STAFF BIOS

Jill graduated from Tulane University where she was the president of the Newcomb Dance Club. Jill opened the first Pilates Studio in New Orleans from 1998-2005. After Hurricane Katrina Jill relocated to Palm Beach and recently opened Squeeze Pilates in the Poinciana Shopping Center. Jill is certified by West Coast Pilates and has been teaching in Palm Beach since 2005. Jill is also trained and certified in Aerobic Dancersize, Balletone, Spinning, Group Exercise Leader Deep South Alliance, Pilates for Golf Conditioning Specialist and a long time member of Pilates Method Alliance. Jill's primary motivation for starting her training was to develop core muscle conditioning after having 5 children and Pilates has been a blessing in her life.

Ashley has been personally doing pilates since she was 16 years old, due to minor scoliosis. She has continued with the method through College, when she was a Field Hockey player. Ashley had some serious foot surgeries and firing her rehabilitation she referred to Pilates to help with her feet, core stability and spinal health.

Ashley moved to Palm Beach in 2005, and found Pilates again in her life. After a few years, she decided that she loved doing it so much she wanted to become an instructor. She started her career in Palm Beach 2010, after getting her Contemporary Certification with Body & Core Pilates in Palm Beach Gardens. In 2012 she moved to a new Studio in West Palm Beach, and got another certification through Classical Pilates Education based in Boca Raton.

Ashley is PMA certified, and has taken many courses to continue her education. Ashley resides in West Palm Beach with her husband and son.

"Pilates is the complete coordination of mind, body and spirit." - Joseph Pilates

Born and raised in Hungary, Beata has had a love of sports since she was a child. At age of 6 she started her training in ballet. During college she focused the efforts of her extracurricular activities on step aerobics and „Prima Torna”, a special kind of gymnastics for women developed by a Hungarian ballet dancer. After earning her Masters, she started teaching English and German, meanwhile, she made sure that exercise stayed in her daily routine so she worked in fitness studios instructing aerobics, step and core strengthening exercise classes. She left Hungary when she won the Green Card Lottery and moved to the United States. She taught at The Breakers for 7 years, mainly mat Pilates, cardio classes and one-on-one equipment Pilates. She has taught at Pilates of the Palm Beaches, a private Pilates studio located at PGA National Resort for 8 years where she has gained most of her experience instructing on all of the Pilates equipments. As an instructor Beata combines her experience in education, teaching skills and passion for sports and healthy life style. She is a certified Pilates instructor by International Fitness and Aerobic Academy. She also holds a certification as fitness instructor by Fitness Academy Vocational Secondary School, Budapest, Hungary, and is certified water aerobic instructor by the United States Water Fitness Association. She also completed a 200 hour yoga teacher training last year.

Erika started her physical education early on in life beginning Ballet and Jazz dance at age five. She attended Denver School of the Arts majoring in Voice and Dance. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance in 2006 from Metropolitan State College of Denver. She then continued on for more education and received her second Bachelor’s in Dance Education in 2011 from Palm Beach Atlantic University. She switched paths into the fitness realm after having her first child and took her first Barre class. She became certified in Xtend Barre in 2011 and received multiple certifications from them in other Barre forms. She completed her full comprehensive Pilates certification from Classical Pilates Education in 2014. Erika loves teaching beginners to super advanced clients reach their full potential and strives to make each workout fun, innovative, challenging, and rewarding. She believes fitness is for every body regardless of age, injuries, or experience. She is originally from Denver, CO but has called West Palm Beach home for the last ten years with her husband, two beautiful children and one baby on the way!

Karen Lee most recently came from the shores of Nantucket where she was Pilates Director at the Westmoor Club for the last 4 years. She spent 10 years at Canyon Ranch in the Berkshires where she specialized in fitness, movement therapy, Gyrotonics and PT. Ms.Lee held a private practice for over a decade in Lenox MA where she also is a seasoned actress, performer& choreographer. Karen began her career as a Broadway dancer around the world and holds a double BFA from Hunter College in Dance&Sociology. She holds certifications from The Pilates Center, PhysicalMind Institute, Stott and American College of Sports Medicine. Ms Lee is passionate about posture and loves to teach for life!

Liz Redinger, a graduate of the Univertisity of Rhode Island with a BS in Human Science and Services, received her Pilates training at the Jen McWalters Pilates Studio in Rhode Island. Approaching a decade of Pilates experience, Liz alternates her seasonal teaching schedule between Palm Beach, New York City, and the Hamptons. Her instruction includes both private clients and studio work. Liz is certified on all apparatus and mat work. Her fitness skills and experience include strength and conditioning, personal training, stretching, pool pilates and pool aerobics, with prior experience as a AFAA-certified aerobics instructor.

Marcella is a very highly trained Professional on our team. Her Pilates certification is through the Kane School of Integration and Power Pilates. She is also certified in Xtendbarre, Zumba, FitTour Aqua, Aerobics, Ace Group Fitness Instructor, Xen Strength Yoga. Personal Training Certifications are through National Academy of Sports Medicine and National Strength and Conditioning Association. Marcella is also trained in dance and is a former Rockette. She is the mother of 2 children.

Nichole Kahn (Nikki) is a Balance Body certified instructor with additional certifications in Pilates for Neurological Disorders and the American Council on Exercise (ACE). Her own battle with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has lead her to the Pilates Reformer as a form of rehabilitation. She realized through her dance background that the Pilates Reformer allows users to focus on their weaknesses and re-train the brain to communicate to the body. Nikki uses her experiences professionally and personally to help others with neurological conditions enhance their everyday lives.

Victoria Wallace is a fitness professional with over 35 years of training and experience. Victoria recently moved to the Palm Beaches from Nassau, Bahamas where she managed a successful fitness practice at the exclusive Lyford Cay Club for 18 years.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in fitness/exercise science and health from The Wichita State University where she was a scholarship athlete and captain of the WSU track team, who competed in the NCAA finals. She works with a variety of clients who have specific challenges and goals including a Pilate program for golfers wanting to improve their game.

Victoria offers one-on-one, partner, group training or home training. She holds certifications from a number of other renowned fitness based organizations including ACE, IDEA, YMCA and XPertRating. Victoria has recently completed training for a Pilates Master Mentor Program with first generation Joseph Pilates Master, Lolita San Miguel. The two year, 160 hour course required practicum, testing, presentations and intensive training over 24 months.

I came to Pilates from a place of pain. I grew up in the Colorado Mountains and have skied since the age of three. Athletics and competition have always been a big part of my life. Over the years, repetitive use, competition training and injuries have taken a toll on my body. When I began doing Pilates, it literally changed my life. Making me strong from the inside out and prolonging the spaces between surgeries. Quite naturally after experiencing the vast benefits of practicing, I wanted to share the benefits and knowledge with others.

 

• 2015: Studies Biology and Physical Therapy at Colorado Mesa University
• 2009-2011: Pilates with Parkinsons Case Study
• 2006: Certified with Polestar in Contemporary Rehab Pilates
• 2001: Pre-nursing at the University of Northern Colorado
• 2003: Licensed Massage Therapist
• 2006: Certified Personal Trainer
• 1989: Ski Patrol
• 1985: Certified Ski Instructor
• Group Exercise Instructor
• Reiki Practitioner, 2nd Degree
• Tae Kwan Do and Yoga Student
• CPR and First Aid Certified

Ginelle Ruffa combines her professional dance experience with her extensive education in exercise physiology to specialize in dance-based workouts that honor the body’s physiological and anatomical integrity. Ginelle graduated with an Exercise Science, B.S. degree from Palm Beach Atlantic University in 2018. Ginelle serves as a fitness instructor, specializing in Barre, Pilates and continues to empower clients to reach their optimal fitness potential in a safe and motivating environment. Ginelle also works as a personal training for cancer patients at Palm Beach Atlantic University, utilizing exercise oncology to promote health, fitness, and rehabilitation from cancer related fatigue. Ginelle is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and is certified through Les Mills, Classical Pilates Education, and Vault. Ginelle serves as a titleholder in the Miss America Organization and was honored to be crowned Miss Miami Beach 2017 and Miss Fort Lauderdale 2018. Ginelle devotes her influence to educate, equip, and empower clients to achieve extraordinary health through providing a safe, exciting, and motivational fitness atmosphere.

Pilates Journey Ginelle Ruffa studied mat Pilates throughout her ballet training and began incorporating Pilates apparatus into her fitness routine after a debilitating back injury at the age of 14 during her dance career. Her physical therapist incorporated Pilates reformer into her rehabilitation routine and it so drastically transformed Ginelle’s body and healed her injury that she bought a Pilates reformer of her own and trained every day during her professional dance career. Upon retiring as a professional ballerina, Ginelle combined her passion for dance and movement with her Exercise Physiology degree and became a certified Pilates instructor to help clients and patients experience the drastic healing that transformed her body. Ginelle’s mission is to educate, equip, and empower clients to achieve extraordinary health!