Los Angeles and struggling with intermittent low back pain, Nia discovered Pilates and the pain-free advantage of postural alignment.
As an instructor, Nia’s enthusiasm is fueled by the successes of her clients as they discover the benefits of pilates in their daily lives. She believes that body awareness is an integral part of a healthy, active lifestyle and that everyone is capable of moving with energy and grace.
Her credentials include:
• Pilates Sports Center Teacher Training Program
• PSC’s Pilates for Men Workshop 2010
• PSC’s Pregancy Workshop 2010
• Balanced Body University – CoreAlign 1, Vertical Reality 2010
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