Meet the Instructors at Studio One Pilates in Anchorage, Alaska.

ANA KOKAUROVA, Training Director & Rolfer (R),

My background is in classical ballet. I started studying at the Anchorage Classical Ballet Academy in 1996; then went on to be a student at Joffrey Ballet through New School University in New York City in 1999. At that time I became curious about how to improve my body and began studying Pilates and Gyrotonics. In 2001, I was accepted to be an apprentice at BalletMet Columbus, Ohio, performing with the company for one year.

I have been at Studio One Pilates since 2002 and have gone through the following certifications:

Instructor Trainer for Pilates for Structural Integration, 2009 Studio One Pilates, Anchorage, Alaska

Certified Advanced Rolfer (R), 2007 Rolf Institute, Boulder, Colorado

Certified Rolfer (R), 2005 Rolf Institute, Boulder, Colorado

STOTT Certifications - All Level in: Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, Arc Barrel, Ladder Barrel, Spine Corrector, Injuries and Special Populations, 2002- 2004 Stott Pilates, Toronto, Canada

I am now the Training Director at Studio One Pilates. Recruiting, hiring and training all of your instructors is just one of the many things I enjoy about working in the studio. In this capacity, I also quality review group classes, private lessons and Boot Camps. This process helps us to maintain the consistency and quality you've come to expect in all of our classes. Throughout the year, I work to continue improving our training program, so your instructors have the most up-to-date training available here at the studio. I regularly monitor the needs of our clients so new classes may be added according to the time slots and skill levels needed. This summer we just launched our focus of the month series. This has allowed both employees and clients alike to have the opportunity to work with specific areas of the body which they may feel need more attention. I have really enjoyed being a part of these new information labs, and I look forward to continuing to help you reach your goals here at Studio One. My favorite success story�After working with a private client in her sixties for two years she was able to roll up off of the floor beautifully using her abs without the use of props for the first time in years. Who says your spine can't get better with age! Personally, Pilates has helped me become a calmer person. I am grateful for everyday that I get to work at Studio One.

JESSICA STROLLE, Client Fulfillment Specialist & Instructor

I joined the studio over 3 years ago. At that time I was overweight and struggling daily with severe neck and back pain. After one week of Pilates I was hooked! I learned good posture isn't a flat back and the ability to balance a book on my head. The instructors at Studio One taught me how to support my upper body without using my neck or shoulders. I no longer suffer from chronic pain! Plus, I lost over forty pounds! My transformation is what inspired me to become an instructor because I now have the privilege of helping others transform their own bodies! My classes are tough! I offer hard workouts but still assist clients with subtle shifts in their breathing and whole body connections

JENNIFER MILLS, Assistant Training Director & Instructor

I first encountered Pilates when I was dancing in the Alaska Dance Theatre Company. Even after years of ballet and jazz training, nothing has made me feel stronger. Pilates has personally helped me in my dancing practice; improving my technique, balance, strength, longevity, and my body alignment in movements. I found it to help me rehabilitate and strengthen my body from past injuries, while preventing others from occurring.

I love combining my dancing experience with my Studio One training in each of my classes, teaching my clients to be self-aware and precise in each movement of exercise. It is great to be part of Studio One where I get to teach such a wide range of clientele, all with different fitness goals. I enjoy helping each client reach their specific goals through attentiveness, knowledge, and compassion.

It is inspiring to see how Studio One changes lives. I believe that everybody can benefit from our program, regardless of age or level of fitness. I love seeing clients become more empowered over their own bodies, and then effectively and safely doing the things they love. I am looking forward to growing and developing my skills along side Studio One.

JESSICA MUSGROVE, Instructor

My story is that of many of the clients I now work with. Chronic low back pain, foot pain, shoulder and neck tension and migraines - I was a hot mess. I started at the Studio as a client in a two-week boot camp in early 2009 and amazingly didn't lose any inches. Although my measurements didn't change - I believed in the promise of Studio One because I FELT different and loved the staff here. Now I am a part of the staff - teaching mat classes, reformer classes, boot camps, and private lessons. I truly believe you can change your body, mind and life here. My change was from the inside out, so it took a lot of patience to achieve my physical goals (I have gained over an inch in height, am pain-free and lost several inches around my middle). I am now working on different personal goals and I learn something from every class I teach or take - so feel free to ask me questions anytime, I am happy to help.

My classes are very much a reflection of my personality. Detailed. I love breaking down a difficult exercise into its basic components, working on those and then bringing them all together and relating them to real life. Whether you enjoy running, snowmachining or playing with your kids - the exercises we do here are to help you live a pain free life outside the studio. Kegel!

TAMMY SMITH, Human Resource Manager & Instructor

Initially I came to Studio One Pilates to help improve my posture. Having never lived anywhere as cold as Alaska, just bundling up trying to stay warm each season was starting to weigh me down. But since my success of losing 4.25 inches in my boot camp, my posture has improved, and the benefits I have received, have meant so much more!

In 2010 I attended a job fair to apply as a part-time evening instructor. 18 months later, I'm still privileged to be an instructor of the Whole Body Boot Camp and a group class assistant. Due to my background in recruiting and professional resume writing, I have since added Human Resources and special projects to my repertoire of skills here at Studio One.

I am very fortunate to have such a diverse role that allows me to interact daily with our clients, while supporting each member of our staff as they continue growing with the company.

AMANDA HARRINGTON, Instructor

ELAINE RASHER, PFSI Instructor & Rolfer (R)

I have been an instructor here at Studio One since it's opening in May of 2001. I have taught private lessons and all levels of group Pilates classes, both matwork and reformer. Currently, I teach the 11 am Core Level Reformer classes on Monday and Wednesday. My main focus in these classes is helping clients to use their breathing, pelvic floor and inner thighs while strengthening their feet and legs. This increases the clients capacity to center their nervous systems and work effectively from their core.

I really enjoy teaching private lessons. Private lessons allow me to work with a wide variety of clients, answer questions, teach new/refine existing skills and provide support. I love it when I can help someone attain an "Ah-ha!" moment. When something they have struggled with, an exercise or a connection, finally comes together and they "get it". It gives me goosebumps. When I began my Pilates practice, my posture was less than perfect, I had to work very hard to learn how to imprint properly, activate my abdominals and move from my core. Many years, a baby and a low back injury later, I am still refining and strengthening these skills. The practice helps to relax my mind, stretch my body and diminish any pain I might be feeling. As a Rolfer ®, I find that the combination of Pilates and Rolfing is the fastest, most effective way to create postural changes. As a result, I incorporate a small amount of tissue work with the Pilates in my private lessons. This approach is particularly effective if a postural pattern is "getting in the way" of the exercise performance.

Favorite client success story? There have been so many over the years it's hard to narrow it down to just one. I recently had a Rolfing client who is a runner. For the past 2 years he had not been able to run more than 13 miles without hip pain. After completing the first 5 sessions of the Rolfing® 10 Series he ran 20.1 miles with no pain!! I have a long time Pilates client with many injuries and low back pain who has struggled for years to find and use her low abs. She is now able to find and use them at will. Her low back has stabilized and she is without pain most days. I also worked with a former Pilates instructor who has struggled with a high level of instability in her sacrum. After trying many different things she came to me and within 6 months her pelvis become more stable and within a year she was pain free and able to resume hiking, biking and anything else she puts her mind to. It doesn't matter whether the client is a high-level athlete, a new mom keeping up with kids, or someone continuing their rehabilitation program, I find inspiration in each and every one.

JAMIE BEEVER, Instructor

I teach Core and Level 1 Mat Classes and the new Whole Body Boot Camp. I really enjoy both the teaching and hands-on assisting. I also teach private lesson in the evenings. I like working on tiny discrete skills like imprint. Its fun to see a person "get it" and their eyes light up. I love working on healthy glute tone with prone lateral legs and extension. Pilates has personally helped me lose 5 inches off my low abs, get me out of chronic low back pain along with upper back and neck tension. After a year and half after beginning Pilates, I visited my doctor and he told me I had grew one inch. Also, my posture has improved and that has allowed me relief from swollen lymph nodes and chronic headaches. Even after 4 years I find new things to work on. My favorite client success story would have to be a recent client who had back pain for years. Everything they have tried did not work until they found the Studio. After the first private session they walked out feeling like a brand new person - it was the first time they had no back pain in years.

KRISTEN VIERTHALER, Instructor

I have been an instructor with Studio One Pilates since 2006 and have taught all level mat and reformer classes. I love to work with clients of all ages and skill levels - I particularly love the breath/mind/body connection and how transformative it can be to the whole body on so many levels. I began Pilates as an attempt to correct some of the injuries and over-use, wear and tear I sustained as a former professional dancer in Las Vegas, on cruise ships and on Broadway tours. I was so amazed by how good my body felt that I wanted to share that healing work with others. My favorite client success story encompasses not one but many clients who have come to the studio as a last resort for their back/neck/shoulder/foot pain and found relief for those issues as well as a profound sense of being centered and with so much less stress than they had come in with. I considers myself fortunate to be able to play part in the recovery and wellness of my fellow Alaskans.

KRISTINA HOLDRIDGE, Instructor

I came to Pilates and Studio One close to 9 years ago as client and then became an instructor over 6 1/2 years ago. Although I haven't a background in dance, as a professional gardener for over 20 years, I was in the practice of using my body at work. As I think back I am sure I started Pilates to tone my midsection, but of course, found so much more. Pilates has given me the body I always wanted. Year after year I learn more about my body and my client's bodies. I teach mat and reformer group classes, as well as boot camp courses and private lessons. I am continuously honing my skills to improve my instruction for our clients. I enjoy my coworkers, all the clients I have met over the years and look forward to new clients yet to come. I love teaching fun and interesting workouts!