ANNA CLARK
NYC
Anna has been in the fitness industry for over 17 years teaching Pilates, Yoga, Personal Training and Dance. She had been practicing Pilates for several years already when she became Power Pilates youngest teacher graduating at just 19 years old. She spent 7 years teaching daily next to her mentors Bob Liekens and Susan Moran Sheehy. In 2010, Anna decided to follow her dance dreams and moved to Senegal, West Africa. She spent 5 years traveling, teaching and running her own Pilates and Fitness business throughout the region. In 2015, she returned to NYC and trained for another 3 years under Alycea Ungaro's direction at Real Pilates in their Lead Trainer Program. In 2018, Anna partnered with Anne Jameson and opened her own studio, NeXa Pilates and Fitness. That same year she reunited with Bob Liekens in his LEAP Program, taught at Nexa Pilates before he passed away. Anna is now proud to carry on his legacy hosting Bob's program The Pilates Standard (TPS). Anna is a Teacher Trainer for TPS and National Director on the east coast of the United States.
TPS National Director, NeXa Pilates
212 803 3323 ~ learn@nexapilates.com
GINA PAPALIA
NYC
Gina Papalia - A Second Generation Teacher and owner of Grasshopper Pilates, NYC (est. 2000), lives in NYC with her husband and two pre teens. Gina fell in love with Pilates in college. After, she graduated with a BFA in Fine Arts & Dance she began her certificate training in January 1995 at SUNY Purchase, under Carol Dodge Baker, then studied at Drago's with Romana Kryzanowska and Bob Liekens at the Pilates Studio. Professionally she went on to perform with Dance Theatre of Harlem for five years.
Gina embraces each client individually and unconditionally, balancing a serious approach with a fun, friendly attitude. She challenges each client, working with their weaknesses and imbalances while acknowledging their strengths and accomplishments. Gina is PMA Certified, a teacher on Pilatesology, trains bi-weekly with Cary Regan and Phoebe Higgins, and is currently becoming certified in Fascia Manipulation.
Having worked closely with Bob Liekens for 23 years, and continuing to expand her knowledge of Pilates and the body, she is excited to be part of the The Pilates Standard team of teacher trainers and share The Pilates Method with the next generation of teachers.
TPS Regional Director, Grasshopper Pilates
ANNA CLARK
TRICIA O'DONNELL
Long Island, New York
Tricia O’Donnell, a former soloist with Pennsylvania Ballet, was certified by Romana Kryzanowska and Bob Liekens in 1997 through Pilates inc. in NYC. In 2000, she opened Pilates in Port, located on Long Island, NY. She has been privileged to train dancers, college athletes, two Olympic Figure skaters, as well as the general population. In 2011, she became an adjunct professor at Adelphi University for the dance department, helping the dancers incorporate the Pilates method into their dance. For over 21 years, Tricia was a student and friend of Bob Liekens. Through Bob’s invitation, she participated in The Pilates Standard’s LEAP program in October 2018, two weeks before Bob passed away. She is privileged to be bringing her 20+ years of experience to the TPS Teacher Training Program and carrying on the legacy of Romana Kryzanowska and Bob Liekens. Tricia is also TPS Regional Director for Long Island.
TPS Regional Director, Pilates In Port
NORA MACHIONE WEISS
Kingston, NY
Nora Machione Weiss is the owner of Pilates of Kingston, New York. She is an fervent advocate of the classical Pilates method. Formerly a corporate segment producer in New York City, Nora was introduced to Pilates in 1990. After suffering from a knee sprain while skiing it was suggested to help with rehabilitation. She was fortunate enough to be referred to Leah Chaback Katz who studied with Romana Kryzanowska, Bob Liekens, Phoebe Higgins and Cary Regan. After studying for more than a decade Nora felt classical Pilates was becoming very blended. She decided to get certified in Pilates to maintain the integrity of the classical method. She knew the only master teacher to study with was Bob Liekens. She continues to this day, to study with many other celebrated teachers. Most recently in 2018, Nora completed, by Bob’s invitation, the LEAP program. She then became a teacher trainer for his program, The Pilates Standard. Nora now honors Bob Liekens’ legacy by handing down the method to her students, and she is still skiing!
TPS Regional Director, Pilates of Kingston
JANET TECH
Marlton, NJ
Janet has been in the fitness Industry for over 30 years. She was intrigued with strength and movement her whole life, starting with her career as a bodybuilder. Janet won the IFBB World Championships in Puerto Rico as well as earning several top placements in the Pro ranks including the Ms. Olympia. Over the years Janet developed her personal training business. In the late 80's she was introduced to Pilates and realized how powerful the system was for the development of a strong and healthy body. This led Janet to New York City to study With Romana Kryzanowska to learn more. There at Drago's Gymnasium, she met Bob Liekens who was a constant Mentor throughout her Pilates journey. Janet eventually studied at Power Pilates, where she reconnected with Bob. Years later, he created The Pilates Standard and the LEAP program, Janet participated in the LEAP in 2018 and is now a teacher trainer for TPS.
TPS Regional Director, The Pilates Tech-nique
KAREN PEKARSKY
Philadelphia, PA
Karen has been in the fitness industry for over 30 years. In 1998, Karen began her training in the Classical Method of Pilates. She completed 700 Pilates method apprentice hours with Janine Galati (a Romana trained teacher). She then pursued the opportunity to continue and advance her studies with Power Pilates. In 2004, Karen earned her certificate of completion as a Comprehensive Teacher. In 2007, Karen opened her studio, Urban Front Pilates, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s Rittenhouse Square District. In 2009, Karen became a Power Pilates Teacher Trainer and Regional Director of education in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. In 2011, Karen was promoted to Power Pilates Senior Teacher Trainer. In September 2018, Bob Liekens invited Karen to his first LEAP training in the U.S. Having completed the LEAP, Karen earned her Teacher Trainer credentials with Bob Liekens company, The Pilates Standard (TPS). Karen has been a member and certified teacher with National Pilates Certification (the PMA) since 2009. Karen is also a Certified TRX Trainer and Certified Buff Bones Teacher. Karen now holds TPS teacher trainings in her studio to pass along Bob Lieken’s legacy.
TPS Regional Director, Urban Front Pilates
ALMA RAMOS
Washington, DC
Alma has been practicing Pilates for 34 years and teaching for 18. While training with San Francisco Ballet, Alma used Pilates to build strength for her ballet practice and, later, to rehabilitate injuries. Building on her dance experience, she studied Pilates under the late Julian Littleford, adapting his methodology into her own teaching. In addition to her mentor ship with Julian, Alma is Power Pilates certified, and a Pilates Teacher Trainer for The Pilates Standard. Alma also holds a certification in Muscle Activation Techinique (MAT) under Greg Roskoff, founder of the MAT method, and has taken all mastery level courses as well as MATRX Foot and Hand. Her studies continued with courses such as Resistance Training Specialists (RTS) and Cadaver Lab. Her education in anatomy and bio-mechanics has broadened her knowledge base and allow her to give even more value to The Pilates Standard teacher training programs.
TPS Regional Director, /kinesis/
LISSETTE VALDES
Washington, DC
Lissette joined Studio Lotus, Atlanta to run their marketing and client retention programs. Hoping to get into shape she started the Pilates Promise program: In 10 sessions you'll feel a difference, in 20 sessions you'll see a difference, in 30 sessions you'll have a whole new body. She offered to be the inaugural participant and by session 15 she was hooked. Lissette certified with Power Pilates and began teaching full time and running three studio locations. In addition to being well versed in classical Pilates, Lissette has taken many courses outside of the classical method including EDS, Alzheimers, and other neurological conditions. In 20__ Lissette joined forces with Alma Ramos to create Kinesis! After having taken every continuing education course twice from the late Bob Liekens, Lissette followed Bob to his new venture and became a teacher trainer for The Pilates Standard. Alma and Lissette are now both TPS teacher trainers and offer Teacher Training in their studio.
TPS Regional Director, /kinesis/
BONNIE GROOVE
Oakton, Virginia
Bonnie is a PMA Certified Pilates Teacher and has been extensively trained and certified by Power Pilates as both an advanced-level teacher and a Senior Teacher Trainer. She has taught teacher training programs and continuing education courses in the Washington, DC area, as well as in New York and Seoul, South Korea. She served on the Power Pilates Curriculum Committee for two years facilitating Power Pilates manual updates and continuing education courses. Bonnie founded Fluid Power Pilates in 2008, an in-home full-service Pilates studio offering private lessons as well as small group classes. Bonnie offers hands-on teaching with an expert eye to detail and precision, all with a healthy dose of compassion and positive energy. Bonnie completed Bob Lieken’s LEAP (Leading Education Advancement Program) in New York in September 2018, and is currently a Teacher Trainer with his company, The Pilates Standard. She is also completing the Red Thread program with Kathi Ross-Nash, during the year 2020.Bonnie is a PMA Certified Pilates Teacher and has been extensively trained and certified by Power Pilates as both an advanced-level teacher and a Senior Teacher Trainer. She has taught teacher training programs and continuing education courses in the Washington, DC area, as well as in New York and Seoul, South Korea. She served on the Power Pilates Curriculum Committee for two years facilitating Power Pilates manual updates and continuing education courses. Bonnie founded Fluid Power Pilates in 2008, an in-home full-service Pilates studio offering private lessons as well as small group classes. Bonnie offers hands-on teaching with an expert eye to detail and precision, all with a healthy dose of compassion and positive energy. Bonnie completed Bob Lieken’s LEAP (Leading Education Advancement Program) in New York in September 2018, and is currently a Teacher Trainer with his company, The Pilates Standard. She is also completing the Red Thread program with Kathi Ross-Nash, during the year 2020.
TPS Regional Director, Fluid Power Pilates
NORA GOMEZ
Florida
Nora Gomez-Dears was the director/founder of Atelier Pilates LLC in Somerville, MA from 2001-2016 and in Naples, FL since 2017. Nora began her Pilates journey as a 13yr. old dancer in Puerto Rico and was introduced to Pilates on the Mat by Lolita San Miguel. In 1997, she graduated from the Physical Mind Institute under the tutelage of Mary Bowen. From 2002-2010, Nora was an International Teacher Trainer for Power Pilates. In 2012 Nora completed the Masters in Pilates program through The Pilates Center of Boulder. In addition, Nora is a Teacher Trainer for Buff Bones and is a licensed and workshop provider for the Pilates Method Alliance since 2010. As of February 2019, Nora is a faculty member of The Pilates Standard and the Regional Director for the State of Florida.
Nora has a B.S. in Physical Education and Dance from the Univ of Wisconsin, in addition to graduate studies in Dance Movement Therapy and Counseling Psychology from Antioch Univ.
TPS Regional Director, Atelier Pilates
SUSAN BURNS
Bethesda, Maryland
Susan Smith Burns was introduced to Pilates in 1999 while finishing her Master of Science in Health Fitness Management at American University. She immediately fell in love with how Pilates made her feel, and how it complemented all of her other activities. She completed her initial Pilates Mat certification in 2000 with The PhysicalMind Institute and quickly followed it with their Pilates apparatus certification. Opportunity came knocking sooner than planned, and she opened balance, Your Pilates, Yoga, & Gyrotonic Studio in the Washington DC area in 2001. The studio is still in operation today.
Susan joined the classical Pilates world and first met Bob Liekens, founder of The Pilates Standard (TPS), when she completed her comprehensive certification with Power Pilates in 2005, then became a Teacher Trainer for that organization in 2010. She was invited by Bob to take his inaugural LEAP (Leading Education Advancement Program) 9-month training program in 2018 and was thrilled to subsequently join TPS as a Teacher Trainer in 2019.
TPS Regional Director, balance Studio