About Our Podcast Experts
 

Brent D. Anderson PhD, PT, OCS, Polestar Education
A licensed Physical Therapist and Orthopedic Certified Specialist for over 13 years, Brent is a leading authority in performing arts medicine and Pilates-evolved techniques for rehabilitation. He founded and directs Polestar Pilates education, one of the world’s leading Pilates certification organizations. He lectures widely at national and international symposia.

Allyson Cabot, PT, Core Conditioning, Balanced Body University®
Allyson holds a B.S. in Kinesiology from UCLA and graduated with a B.S. in Physical Therapy from California State University of Long Beach in 1991. She is certified in Pilates, Gyrotonic, and is a co–owner of Core Conditioning.

Nico Gonzalez, Mercy Healthplex, Balanced Body University®
A Balanced Body University faculty member, Nico delivers teacher training programs in all aspects of Pilates. He works for Mercy HealthPlex, a hospital-based wellness facility, where he manages the Pilates program, group fitness staff and wellness program. He has a weekly cable access television show and has appeared in many fitness videos. Nico is certified through PMA, ACE and AFAA, and also instructs Zumba, Spinning, Resist a Ball and BOSU.

Dawn-Marie Ickes, MPT, Core Conditioning, Balanced Body University®
Dawn-Marie holds an MPT from Mount Saint Mary’s College. She is PMA gold certified in Pilates and was elected to the first board of directors for the Pilates Method Alliance. Dawn-Marie has practiced Physical Therapy since 1996. She teaches educational programs worldwide integrating Pilates and rehabilitation. Dawn-Marie and Core Conditioning recently completed the first Comprehensive Teacher Training Course within the MPT curriculum at CSUN.

Elizabeth Larkam, MS Ed, Western Athletic Clubs, Balanced Body University®
Currently the director of Pilates & Beyond at Western Athletic Clubs, Elizabeth previously worked for 15 years as a Pilates Dancemedicine Specialist at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital in San Francisco. Elizabeth is a PMA Gold–Certified instructor, Guild–Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner, Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis instructor, Franklin Method teacher and OM Yoga instructor. Co–founder and former co–owner of Polestar Education, Elizabeth now teaches Pilates education courses as a Balanced Body University.

Portia Page, Propel Pilates & Fitness, Balanced Body University®
Portia has been in the fitness industry since 1992 as a teacher, competitor, program director, instructor trainer, international presenter and video co-star, fitness director and creator. She is a Gold Certified Pilates Teacher through Pilates Method Alliance and a faculty member of Balanced Body University. She has also been a Master Instructor for 24 Hour Fitness and has helped develop and cultivate several new programs for their instructors as well as conducted trainings throughout the US for classes from 10-200 people. She holds current certifications with both ACE and AFAA and has a BS in Cognitive Science from University of California at San Diego.

Shelly Power, BS, Polestar Education
Shelly is the Director of Fitness and co–founder of Polestar Pilates Center Miami. Shelly is a Polestar Principal Educator, and has taught for Polestar Education since its inception in 1992. She has been a member of International Association for Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS) since 1996, and is a member of the Pilates Method Alliance. Shelly danced professionally for 12 years with the Sacramento-based modern dance company Dale Scholl Dance/Art. She received her BS degree in Dance from California State University, Sacramento, where she served on the faculty from 1992-1998. She studied Pilates and worked as a physical therapy aide with Brent Anderson at his clinic, Anderson Physical Therapy, in their native Sacramento for 7 years, and later moved with Polestar to Miami in 1998. Shelly teaches nationally and internationally for Polestar Pilates Education. Shelly also administers exams, conducts Pilates workshops and Polestar Mentor and Educator training worldwide.

Christine Romani-Ruby, MPT, ATC, PHI Pilates
Christine is a rarity in the Pilates world, an experienced Pilates professional with a strong background in physical therapy and fitness. Christine holds an MS in Physical Therapy and a certificate in Athletic Training. She is a licensed physical therapist, an associate professor at California University of Pennsylvania an ACE faculty member, a certified athletic trainer, and gold certified Pilates Instructor through the PMA. Presently, Christine is a doctoral candidate in education and leadership at Indiana University of PA. An international presenter, Christine is owner of PHI Pilates, and co–owner of PHI Pilates Studio.

Gabrielle Shrier, MPT, Core Conditioning, Balanced Body University®
Gabrielle holds a BS in Kinesiology from UCLA and an MPT from USC. She is PMA gold certified in Pilates and certified in Gyrotonic. Gabrielle has practiced physical therapy since 1994, specializing in neurologic disorders, orthopedics and woman’s health. Gabrielle has developed educational programs for healthcare professionals, integrating Pilates and rehabilitation, teaches for Balanced Body University®, and is a co–owner of Core Conditioning.

Valentin, Pilates Body by Valentin, Balanced Body University®
Valentin is founder of Pilates Body by Valentin, a full-service training studio in Dublin, California. She is a 27-year group exercise instructor, IDEA International Presenter, and a Balanced Body Faculty member. Her former ballet training has provided her with a strong foundation for creative Pilates group reformer, chair and circuit. Her emphasis on precision, technique and motivation has proved to be highly successful for her clients.