Meet Our Pilates Instructors
OUR PILATES INSTRUCTORS
Pilates Instructors
Cheshire Pilates Studio prides itself in having high-qualified Stott Pilates instructors that undergo a 40 hour class instruction time on top of 40 more hours of observation, practice, and teaching. After the hours are finished, they need to take both a written and practical test that involves knowing posture analysis, the knowledge of anatomy, all of the exercises which include the breathing pattern, the order, how to que properly, how to use all of the equipment properly, and knowledge of the body in general. You do not receive a certification unless you get an 80% or above on your tests.
Nadine Phillips
Nadine Phillips has been practicing pilates since 2001, and has been in business since 2005. Phillips received her STOTT mat certification in 2003, and her certification in reformer, cadillac, chair and barrels in 2004 becoming one of the first of 5 people certified in STOTT Cadillac, chair and barrel in Connecticut. She has continued her education with STOTT, taking the Advanced Reformer class and Injury and Special Populations class in 2005. In 2007, finishing Advanced Cadillac, Chair, and Barrels completing all of the available STOTT Pilates Courses. She received her FULL advanced certification in 2011. Every year she has taken courses on pilates such as the fitness ring, prenatal pilates, weighted balls, stability balls athletic training, halo training, STOTT total barre, and many others. Since being in business, she has focused on more rehabilitation courses such as shoulder stability, knee injuries, and focus on the lumber spine. She has taken on clients with fibromyalgia, fractured discs, scoliosis, degenerative discs, broken ankles, shoulder injuries, sciatica, MS, osteoporosis, rectus diastasis, and pelvic floor incontinence to name a few.
Kathy Proto
Kathy Proto has been an avid equestrian since the age of 5, and found that pilates increases her advancements in horse back riding by strengthening her core properly. She has been practicing and enjoying pilates in great detail for over 12 years under the wing of Nadine Phillips. Having a BS and MS in elementary and special education has only helped her develop a unique and detailed teaching style. She pays great attention to detail and strives to have all her students learn and execute the exercises correctly. She is currently trained in the STOTT method in mat, reformer, Cadillac, chair and barrels level 1 and advanced mat and reformer certification courses. Kathy looks forward to taking her last advanced Cadillac, chair, and barrels course in 2017, and receiving her FULL STOTT pilates certification soon! Kathy’s other interests beyond riding 3-4 days a week include cooking and clean eating practices. She lives in Bethany with her husband , 22 year old daughter and her black lab.
Claire Higham
My name is Claire Higham and I have been practicing Pilates for over 20 years. I began my study while working in a high stress job in financial services and rediscovered it after back to back pregnancies which left me with a weak core, poor alignment, and many aches and pains. So, I found a studio and recommitted to the practice. I ultimately trained as an apprentice (Classical) and taught all levels beginner through advanced in mat, reformer, cadillac, chair, and barrels.
I love to practice and to teach Pilates. I love that the goal is lengthening and strengthening the muscles and aligning the skeletal system while improving the mind/body connection. The flow of the movements, the rhythm of the exercises, and the peace as mind and body work together are, to me, the essence of the Pilates practice.
Heather Whitehouse
Heather has also been teaching Pilates for 14 years. She is well versed in the reformer, Cadillac, chair and barrels. She can work with both injured and rehab clients, as well as teach advanced level classes.
Kellie Codianna
Kellie Codianna had an ice skating accident in 2008 and encountered a knee injury that shifted into her pelvis and landed in her back. It stayed there for 3+ years.
Although she spent a lot of time and money with energy workers, massage therapists, chiropractors, and acupuncturists, nothing gave her the relief she sought. Until she walked into a Pilates class!
After one mat class, she felt as if her back had shifted into the alignment she needed. She knew that she needed to learn this modality to help herself and others. She joined a teacher-training with inBalance. A long-time yogi, Kellie soon realized that Pilates is Yoga's opposite... And we all need both!
Kellie is the owner of Divinely Rooted: an amazing yoga studio in Wallingford. She is a Yoga Therapist C-IAYT, has her Mat Pilates Certification, and has completed courses in reformer, Cadillac, chair, and ladder barrel.
Jen Black
I have been a client at Cheshire Pilates since 2018. I decided to get certified through Balanced Body to teach Pilates and help people obtain the benefits of strength and stability that I’ve achieved through Pilates. I love how Pilates focuses on correct technique and full body integration and is accessible to beginners through advanced levels.
I have a B.S and M.A. as a full time elementary Physical Education teacher, helping children learn how to live an active and healthy lifestyle, as well as being a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. I do continuing education for exercise and movement throughout the year and plan to do continuing education for Pilates as well. I have been teaching movement for many years and look forward to helping people gain confidence in their own bodies to live an active and healthy life.
Ashley Looney
Ashley Looney is certfied on Mat, Reformer, Springboard, CAdillac, Chair, Ladder, Barrel, and S;pine Corrector. She also has a BS in Biomedical Sciences, and she is a licensed nurse.
Pilates changed her life and her outlook on using a better mind-body-soul connection as preventative medicine. And it was her own own extensive knowledge involving the pathophysiology of common diseases and traumatic injury that led her to seek alternative treatment plans and serve special populations.
While coming to ther studio, as a client, she was inspired by Heather, who, in turn, encouraged her to become a teacher!
She really loves the flow in breath, alignment to energy, and incrased body awareness that comes with Pilates, and is grateful for the changes in her own posture, core, and mental health from her pracitce.
Now she is excited to give back and help other people find this same peace within themselves.