Christl Marcontell
Owner/Instructor; M-F 8-4pm
Christl is a dedicated teacher whose aim is to empower every student in their quest for physical mastery while maintaining an atmosphere of joy and playfulness.
She was mentored at Pilates Seattle International by teacher trainer Dorothee VandeWalle and Lori Coleman-Brown, and certified by Romana Kryzanowska in '00. Since then she maintains her continuing education commitment through workshops with teacher trainer/physical therapist Lori Coleman-Brown and continuing ed with master teachers Romana or Sari; she is also a member of the Pilates Method Alliance.
Christl has practiced contemporary modern and classical ballet techniques for the past 30 years and was a member of the Robert Davidson Aerial Dance company. While dancing with Robert Davidson she first encountered dance kinesiology through the work of Joan Skinners' "Skinner Releasing Technique". She also incorporates the work of kinesiologists Deborah Vogel "www.thebodyseries.com" and Eric Franklin http://www.franklin-methode.ch/
She is often seen cavorting among the Cabiri; www.anunnaki.org/cabiri, as well as various cabaret shows, fringe theatre, and off Broadway shenanigans.
Christl is an avid student of Yoga as well as Feldenkrais, Flamenco, Tango, and the circus arts; tumbling, clown, and ariel dance. Christl holds a degree in the Expressive Arts from the Evergreen State College.
Christl brings a movement based approach to classical Pilates technique. She emphasizes functional re-patterning of postural habits, a stable but mobile frame... and a rocking workout!
Barbara Frisch
W/F 11-6pm
Barbara comes from a varied cultural and exercise background, including growing up in Germany and living in South Africa for six years. She has spent much of her life involved in sports and movement studies, including gymnastics, volleyball, swimming, ballet, jazz, modern and improvisational dance, martial arts, yoga, lyengar, Feldenkrais and Pilates. She has also earned her degrees in horticulture and social sciences.
After moving to Seattle in 2003, she studied Pilates with Lori Coleman-Brown and completed the rigorous 700 + hours of teacher certification and training at Pilates Seattle International, under Sari Meija Santos. She has taught at Pilates Seattle Int’l since her certification. Her life experience and studies have shown, for her, proof in the therapeutic benefits of the authentic Pilates method, as taught by Joseph Pilates’s protégé, Romana Kryzanowska.
Barbara joined Kinesia in February 2008, and is gratified to be able to live out the authentic Pilates method in her every day life. Barbara helps her students gain flexibility, strength, balance and awareness through movement, while growing in understanding of both the Pilates form and their own bodies and unique movement styles; she also advocates making exercising a part of daily life. She is excited for the opportunity to study and move with the Kinesia students!
Gay Marcontell
T/Th 3-6pm
Gay has been active throughout her life; she has been a runner, singer, scuba diver and skier. Through involvement in these activities she came to believe exercise should be supportive, as well as varied and interesting. As a certified RSM BodyMind counselor she takes a holistic approach to teaching the remarkable work of Joseph Pilates.
Gay also teaches Centering Prayer, a form of Christian Meditation. Through this practice she has developed patience, focus and attention to the present moment.
Gay teaches Authentic Pilates with attention to form and dynamic. She was trained and certified by Joseph Pilates' protégé, master teacher Romana Kryzanowska and her daughter, master teacher Sari Santo. The training and apprenticeship focuses on knowing how to execute and teach as well as how to design a workout to suit a particular body type.
Gay advocates good program planning and being alert to the current body state to minimize risk of injury at work or at play and maximize fitness, body image and healing. Gay believes that a strong, flexible body is the best preparation for life, whether it is weekend sports, pregnancy, rehabilitation, or the process of aging. She has the ability to challenge, strengthen, and help in the healing process. Gay will, with your help, design your personal workout that will meet you where you are and challenge you to grow. With a thorough knowledge of your body and your own workout you will be able to experience fewer injuries, recover quicker and keep yourself safer in the various activities in your life.
Life, Light and Love.
206/621.8862