Teachers
Madeline Black
Madeline Black is a popular teacher of teachers in the field of Pilates. She brings twenty years of experience to her practice. Madeline opened the first Pilates studio in San Francisco in 1990 and currently directs Studio M in Sonoma, California. She is a board member of ITT Pilates, Integrated Teacher Training program. Madeline presents advanced continuing education seminars for Body Mind Spirit Expo, Pilates On Tour, and the Pilates Method Alliance. She continues to travel to studios offering a variety of classes for teachers, most recently in Tokyo, Rome, Los Angeles and Chicago.
Madeline’s Pilates study began in New York City with Naja Cori, Romana Kryzanowska and was greatly influenced by the work of Eve Gentry, Marika Molnar, Anna Schmidt, Jean Claude West and Irene Dowd. Madeline integrates years of manual therapy into her work with clients and courses for teachers. She has developed teacher training programs that are taught around the United States. Madeline has a B.S. in PE and Dance from Skidmore College, and has ACE, ACSM, Gyrotonic® and PMA certifications.
Website : Studio M, Sonoma
Joerg Chabowski
Joerg Chabowski, ACSM, is originally from Germany, where he earned his Nursing degree in 1984 from the Wilhelms University in Muenster. He holds certifications in the Pilates Method from the Physical Mind Institute; Health and Fitness Health Instruction by the American College of Sports Medicine; Active Isolated Stretching Technique from M.P.I New York; Spinning Instruction from Mad Dog; and VO2 Max Testing from Saul Blau, M.S. & Herman Falsetti, M.D. Joerg has a unique ability to integrate all aspects of the various training modalities to optimize the results of his clients and students.
Joerg's professional experience extends into many areas: In addition to his work as a Pilates instructor and personal trainer, he danced professionally and has taught with various companies in Europe and the United States; he worked in nursing in Intensive Care units in Germany and Switzerland; and he's served as A.I. Stretching Technician for the Olympic Trials 2000 and as strength and conditioning coach for Clif Bar Inc. Joerg is the founder of Pro-Function, a company specializing in Pilates and strength and conditioning coaching. He is co-founder of the Working Body, a Pilates, personal training, massage and chiropractic Studio, and he is co-founder of Integrated Teacher Training, a Pilates certification and continuing-education program.
Website : The Working Body, Oakland
Debra Schubert
Debra Schubert, owner of Pure Movement Studio in Santa Rosa,CA. A Physical Therapy Assistant, Pilates instructor, lecturer, and movement educator. Debra brings an extensive curriculum vitae to her clients, students, and colleagues. For over twenty years, Debra has explored many forms of somatic therapies, such as Feldenkrais, Body Mind Centering, Ideokinesis, and Yoga to develop keen perceptual skills that enable her to assist clients and students with their physical, cognitive and emotional development.
Debra studied Pilates first under the guidance of Mercy Sidbury and many years later with Leah Putnam and Madeline Black, earning her Certification through the Physical Mind Institute. She also holds a Certified Movement Analyst from the Laban Bartanieff Institute for Movement Studies, a BA in Dance/Theater Arts, and Certification in Level 1 and Gyrokinesis® in the Gyrotonic Expansion System®. Debra is currently pursuing certification as an Integrative Manual Therapy® practitioner under the tutelage of Sharon Weiselfish, PT PhD, and her associates. Debra's goal is to provide an integrative learning environment that offers opportunities for clients and students to advance towards optimal health and well-being.
Website : Pure Movement, Santa Rosa
Jean Sullivan
Jean Sullivan, owner and director of A Body of Work-San Francisco, has an extensive background in movement and rehabilitation. A professional dancer for 20 years, Jean was first introduced to Pilates while recovering from a dance injury. She studied with Michele Larsson, Mercy Sidbury, and Elizabeth Larkham, and received her training through the Physical Mind Institute with Madeline Black. She is also certified in the Gyrotonic Expansion System®.
Jean has trained in Body Correctives with Jean Claude West and Anna Schmitz, worked as a physical therapy assistant at hospitals in the Bay Area, and developed Pilates-based programs at Valley Chiropractic and Back in Action in Berkeley. Jean also worked as a trainer in the dance medicine department at St. Francis Hospital in San Francisco. Jean now presents ITT teacher-training courses at A Body of Work-San Francisco, located in the Presidio in San Francisco.
Website : A Body of Work