Excel Pilates DC

Teaching skills and session design. The program involves readings, case studies and powerhouse-hour workshops, free solo workouts, teaching feedback and a Pilates teaching manual. There are prerequisites and testing requirements.

The entire Pilates method, both mat and apparatus, consists of over 500 exercises and is systematically ordered and layered. Pilates has been in existence for over 75 years. To preserve its power, it is important to study the complete Pilates Method. The exercises should be studied authentically and in person. Being a Pilates teacher offers the opportunity to assist individuals to be in control of their own health and well-being, and to provide an opportunity for clients to grow, learn and be guided toward a fitter lifestyle. The Pilates Method of physical and mental conditioning is mutually empowering for clients and teachers.

Joseph Pilates spent a lifetime developing his method of physical and mental conditioning. The sophistication of his work necessitates intense study.

Is done in groups with specific seminar dates for Teacher Training hours. This is for the advanced Pilates student.

Allows the participant to establish and coordinate Teacher Training hours independently with the Director and has an added 30 hours in the program for additional personal skills development. This is for an intermediate level or higher Pilates student.

Our TTP is a comprehensive, 700-hour, one-year training program. It covers all apparatus and mat exercises, anatomy and session design. The program includes a teaching manual, required readings and weekly apprentice meetings. Apprenticeship involves practice teaching, observation and the continuation of the study and practice of Pilates. There is written and practical testing at the 200-, 400-, and 600-hour intervals. There are four 20-hour weekend seminars. All hours are completed in the studio. We do not offer partial certifications, i.e., "mat certification" .

Lesa McLaughlin and Kerry DeVivo offer over 40 years of combined Pilates experience. Kerry earned her certification from the Pilates Center in Colorado and the Pilates Studio in New York. Lesa earned her certification from the Pilates Studio in New York. Both Lesa and Kerry are considered second generation teachers.

Our program is affiliated with no other programs. We teach Pilates in its traditional form, which makes us similar to only a few other programs. Additionally, Excel's TTP offers comparatively more individual attention and significant coverage of anatomy and special client issues.

Please mail/email the completed application with required materials and a check for the evaluation session to Excel Pilates DC at 3407 8th Street NE, Washington DC 20017. If your application is approved, an evaluation session will be scheduled. The cost of an evaluation session is $100. The evaluation session and interview will determine acceptance to program.

Program Director and Owner of Excel Pilates Annapolis, is the only second generation Pilates teacher in the Annapolis area. She is a certified teacher of The Pilates Method of Body Conditioning by The Pilates Center in Boulder, CO (1995) and by Romana Kryzanowska at The Pilates Studio in New York, NY (1996) . She holds an MFA in Dance and a BS in Arts Management. She is Pink Ribbon Program certified. Kerry is currently serving as the Treasurer on the Board of Directors for the Authentic Pilates Union. Kerry began studying Pilates in 1986 with Steve Giordano at SUNY Purchase. In 1998, after completing her Pilates certifications, she co-founded Excel Movement Studios, a 5,000-square-foot Pilates studio, with Lesa McLaughlin in Washington, DC. In 2002, she co-founded Excel Pilates Annapolis. The DC and Annapolis, MD, studios now operate as "sister studios." Kerry is co-director of Excel's Pilates Teacher Training Program established in 2001. The Pilates Teacher Training Program at Excel is dedicated to providing high quality training in the original work of Joseph H. Pilates. It is a comprehensive and in-depth one-year training program requiring a minimum of 700 hours of hands-on training in all levels of the Pilates mat and apparatus work. Kerry works directly with apprentices to help them reach their goals of teaching Pilates. In 2009, Kerry helped develop Excel's Pilates Teacher Mentor Program designed to offer high level continuing education to area Pilates teachers. In 2012 Kerry developed The Pilates Principles Program, a high-caliber continuing education program. Kerry is co-author of the research study, The Benefits of The Pilates Method for Shoulder Stabilization in Dancers, which was presented at the Annual Symposium on Medical Problems of Musicians and Dancers in Aspen, CO. She is also co-author of Excel's Pilates Teacher Training Program Manual and Excel's Pilates Mat Guide. Kerry is also a featured contributing writer in Peter Fiasca's book, "Voices of Classical Pilates". From 2009 – 2011, Excel Pilates Annapolis was an official studio of The Pilates Center's Masters Program. During this time Kerry participated as an approved presenter for continuing education workshops for The Pilates Center's Masters Program. Kerry has taught the Pilates Method to clients who range in age from 12-80, applying Pilates in its original form for performance improvement, injury prevention, rehabilitation, and fitness. Her clients have ranged from professional athletes including runners, dancers, gymnasts, football players, cyclists, and rowers, to individuals with specific health issues, to those simply looking for an alternative fitness program. Kerry has worked with clients in pre- and post-surgery situations. Kerry has presented workshops on Pilates at Physical Therapy clinics and at the University of Colorado/Boulder, the University of Maryland/College Park, the University of Florida/Gainesville, and Shenandoah University. She taught Pilates in Relation to Modern Dance, a semester long class at George Washington University. Kerry was a Panelist on the Careers in Dance Board, representing Pilates, for the 8th Annual Dance Medicine Symposium at Goucher College in March 1998. In addition to Pilates, Kerry had a professional career in dance. She served on the dance faculty at George Washington University and the University of Maryland at College Park. She performed with Deborah Riley Dance Projects for three years as a principle company member and has performed with Liz Lerman, Adrienne Clancey and Mim Rosen. Her choreography and performances have been viewed in Colorado, New York, Maryland, Washington DC, the U.K., and Australia. Kerry's teaching is inspired by the life's work of Joseph Pilates as well as her clients. "It is a gift to work with a client for years and assist them in their journey to meet their health goals. Pilates is a sound method of body conditioning that is rich with detail and powerful with results. It is a method that is applicable to all bodies." Kerry is dedicated to the original Pilates method and to offering clients an empowering fitness experience. She only employs teachers who share the same commitment.

Program Faculty, has a perspective that comes from years of experience as a Romana Kryzanowska certified Pilates teacher. Peter's many years of study culminate in intriguing and fun workshops that periodically highlight the interrelationship between traditional Pilates and overall health. Because of his extensive work as a teacher trainer, instructors, students, and the public can benefit from Peter's insights into the traditional Pilates method. Peter's devotion to Pilates began in 1988, when he took his first class at Wee-Tai Hom's studio in Manhattan. As his passion grew, he pursued teacher training at Drago's Gym, receiving certification in 1998 from famed master teacher Romana Kryzanowska. Over the years, he honed his teaching and his practice with regular lessons from Romana, as well as from master trainers Jay Grimes, Kathy Grant, and other distinguished, traditional instructors. Peter continues to study the work and has dedicated himself to the preservation of the Pilates method, creating the ClassicalPilates.net worldwide directory of traditional instructors. Producer and director of the award-winning Classical Pilates Technique series of six DVDs as well as author of their critically reviewed companion book, Discovering Pure Classical Pilates, and editor/contributor in Voices of Classical Pilates, Peter has been a frequent guest instructor at training centers throughout the U.S., Europe, and South America. He appeared in Romana Kryzanowska's first commercial DVD project, demonstrating the Pilates mat workout, as well as the DVD, "Pilates Revealed," with master teacher Jay Grimes.

This program is tailored to your needs (see sample program outline below) and is designed to deepen your level of teaching and understanding of the Pilates method. We believe the Pilates exercises should be studied authentically and in person as well as receiving individual feedback on teaching skills.

Teachers who register for the mentor program at Excel Pilates DC will work with Lesa McLaughlin. Teachers who are interested in working with both program directors may inquire about that opportunity.

Via check, credit card not accepted for this program. Program fee includes 10 sessions to be utilized as needed by participant.

Time: 12:00 PM – 12:50 PM; Teacher: Lesa McLaughlin.

Time: 06:00 PM – 06:50 PM.

Time: 07:00 PM – 07:45 PM; Teacher: Brianne Barrow Little.

Time: 09:30 AM – 10:20 AM.

Time: 12:00 PM – 12:50 PM; Teacher: Lesa McLaughlin.

Time: 06:00 PM – 06:50 PM.

Time: 07:00 PM – 07:45 PM; Teacher: Brianne Barrow Little.

Time: 09:30 AM – 10:20 AM; Teacher: Jacqueline Emanuel.

Time: 12:00 PM – 12:50 PM; Teacher: Lesa McLaughlin.

Time: 06:00 PM – 06:50 PM.

Time: 07:00 PM – 07:45 PM; Teacher: Brianne Barrow Little.

Time: 09:30 AM – 10:20 AM; Teacher: Laurelle Lo.

Time: 12:00 PM – 12:50 PM; Teacher: Lesa McLaughlin.

Time: 06:00 PM – 06:50 PM.

Time: 07:00 PM – 07:45 PM; Teacher: Brianne Barrow Little.

Time: 09:30 AM – 10:20 AM; Teacher: Susan Reynolds.

Time: 12:00 PM – 12:50 PM; Teacher: Lesa McLaughlin.

Time: 06:00 PM – 06:50 PM.

This class introduces the basic principles of Pilates breath, precision, centering, flow of movement, balance, and flexibility through a series of exercises performed on a mat. Attention is given to details of the movement to provide each student with a foundation to build on in preparation for advancing levels. Modifications to exercises are also taught to accommodate a variety of skill levels. If you are new to Pilates Mat, you could start here or in Intro Level Mat!

This class introduces a new level of exercises as well as increased intensity and range of motion. In this class, you will explore the next level of Pilates while building on the foundations from Level 1. Students enrolling in this class should know all of the Level 1 Mat exercises by name and be able to successfully execute The Hundred, Roll Up and Rolling Like a Ball. MAT CLASSES: If you need to make-up a missed class, you may reschedule the class in the same level or lower based on availability. Cancellations not made least 12 hours in advance will be ineligible for a make-up.

This class will combine Level 2 and Level 3 Mat work, focusing on rolling over and overhead prep work to prepare you for the successful accomplishment of Level 3 exercises. With an emphasis on strengthening and stretching, students will be prepared to advance into the upper levels of Pilates practice. Students enrolling in this class should be able to perform all Level 1 exercises with precision and clarity as well as know Level 2 exercises by name and be able to execute Open Leg Rocker, Corkscrew, Teasers, and Push Ups. MAT CLASSES: If you need to make-up a missed class, you may reschedule the class in the same level or lower based on availability. Cancellations not made least 12 hours in advance will be ineligible for a make-up.

In this slightly longer Mat class, enjoy a full Mat workout followed by a stretch session. The Mat workout will be open level and catered to those who are registered for the class. Participants will focus on good movement flow to build up strength and warmth before stretching. The stretch session will work on lengthening tight muscles and releasing painful areas to set you up for a relaxing weekend. Simultaneously build abdominal strength while gaining flexibility to get a total body workout.