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Our Team


Amanda Watson/Gaither


Owner

Pilates Instructor


I was born in Ventura, California, but was raised and grew up in Maryland. I spent most of my younger years fighting my fluctuating weight. When I was in senior high school I made a decision to live a healthier life. I started running, taking various yoga, strength training classes, and started eating healthier. I ended up losing 30 pounds, and it felt amazing.

After graduating high school, I started working in the medical field. It was then that I realized my passion was to help others. While pursuing a fitness career, I found Pilates. I received my certificatio​n in Peak Pilates level I and ll, and also completed two workshops that gave me a certificate in Chair and Barrel. I am also certified in Schwinn Cycling and TRX training.  Besides Pilates, I love music, dancing, and spending time with my family.

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Kelly Alexander


Doctor of Physical Therapy &

Pilates Instructor 


As a Physical Therapist and a Pilates Instructor, I bring a unique perspective to rehabilitation and fitness that combines a rich variety of training and years of experience. I have a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology, a Doctorate in Physical Therapy, Pilates Instructor Certification, and a Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist. Drawing from this broad skill set, I can tailor an individualized plan to help you achieve your goals.

 

 I graduated from Nova Southeastern University with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2008. Since my training, I have helped individuals correct muscle imbalances and restore efficient movement patterns in inpatient and outpatient settings. Working in several hospitals throughout my career, I have helped people with diagnoses such as spinal cord injury, stroke, trauma from accidents, cancer, and amputation. In addition, I have spent years working in outpatient sports medicine clinics to help clients recover from orthopedic injuries and surgeries such as total joint replacement, spine surgery, and repair of bones, tendons, and ligaments.

 

 I first discovered the benefit of Pilates for rehabilitation when I joined a team of therapists working in the MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital Amputee Rehabilitation program in 2018. The apparatus opened up many more therapeutic exercise opportunities for patients still healing from surgery. Patients at various stages of recovery could use the apparatus to work on their balance, coordination, and strength both with and without their prosthesis. Pilates expanded my clinical repertoire to provide a more holistic approach to helping my clients with various neurological conditions improve strength, coordination, and balance.

 

I use the Pilates apparatus in treatment as an extra set of hands, providing neuromuscular feedback and assistance to help the client move correctly. I can modify Pilates exercises to help clients with a broad range of abilities, safely progressing those with severe injuries who are working on regaining their ability to walk without a cane to athletes who can benefit from the challenge of performing sport-specific skills on a moving apparatus. 

 

 I am most recently certified as a Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist. I combine Pilates principles with Pregnancy and Post Partum corrective exercises to create a safe full-body workout. Each functional movement incorporates breathing techniques and body mechanics to help return the core and pelvic floor muscles to peak function. I enjoy empowering women with pelvic floor issues to regain the ability and confidence to return to the sports and activities they love.

 

 If you want to improve your core strength, posture, flexibility, balance, and overall fitness, I have the knowledge and expertise to meet you where you are and create a program to reach your goals. 

 

Certifications: 

Certified Pilates Instructor (Club Pilates, 2019)

Selective Functional Movement Assessment I and II (2001)

Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist (2022)

Renée Burkett


Pilates Instructor

 

Renée Burkett was first introduced to the Pilates Method as a young dance student.

She had the privilege of taking Pilates foundation classes and learning the Method from a contemporary of Joseph’s in formal classes. During those classes Renée watched

hours of video footage of Joseph Pilates, himself, as he taught and instructed his

method to elite athletes, private students and aspiring Pilates teachers. To this day, Renée hails back to those videos to enrich her understanding, depth of teaching and to stay true to the original intention. Renée was in a year-long Method mentorship

program. There she learned much of the basics of machines Pilates. She also devoted

self-study with Balanced Body. Ultimately, she ended up studying and taking workshops

from Moira Stott and received some of her certifications through Stott. Most recently,

Renée has taken her comprehensive Pilates certification through Pilates Method Alliance (PMA). Besides Pilates machines, Renée holds advanced certifications in Pilates Mat as well as Yoga.

Tracy Reed


Pilates Instructor

 

Tracy is originally from Montana and has been teaching Pilates since 2018. She was inspired to become a teacher after having back surgery and finding that Pilates helped her with her recovery and back pain. In fact, she was doing better than 90% of her doctor’s clients and he attributed this to the Pilates. She has been a pharmacist for over 20 years but have always preferred more natural forms of healing. 10 years into her pharmacy career she trained to be a massage therapist. She believes health is about the balance of mind, body, and spirit and taking care of yourself is the most important thing you can do. She believes Pilates is a great tool to keeping fit, toning, strengthening, and above all tuning into your body. When you feel good it’s easier to deal with life’s stressors.

Tifa Kazadi


Pilates Instructor

 

Tifa found her love for Pilates in 2018 while living in Brazil. As a lifelong athlete, she finally found a thorough workout that involved minimal equipment, was challenging and enjoyable. From this point she knew she had to share it with others. As an instructor, she enjoys seeing challenging students and watching them reach new milestones with each class. She has been working in the health field since 2007, has a BS in Health Science and an MPH in Global Epidemiology. She has a passion for health and loves seeing people live it out holistically. When she is not working full-time in education or teaching a class, Tifa enjoys running, spending time with friends and family, and researching new ways to live a holistic lifestyle.

Pilates For Life

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