"Get ready for the Teresa Experience!" A former gym rat with many years of hanging out with the guys lifting weights and also an avid runner with the DMV as my own personal playground. Over time, my body started to let me know that all that pounding of my joints wasn't going to sustain me for a lifetime and then there was "the fall"... walking over a water meter cover that wasn't secured to the ground changed everything. Excessive doctor appointments, chronic pain and hearing "you will never wear heels again" put me on a journey to repairing all the years of damage to my body as well as to my foot after my fall. Answering a random phone call, agreeing to try the free Intro class, and being introduced to the REFORMER was all it took to make me a believer. Not only did it help repair my entire body, but in addition, I also feel 20 years younger. Come hang out with me on the Reformer and I (along with the reformer) will assist you to restore your body back to optimal health. (CP Comprehensive Certification, Leslie Bender FSM Certified, BYM Yoga Teacher Training Candidate (200h), and CAPilates Mat Teacher Training Candidate (200h))
A native of Poland, Joanna Gilmer began her journey with Pilates in 2011 in a fitness
studio in Warsaw. She remembers her first day of class, when the teacher made an
impression upon her with this quote by Joseph Pilates: "In ten sessions you’ll feel
the difference; in twenty you’ll see the difference; and in thirty you’ll have a new
body”.
Originally a skeptic, Joanna experienced the truth of these words. She became
a committed practitioner of Pilates, and is Comprehensively Certified by Balanced
Body in Mat, Reformer, Tower and Chair classes. Through Pilates, she inspires and
helps others to achieve suppleness of body, alignment, grace of movement, strength,
and energy.
Additionally Joanna completed her training in CoreAlignIn, these exercises are
designed to improve posture, balance and functional movement in the upright
posture, and RAD Mobility that teaches the self-Myofascial release techniques.
Joanna holds a Masters degree in Geography from Wroclaw University in Poland.
In her spare time, Joanna also enjoys running, biking, cooking, reading, traveling
with her husband, and spending time with family and friends.
Dr.Chula is a Doctor of Acupuncture and Licensed Acupuncturist in Maryland State. In 2009, Dr. Chula starts her Pilates journey in paradise, Hawaii. She received the highest quality and training excellece from Stott Pilates. Through Stott Pilates, she offers the varying levels of movement to meet the exercise needs of all clients, from post-rehab to elite athlete. Her mission is to help people gain their health, balance and vitality through Pilates and Acupuncture.
Katie believes that all bodies and minds benefit from Pilates and that there is an entry point for everyone. Katie aligns with a holistic approach to health and wellness, emphasizing the significance that all aspects of life have on overall health, well-being, and happiness. Being connected with oneself is paramount to providing the body with what it needs to thrive. Katie believes that food and movement have the ability to heal. She was drawn to Pilates for its ability to provide the perfect balance of strength, mobility, sculpting, and cardio, while deepening the mind-body connection. Pilates demands your presence throughout your practice to notice the subtle nuances of form and to perfect body alignment, ensuring proper muscle engagement. As a result, Pilates will not only provide a solid workout, but it will force the mind to quiet and the body to listen. Pilates is a personal journey — one where you will notice your strength through new ability, better posture, toned muscles, and a happier, more balanced life.
Katie is a Pilates enthusiast. She’s an avid cook and lover of colorful foods. She enjoys reading, learning, and seeking knowledge and new perspectives. She is energized by connecting with people and nature. She has the most adorable dog and a wonderful, loving husband. As a former teacher, Katie has a passion for helping others accomplish their personal and wellness goals through Pilates and health coaching.
A workout enthusiast and Georgia native, Devon Ray, enjoys helping students understand the mind body
connection that Pilates offers and helping students push themselves to uncover new limits.
Previous hobbies included running track, kick boxing, boxing, ranger challenge with ROTC, rock climbing,
football, weight lifting and volleyball. However, that all changed when she tore her achilles one day
while playing football. Her active lifestyle was brought to a screeching halt. She had no idea that this one
injury would lead to multiple surgeries, other injuries and being confined to crutches and a wheelchair
for over 4 years.
While unfortunate, this hardship is what led her to pilates. Pilates is the only practice that enabled her
to workout and strength train without putting excess weight on her leg. Moreover, pilates enabled her
to walk when nothing more could be done in physical therapy.
As a result, Devon brings a unique perspective on gauging ability especially when related to clients who
are recovering from sports injuries. She integrates her athletic background into class as her programs
are heavily influenced by a variety of sports and activities. Devon’s passion for overall wellness is vast as
she is currently pursuing certification as a Nutrition coach.
Mary was introduced to Pilates in 2005 and quickly fell in love with the practice. Over the years, she
tried various other types of fitness in her personal health journey but always came back to Pilates as her
go-to full body workout. She appreciates that the practice of Pilates helps with all types of issues and
injuries, even Mary’s own experience with sciatica and arthritis.
Since joining Club Pilates in 2020, she realized that her passion for Pilates could translate over to
teaching and enrolled in the CP Teacher Training program. Mary loves the fact the Pilates is for EVERY
BODY. She is dedicated to teaching the Pilates method from a mindfulness perspective, focusing on
proper form, and likes to emphasize that Pilates meets you where you are. This is something that Mary
likes to focus on in her own practice and when teaching clients. She also reminds clients that fitness is a
vital part of self-care and contributes greatly to a healthy work/life balance.
Mary lives in Elkridge with her husband and two young daughters.
Kim strongly believes “if you don’t use it you lose it.” She has been an exercise enthusiast for
more than three decades. One of her ultimate achievements was training for and finishing a
26.5-mile marathon in Honolulu, Hawaii, the fourth largest marathon in the U.S. As Kim entered
her fabulous forties, she found that she couldn’t do as much running and high impact exercising
as she used to and started looking for something she could get great results from without the high
impact on her joints and bones. Something that would keep her strong, fit and flexible well into
her 50’s, 60’s 70’s and beyond. Pilates was the answer and that began her Pilates practice some
20 years ago. Her enthusiasm for helping others and sustained commitment to her Pilates
practice inspired her to become a Pilates instructor.
Kim’s goal as a Pilates instructor is to help her clients create a practice that is sustainable,
fulfilling and results oriented. She is very passionate about motivating people of all ages and
body types to achieve a fit, strong and well-balanced lifestyle inspiring them to be happy,
healthy, and confident throughout their lives and fitness journeys. She loves empowering others
to see what their bodies are capable of in ways that are modifiable and adaptable yet effective—
meeting them where they are and helping them get to where they want to be.
When Kim is not teaching Pilates, she enjoys reading, listening to music, cooking, creating
artwork and planning gatherings for her family and friends.