Ellie Herman

Founder of Ellie Herman Studios

Ellie has been teaching Pilates for since 1990.  She is an internationally recognized Pilates Instructor and author of eight Pilates books, including Pilates for Dummies. She also has a Master of Science degree in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.

For more info about Ellie, click here for A Brief History of Ellie Herman

Denise Vidal

Rehabilitation Specialist, Senior Trainer

Denise was certified in Pilates instruction in 2005 and Standing Pilates Instruction in 2007 with the Physical Mind Institute, and with Balanced Body University in 2008. She has studied very closely with Doris Pasteleur Hall and Lesley Powell, CMA, while continuing her education with Irene Dowd, Eric Franklin, and Tom Myers.  Denise has danced professionally with the Pennsylvania Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Metropolitan Opera Ballet, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, and the New Chamber Ballet.  Currently, Denise is earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology at City University of New York.

Anna Tibbetts

Senior Trainer

Anna began her career in movement when she entered the dance program at Marymount Manhattan College of Liberal Arts in New York City’s Upper East Side.  There she trained in both ballet and modern dance with a strong focus in the Martha Graham technique. After completing her B.F.A. in dance, she was introduced to the Kane School of Core Integration.  It was there that she discovered Pilates as an aid to better understanding movement in dance and everyday life.  When Ellie Herman decided to move her business to the east coast, Anna was part of the first teacher training program. Anna was certified and is currently a Senior Trainer at our Brooklyn Studio.

Liese Schneider

Senior Trainer

Liese originally engaged with holistic health work while searching for a sustainable, non-invasive remedy to the chronic foot and back pain she has suffered since she was a teenager. In the course of her successful therapeutic study, she graduated from Institute for Integrative Nutrition in 2007 as a Board Certified Holistic Health Counselor. Liese studied Pilates under Ellie Herman, managed the Ellie Herman Studios in Park Slope for over a year, and was certified by Ellie as a Pilates Instructor.  She still teaches at Ellie Herman Studios and is also the fitness instructor at the Brooklyn Latin School. In her private practice, Liese specializes in foot and back injuries, therapeutic rehabilitation, youth, and general fitness.  She has worked with clients of all kinds – young, old, experienced or with special needs – to achieve strength, endurance, optimal body weight, balanced nutrition, and healthier lifestyles.

Chantall Brachmann-Scott

Senior Trainer, intenSati leader

Chantall became a Pilates believer by experiencing it transform her own body. Being able to move free of pain, with ease and confidence changed her life. This transformation fueled her desire to learn and share this method with others. She studied with Lesley Powell CMA, Doris Pastelleur-Hall, Eric Franklin and Denise Vidal and is certified through Balanced Body.

Currently Chantall is deepening the commitment to her craft with Brent Anderson, PhD, PT and studying kinsetetic anatomy with Irene Dowd. Her goal is to inspire and motivate people to move, by tailoring the sessions according to their individual goals and limitations. She hopes to help them gain awareness, and bring happiness and good health into their lives.

Chantall completed the intenSati (satilife.com) leader training with Patricia Moreno in February 2010 and is excited and grateful to bring this body sculpting, heart pumping workout and method of creating awareness and intention through movement to the Ellie Herman Annex. Be prepared to break a sweat while having lots of fun. Looking to lose some extra pounds? This is the perfect workout for you!

Tara Frederickson

Senior Trainer, Rehabilitation Specialist

Tara Schoch Frederickson is a certified trainer at Ellie Herman Studio.  She studied dance and theater at The Boston Conservatory, and started practicing Pilates after an injury.  She received her certification through STOTT Pilates, and has been teaching since 2001. She studied anatomy with Irene Dowd, and also has experience in Alexander and Proprioceptive Movement Techniques.   She is both energetic and patient, and is great for clients looking to hone the basics, as well as advanced students seeking to deepen their training.

Nicole Watkins

Senior Trainer

Nicole is a modern dancer and certified pilates instuctor. She completed her certification with Ellie Herman Studio, and also holds a Mat pilates certification with Power Pilates. She has a passion for discovering and sharing the complexities of the body, as well as the knowledge it gives us. Nicole aims to help people find greater body awareness while providing a challenging workout at any fitness level.

Candice Brown

Senior Trainer

Candice first encountered Pilates in 2000 in New York. She fell in love! Candice has been performing professionally for the past 16 years. All the years of ballet, jazz, tap and acrobatics created obvious wear and tear on her body and she quickly became aware that all the doctors care in the world wouldn’t help. Finally, in finding Pilates she found a way to help her rehabilitate and increase the shelf life of her body.

Candice moved to San Francisco at the end of 2003 and was certified with Ellie Herman Studios, as well as studying the neuromuscular re-education work of Vladimir Janda with Lizz Roman. Experienced with all levels and bodies, including pre- and post-natal, she truly enjoys sharing the knowledge of the Pilates method with her wonderful, hardworking clients. Candice continues performing nationally with various musicals, only now she does it painlessly!

Zoe Levine

Certified Personal Trainer and MELT instructor

Zoe Bowick Levine is a certified personal trainer and MELT instructor who specializes in pre and post-natal training and rehabilitative fitness. She has a degree in dance, is certified through the American Council on Exercise, and has been helping her clients reach their health and fitness goals for the past 8 years.   Her goal is to inspire and motivate people to move, bringing energy and health into all aspects of their lives.  In addition to training extensively with Sue Hitzman the creator of the MELT Method, she also recently enjoyed acting as the exercise specialist at Renew Physical Therapy under the guidance of women’s health specialist Isa Herrera and just this year has completed a Doula Training course.  Zoe is currently studying Craniosacral Therapy, and is always looking for ways to help people get out of pain and back into their lives.  She has been a dancer, yogi, and passionate student of the human body for most of her life and is part of a growing number of fitness professionals looking to redifine fitness. Fitness is no longer just about big muscles, superhero strength, and pounding yourself into the ground until you can’t walk the next day. Fitness is a body that is pain free, active, and healthy on a regular basis.

Viki Kelly

Certified Trainer

Viki is a gymnastics instructor who found Pilates through an ad on a laundromat wall.  Following this serendipitous beginning, the mental and physical improvements that resulted from her increased dedication to Pilates was astounding.  Her desire to share this discovery with others inspired Viki to pursue her Mat and Reformer certifications at Pilates Academy International and training in Pilates through pregnancy with Pilates Method Alliance.  Viki’s detail oriented nature comes through during every class as she cues each movement. She is excited to be completing her equipment certifications and teaching at Ellie Herman Studios.

Lauren Maples

Children’s Yoga Instructor

Lauren Maples, the founder and director of Bija Kids Yoga, is a certified yoga instructor, professional ballet dancer and nanny with more then eight years experience working with children in various settings.  Bija Kid’s philosophy is based on the idea that all seeds or bija (in Sanskrit) have the ability to flourish with proper care and nurturing.  Classes instruct children in physical postures (asana), breathing practices (pranayama), and age appropriate meditation techniques in a lively and creative setting.

Cari Friedman

Yoga Instructor

Through her teaching, Cari inspires students to embrace their authentic self using the Universal Principles of Alignment - a system that empowers one to stabilize and reclaim their freedom through Hatha Yoga.  Drawing on life experiences, she makes classes fun and challenging, yet soft in the way she brings students to experience the good in all things and cultivate awareness during life’s most radical unveilings.  Cari’s primary motivation lies in supporting others to welcome their nature & bring clarity into their hearts.

Cari Friedman O’Connor is an Anusara Inspired teacher of more than 9 years.  She is inspired by and grateful to John Friend, Desiree Rumghbaugh, and Rajanaka Scholar Douglas Brooks, who has influenced and shaped her perspective and participation in the world.   She has been teaching classes, retreats and workshops for nearly 10 years, and was certified under Max Strom in 2001.  She is mother to Monet her shining light and married to Todd who has uncovered her veil to the essence of partnership.

Dan Rindler

Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner

Dan Rindler is a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner and a Certified Child’Space Practitioner with a private practice in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Dan became interested in the Feldenkrais method after it helped him address repetitive strain injuries he had sustained as a music student.  He became fascinated with movement, and the mind-body connection and dedicated to helping others through this approach. Dan works with clients from all walks of life: infants with developmental delays or special needs, adults with chronic pain or neurological issues, performing artists and athletes looking to improve their performance, and many others.

Patricia Maples

Apprentice Pilates Trainer & Yoga Instructor

Patricia Maples is a 200-hour level certified yoga teacher.  She received her certification in 2002 through the Integral Yoga Institute, and has continued her studies with an array of teachers across many different yogic disciplines.  Patricia is also a Pilates instructor, currently pursuing her full certification with Ellie Herman Pilates, and a former licensed massage therapist.  Her true passion, however, is nutrition and the role it plays in health.  A graduate of The French Culinary Institute, Patricia specializes in gluten-free and raw food cuisine, and utilizes all of her skills and research to assist her clients in achieving their wellness goals.  She holds bachelor’s degrees in both Political Science and Religious Studies, and before she became interested in human health, she worked as a veterinary technician for many years, tending to the health and happiness of the other members of the animal kingdom.

Alison Conte

ACE Certified Fitness Instructor, intenSati Trainer

Alison is passionate about health and happiness. She believes in the power of IntenSati to transform bodies and lives. Her love for IntenSati inspired her to do leader training with Patricia Moreno (founder of IntenSati) so she could share the practice with others. She currently teaches IntenSati at Columbia University and at the Ellie Herman Annex. Alison is also pursuing her masters in nurse-midwifery at Columbia.

Batya Shiffeldrim

Rehabilitation Specialist, Senior Trainer

Batya is certified in the Pilates Method through California-based BASI (Body Arts and Sciences International) Pilates.  She certified comprehensively in apparatus and matwork with Tali Hanoch, student of Rael Issacowitz, in Tel Aviv, Israel.  She has been teaching since January, 2008.

Batya has studied and taught a wide-ranging clientele of all ages and fitness goals, developing a specialized focus on rehabilitative and post-Physical Therapy needs.  She brings sensitivity and dedication to her teaching, encouraging her clients to achieve self-awareness and precision in their workouts.  Batya believes in the client-centered workout, and structures each lesson to address each individual body.  She is described as knowledgeable, attentive and compassionate.

Batya cultivates a focus on posture and efficiency of movement.  She continues to deepen her study of the human body in space through coursework in anatomy, kinesiology and body mechanics.  Her teachers have included Marika Molnar (PT and Dance Medicine specialist,) Gill Solberg (clinical kinesiologist and diagnostician) and Yoel Shmueli (master trainer and kinesiologist.)  She has also completed two pre-Med. courses in Anatomy and Physiology.

Batya has taught in Tel Aviv and in New York and in addition to her work at Ellie Herman Pilates, runs her own Pilates practice in affiliation with a Rehab/PT office in Long Island. She is pursuing pre-Physical Therapy coursework, and has completed observation hours at several NY-area Physical Therapy clinics.  She holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Cornell University.

Tracie Matthews

Rehabilitation Specialist, Senior Trainer

Tracie Matthews is a senior trainer and rehabilitation specialist at Ellie Herman Studio. Her professional training includes kinesthetic anatomy with Irene Dowd, Somatic Movement Therapy with Dr. Martha Eddy, as well as numerous professional continuing education courses with the PMA, ACE, Pilates Style and others. In addition, she is experienced in working with pre- and post-natal, clients in post-rehab, dancers and other professional movers. Tracie’s keen observation skills coupled with her effortless skills as a Pilates communicator challenge and nurture her clients through the Pilates exercises. She is always working to guide, inspire and challenge her clients through movement and the mind-body connection. Tracie strives to provide a quality and personal Pilates experience to meet the health and fitness goals of each person.

“In 8 months she’s completely transformed my body. …I can’t imagine anyone guiding you through it better than Tracie.” Sitij Agrawal

Beth Meluch

Apprentice Pilates Trainer,  Visual Artist

Beth completed Ellie’s teacher training program in 2008. She is also an award winning visual artist.

Lauren Bernard

Certified Trainer

Lauren graduated from the University of the Arts in 2010 with a degree in Jazz Dance. Since moving to New York she has completed the Ellie Herman Teacher Training Program while continuing to pursue dance.

Meghan Frederick

Apprentice Pilates Trainer, Dance Teacher

Meghan has been dancing since before she could walk and is thrilled to be making a career of it in New York City. She grew up in coastal Maine and graduated from Hampshire College in 2007 with a self-designed degree in cultural studies. Meghan currently dances with the Brian Brooks Moving Company and is working on her Pilates Certification through Ellie Herman Pilates. Meghan is very excited to be teaching dance classes at the Annex; her class will draw from many current release techniques presented within a more traditional structure, ensuring that you get a chance to MOVE.

Kesa Huey

Apprentice Pilates Trainer

Kesa Huey is a professional dancer, teacher and arts administrator. She has been practicing Pilates for 16 years, and dancing even longer. Looking for ways to stay healthy and strong, she always winds around to more Pilates; she is currently pursuing her teacher certification with Ellie Herman.  Kesa has an extensive background in ballet and modern dance, and currently works with Ana Isabel Keilson (NY) and Anne-Sophie Fenner’s flowingdancecompany (Zürich). Kesa graduated magna cum laude from the University of Washington in anthropology and dance.

Shadia Marie

Student Pilates Trainer

Shadia Marie first discovered Pilates as an injured runner many years ago and fell in love after feeling all the benefits it had to offer. In 2007, she completed the Polestar Pilates training program in the Universal Pilates Reformer series. Currently she is deepening her Pilates education with Ellie Herman, working towards certification in Mat and Apparatus. She is a certified MELT (Myofascial Energetic Length Technique) Instructor, training extensively with Sue Hitzmann, the creator of the method. She has found that MELT and Pilates go hand and hand to increase body awareness, decrease pain, strengthen the core and improve overall alignment. She loves teaching and learning about the body through a range of methods. When she is not teaching Pilates and MELT, you can often find her practicing yoga and meditation.

Lena Friedman

Student Pilates Trainer

Lena has a Masters in Creative Arts Therapy and is a Certified Group Psychotherapist. She has worked with groups and individuals for the past fifteen years. Lena will combine her knowledge of relaxation and breathing techniques with pilates core engagement.

Rebecca Maker

Apprentice Pilates Trainer

Rebecca Maker first encountered Pilates in 2003–she fell in love with the way it made her feel, and has been practicing ever since. She is currently pursuing her certification through Ellie Herman Studios. She has a passion for helping people find strength, length and mobility and is particularly interested in helping her clients experience the functional benefits of Pilates. She enjoys working with clients of all levels.

Steve Dowdell

Certified Trainer, Teaches Pilates for Men

Steve has been an avid weightlifter and cyclist since his teens, and as an older adult also trained in martial arts. He turned to Pilates in 2007 on the advice of a physical therapist, after a series of injuries sidelined him from his weight-training regimen. Thanks to Pilates’ focus on training the whole body in an integrated fashion, he soon recognized, and learned to correct the imbalances and lack of flexibility that 30 years of conventional athletic pursuits had wreaked upon his body. He was hooked. A writer and editor by profession, Steve also had “workstation jockey” postural issues that Pilates also quickly cleared up.

Anna Sheinman

Vinyasa Yoga Instructor

Anna has been practicing yoga for over 12 years and teaching since 2008. 

She is a passionate yoga practitioner, a yoga student and a teacher.

Anna is more than 500-hrs-RYT yoga instructor through Yoga Sutra where she continues to study with her mentor, Guta Hedewig.

Anna is trained in Vinyasa, Vinyasa Krama, alignment and classical philosophical methods in the tradition of T. Krishnamacharya.

Anna has studied with Richard Freeman, Dr. Jeffrey Rubin, Srivatsa Ramaswami, as well Dr. Edwin Bryant. She also completed a Yoga therapy intensive week with TKV Desikachar and Gary Kraftsow. 

To read more about Anna follow the link: www.streamoflifeyoga.com.