INSTRUCTOR BIOS
Certified Instruction
Pilates Denver offers the finest instruction in the Pilates method of body conditioning. All instructors at Pilates Denver are certified from the most extensive and internationally renowned Pilates Certification Programs offered. Our instructors are trained in the classical techniques of the work of Joseph H. Pilates in addition to contemporary and evolved modalities. With this enhanced education, Pilates Denver offers people of all ages and fitness levels the opportunity to learn Pilates with safety and effectiveness. Each instructor brings their dedication, wisdom, creativity and enthusiasm to their teaching within a non-competitive atmosphere. They are educated in applied anatomy and physiology and also have a deep knowledge of the body through their own movement experiences. They are excited and eager to teach you the most perfect total body workout.
STAFF
Amy de Sa, owner of Pilates Denver, has been a dedicated teacher of Pilates since 1995. She is a proud graduate of the internationally renowned BASI (Body Arts and Science International) Pilates® Certification program founded by Master Teacher, Rael Isacowitz. Amy is a BASI Pilates® Faculty member and hosts and teaches the BASI Pilates® Certification Courses at her studio. She has also taught in Tokyo, Japan and currently resides in Brazil where she has an independent Pilates practice.
As a professional dancer, Amy connected instantly with Pilates. She began her Pilates endeavors in Chicago in 1995 where she received a previous Pilates certification from the Pilates Studio, Inc. under the personal training and certification of Master Teacher and Elder, Romana Kryzanowska. She also instructed at and managed a highly recognized Pilates Studio and taught many high profile clients and Pilates professionals. She continues her Pilates studies and related movement therapies yearly in continuing education workshops and courses in addition to advanced studies with Rael Isacowitz. Amy is a member of the professional organization, the Pilates Method Alliance and holds a B.A. in Dance and a B.A. in Psychology from Hope College in Michigan. Pilates became the perfect match and career for Amy, harmoniously combining the body with the mind.
Amy is very passionate about teaching Pilates and educating people about their bodies. She teaches with compassion and with intellect. She brings a smile and positive energy to every session and class and strives to offer each client and her staff a beneficial and enjoyable experience at her studio which she opened on May 1, 2001.
Britta Olson is a Certified Pilates Instructor at Pilates Denver. She originally received her training and Pilates certification from Power Pilates in Scottsdale, AZ and taught at The Pilates Center of the Southwest before moving back to Denver, CO. She is also embarking on receiving an additional Comprehensive Pilates Certification from BASI Pilates (Body Arts and Science International).
Britta holds a nursing degree from Regis College. During her undergraduate studies, Britta played college golf on scholarship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She graduated with a B.A. in both Communications and Exercise and Sports Science.
During her studies at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Britta became very interested in fitness, health and Pilates. She experienced how Pilates gave her overall strength, better posture, and a sense of well-being. She enjoyed how like golf, Pilates offered a mind-body connection. Britta is excited to help others experience the positive effects of Pilates.
Melanie Meenan is a Certified Pilates Instructor at Pilates Denver. She began her Pilates training as a dance student at the University of Wyoming and has sought the rewards of Pilates for herself and others since. She received her Pilates Comprehensive Teacher Training Certification from Body Arts and Science International (BASI) and has also completed Pilates Mat Certifications from Body Arts and Sciences International and FiTour. She taught Pilates for two years in Cheyenne, WY prior to teaching in Denver. She holds a BFA in Dance and BA in Journalism from the University of Wyoming. Melanie has also completed her MA in Dance Performance at Laban in London, while also performing and teaching dance workshops throughout the United Kingdom and in Amsterdam. Currently she performs with the Hannah Kahn Dance Company in Denver, CO and also teaches dance classes in the greater Denver area and in Cheyenne, Wy.
Monica Conway is a Certified Pilates Instructor at Pilates Denver. She received her certification from BASI Pilates (Body Arts and Science International). She attended the University of Colorado at Denver where she graduated with a B.A. in English Literature and a minor in Spanish.
Five years ago Monica sustained an injury in a car collision. She suffered with low back pain for the better part of four years. Monica was working as a social worker when she decided to change careers. After having taken private Pilates sessions and having seen the benefits Pilates offers, she decided to enroll in the Body, Arts and Science International Pilates Certification program. Monica has seen her injury go from constant pain to rare discomfort. She is fascinated in using Pilates as a a means to help people who suffer from chronic pain or who are looking for an excellent way to cross train their bodies.
Mariah Spalding is a Certified Pilates Instructor at Pilates Denver. In the fall of 2007 Mariah began her journey to become a certified Pilates Instructor. She studied the Comprehensive Teacher Training Course from the internationally renowed BASI (Body Arts and Science International) founded by Rael Isacowitz. She completed her certification in June 2008. Mariah attended the University of Wyoming where she was a varsity cheerleader and then transferred to Colorado State University and earned a B.S. Health and Exercise Science.
As a gymnast, cheerleader, and fitness enthusiast Mariah connected with Pilates instantly. Mariah’s goal is to share her knowledge and lead students in attaining life-long health benefits and happiness in Pilates as mind-body exercise. Focusing on the basic principles of Pilates, she aims to make each session unique, fun, and challenging. She continues to grow in the endless world of Pilates in continuing education workshops and courses. Mariah believes Pilates can enhance everyone’s quality of life.
Amy Stout is a Certified Pilates Instructor at Pilates Denver. Amy was raised in Denver, and has been a Pediatric RN for 17 years. She has practiced Pilates for many years as a way to stay healthy, decrease stress, and facilitate continued growth with her athletic activities, particularly with running and cycling. Loving the preventative and proactive health benefits, as well as the mind-body connection Pilates provides, Amy completed her Pilates Certification in May 2010 through BASI Pilates.
Amy finds that her clients teach her something new with each session, she enjoys helping people feel better about themselves and she loves to see clients accomplish what they thought was impossible.
Diana Cruz is a certified Pilates instructor at Pilates Denver. As a professional dancer, she has dedicated her life to understanding body movement and performance. The Pilates method has widely expanded this experience and has given her the great opportunity to offer her knowledge to other people in an approachable and constructive way.
Diana was first introduced to the Pilates method in her home country, Paraguay, as a promising addition to her body awareness and strengthening techniques. Soon after, having experienced great results from Pilates for her own body conditioning and dance career, she enrolled in Pilates certifications and workshops in Asunción and Buenos Aires. She soon noticed that almost any person, varying in age and physical conditions, can experience the benefits of Pilates. She then began the never ending and enjoyable journey of cyclical learning and teaching a healthier and more organic way of moving.
In the U.S. she received a Comprehensive Pilates Teacher Training Certification by BASI (Body Arts and Science International), and also attended workshops at the Colorado Center For Physical Therapy. Prior to joining the staff at Pilates Denver, she taught at several studios in Asunción and Buenos Aires. She holds a degree in Psychology from the Universidad Nacional de Asunción, a study that has enhanced her understanding of the human mind and body interaction.
After many years of dancing professionally in ballet, contemporary and modern dance, she currently is a Tango teacher and performer, teaching and performing widely in the U.S and abroad.