Studio Lotus home page - Atlanta's Pilates Studio

Our Instructors

Studio Lotus Pilates instructors are a remarkable group of smart, dedicated and passionate teachers who strive to bring out the very best in themselves and their clients.  They boast an impressive set of credentials, both in and out of the studio.  And though their personalities and teaching styles are as diverse as their outside areas of expertise, they share several important attributes:

To be maximally effective, Pilates requires not only consistent practice from you, the client – but also consistent instruction of the highest caliber from us, the studio.  Every instructor at Studio Lotus has completed a classical and comprehensive Pilates certification program.  What sets our instructors apart is not only their broad knowledge of the principles of Pilates and the method itself, but the motivation and inspiration with which they teach the method.  Very simply, they love Pilates -- they love teaching Pilates -- and they are very good at it. 

Through Pilates, many of our instructors have experienced improvements in the same chronic weaknesses, pain and injuries their clients’ experience.  And all have seen significant, even dramatic changes in their own bodies, which only reaffirms their belief in the power of Pilates.  With more than 15 certified Pilates instructors working at our studios, Studio Lotus offers a highly-skilled instructor perfectly suited to motivate you and help you achieve your goals.

Studio Lotus views its instructors' Pilates certification as a beginning, rather than an end.  Committed to furthering their Pilates education, we provide ongoing learning from in-house Power Pilates Senior Teacher Trainers, Davidson Reid and Anne Brendle, as well as host Power Pilates Continuing Education workshops throughout the year.  In addition to Davidson and Anne teaching continuing education workshops at Studio Lotus, some of the most experienced Pilates educators in the industry today, including Bob Liekens, Susan Moran and Howard Sichel, have come to Studio Lotus to lead continuing education.  These workshops are attended by not only our own certified Pilates instructors, but also by many other certified Pilates instructors throughout Atlanta and the southeast.

Studio Lotus Teacher Training Directors

Davidson Reid

Davidson Reid

With almost 20 years of Pilates experience, Davidson brings a wealth of knowledge to Studio Lotus as its Owner and Teacher Training Co-Director.  Davidson was first exposed to Pilates as a teenager in Atlanta as part of his early dance training, and continued to study the technique upon moving to New York at age 17 to pursue a career in classical ballet.  Highlights of his career as a performer include dancing with the Joffrey Ballet, and touring Europe and South Africa with West Side Story and A Chorus Line.  After spending 18 months in South Africa, Davidson returned to New York and continued to study Pilates with a variety of teachers, including Peter Vaillancourt, Peter Roelle and Phoebe Higgins.

As a Pilates instructor, Davidson combines an astute eye for detail and the biomechanics of movement with a profound understanding of the Pilates method to provide a demanding workout.  As a Power Pilates Senior Teacher Trainer, Davidson travels and leads Power Pilates certification programs and continuing education workshops throughout the U.S. and internationally.  Since Studio Lotus became the first Power Pilates’ Affiliate Training Center in 2002, Davidson has provided teacher training to more than 200 instructors in Atlanta.  From Beginner Mat to Comprehensive Training, his goal in any program is to not only teach the Pilates method in its classic, undiluted form, but to teach teachers to be the most successful Pilates instructors they can be by providing them tools to inspire their own classes and clientele. 

Davidson's deep belief in Power Pilates comes from his years of experience in helping his clients transform their own bodies.  In turn, he brings that insight and passion to teacher training as he helps to develop some of the most talented new generation of Pilates instructors.

Davidson is PMA Pilates certified.

Anne Brendle

Anne Brendle

Anne Brendle received a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre from Florida State University in 1998.  She subsequently moved to New York City where she completed Power Pilates Comprehensive Training in 2001.  She subsequently taught in the Power Pilates New York studios where she developed a loyal client base, including celebrities Hilary Swank and Keri Russell.  She has been featured in Women’s Health and Fitness Magazine, US Weekly and Elle Magazine.  Anne is also a Russian Kettlebell Instructor, trained through Kettlebell Concepts in 2005. 

In 2003, Anne was invited to become a Power Pilates Teacher Trainer, and has since traveled the country teaching Pilates certification programs and continuing education workshops.  She joined Studio Lotus as a Senior Pilates Instructor and Co-Director of Teacher Training in October 2005.  Anne is known for her extensive Pilates vocabulary on all the apparatus, as well as her approachable teaching style.  Throughout the teacher training process – whether it spans one weekend or one year - she strives to help each person find their unique voice.

 

As an instructor, Anne believes that Pilates is an ever-evolving practice that must change and grow with each client, while remaining true to the original teachings of Joseph Pilates.  She is particularly skilled at 'the art of verbal cueing' as she finds just the right words to help her clients reap the maximum results from the method.

Anne is PMA Pilates certified and is a full-time instructor at Studio Lotus.

Studio Lotus Senior Instructors

Clare Gordon

Clare Gordon
Senior Pilates Instructor

Clare began practicing Pilates in 1999 at Studio Lotus in Atlanta.  While living in Sydney, Australia in 2001, she continued her practice, and her enthusiasm for the method grew.  While abroad, Clare began her training in the classical method under the program run by Master Teacher Romana Kryzanowska and completed her certification at the affiliated training center in Atlanta.  Clare has been teaching at Studio Lotus since January 2002.  She continues to deepen her understanding of the method and enhance her own practice and teaching skills by participating in workshops and continuing education courses.  Clare keeps her varied clientele moving with her strong voice and flowing teaching style.  She is a full-time instructor at Studio Lotus.

Clare is PMA Pilates certified and is working towards becoming a Power Pilates Teacher Trainer.

Studio Lotus Instructors

Adria Chuhay

Adria Chuhay

Adria brings a strong background in dance to her Pilates instruction.  In fall 2008, she will be entering her fifth season as a full-time member of the Georgia Ballet.  She has also performed as a member of Nevada Ballet Theatre, Columbia City Ballet, and as a featured guest artist of the North Atlanta Dance Theatre.  In addition to performing, Adria has taught many forms of dance and movement throughout her career, including coaching a student to finalist in the highly competitive Youth America Grand Prix 2004.  She completed Power Pilates Comprehensive Training at Studio Lotus in May 2004.  Adria has an excellent eye for detail and enjoys bringing clients of all levels to the next stage in their workout.  She teaches at Studio Lotus.

Adrienne Holland

Adrienne holds a BA in Sociology from the University of New Hampshire and an MA in Urban Planning from the University of Georgia.  She completed Power Pilates Comprehensive Training at Studio Lotus in June 2005.   Originally from New York, she relocated to Georgia in 1996 and now lives in North Atlanta with her husband Jon, and their two children, Kate and Will.  Her true love of Pilates came during the transformation of her own body after the birth of her daughter.  Known for providing a demanding workout, Adrienne strikes an ideal balance between precision and flow.  She particularly enjoys helping beginner clients establish a strong foundation of technique.  Outside of the studio, Adrienne enjoys playing tennis and spending time with her family.

Adrienne is PMA Pilates certified and teaches at Studio Lotus.

Denise Kluse

Edie Scott

 

In 1996, Edie received her M.Ed. in Instructional Technology and began her career in instructional and web application design.  Always active, as a high school athlete and avid jogger, Edie realized that she was spending too much time immobilized in front of a computer.  Subsequently, her practice of Pilates began in 1999 and in 2005 she completed Power Pilates Comprehensive Training at Studio Lotus.  A certified Spinning instructor as well, Edie has been teaching in Atlanta for over two years, with a propensity to motivate and strengthen older clients, and those with special needs.

Edie teaches at Studio Lotus.

Jen Smith

Jen Smith

 

 

 

 

Jojo Butler

Jojo Butler

Jojo earned her BA in Dance/Theatre and a Diploma in Education from Queensland University of Technology, Australia.  When her international travels led her to England, she auditioned for Carnival Cruise Lines and worked for four years as a Dancer, Dance Captain and Aerial Artist.  She began correspondence study to teach Pilates Mat to her fellow dancers after a work-related back and shoulder injury led her to the method and its immediately tangible results. Jojo moved to Atlanta and now dances with Full Radius Dance.  She chose to fully develop her education through Power Pilates Comprehensive Training, which she completed in September 2005 at Studio Lotus.

She is a caring and empathetic teacher with a keen eye for analyzing human movement.  She puts beginners at ease with her humor and sensibility, while always challenging and motivating clients of all levels.  Jojo is PMA Pilates certified and teaches full-time at Studio Lotus at Atlanta Ballet, as well as Wednesday afternoons at Studio Lotus.  She is also the Studio Manager of Studio Lotus at Atlanta Ballet.

Kim Place

Kim Place

Kim began practicing Pilates in 2005 at Studio Lotus.  While building strength in all the right places, she realized it also helped her unwind and control her stress.  Completing Power Pilates Comprehensive Training in spring 2008, Kim is extremely excited to share with clients what she has learned.  Through a challenging and fun workout, it is Kim’s goal that each client walk away from their session feeling strong, stress free and rejuvenated.   Prior to teaching Pilates, Kim worked as a professional musician and paralegal.  Her hobbies include music, theater, and hitting the streets and race track in her Mini Cooper. 

Lynn Deal

Lynn Deal

Lynn received her BA in Early Childhood Ed. from UNC-Greensboro and her Masters in Education from Appalachian State University.  After transitioning her career to Sales & Marketing with Eastman Kodak Company in 1985, Lynn continued to pursue her lifelong passion for health and fitness.  Being an avid runner and triathlon participant, Lynn became certified through USA Track & Field as a Level 1 Coach in 2000 and also received certification through AFAA as a Personal Trainer in 2002.  After being introduced to her first Pilates mat class in 2004, Lynn became an advocate of the Pilates method and successfully completed all three levels of Power Pilates System Training in February 2007.   Her passion for Pilates translates directly to her teaching style with a sincere desire to provide a personalized, challenging workout for her clients.  In her spare time, Lynn enjoys running, cycling and spending time with her boyfriend, Mitch, and her 1 year-old niece, Casey.

Lynn teaches at both Studio Lotus and Studio Lotus at Atlanta Ballet.

Maika Ramos-Prieto

Maika Ramos-Prieto

Born in Spain and a professional dancer for almost 25 years, Maika has performed as a soloist with some of the most prestigious companies in Europe, including the Hamburg Ballet, the Dusseldorf Ballet, the Monte-Carlo Ballet, the Cullberg Ballet and the Rambert Ballet.  She credits Pilates for helping with her countless dance injuries, and providing her the strength and flexibility to perform at such a high level.  Upon moving to Atlanta with her husband George, whom she met in Germany while dancing and married in August 2004, Maika sought to further her Pilates training at Studio Lotus.  In August 2007 she completed Power Pilates Comprehensive Training at Studio Lotus.  She also received her Russian Kettlebell Certification in January 2007.  Maika brings high energy to the studio and teaches with an extremely positive attitude. 

Maika is a full-time instructor at Studio Lotus.

Nancy Nesbitt

Nancy Nesbitt

A mother of three girls and a grandmother, Nancy has worked for IBM for 36 years.  She has been involved in the fitness industry since 1987 as both a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor for Step, Resist-A-Ball, Yoga and Spinning.  She added Pilates to the list of her fitness instruction credentials when she completed Power Pilates Comprehensive Training at Studio Lotus in February 2003.  Nancy enjoys teaching all levels of clients in a flowing style, with a focus on detail that helps them truly feel the work in their bodies.  She celebrates her clients' accomplishments, experiencing the joy of growth and improvement with them.  Nancy teaches at Studio Lotus on Saturday mornings and during weekday evenings at Studio Lotus at Atlanta Ballet.

Nancy is PMA Pilates Gold certified.  She teaches at Studio Lotus on Saturday mornings and at Studio Lotus at Atlanta Ballet during the week.

Page Dale

Paige Dale

 

 

 

 

Patti Skalicky

Patti Skalicky

 

 

 

 

Regina Christler

Regina (Gigi) Christler

Gigi received her BFA in Dance from Adelphi University.  She has performed with various dance companies in New York, Boston and Atlanta, and has taught all levels of dance from pre-school to college.  From 1985-1990, Gigi was the Assistant Director of the Cle Douglas Backyard Dance Theatre in Boston.  Additionally, she has taught and choreographed for Spellman’s Dance Extension Program.  She became a certified Pilates instructor under Master Teacher Romana Kryzanowska and Senior Instructors/Teacher Trainers Sari Pace and Juanita Lopez in 2000.  Gigi continues learning by taking continuing education courses in order to better help clients empower themselves through Pilates.  Her proudest accomplishment is raising an intelligent, beautiful and creative daughter who keeps Mom on the move.

Gigi teaches at Studio Lotus.

Shannon McBride

Shannon McBride

In 1997, Shannon began a career as a marine scientist working with endangered sea turtles.  The downsides of solitary life on a boat motivated her towards a career change to chiropractic.  She graduated from Life University in 2001 and has been practicing ever since in a high-volume office in Norcross.  When patient adjustments led to persistent lower back fatigue, Shannon began training at Studio Lotus.   Experiencing amazing results in her own body, she became hooked on the method.  Having completed Power Pilates Comprehensive Training at Studio Lotus in August 2005, Shannon incorporates Pilates into her chiropractic practice, helping her patients achieve strong, healthy bodies.  Likewise, her Pilates clients and fellow instructors reap the benefits of her chiropractic knowledge.

Shannon teaches at Studio Lotus.

Tiffany Gray

Tiffany Gray

Tiffany was introduced to Pilates in 2003 at Brigham Young University as a complementary workout to her dance training. Personally experiencing the significant benefits Pilates had on her dance technique, Tiffany continued to incorporate Pilates' exercises into her weekly fitness routine. After receiving her BA in English from BYU, Tiffany married Burton Gray, a native Georgian, and moved to the Atlanta area in 2005. Upon moving to Georgia, Tiffany began to expound upon her Pilates training at Studio Lotus, getting certified in Power Pilates Beginner Mat in January 2006. She began teaching Pilates mat classes in June 2006 at Studio Lotus at Atlanta Ballet. In May 2007 Tiffany completed Power Pilates Comprehensive Training at Studio Lotus.  Outside Pilates, Tiffany enjoys dancing at various Atlanta studios, playing the piano for her church choir, and serving as a Cub Master for a local boy scout troop.  In March 2008, she gave birth to her son, James Turner.

Tiffany teaches at Studio Lotus at Atlanta Ballet.

Trish Dunphy

Trish Dunphy

With a BS in Electronic Engineering, Trish works as a broadcasting repair engineer with Tandberg TV.  She also holds an A Level in Performing Arts and English Literature.  Originally from Ireland, Trish began her study of Pilates while living in the UK under the advisement of her chiropractor to strengthen her core muscles and help alleviate her neck troubles.  Upon relocation to the United States in 2006, Trish immediately found Studio Lotus in order to continue her overall health success.  Extremely different than the style she was used to, Trish was hooked; the style, the flow and the compassion she found at Studio Lotus inspired her to pursue formal teacher training.  She has completed both Power Pilates System Training Levels 1 and 2, and will be completing System Training Level 3 in summer 2008.  Her hobbies include listening to music, dancing, horse riding, reading, writing and having friends over for dinner.

Trish teaches at Studio Lotus.

Wendy Latorre Adams

Wendy Latorre Adams

Wendy was introduced to Pilates mat classes when she was fifteen-years old and a pre-professional student in Atlanta Ballet’s Centre for Dance Education.  Pilates kept her strong and free from pain during the rest of her dance career, which continued until her early twenties as she performed with the Washington Ballet, the Atlanta Ballet, and Encore Dance Theatre in Athens, Georgia.  After the birth of her daughter and ensuing abdominal surgery, Wendy started working on the Pilates apparatus in 2004 at Studio Lotus and quickly decided to pursue teacher training through Power Pilates.  She completed Power Pilates Comprehensive Training at Studio Lotus in June 2005.  Additionally, Wendy took her belief in the healing power of massage to the next level by attending the Academy of Somatic Healing Arts (ASHA) where she became a Certified Neuromuscular Massage Therapist in September 2005.  Wendy is convinced that the combination of Pilates and massage can keep one balanced, strong, and out of pain.  When not in the studio, Wendy loves spending time with her husband, Michael, and her beautiful daughter, Maya.

Wendy is a full-time instructor at Studio Lotus.