Core Pilates of 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 came upon Pilates. She resonated with the principles of Pilates and the emphasis it places on proper biomechanics for optimal outcomes. Karen has earned multiple mat certifications from both Pilates Certification Center and most recently Stott Pilates for both mat and reformer. In the summer of 2008, Karen completed a four day intensive course at Mt. Sinai Medical School on Functional Anatomy for Movement and Injuries. The in-depth knowledge she gained through this experience, as well as from many other continuing education courses she has pursued to further her knowledge and expertise, has been beneficial for her skills as both a mat and reformer teacher. Karen has a genuine passion for technique and movement efficiency. Karen's greatest talent is her creativity in the classroom, and her sincere interest in helping all of her clientele.

Susan has been an accomplished competitive athlete for most of her life involved in gymnastics, master's level swimming and triathlons. Before the birth of her first child, she gravitated toward yoga as a means to keep her in shape during and after pregnancy. The philosophy and principles of yoga became an integral part of Susan's life, and facilitated her ability to regain and build core strength and flexibility. Most recently, Susan earned her comprehensive 200 hour yoga certification through Yoga Source in their teacher training program. Susan is delighted to share the very gifts she has received from yoga with her students at Core Pilates, and is eager to inspire them with acceptance of the body, peace of mind, and a deeper exploration of spirit.

Sarah holds a master's degree in Dance/Movement therapy from Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA. While working as a dance/movement therapist, she gravitated towards yoga as a means to keep her body strong and mind centered. For Sarah, yoga greatly influenced her lifestyle with inspiration and instillation of psychological calm and physical wellness. Most recently, Sarah completed her extensive Yoga Source Teacher training as well as becoming registered with Yoga Alliance. She is skilled teaching Hatha and Vinyasa styles yoga with great devotion to motivating her students to reach their highest potential through safe alignment focused classes. Her dance background inspires her talent and creativity in the classroom.

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 participants.

Brooke Davila began her professional dance training at the age of 14 at the School of American Ballet in Lincoln Center. She spent over two decades dancing for many world renowned contemporary companies. In 1999, her passion for movement and structural anatomy sparked her intererst in the Pilates method. Ultimately, it was during her rehabilitation from a severe knee injury that led her to pursue her comprehensive mat and apparatus certification through the New York based Power Pilates. In 2004, Brooke graduated from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in NYC with a degree in nutritional counseling and is now a certified nutritional coach.

In the summer of 2008, Brooke will complete her 200-hour yoga teacher training certification. At Core Pilates, Brooke teaches group mat and works with clientele on the reformer/apparatus. She is a motivating instructor that sincerely believes in an integrative approach towards health and wellness.

Danica Kalemdaroglu has a love of movement that is only paralleled by her love of teaching. She has been a dancer for over twenty five years following her completion of a BA in dance performance/choreography from Goucher College as well as an MFA in performance/choreography from the University of Colorado in Boulder. In the early years of her career she suffered various injuries which lead her to pursue Pilates. With the assistance of Pilates, she has been injury free for almost ten years, allowing her to perform in the works of numerous renowned choreographers such as: Bebe Miller, Kevin Wynn, Trisha Brown and Martha Graham. Her own choreography has been performed throughout Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia, New York and Colorado. Danica has taught modern, ballet and jazz dance in various private studios spreading her passion for dance.

Upon completion of her full certification in all levels of matwork and apparatus from the Pilates Center in Boulder, Danica taught Pilates in the metro DC area for several years, prior to relocating to Richmond. Her mission as a Pilates instructor is to help others achieve a balance within their bodies that improves their quality of life.

Rosie, a native southern Californian, received her BA in Dance from California State University of Long Beach in 2003. While at CSULB, Rosie was inspired by Karen Clippinger who taught all the dance science and Pilates courses. She became intrigued with anatomy and how the body worked. Karen Clippinger teamed up with Rael Isacowitz, a very well respected master of the Pilates method. Together, they developed a Summer Intensive Pilates Certification course through Body Arts and Science International. Rosie was part of the first class to be certified through this course, which included all levels of mat and apparatus technique plus an entire separate repertoire of dance specific exercises. After completing her certification course, Rosie worked at Newport Physical Therapy which consisted of all Pilates-based exercises, mostly performed on the reformer. At that point, Rosie concluded that Pilates therapy for dancers was what she wanted to pursue professionally. She started working on her pre-requisites for physical therapy school while gaining experience by working at several Pilates studios and physical therapy clinics. Rosie is now living in Richmond and is in her 2nd year of the Doctorate of Physical Therapy program at VCU. Rosie is also currently dancing as a member of Project Dance Company. Rosie’s experience and knowledge in dance, science and physical therapy is a great resource for Core Pilates. She is an outgoing and friendly instructor who enjoys inspiring others in both reformer/apparatus and mat classes!

Natalie’s passion for yoga was born out of a desire to learn and understand how to utilize the physical body to improve one’s physical and mental health and overall well-being.

Her background and experience as a certified fitness instructor provided a strong foundation for her inquiry into yoga. Having practiced yoga for over ten years, Natalie earned her 200-hour Yoga Alliance certification in 2005 through Scott Anderson’s Alignment Yoga Program in Madison. Natalie’s focus with her students is making sure the internal workings of the body are grounded, letting breath be the guide. She has additional expertise in the practice of Yin Yoga having studied with both Paul Grilley and Sarah Powers. Natalie’s nurturing personality and passion for yoga are a powerful combination of inspiration and motivation in the classroom.

Nijah has been a licensed Physical Therapist since 1984 upon her receipt of her PT degree from Northeastern University in Boston, MA. Nijah’s interest in Pilates began she attended a seminar about Pilates for therapists. She found similarities between Physical Therapy and Pilates and felt Pilates was a valuable method of exercise to add to her skill set. Nijah pursued a Fit Tour mat Pilates certification and continued with training by attending multiple continuing education courses to further her knowledge. She has taught Pilates in a group exercise environment, and has also integrated the Pilates principles in her patient care.

Additionally, Nijah is AFAA (American Fitness Association of America) and AEA (Aquatics Exercise Association) trained instructor. She has been a an active group exercise instructor since college and has a contagious energy in the classroom.

Nijah is currently working on her doctoral degree in Health Sciences from the University of Indianapolis and is incorporating Pilates into her doctoral thesis. Nijah is a devoted instructor whose passion for learning and sharing her knowledge with her students is truly genuine.

Jaclyn earned a B.S. in Exercise Science from Radford University and is also certified through the National Association of Sports Medicine (NASM). She is pursuing her Intensive Mat Certification with Stott Pilates to add to her diverse skill set as a yoga and Pilates teacher and personal trainer.

For many years, Jaclyn has been an advocate of Pilates and yoga realizing and experiencing the many benefits each discipline delivers in strength and length of muscles, postural improvements, and relaxation benefits. She works as a personal trainer throughout the Richmond area and enjoys helping people see the benefits of functional training, positive imaging and balancing exercise with the busy and stressful lifestyle that so many of us experience. Jaclyn’s diverse background and genuine personality are a powerful combination of knowledge and skill that she shares with her class participants at Core Pilates.

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