Karen Roodman
CORE Pilates of Richmond, LLC was founded by Karen. She started her career in movement at the young age of four, studying ballet, tap and jazz until her middle teens. As a young adult, she continued studying dance which ultimately led her to pursue a certification with AFAA (Aerobics and Fitness Association of America). Karen taught all types of movement classes for over twenty years. Through study and research she resonated with the priciples of Pilates and the emphasis it places on proper biomechanics for optimal outcomes. Karen has earned multiple certifications from both the Pilates Certification Center in Raleigh, NC as well as STOTT Pilates, where she earned certifications in mat, reformer and advanced training on all apparatus.

Karen has a special interest in anatomy and biomechanics and is an alumnus of the Functional Anatomy for Movement and Injuries (FAMI) workshop at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York. She spent four days learning from physicians, clinicians and anatomists about the musculoskeletal system of the body, common injuries and preventative measures. In addition, Karen has attended Balanced Body University Pilates on Tour in both Chicago and New York, pursuing coursework on the shoulder, pelvis and lower extremity, and repertoire programming. She is a member of the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA). In 2012, she will complete her advanced teacher training with Polestar, under the tutelage of Brent Anderson, PhD, PT, OCS. Karen's greatest talents are her technical teaching skills, creativity and sincere interest in helping her clientele.

Kara Kasarda
Kara has a wealth of experience in Pilates, dance and fitness. She is an accomplished instructor who earned her mat and apparatus training through the PhysicalMind Institute. She studied dance while in school at George Mason University and thereafter continued to study and master principles and fundamentals of dance, kinesiology, movement analysis and Pilates by achieving additional certifications from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), and specialized Pilates for Golf conditioning training. Kara also has extensive training in both pre and postnatal Pilates developing programming for expectant mothers as well as post-partum conditioning.

Kara has a plethora of experience to benefit clientele of all levels. She teaches both group mat and works with clientele on the reformer/apparatus at CORE Pilates. Kara is constantly seeking out new methods of instruction to bring more variety and better results for her class participation.

Brooke Fricke
Brooke is a seasoned teacher that has depth and diversity with her interests and experience. She spent most of her life as a professional classical dancer in New York City and abroad. Bringing together her love of the body and the concepts of dynamic alignment, she completed her advanced level mat and apparatus training through Power Pilates in 1999. In 2004, Brooke graduated from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York.

Most recently, after a decade of her own practice, Brooke completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training through Yoga Source, in Richmond, VA. She is currently pursuing her Level V training in the Ki-Hara Resistance Stretching technique. Brooke is dedicated to educating, motivating and inspiring her Pilates students with simplicity, fun and enthusiasm.

Jenna Bonham
Jenna's love of movement began at the age of four when she began dance and gymnastics. As a native Northern Virginian, she pursued both disciplines for over fifteen years. While attending James Madison University, she became a gymnastics instructor adn simultaneously began to pursue Pilates. She embraced the holistic principles of biomechanics and love for anatomy that pilates advocates, and ultimately pursued a full certification from Body Arts and Sciences (BASI).

Jenna is a Registered Nurse practicing at St. Mary's Hospital in the Medical Surgical field. She has a genuine love of giving which makes her an invaluable teacher. Her kind hearted disposition and commitment to teaching excellence are great assets to the Core Pilates team.

Caroline Sutphin
As a native of France, Caroline brings her European charm and grace to Core Pilates. Caroline's energy and passion for her native tongue, French, and love of movement are contagious. Educated at LaSorbonne in Paris, achieving a Masters degree in Sales and Marketing, Caroline began her career in business while simultaneously keeping a strong interest in dance and fitness. She suffered multiple overuse injuries from her pursuit of aerobics, and turned to Pilates. After her realization that a Pilates practice is so effective for achieving strength, improved posture, muscle lengthening and balance to her life, she decided to pursue her teacher certification. Caroline is a certified Stott Pilates instructor and highly motivated to inspire others with her knowledge and passion. She believes Pilates is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle.