Instructors

Alice Han experienced the transformative power of Pilates in alleviating severe back and neck pain, which led her to become a fully certified STOTT PILATES^® instructor focusing on rehabilitation and posture correction. Her dedication to inclusivity is exemplified through her achievement of a STOTT PILATES Injuries Special Population (ISP) certification. With this certification, she customizes Pilates sessions to cater to individuals with injuries or specific health needs, demonstrating her commitment to inclusivity.

During her sessions, Alice meticulously addresses clients' specific injuries or postural issues, prioritizing alignment and offering personalized modifications to ensure a safe and beneficial workout experience. She also uniquely blends traditional Pilates exercises with therapeutic movements, creating a holistic approach that promotes physical rehabilitation and overall well-being.

Committed to holistic well-being, Alice furthered her expertise by completing a diet-programming course. She finds joy in discovering hidden gems — elusive, little-known restaurants with exceptional and delicious offerings. She finds immense satisfaction in uncovering culinary treasures that others might not know of. With a background in sprinting, which she avidly pursued from the age of 10 to 14, running holds a special place in her fitness regimen.

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.

After a decade of experiencing the rehabilitative and holistic benefits of Pilates, Sooji obtained full certification in STOTT PILATES^® to assist others in their fitness and recovery journey. She is also a ZEN∙GA^® and Total Barre^® Qualified Instructor. She also has specialized knowledge in pre- and post-natal exercises, as well as exercises for clients with injuries.

Before immersing herself in the world of Pilates, Sooji had a successful career in education in both Korea and Vancouver, where she served as a teacher and educational consultant. Outside of Pilates, she enjoys various forms of exercise, including figure skating, swimming and tennis. Continuously striving to enhance her understanding of biomechanics and exercise modalities, she is dedicated to helping her clients reach their fitness objectives.

Yuvia Liu was born into a family of sports lovers and has participated in many sports, such as tennis, basketball, gymnastics and yoga.

After falling in love with Pilates and realizing it is the foundation for every sport, she obtained her STOTT PILATES^® Certification and has been teaching Pilates ever since.

She is passionate about empowering her clients to realize their potential and helping them create stability, mobility, awareness and strength to feel amazing in their everyday lives.

Yuvia is a huge scuba diving fan. She loves exploring the fascinating underwater world in any body of water and meeting all kinds of shark species!

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 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!

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.

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.

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.

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 joined the Merrithew^® team in 2004 after completing her Full Certification in STOTT PILATES^®. She is now a Merrithew Lead Instructor Trainer and specializes in ZEN•GA^®, Halo^® Training and Total Barre^®. With a background in aerobics and fitness, Sarah brings a dynamic approach to her Pilates teaching. She holds a degree in Business Administration from the University of Windsor and is Can-Fit-Pro certified.

Sarah has extensive experience working with various demographics, including individuals with injuries and those with lifelong conditions where movement is crucial for maintaining quality of life. She is particularly passionate about empowering active aging clients. Since becoming certified, she has continually expanded her knowledge through specialized courses and workshops on the fascial system and anatomy, as well as seminars on specific injuries and programming with leading experts in physiotherapy and kinesiology.

"Pilates, for me, has always been about getting people into their bodies. Many people go through their workouts with poor or no activation and little understanding of how their muscles work. It's my job to help them activate, provide well-balanced workouts, assist in injury prevention and improve posture and overall strength."

In addition to teaching clients, Sarah mentors internationally trained instructors and has represented Merrithew for over a decade, presenting across North America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. Outside of Pilates, Sarah enjoys spinning, HIIT training, traveling, savoring great food and wine, and meeting wonderful people.

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.

Wayne Seeto is a Merrithew^® Master Instructor Trainer known for his expertise in STOTT PILATES^®, STOTT PILATES Rehab and Halo^® Training. With a career spanning over two decades, Wayne has been an invaluable member of Merrithew's programming, education and presenting team.

His journey in the world of fitness, Pilates and rehabilitation began in his native Australia, where he completed his Personal Training certification and earned a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy degree from the University of Queensland. Furthering his pursuit of excellence, he obtained a Master of Science (Physiotherapy) at McMaster University in Canada.

Since 2003, Wayne has been an integral part of the Merrithew Corporate Training Center in Toronto, contributing to developing the STOTT PILATES, STOTT PILATES Rehab and Halo Training education curriculum. As a senior editor, he has overseen the creation of numerous Merrithew teaching manuals, ensuring the highest standards of instruction. Wayne's passion for Pilates education has taken him across the globe, where he has represented Merrithew at symposia and industry trade events in North America, the Asia-Pacific region and Europe. He's also featured as an instructor in several Merrithew DVD titles.

Wayne's teaching style is characterized by his passion for precision and functional movement. He approaches STOTT PILATES with a keen focus on form and function, making each movement count. His specialization is in rehabilitation, using Pilates as a powerful tool for injury prevention and recovery.

In addition to his role at Merrithew, Wayne is a physiotherapist at a sports medicine private practice clinic in Toronto. He utilizes STOTT PILATES Rehab as a powerful tool for injury prevention and rehabilitation, helping athletes and individuals regain their strength and mobility.

Outside of his professional life, Wayne leads an active lifestyle. He often explores different cities and cultures during his travels while teaching courses for Merrithew. His free time is usually spent hanging out with his rescue dog, Lucas, an energetic Potcake breed from the Dominican Republic. His adventures with Lucas remind him of the importance of balance and vitality in life — values he eagerly shares with his clients and students.