WHY PILATES?
STRESS RELIEF - PAIN REDUCTION - INJURY PREVENTION
Offering a refreshing alternative to the typical gym workout, Pilates can transform the way your body looks, feels, and performs, while also providing a successful tool for stress relief, pain reduction, and injury prevention. Additionally, Pilates may keep you healthy. According to a 2013 study at Duke University Medical Center, there is growing evidence to support that mindful exercise, such as Pilates, reduces cardiovascular health risk factors and improves mood state, making it an essential part of a healthy lifestyle.
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Pilates instruction at Bodytonic emphasizes blending strength, mobility, and flexibility training while focusing on precise skeletal alignment, muscular contractions, and breathing patterns. Our classes focus on the quality of movement (AKA technique) rather than the number of repetitions performed or weights lifted. During your classes at Bodytonic, you will work every major muscle group, with particular emphasis given to the abdominal, back, hip girdle, and shoulder girdle muscles. This fusion provides a refreshing, energizing, and balancing workout that improves musculoskeletal balance, joint health, athletic performance, injury prevention, and stress and pain reduction.
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A BRIEF HISTORICAL REVIEW OF PILATES
Fitness innovator Joseph H. Pilates (1881-1967) first developed an interest in exercise techniques from his determination to strengthen his body after growing up as a sickly child in Germany. He created the Pilates exercise system in the 1920s and opened his first studio in New York City in 1926. Some of the first people he treated were soldiers returning from war and dancers such as Martha Graham and George Balanchine. Other dancers and athletes were quickly drawn to Pilates to heal their aches and pains and recover from injuries. In the past few decades, Pilates has become the fastest-growing exercise modality around the world.
BTP INSTRUCTORS
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NADIA RODRIGUEZ
Owner, Certified Pilates Instructor, BHSc
Nadia’s first experience with Pilates began in 1990, using mat exercises to cross condition for her dance training, and in 1995 using pilates equipment to rehabilitate dance-related injuries. For her instructor training, she studied under Jane Erskine, owner of one of the first Pilates studios in Seattle and daughter of the famed ballerina and first director of the Pacific Northwest Ballet, Janet Reed. Nadia completed her instructor training in 2002 at the Pacific Northwest School of Pilates. She has developed a loyal following from her work teaching in Pilates & yoga studios, physical therapy clinics, & in personal home gyms. Nadia’s practice involves working with professional athletes to those recovering from injuries and applying classical and contemporary Pilates techniques. Her philosophy prioritizes her client’s goals and desires while teaching them how to produce somatic longevity, efficiency, and balance.
In addition to Pilates, Nadia has over 30 years of professional experience in the movement field, including Gyrotonic, yoga, gymnastics, and classical & modern dance. Before becoming a Pilates instructor she trained and danced professionally in both Seattle and NYC, where she was a trainee with the Martha Graham Dance Company. Nadia holds a B.S in Health & Human Performance from Eastern Oregon University and a certificate in Women’s Exercise Training and Wellness from Washington State University
DANIELLE HRACHOVEC
Certified Pilates Instructor
Danielle (she/her/hers) is a holistic movement enthusiast with a passion for accessibility, generative self-care, and embodiment. Danielle has been teaching movement for over a decade with formats including mat and equipment based Pilates, dance fitness, partner dancing, and weight lifting. She has a special place in her heart for working with functional movement goals after seeing close family members live with disability and experiencing her own autoimmune challenges. In addition to functional movement, Danielle loves working with people to focus on challenging, effective exercise to build confidence and strength.
Outside of Pilates, Danielle is a progressive strength trainer, a social dancer, a “maker”, and a government employee based out of Seattle. In addition to her Pilates certificate, she has a BA in Theatre Design & Production focusing on Costume Design from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, and an MPA from University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Policy.
STACEY MULVEY
Certified Pilates Instructor
Stacey is passionate about helping others connect with their bodies through mindful movement. With over a decade of teaching experience, she brings a blend of rich, anatomically informed cues and a deep understanding of the mind-body connection to every class.
Her teaching journey began in 2010 when she transitioned from a career in technology to pursue her passion for movement education. She studied classical Pilates under renowned 2nd-generation teachers Amy Taylor Alpers and Rachel Taylor Segel, completing the Advanced Teacher Training Program at The Pilates Center in Boulder, CO, in 2014. In 2016, she expanded her studies at Naropa University, focusing on yoga and contemplative education to further enrich her understanding of holistic movement.
Continuing her commitment to professional growth, she became a certified teacher of the GYROTONIC® Method in 2023. Her diverse training and teaching approach are designed to empower clients of all levels to discover strength, ease, and balance in their bodies.
She looks forward to guiding you on your movement journey, helping you feel more connected, capable, and confident.
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MIKAELA SHE
Certified Pilates Instructor
My journey into Pilates began in 2017 during my time at UC Berkeley as a college student. Out of curiosity, I found a Pilates studio through online search and started my practice. It has since become a routine in my life.
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Since an early age, I've been captivated by the wonders of the human body and movement in general, dedicating my free hours to swimming and taking various dance lessons, from traditional Chinese dance to Salsa.
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Influenced by my parents' deep-rooted passion for traditional Chinese medicine, Tai Chi, and the importance of a balanced lifestyle, I began to realize just how much potential there is if Eastern and Western wellness philosophies converge. Driven by this mission, I embarked on my journey of Pilates instructor training with Balanced Body. I did most of my studies in California under the tutelage of instructors such as Nancy Myers and Maria Lenone. These experiences not only fortified my skill set but also deepened my understanding and passion for Pilates.
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What I love most about Pilates is that there is always more to learn and improve. It’s truly a life-long journey. As an instructor, I want to grow together with my students and help them achieve their goals in strengthening not only the physical body but also the mind.
I am also fluent in Mandarin if that’s ever helpful!
OLIVIA LINTZ
Certified Pilates Instructor
Olivia has 11 years of experience as an instructor well versed in various styles of movement. She is particularly passionate about Pilates and Dance.
Olivia comes from Chicago, where she danced professionally & taught Yoga and Pilates at various studios - including The Joffrey Ballet. With her modern approach to Pilates, she enjoys coming up with creative flows. It is her goal that each one of her students leaves her class feeling empowered.
JONNIE PEDERSEN
Certified Pilates Instructor
Hello, I'm Jonnie, and I'm thrilled to be joining the BodyTonic Pilates team as a Pilates instructor. With a background deeply rooted in the world of dance and movement and a lifelong connection to outdoor activities, I bring a unique perspective to the practice of Pilates.
I earned my Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Dance from Boise State University, where I began exploring the connections between the mind, body, and movement. As a multi-passionate person, movement and somatic healing arts have always been a driving force in my life. I'm a firm believer in the power of (W)holistic wellness, and I'm continually expanding my knowledge by attending various workshops and classes, including Reiki and Healing Touch.
My introduction to Pilates came at an early age during my time in a dance company, where it was used as a tool for strength and conditioning. Since then, I've been captivated by the transformative potential of Pilates, both physically and mentally. I'm eager to share this passion and help individuals discover their inner strength, improve their form, and integrate structured movement into their everyday lives.
In addition to my love for Pilates, I'm also an avid practitioner of mixed martial arts, further enhancing my understanding of body mechanics and movement. Like martial arts, Pilates is a path to self-discovery and personal empowerment.
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Strongly recommend the private sessions with Nadia and group Spring Board classes. Working with Nadia through and after my pregnancy has been essential to my overall ability to maintain strength and stability in a totally shifting and changing body. This beautiful studio and supportive community is definitely one of my happy places in our lovely city.