Instructors

Ms. Dixon opened Harmony Mind Body Fitness in 2002, in pursuit of creating a welcoming Pilates studio environment where clients of all ages and physical abilities could succeed. Over the past eight years, Harmony has been recognized as a leader in the Chicago Pilates community, consistently providing fun and effective mind-body fitness options. Laura’s movement background began with ballet at the age of three, and has since grown to encompass several exercise systems. With a passion for dance and performing, Ms. Dixon earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Following college, she performed with professional dance companies in Chicago and Detroit. An advocate of continuing education, Laura has completed various teaching workshops including Prenatal Pilates, Pilates for Arthritis, Pilates & Women’s Health, Pilates for Athletes, and numerous Stott Pilates® workshops. As a Certified Stott Pilates® Instructor Trainer, Ms. Dixon also travels nationally to teach courses to new instructors. Laura is also an adjunct faculty member of the DePaul University Theater Department, where she teaches Pilates to graduating M.F.A. candidates. In addition to teaching, Ms. Dixon has also been a contributing writer to Pilates-Pro.com, an educational resource for Pilates instructors and devotees.

Certifications: Stott Pilates® Instructor & Instructor Trainer, Xtend Barre® Teacher Trainer, Gyrotonic®, Gyrokinesis®, TRX®

Three words that describe Laura’s teaching style: Clear, dynamic, thorough.

Top dream travel destinations: Greece, Bali, Yosemite National Park.

Laura is also passionate about: Dance, theatergoing, spending time with family & friends, trying new restaurants in Chicago and exploring photography.

Tara was introduced to the Stott Pilates® method while studying dance as an undergraduate student. With a background in dance, theater and sports, Tara brings strong physicality, a keen eye and creative spirit to her sessions. Her additional specialized training includes BOSU, foam roller work and applications of ballet to Pilates. Tara enjoys helping her clients achieve a deep understanding of the theory behind Pilates and challenges even her most advanced clients to rediscover the benefits of the fundamentals. Ms. Gillespie earned her Bachelor of Theatre Arts degree with minors in Dance and Humanities from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Certifications: Stott Pilates®, Cardiolates® Instructor Trainer, Xtend Barre®, & TRX®

Three words that describe Tara’s teaching style: Detailed, varied, challenging.

Top dream travel destinations: Greek Islands, London.

Tara is also passionate about: Running, taking hip-hop dance classes, college sports, supporting the Steppenwolf Theatre, and volunteering for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Claire was first introduced to the joy of strengthening the body through Pilates at a summer ballet workshop in high school. Since then, she has sought out many kinds of bodywork that challenge and explore the mind-body connection. After moving to Chicago, she decided to further her education in physical methods by training in Stott Pilates®. She has taken Mat, Reformer, and Cadillac courses at training centers in Detroit, Toronto, and New York and plans to continue her training on the Pilates equipment this spring. Claire enjoys challenging clients’ strength while encouraging them to use their body efficiently for long-term health. Passionate about many kinds of performance, Claire received a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance and Bachelors of Music in Harp from the University of Illinois and a Masters and Artist Diploma in Music from Yale University, during which she organized a student group, Yale Movement Improvisation and Composition.

Certifications: Stott Pilates® Apprentice, Xtend Barre®

Three words that describe Claire’s teaching style: Energetic, caring, personal.

Top dream travel destinations: Costa Rica, East Asia, Scandinavia.

Claire is also passionate about: Movement and music, anything related to food, and volunteering for Soroptimists – a group that works to improve the lives of women and girls.

Jamila discovered Pilates as an undergraduate student, and has been continuously inspired to share her passion for movement ever since. She enjoys challenging clients by maximizing the use of small props, and recognizes the importance of infusing humor and positive feedback into every session. Jamila’s specialized training includes Survive & Thrive™, pre and post natal workshops, and BOSU programming. Ms. Kekulah Kinney holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance from Kent State University, and a Master of Arts degree in Dance Movement Therapy and Counseling from Columbia College in Chicago.

Certifications: Stott Pilates®, Gyrokinesis®, Gyrotonic® Instructor & Pre-Trainer and TRX®

Three words that describe Jamila’s teaching style: Explorative, honest, expressive.

Top dream travel destinations: New Zealand, Morocco, Spain.

Jamila is also passionate about: Life-long learning and hanging outdoors with my husband and our dog, Kenya.

Melissa received her certification at the Stott Pilates® International Head Office in Toronto, Ontario, where she worked as an instructor and soon after an Instructor Trainer. She has created and taught specialty workshops, including: Partner Pilates, Pilates for Performers, Pilates for Men and Pilates for Athletes. While in Toronto, Melissa also created and instructed Pilates for Teens and m.a.c. Pilates for Kids, highlighted in Wellness Magazine and on CTV’s Breakfast Television. Whether instructing groups or private clients, Melissa is able to weave her knowledge of biomechanics with her creativity and energy, creating fun, efficient and transforming sessions. Ms. McNamara earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre at York University in Toronto, where she created and performed physical theatre and comedy for ten years throughout Ontario. Most recently, Melissa received her Masters Degree in Contemporary Performance from the Buddhist-inspired Naropa University.

Certifications: Stott Pilates® Instructor & Instructor Trainer, A.C.E. Personal Trainer

Three words that describe Melissa’s teaching style: Passionate, creative, precise.

Top dream travel destinations: Ireland, Africa, Australia, Idaho.

Melissa is also passionate about: Running, yoga, theatre, and exploring Chicago with my fiancé.

Sarah discovered Pilates mat work in her college ballet classes. Years later, her dance background and love of feeling and staying fit has led her to a career in Pilates instruction. She is certified through Pilates Chicago, a Pilates Method Alliance certified instructor training studio in Rogers Park. She is passionate about Pilates as not only a great workout, but also as a corrective mind body experience, and is dedicated to preserving the exercises as Joseph Pilates intended while making them accessible to all. She recently left behind the office work life, and is thrilled to be on this newjourney. She loves sharing her enthusiasm for Pilates with her clients; in Pilates she’s found a constant learning opportunity, a constant challenge, and a place of peace, and she strives to impart these discoveries to her clients. Sarah holds a Bachelors degree in English with a Dance minor from Ball State University, and a Masters in Professional Writing from DePaul University.

Certifications: Pilates Chicago Mat and Comprehensive Instructor Training

Three words that describe Sarah’s teaching style: Encouraging, informative, enthusiastic.

Top dream travel destinations: Israel, Greece, Napa Valley, Yosemite.

Sarah is also passionate about: Practicing yoga, wine tastings, bike riding on warm days, and eating whatever my chef-to-be husband prepares for me.

Katie is originally from Florida, but has spent the past five years dancing and spiraling in New York City. She first experienced the Gyrotonic Expansion System under the direction of Master Trainer Anjali Austin while receiving her BFA in dance at Florida State University. Upon moving to the Big Apple, she studied with Master Trainer Leda Franklin and developed the Gyrotonic® program for the Reebok Sports Club in New York. Katie has also worked with a wide variety of clients that have enabled her to utilize her specialized training skills. Katie is happy to be a new Chicagoan and is looking forward to spiraling with clients from all walks of life.

Certifications: Gyrotonic®, Gyrokinesis®, Gyrotonic® Applications for Pre and Post Natal, Breast Cancer Survivors, Scoliosis, Osteoporosis, and Hip Replacement recovery.

Three words that describe Katie’s teaching style: Focused, engaging, energizing.

Top dream travel destination: Big Sur, Australia, Swiss Alps.

Katie is also passionate about: Dancing, supporting the arts, traveling, and exploring the windy streets of Chicago with my fiance.

Katie discovered Pilates matwork at age fifteen, during a musical theatre training program, and years later, got her first taste of equipment work while working as an office manager for a studio in London. Nearly 10 years after her first “100s”, she gained a whole new appreciation for Pilates while rehabilitating a fractured clavicle. Pilates was invaluable to her recovery and helped her return to full range of motion without surgery. After her own injury, she especially enjoys helping individuals with shoulder issues, though she loves working with people of all ages and fitness levels as they discover more about their bodies and reach new goals. Ms. Yohe graduated magna cum laude from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Drama.

Certifications: Stott Pilates®, Cardiolates®

Three words that describe Katie’s teaching style: Spirited, motivating, hands-on.

Top dream travel destination: Galapagos Islands during sea turtle hatching season.

Katie is also passionate about: Volunteering at Gigi’s Playhouse, teaching theater classes for children with Down Syndrome, animal rescue, travel, experimenting in the kitchen, and spending time with my charming boyfriend and our three cats.