Instructors

All Metropolitan Pilates instructors are graduates of an extensive 700-hour training program in the classical Pilates method. Our Teacher Certification Program involves hands-on experience as an apprentice, as well as written tests to demonstrate knowledge of the systems. At Metropolitan Pilates, we know there is more than one way to teach something, and each of our instructors recognizes the need to tailor their teaching to each student's style of learning. All instructors have unique styles and approaches to teaching Pilates which benefits the client in being able to work with a variety of teachers or simply choosing a couple that are a particularly good fit. All teachers have been thoroughly trained on the beginner, intermediate and advanced systems and know how to coordinate a personalized Pilates workout that will benefit each individual. Our primary concern is always safety, and teachers are well versed on how to modify and tailor a program for different levels of fitness and for those who currently have or are recovering from injury. Lauren Albert has been a certified Pilates instructor since January 2003 and has been training under the guidance and supervision of Dorothee VandeWalle since she began her Pilates journey in 2000. Lauren studied dance and fitness, and her clients appreciate her clear direction and sense of movement.

Christopher Blackburn was trained by Dorothee VandeWalle at Metropolitan Pilates and was certified in the Spring 2006. Chris is a trained gymnast and former dancer whose interests include nutrition and healthy eating. He loves teaching Pilates and enjoys making each workout fun yet focused and effective.

Sara Cook was certified by Metropolitan Pilates in the Fall of 2008. She leaves behind a career as a hair stylist and instructor at Gene Juarez. She is an avid outdoorswoman who enjoys running and mountaineering. Sara has studied ballet and jazz and has participated in many sports such as basketball and cheerleading. She loves working with people and being an advocate for their well-being. Kelsi Leitz was a rhythmic gymnast for eleven years. She was a member of the U.S. National Team for three years and competed extensively both nationally and internationally. She completed her certification at Metropolitan Pilates in the Spring of 2009. Her dynamic classes and energetic style make Kelsi a favorite of many clients. Carol Meachum launched into Pilates several years ago and never looked back. Carol is not only an enthusiastic spokesperson for how Pilates can change the shape of one's body, but how it can change one's outlook on life as well. Carol has been teaching since 2003 and her clients love and appreciate her special brand of unbridled enthusiasm.

Rick Morris has been a student of Pilates since 1995. He was certified to teach in May, 2000, by Romana Kryzanowska. Rick completed his apprenticeship through The Pilates Studio and with Dorothee VandeWalle. He is certified through Romana's Pilates™. Rick has taught at Robert Leonard, Pilates Seattle and at the University of Washington Women's Center. Rick's exercise background includes cycling, hiking, street skating and running. Prior to teaching Pilates, Rick had a successful career in social services. Rick has been on staff at Metropolitan Pilates since 2003.

Jason Ohlberg danced professionally for over 10 years. He has toured internationally with companies such as Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Purchase Dance Corps, and Dance Kaleidoscope. He has served on the faculty of HSDC, Barat College, Spectrum Dance Theater, The University of Washington and Cornish College to name a few. Jason began his Pilates career in 1995 in Chicago, IL. Upon moving to Seattle he continued his studies with master teacher Dorothee VandeWalle at Metropolitan Pilates where he has been an instructor for the last five years. Amy Sommer began studying Pilates at Emerson College in Boston, MA. She holds a BA in Theater Studies, and Pilates was part of her dance curriculum. After moving to Seattle, Amy served as the primary dance teacher at Rising Song Children's School of Music. She has been involved in the dance community since childhood, taking classes in ballet, jazz and modern at the American Academy of Dance in Houston, TX. She pursued her Pilates certification at Metropolitan Pilates and has the goal of providing clients with an honest approach to exercise. Adrianna van Elswijk credits Pilates with giving her the increased strength of mind, body and spirit needed to address health and personal challenges. She was first introduced to the practice of Pilates in the late 1990s by Carol Phillips and has studied with Dorothee VandeWalle since 2000. After applying Pilates principles to both training women at Curves and assisting with her father's in-patient rehabilitation following a traumatic brain injury, she began her apprenticeship at Metropolitan Pilates in April of 2006. Adrianna combines her educational and practical experience in Pilates, theater, competitive walking, ballroom dance, clinical social work, percussion performance, historic preservation and entrepreneurship in a caring and humorous, yet demanding, teaching style.