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 the BASI Pilates® courses in Japan, China, Australia and in many cities across the United States as well as teaching Pilates in Brazil. She has also been the subject for two front-page articles in the Rocky Mountain News Newspaper.
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.
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.
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.
Suzie Frasher is a Certified Pilates Instructor at Pilates Denver. She received her Comprehensive Teacher Training Certification from Body Arts and Science International (BASI Pilates). She also has specialized Pre and Post natal training from the Ellie Herman Studio in San Francisco. She holds a BA in Operations Management from CU Boulder.
Suzie was first introduced to Pilates as a gymnast when she was a young child in Cincinnati, OH. The Pilates mat work was used as a conditioning tool for her gymnastics team. Later, she was re-introduced to Pilates after she had to have abdominal surgery as a college student. Her doctor recommended that she use Pilates to help rehabilitate her abdominal muscles, and after a short period of time, she saw that the physical and mental benefits of Pilates were unbelievable. After realizing that the corporate world was not her calling, she decided to get her teaching certification so that she could help others discover the many perks of a consistent Pilates practice.
As a practitioner and trainer , Suzie is continuously inspired by how pilates re-educates and heals the body. She enjoys working with people of all fitness levels, as well teaching Pilates for rehabilitation. She has experience working with people with MS, adolescents, pre and post natal, as well as athletes looking to gain a competitive edge. Suzie likes to make each class challenging, but also encourages her clients to have fun, and to enjoy pilates and all of its benefits.
Jean Barker came to Denver seven years ago from the Michigan. She began her pilates journey more than twelve years ago when her then college daughter told her about Pilates which was incorporated in her theater program at Northwestern University in Chicago. At that time there was only one pilates studio in Saginaw, Michigan. Jean soon found it and began taking pilates lessons there. Jean's daughter is a successful pilates instructor at FineTune Pilates in Brooklyn, New York. When contemplating becoming a pilates instructor herself Jean sought and received her daughter's blessing. Jean recently became certified by BASI (Body Arts & Sciences International) Pilatesâ at Pilates Denver Studio under the guidance of Amy de Sa.
Just "retired" from a career in healthcare that spanned over thirty years, Jean has a deep appreciation for the health and strength benefits afforded by pilates. She considers herself neither a dancer nor a jock, and wants the average person to know that it is never too late to start on the road to health and well being. "If I can do this, with dedication so can you!" is her motto. Jean finds it exciting to help both men and women, new to exercise or just new to pilates, discover the joy of learning to use, control, and appreciate their bodies. Jean also has a specialist certification for Pre and Postnatal Pilates from Carolyne Anthony of The Center for Women's Fitness. Jean is a member of the Pilates Method Alliance and looks forward to advancing her pilates education.
Aspen Rader is a certified Pilates instructor at Pilates Denver. Aspen grew up in Boulder and pursued her love of dance for 17 years. She then went on to major in dance and theater at both University of Colorado at Boulder and Colorado State University. Aspen was first introduced to Pilates after she sustained a dance injury and quickly realized the benefits that Pilates had to offer. After several years of practicing Pilates, Aspen enrolled in the BASI (Body Arts and Science International) certification program. She has enjoyed teaching others the benefits of Pilates and pushing her students to challenge themselves to obtain their goals.
Ursula N. Partington
Born, raised and educated in South Africa, Ursula studied Aesthetics through ITEC in London, pursuing a holistic approach to health and beauty. She came to the United States 17 years ago, and although she had long been interested in Aesthetics, her early years in the States found her working in the high stress financial and fashion industries.
It was the sudden death of her father from a heart attack, coupled with her family's health history that prompted her to give her lifestyle closer scrutiny. Travels to Asia, where she experienced firsthand, the Oriental approach to discipline and life balance, rekindled her interest in Pilates. Finally, Ursula made the decision to trade an unhealthy, stressful life for a career focused on health, fitness and life balance.
She soon became a dedicated student of Pilates and now holds certification as a teacher through BASI (Body Arts and Science International). Her natural love of working with people and the thrill of watching them transform their lives and bodies through Pilates motivates Ursula to continue her own Pilates education, as she pursues her exciting and rewarding career. Today, she couples teaching Pilates with her satisfying work as a respected fashion consultant - balancing the joy of feeling good and healthy with the pleasure of helping others look their very best. Ursula commented, "I measure my success by helping my clients redefine their way of living from the inside out. I seek to help them take action to gain both a new perspective on life and a sense of personal presence."
Heather Burke is a certified Pilates instructor at Pilates Denver. Born and raised in Lake Tahoe, CA Heather’s love for movement started at the early age of eight through dance and gymnastics. She went on to study film in Los Angeles where she worked as a dance and fitness instructor for group classes. It was during this time she was introduced to mat Pilates. Impressed by the intelligent philosophy and feel of the practice, she decided to get her comprehensive Pilates training and became a PMA (Pilates Method Alliance) certified Instructor. While on the west coast, Heather has had the pleasure of working with and studying from several highly recognized instructors with PhysicalMind Institute, BASI (Body Arts and Science International), Pilates Technique and Balance Body. Heather’s education and experience has lead to the confidence of working with pre/postnatal, chronic pain management, athletic performance, and spinal disc bulges and herniations. Excited to bring her knowledge and experience to Denver, Heather looks forward to teaching her clients how to gain the health and well being they deserve through Pilates and to fulfill her own passion of continual education.
Hannah McElwaney received her Comprehensive Teacher Training Certification from Body Arts and Science International (BASI Pilates). She also holds specialized certifications in Pilates for Fybromyalgia, Pilates for Shoulder Injuries, and Pre- and Post-Natal Training from The Center for Women’s Fitness. Hannah holds a BA in Art History and Design from UCLA. She recently relocated to Denver, CO from Los Angeles, CA and is very excited to be a part of the Pilates Denver team.
Hannah first found Pilates as a figure skater when she was a young child where it was used as a form of conditioning and rehab. She was re-introduced to Pilates as an adult due to a back injury; amazed by the results of her Pilates-based rehab she began delving deeper into the Pilates methodology. As her studies progressed, Hannah began to realize the corporate world was not for her. She found Pilates to be the perfect mind body discipline, and strove to bring her enthusiasm for its amazing benefits to others. Hannah wanted to work hands on with real people where she could assist them in meeting their personal wellness and fitness goals. She was lured by the symbiotic relationship of art and science in BASI Pilates’ methodology and decided to obtain her certification.
Hannah enjoys teaching Pilates for rehabilitation, thereby teaching Pilates to clients with various injuries/conditions, as well as teaching clients of various fitness levels and abilities. She strives to educate her clients in all aspects of fitness - from the proper execution and purpose of each exercise to the importance of rest and rehabilitation.
Mary Anne Sack, is a Certified Pilates Instructor at Pilates Denver. She received her Comprehensive Teacher Training Certificate from Body, Arts and Science International (BASI Pilates) and is a professional member of the Pilates Method Alliance. She was drawn to Pilates because it offers a realistic approach to health and wellness. Mary Anne encourages each practitioner to listen to what their bodies are saying and build on their strengths and assist their weaknesses to attain their goals. She wants to help people to be in control of their body, movement and have lower pain levels by incorporating Pilates and its principles into their everyday life, which she feels is truly amazing! She looks forward to working with people of all ages and physical conditions so that they can feel good in their bodies and carry that feeling with them functionally into their daily lives.
Trisha Carlson - Front Desk Manager