Instructor Bio. Mary Ann studied Classical Ballet with Annalisa Von Ottengen in Cincinnati, Ohio for 12 years. The "warm-up" taught at the beginning of each class was based on the Pilates Method of Movement. Mary Ann began her career in the fitness industry by teaching Step Aerobics and personal weight training.
After 10 years of these activities, she realized the toll being taken on the body's joints and the body in its' entirety was taxing. She also realized that the body tone she was experiencing was not the way she wanted her body to look or perform. Most important, she was missing the mind body connection needed to achieve personal satisfaction.
After moving to Massachusetts, she began studying the Pilates Method. Exploring and taking classes in the many Pilates styles now available, proved to Mary Ann the need to explore Authentic Pilates. She began studying Traditional Authentic PilatesT with Sabrina Vaz in 2000. Ms. Vaz obtained her certification with Romana Kryzanowska in NYC. (sabrinapilates.com) Mary Ann completed systems training with Brett Howard in the NYC area and obtained over 400 hours in both teaching and observing clients under the tutelage of Authentic Certified instructors. She then completed her certification with The Traditional Authentic Pilates program on the East Coast.
Mary Ann taught at Traditional Pilates of Cape Cod for 5 years before relocating to Newnan with her family. She continued teaching Pilates at the Georgia Academy of Dance and Performing Arts and NRG Fitness Center in Summergrove. In 2006/07 she assisted in Pilates workshops with the USC Gamecocks 2007 National Champion Equestrian Team.
In the fall of 2008 Mary Ann attended a workshop with Lolita San Miguel in Cincinnati, Ohio. Ms. San Miguel is one of only two people in the world actually certified by Joseph Pilates himself. After the workshop, Mary Ann was invited by Ms. San Miguel to be one of the initial participants in the Lolita San Miguel Master Mentor Certification program. This is a two year course, by invitation only and only offer4ed to those Pilates instructors who have been certified and teaching for a minimum of two years. This is an honor and privilege for Mary Ann to be involved in this program and proves her dedication to continuing the pursuit of her Pilates education from only the best instructors.
Mary Ann is experienced in teaching group mat classes, basics through advanced, private mat classes and working with both private and duet clients on all Pilates Apparatus. She is excited to bring the Traditional Authentic Pilates™ method to Coweta County. In spring of 2008, The Pilates Loft will be the host studio in the Southeast region for the Traditional Authentic PilatesT certification program.
Mary Ann continues her Pilates training by attending workshops and conferences. She is currently working towards her GYROKINESIS certification and will be bringing this form of movement to The Pilates Loft in the near future.
