Instructor Bio.
Mary Ann Briggs
Mary Ann, the studio owner and Lolita San Miguel Pilates Master, 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 Pilates 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 winter of 2009, Mary Ann was invited by Lolita San Miguel to be one of the initial participants in Ms. San Miguel's Pilates Master program. Ms. San Miguel is one of only two people in the world actually certified by Joseph Pilates himself. This is a two year course, by invitation only and only offered 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 currently assisting a Ms. San Miguel and a team of Pilates Masters in creating a Pilates certification program for those seeking a Pilates career. In 2012 The Pilates Loft will become a host studio for the Lolita San Miguel Pilates 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.
Christine Krauth: Christine is a certified Pilates instructor through the Traditional Authentic Pilates Program. The
comprehensive apprenticeship lasted 2 years and Christine completed the program with more than 800 hours of observation, teaching and practicing, far exceeding the required 200. During her apprenticeship she was pregnant and gave birth to her first child. Teaching and practicing Pilates while expecting, led her to her second certification in Pre and Post Natal Pilates, through The Center for Womens Fitness in 2010. She is passionate about working with pregnant woman and strongly believes a woman must embrace the physical and emotional changes she is experiencing. Christine experienced first hand the positive benefits of Pilates while being pregnant and believes that working with the changes in the body versus against them, is essential for a happy pregnancy.Christine's Pre and Post Natal Pilates classes are geared for safe, effective movement during this amazing time in a woman's life. She is available to offer this course both in and out of The Pilates Loft.
Christine takes pride in working with those new to the PIlates method to establish a solid classical Pilates foundation. She is enjoys working with clients of all levels and encourages them to maintain healthy mind and body connections and easily adapts movements to the special needs of clients who have physical limitations or injuries. Her focus on functional movement enhances the Pilates Method for those experiencing difficulty in daily movement due to age progression.
Christine has worked extensively with clients who have knee replacements; focusing on balancing the body’s core strength in combination with increasing the endurance and range of motion. Watching a client achieve movements they never expected to perform is Christine’s greatest reward.
Christine is an avid runner and has run one half marathon, several 10K’s and 5k’s. In October 2011 she ran the Peachtree City Classic 5K and placed first in her age group. She credits the Pilates Method for her performance as core strength, breathing and balanced footsteps are all integral aspects of running. Through her own running experience, she has created Pilates workshops to enhance a runner's performance. Christine also enjoys spending time with her family and relishes in watching her toddler develop.
