Club Pilates

Bios

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  Angel Dunlap

  Instructor

  Angel Dunlap has made fitness and wellness a big part of her life for over 15 years. In last few years, high intensity training led to a series of injuries and surgery. Specialist determined Angel had a genetic disorder that lead to early deterioration of her joints. For Angel, things finally made sense as to the source of her medical issues, but the new knowledge meant Angel could no longer pursue her fitness goals without risk of injury. Searching for a new way to stay fit, led Angel to Pilates and to Club Pilates where she had her 1st group fitness session. When she started Pilates, she could barely walk and had limited success with physical therapy. After a few Pilates sessions, she began to move with less pain. Over time significant progress was made. Pilates has taught Angel to make a mind-body connection resulting fast rehab. Her 20 years of experience in the medical field have allowed her to make a quick link to the anatomy of Pilates. Her passion for fitness soon led her to become an instructor. She has completed “Balanced Body Comprehensive” and “Barre Above” training certificate. She also carries a Medical Assistant certification, American Medical Technologists certification, and Cosmetology license. Angel’s struggle with injury joined with her background as a health professional and Pilates instructor unite to create a true passion for helping others. Her imaginative train style and awareness of the body-mind connection combined for an amazing workout with rehab and prehab benefits!

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  Caitlin McDonald

  Instructor

  Caitlin McDonald has always led an active life. As a young child in upstate New York she cross-country skied and participated in dance and gymnastics. During her college and adult years she has enjoyed hiking, horseback riding and downhill skiing. Before coming to Arizona she received her undergrad degree from Ithaca College. In Arizona she found a job as a research specialist at ASU’s Biodesign Center, but was not content with the work she was doing. She was no longer doing any of her previous hobbies, especially once the summer came. That was when she discovered Barre and Pilates. There was a studio very close to her home, and she became hooked on Barre and Pilates Mat. She loved Mat so much that she became certified to teach Mat classes, and started taking Pilates equipment classes. Her passion for the method really began to shine, and motivated her to pursue Pilates as an alternate career. She received her PMA-CPT in December 2013 now dedicates her time to sharing her knowledge and love of Pilates with others. She takes pride in creating workouts that anyone can finish with a sense of accomplishment. Her favorite aspect of Pilates is being able to help people feel better mentally and physically. Caitlin also volunteers at the Phoenix Zoo which allows her to share her passion for animals and conservation with others. Caitlin and her husband love giant breed dogs and added a Tibetan Mastiff to their family after losing their cat in 2012. After losing their Great Pyrenees in 2016, they added a Newfoundland puppy in 2016 shortly followed by a human son, Dmitri, in 2017. Caitlin’s other loves include electronic dance music, country music, crafting projects, traveling, French fries, and more.

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  Jessi Rodriguez

  Instructor

  Jessi Rodriguez is a Pilates Trainer, Dance Teacher, and Choreographer. She earned her initial Pilates certification in 2006. She has spent the last decade spreading her enthusiasm for health and fitness through Pilates. Jessi has trained people in all walks of life- athletes, seniors, expectant mothers, and competitive dancers just to name a few. Her experience has shown her that people feel better when they do Pilates! Her classes will leave you feeling stronger, taller, and more flexible, In addition to Pilates, Jessi continues to choreograph for multiple studios and theater companies. She also competes in Spartan Races, and completed her first Trifecta in 2018. She loves challenging herself to try new things every year. Jessi recently moved to Gilbert and is excited to teach her fun but challenging style of Pilates! Her extensive education and passion for Pilates shows through in every class she teaches. Pilates Trainer Certification on all apparatus, 2006 PMA Pilates Certification, 2009 Pink Ribbon Certification- Breast Cancer Exercise Specialist, 2013 CPR Certification, Current

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  Jennifer Walters

  Instructor

  After graduating with a degree in Exercise Science and wrapping up her career as a cheerleader, Jennifer Walters searched for something that would fill the void of both. After being introduced to Pilates she fell in love with the full body movement in every class along with the rehabilitative benefits, from there she was hooked and hasn't looked back since. Jennifer loves to focus on the prevention of injuries along with rehabilitation, but every class will surely be a fun workout!

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  Sheena Wituschek

  Instructor

  Sheena Wituschek is an Arizona native, who graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Business Communication. After graduation Sheena started working in the Hospitality Industry and spent over 10 years in various Sales and Marketing roles. During this time, she found fitness as an outlet for the daily pressures of sales world. Always eager to try new things, she took her first reformer Pilates class and was instantly hooked. She loved the way Pilates challenged and changed her body. When Sheena was looking for a career change she knew, she wanted to teach Pilates!

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  Ashley Zarr

  Instructor

  Originally hailing from Iowa Falls, Iowa, Ashley Zarr grew up actively involved in dance, theatre, and teaching (it’s in her blood- both her parents are educators and she nannied for the past 15 years). Following her passion for dance and the freedom and joy that movement inspires, she earned her BA in Dance from the University of Iowa, sharing that love throughout her studies, teaching at multiple studios both in Iowa as well as here in the Valley after her relocation in 2010 to follow her dream of dancing professionally. Ashley has been grateful to work with multiple companies over the past eight years, Halo Movement Collective, Scorpius Dance Theatre, Dulce Dance Company, and Liz Ann Hewett Presents, as well as a freelance and guest artist for other Phoenix based companies. After having worked with children and adults in the dance medium for the past 13 years, Pilates was a natural transition. Introduced to the concepts and requirements behind the Club Pilates’ Teacher Training program by former fellow HMC company members Jordyn Siegfried and Erin Lovrien, Ashley knew it was the next right thing and jumped in with both feet. Having suffered from multiple injuries in her college dance career, Ashley has been a whole body health advocate for the past decade, and has been inspired and impressed with the personal healing and greater physical understanding she’s seen in her own body from self-practice. She has also gained immensely from the hands-on knowledge of learning to understand correct alignment and muscular functions, through those she’s been fortunate to work with. Excited by the possibilities and passionate about the journey, Ashley is looking forward to helping others see the potential within themselves that can truly only be unlocked by this “Mind-Body Connection” that Joseph Pilates knew to be true so many years ago. Ashley is ready for her classes to become challenging studies of ways to improve overall movement and function in our daily, and exercise, lives, therefore impacting everything else with such a positive energy. She hopes that you will join her. In addition to pursuing all things health, Ashley loves being outdoors, especially if it involves the woods or water, creating handmade gifts for those she loves, cooking, and spending time with her friends and fiancée, Jon, and, of course, dancing.

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  Beth Zeffer

  Instructor

  Beth Zeffer is a fitness and nutrition lover to the core and truly needs to be active every day to feel whole. She fell in love Pilates many years ago when a back injury made every workout frustratingly painful. The Pilates method allowed her to gain strength and flexibility without any aches and pains and her results spring-boarded into a passion for teaching. Beth has been teaching Pilates since 2015 in Orange County, where she moved from there this past year; to make Arizona her new home. She has two boys who keep her very busy and Pilates that helps her keep up with them. Beth loves to help people feel empowered, beautiful, and healthy.