Instructors

Certified Instructors (CI)

Claire Kim
Claire Kim
STOTT PILATES®

Claire was born and raised in South Korea. After earning her Bachelor's degree in Culinary and Food Business, she relocated to Canada in 2011. There, she furthered her education in Nutrition, Health and Wellness at Humber College. In 2019, driven by her interest in the mind-body movement and its connection to overall health and wellness, she embarked on a new path, transitioning into the role of a Pilates instructor. She holds a full certification in STOTT PILATES® and joined the Merrithew® team in 2022.

Her approach to teaching Pilates incorporates the ZEN•GA® method, which emphasizes body awareness through cues and flow. Her classes begin and end with a ‘body scan,’ a technique designed to help her clients tune in to their physical selves. She values the positive energy she shares with her clients through Pilates.

Claire's journey in the movement industry has encompassed diverse disciplines, from classical ballet to modern dance, aerial silk, yoga, running, CrossFit, rock climbing, golf and weight lifting. She incorporates her experiences into her Pilates classes, combining different movement techniques to benefit her clients.

As a Canadian immigrant and Pilates instructor fluent in Korean, Claire identified the need to foster a supportive community for fellow Korean-speaking instructors. She founded "Pila-the-world," which hosts monthly seminars to encourage instructors to expand their Pilates journey globally by taking courses and workshops in English.


Level 2 Certified Instructors

Eve Tsouknidas
Eve Tsouknidas
STOTT PILATES®

Eve shares her passion and expertise in Pilates with her private clients and class participants as she educates, trains and empowers them to achieve long-lasting changes that lead to optimal movement and functional health.

After completing her B.A. in Psychology at the University of Guelph, she became a certified personal trainer, aerobics/spin instructor and nutrition specialist. In 2006, Eve started taking Pilates classes and fell in love with the method. She found that the technique was the perfect complement to strength training and high impact aerobics, greatly enhancing their effectiveness.

A year after starting to practice Pilates, she enrolled in the STOTT PILATES® Certification Program. After successfully becoming a STOTT PILATES Certified Instructor in 2010, she moved to Toronto to pursue a career in Pilates full-time.

Eve has continued to expand her fitness knowledge, becoming qualified in several other Merrithew® modalities, including Total Barre, CORE and ZEN•GA, all of which inform her mindful and results-oriented approach to teaching. Eve is known for being a fun and caring instructor who inspires her private and group clients to challenge themselves to achieve their goals.

Helen Kim
Helen Kim
STOTT PILATES®

After a decade of experiencing the benefits of Pilates, Helen enrolled in the STOTT PILATES® Comprehensive Program and became a fully Certified Instructor in 2019. She has furthered her knowledge by participating in STOTT PILATES® workshops and ZEN•GA trainings.

Educated in Korea and the US, Helen studied history in college and earned an M.A. in International Relations from Yale University. She has worked internationally as an investment banker, editor, translator, English teacher and all-around volunteer. When developing a program for her clients, Helen’s varied experiences allow her insight into the physical and mental demands of her clients’ lives, how these demands may manifest into physical issues and what Pilates routine would address the problem.

Helen’s group classes and private sessions are challenging yet supportive. She helps her clients experience the joy and satisfaction of achieving greater strength, alignment and mobility. She enjoys reading and exploring new food experiences with her friends and family in her spare time.

Paige Schuman
Paige Schuman
STOTT PILATES®

Paige Schuman is a fully certified STOTT PILATES® Instructor, teaching private clients and group classes at Merrithew Studio since 2020. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from Ryerson University. During movement classes at Ryerson, Paige was exposed to Pilates, which piqued her interest. She began her journey by working as a Studio Coordinator at Merrithew Head Office in Toronto and enrolled in the STOTT PILATES Comprehensive Program. During this time, Paige also got her Total Barre® Certification and worked as a Barre Instructor at a Toronto studio.

Whether the aim is to maintain a high fitness level or focus on a post-rehabilitation condition, Paige believes Pilates offers accessibility to fitness and movement that many other forms of fitness do not provide. Paige brings passion, enthusiasm, and energy to assist her clients in meeting their fitness goals and having fun doing so. Her aim is to make her clients feel stronger, more motivated and healthier after each Pilates session.

With a background in dance, Paige won a bronze medal representing Canada at the World Dance Competition hosted by the International Dance Organization in 2011. She has also received her Advanced Certification with Distinction in Stunt work and has worked professionally on film sets. When she is not teaching Pilates, Paige enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling the world, tasting new cuisines and restaurants in the city, and staying active—whether skiing, golfing, hiking, or beach volleyball!

Stella Giannetas
Stella Giannetas
STOTT PILATES®, CORE, Total Barre®

Stella Giannetas has been active since an early age. However, during her busy college years Stella’s level of fitness dropped significantly and by the time she completed her schooling in illustration and jewelry art in 2003, she had gained some weight and started to experience significant back pain. Stella decided to turn to Pilates and to her amazement her back pain seemed to decrease. Inspired by the results she achieved with this no-impact workout, Stella enrolled in the STOTT PILATES certification program. By the time she had completed her education in 2004, she was looking and feeling like her old self again. Now, as a certified STOTT PILATES Instructor, Stella enjoys helping others reach their own personal health and fitness goals.


Instructor Trainers (IT)

Tania Serrano
Tania Serrano
STOTT PILATES® Matwork and Reformer, Halo® Training

Tania Serrano began taking Pilates in 2002 after experiencing chronic lower back pain stemming from her pregnancy, and after one class, she was hooked. Tania went on to earn her Full Certification from STOTT PILATES® in 2008, and currently works with a variety of clientele ranging from physiotherapists to runners, as well as special populations groups such as pre and post-natal women. She is now a Merrithew® Instructor Trainer specializing in STOTT PILATES and Halo® Training. Tania enjoys the on-going learning experience as well as the physical transformative experience Pilates has brought to her life. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge with those around her and continues to integrate the Pilates principles into her teachings and lifestyle for optimal functional health and movement.


Lead Instructor Trainers

Bianca Bolissian
Bianca Bolissian
STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, & Barrels, ISP, Total Barre®, Halo® Training

Bianca Bolissian has been a devoted dancer since the young age of four. This is exemplified by her graduation in 2004 from the Dance University in Campinas, Brazil where she expanded her knowledge of classical ballet and contemporary dance. In 2006, Bianca moved from Brazil to Toronto, Canada, becoming a fully certified STOTT PILATES® Instructor by 2007 and moving further to become a Lead Instructor Trainer for Merrithew® Specializing in STOTT PILATES and Total Barre®. Her passion for teaching and body movement is displayed by her outgoing and caring demeanor, always putting her clients first and providing them with an enjoyable and productive workout.

Leslie Wall
Leslie Wall
STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, & Barrels, ISP, Total Barre®

Formerly a professional dancer, Leslie was introduced to the STOTT PILATES® method after an extensive knee injury and a multitude of surgeries ending her career as a dancer. Her familiarity with body movement and muscular strength made the transition to Pilates feel completely natural. She quickly advanced herself in the industry and is now a Merrithew® Lead Instructor Trainer specializing in Total Barre® and STOTT PILATES. She is a valued member of the Merrithew education team and presents on their behalf. Leslie continues to train both future instructors and private clients including Cirque du Soleil performers, NHL Players, Olympic athletes and is an adviser/instructor to “SpiderTech Kinesiology” Executives.

Rie Sakamoto
Rie Sakamoto
STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, & Barrels, SPX

After finishing University in Japan and being actively involved in dance, Rie avidly pursued her interest in the human body and moved to Toronto, Canada. She received her STOTT PILATES® certification in 2006, excelling further and becoming an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew® specializing in STOTT PILATES in 2008. Rie is currently the Programming Coordinator of Education for Merrithew at the Toronto Head Office, while continually providing valuable sessions and high quality education as a Lead Instructor Trainer for students from around the world. She has recently added new expertise to her qualifications, as a Registered Homeopath, furthering her passion to help people in the pursuit of health and wellness.

Sarah Jarvis
Sarah Jarvis
STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, & Barrels, ISP, ZEN•GA®, Total Barre®, Halo® Training

Sarah Jarvis joined the Merrithew® team in 2004 after completing her Full Certification in STOTT PILATES® and is now a Merrithew Lead Instructor Trainer and an Instructor Trainer specializing in ZEN•GA®, Halo® Training and Total Barre®. Sarah regularly teaches Instructor and Instructor Trainer courses for ZEN•GA and Total Barre at the Merrithew Corporate Training Center in Toronto, Canada. She has extensive experience in planning and implementing Merrithew education programming, and extensive knowledge and experience in teaching and developing Merrithew branded programs. She is a mentor to internationally-trained Instructor Trainers, and for over a decade has presented on behalf of Merrithew throughout North America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia.

Sarah began teaching aerobics and weight training classes while finishing her degree in Business Administration at the University of Windsor. While working in sales and managing a club, she soon discovered STOTT PILATES exercise. Intrigued by the method and the ability to strengthen and refocus the mind and body, she made the transition from the high-impact training world and continues to witness the impact these programs have made all over the world. Sarah is also canfitpro certified and continues to stay current by attending workshops/courses within the field.


Master Instructor Trainers (MIT)

Laureen DuBeau
Laureen Dubeau
STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, & Barrels, ISP, Total Barre®, Halo® Training, ZEN•GA® Mat, Fascial Movement

Laureen is an integral member of a dynamic team responsible for the global development and implementation of training and certification programs. Her spirited approach to teaching has made Laureen a vibrant international presenter, trainer and examiner. An NSCA certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist and a Pink Ribbon certified instructor, she began teaching Pilates in 1995, and is now a Merrithew® Master Instructor Trainer specializing in STOTT PILATES®, ZEN•GA®, Total Barre®, Halo® Training and Merrithew Fascial Movement. Laureen is a featured performer and associate producer of many Merrithew DVDs, the associate editor of numerous teaching manuals and author of articles in several industry publications.

Prior to joining Merrithew, Laureen worked for Tennis Canada where she was responsible for Canadian and international public relations in the capacity of media relations and communications, player relations and event organization. Laureen studied Dance and Physical Education at York University in Toronto where she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.

Stefania Michas
Stefania Michas
STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, & Barrels, ISP

As a Merrithew® Master Instructor Trainer, Stefania is recognized throughout the industry as an exceptional leader, educator, consultant and contributor. She has presented on behalf of Merrithew at fitness facilities, industry trade events and Merrithew Mindful Movement Symposia in 14 countries on five continents worldwide. Stefania joined Merrithew in 1998, and has played an integral role in developing Merrithew education, providing strategic direction for both the Education Programming department and Corporate Training Center, as well as the Merrithew flagship studio in Toronto.

Wayne Seeto
Wayne Seeto
STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, & Barrels, ISP, Rehab, Halo® Training

Wayne Seeto is a Merrithew® Master Instructor Trainer and an integral member of the programming, education and presenting team specializing in STOTT PILATES®, STOTT PILATES Rehab and Halo® Training.

Wayne has been based at the Merrithew Corporate Training Center in Toronto since 2003 and is a recognized leader in his field.

This high-energy Australian native received his Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from the University of Queensland, Australia, and his Masters of Science (Physiotherapy) at McMaster University, Canada.

Wayne has overseen numerous Merrithew teaching manuals as a senior editor, and has presented on behalf of the company at symposia and industry trade events throughout North America, the Asia-Pacific region and Europe. He’s also featured in several Merrithew DVD titles.

In addition to working at the Merrithew Corporate Training Center, Wayne also works as a physiotherapist at a busy sports medicine private practice clinic in Toronto where he uses Pilates for the prevention and rehabilitation of injuries.

Designations

Certified Instructor (CI)

Achieved full certification in the STOTT PILATES method and has been recognized as possessing the qualities required to teach at our flagship studio.

Every CI has been trained in all relevant equipment including the Mat, Reformer, Cadillac and Stability Chair, and has adequate knowledge to be able to work with clients who may require specialized programming because of injury or other conditions.


Instructor Trainer (IT)

Possesses certification to teach STOTT PILATES programming to future and current instructors. This instructor has the skill and knowledge necessary to address wide-ranging client needs and act as a representative of the organization both in our Corporate Training Center and abroad.

Instructor Trainers are shared between the Client Studio, CTC and external teaching, therefore they may be absent from the Client Studio for brief periods.


Master Instructor Trainer (MIT)

Has reached the highest level of certification awarded by Merrithew®. An expert in the field of mind-body exercise with a minimum of seven years of industry experience, Master ITs teach certification programs and workshops to students and instructors.

These instructors have extensive experience in dealing with all types of clients, particularly those with physical limitations or special conditions. As an inspirational leader, the Master IT contributes to the growth and development of educational programs and syllabus and serves as a role model in the industry.


Other branded programs

Instructors may also be qualified to teach additional branded programming including ZEN•GA®, CORE Athletic Conditioning & Performance Training, Total Barre® and Halo® Training.