Our Instructors - The Loft Pilates Studio

Myriam Pelletier, owner and Director of The Loft Pilates Studio, is a fully certified Pilates instructor on both mat and equipment with over 10 years of experience in correctional and functional movement therapy. When she discovered Pilates, Myriam was suffering from chronic back pain due to a scoliosis and additional postural problems. This method of training helped her avoid surgery and build a strong, aligned, toned and flexible body. She has built, over the years, a wide range of clientele from elite athletes to those with specific conditions, from teenagers to "Keenagers" (senior citizens), from the general public to public figures. Myriam loves snowboarding, traveling and trains regularly on the silk at a local circus school.

Erin Godfrey is both passionate and committed to the movement education and healthy life balance of her clients. Erin brings over a decade of experience with training in Kinesiology, Anatomy,Physiology, Biomechanics, Personal Training, Pilates, Dance and Life Coaching. Erin was initially trained as a classical ballet dancer at top schools including the National Ballet School of Canada. She discovered the trans formative and healing power of Pilates after struggling for many years with illness and chronic back pain. Erin has taught in many fitness clubs and pilates studios in addition to owning her own studio, working with a wide range of clients including elite athletes, fitness enthusiasts, pre/postnatal women, seniors and those with injuries or chronic pain.

Candy Keillor's extensive training in Pilates, fitness, dance, and sports, has enhanced her knowledge of the body, and it’s applications to a wide spectrum of clients. Candy’s passion is to educate her clients to move with ease and efficiency so that they are able to enhance their performance, perform daily activities without stress or strain, and enable them to live a healthy & vital lifestyle. Interested in all elements of fitness you can expect to receive a session personalized to address all aspects of your health & wellness. Passionate about the growth & development of children, Candy currently volunteers at Centennial Child & Infant Centre. These children have a variety of special needs and Candy works alongside teachers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, and music therapists to help create an inviting and stimulating learning environment for these remarkable children.

YOGA INSTRUCTORS

Melinda Reidl Melinda brings a peaceful and tranquil energy into her yoga teaching. Creatively using metaphor coupled with precise instruction, she facilitates her students’ journey into yoga with grace, wit and ingenuity. Melinda sees yoga as an intertextual relationship between body, breath and mind, thus she weaves each of these components into her classes. Melinda’s study of yoga began in 2000 with an Ashtanga practise. In subsequent years she studied Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin and meditation. She continues to expand her studies in yoga and Buddhism through on-going workshops and retreats. She is grateful to have studied closely with esteemed teacher and lecturer Michael during the past three years. She readily shares the gospel of yoga with all those who will indulge her.

Joan Read is a certified Hatha Yoga Instructor who has actively pursued an intensive yoga practice for many years. She continues to develop and deepen her practice through training and courses affiliated with the Yoga Alliance. She has also completed courses in meditation. Her previous background in adult education enables her to modify her classes to meet the needs of her students. Joan is interested in health and wellness, and global environmental issues.

DANCE INSTRUCTORS

Belly dancing

Myriam Pelletier has been taking belly dancing classes since 2003 and incorporates Pilates in her teaching to assist her students in better understanding the depth of each movements. Thus resulting in safe but extremely fun classes. Myriam has trained at Arabesque Acadamy and with Joanne Camelleri at Vivace Studios. She did her first performances in December 2005.

"Belly dancing is empowering. It makes you feel good about yourself. You'll regained your sensuality and it's a great workout too" says Myriam who now teaches group classes and bachelorette parties.

Ronald Abache-Pulval was born in Caracas, Venezuela and raised in a home full of professional musicians and dancers. At the early age of 5 he was impressing crowds with his Venezuelan folklore, Salsa, and Samba moves. In his teens he began b-boying, what is now known as break dancing, something he still does today. At 18 years of age he opened MLD Academy, where he taught Salsa, aerobics, and soft shoe tap. Salsa is second nature to him, his love and knowledge for the music is felt in his lessons, his techniques for passing on what he knows are easy to follow, and he will have you dancing in no time. Ron also uses some of his Buddhist philosophy to make students feel at ease, and comfortable in a dance studio setting. Ronald has worked for the city of Toronto as a salsa instructor, and has been instructing privately for 4 years. He does not compete because he feels that free dancing can not be judged. Salsa is fun, and that’s what he makes it.

FELDENKRAIS PRACTITIONER

Moira Bayne

Moira Bayne is a Guild certified Feldenkrais® practitioner. She teaches people of all ages and abilities, including writers, musicians, actors, athletes, and kids.

The Loft Pilates Studio