Instructors

All instructors at Core Pilates on 17th can design workout programs for a wide range of clients from prenatal/post-rehab, fitness enthusiasts, to elite athletes and dancers. The studio is handicap accessible.

Chandler Moore
Senior Instructor and Studio Owner
Pilates Academy International Certifying Instructor
Certified in STOTT PILATES™
Pink Ribbon Progam:
Certified Cancer Exercise Specialist
The Center for Women's Fitness:
Certified Pregnancy Fitness and Postpartum Rehabilitation Specialist
chandler@corepilateson17th.com

Chandler Moore Sanders is the founder of Core Pilates on 17th. She is a Certifying Instructor for Pilates Academy International and a Master Trainer for the Center for Women’s Fitness, the capstones of her thousands of hours of studying, teaching, living, and breathing Pilates. After discovering Pilates as a dancer in college, Chandler quickly realized, if she wanted to afford a lifetime of Pilates, it would be prudent to become an instructor. Chandler initially trained as an Instructor and Instructor Trainer through STOTT PILATES™ and has continued to diversify her knowledge through an array of continuing education. She is certified through The Center for Women’s Fitness as a Prenatal Fitness and Post Partum Rehabilitation Specialist and The Pink Ribbon Program as a Breast Cancer Rehabilitation Specialist. She has also completed the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine’s Functional Anatomy for Movement and Injuries workshop and has an in depth understanding of the human body.

As an instructor, Chandler is the perfect blend of task master, motivational speaker, and down home girl. Articulate, funny, and a bit graphic at times, Chandler loves to pull out her model of the Pelvis so that her clients can better visualize the muscles of the pelvic floor. While some clients appreciate this more than others, none of them have any doubts to where this muscle group lives in their bodies. She cares deeply about her clients and strives to guide them through their Pilates practice from the inside out.

Chandler received her B.S. degree in Therapeutic Dance from Southwest Missouri State University in 2001. Her background includes sports training and medicine, dance, and running. Prior to opening Core Pilates on 17th, Chandler collaborated with physical therapists to rehabilitate injured patients, and help them realign their posture. Chandler married her high school sweetheart in June of 2007 and drags him to mat class every Saturday. When she’s not at the studio, you might find her at the local climbing gym or volunteering at the SPCA.

Brooke Leary
Senior Instructor 
Pilates Academy International Certifying Instructor
Certified in STOTT PILATES™ and Polestar Pilates
The Center for Women's Fitness:
Certified Pregnancy Fitness and Postpartum Rehabilitation Specialist
Certified CARDIOLATES® Instructor
brooke@corepilateson17th.com

Brooke Leary loves to move. Born and raised in the mountains of Colorado, Brooke grew up with the understanding that a healthy lifestyle begins with physical movement. The promise of new adventures in dance and outdoor activities lead her to the University of Oregon where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Dance. There Brooke discovered Pilates and found that this practice not only enhanced her dance training, but also embodied her lifestyle. After becoming certified through Polestar Pilates, Brooke moved to the Bay Area to continue her pursuit of Pilates and dance. Since then Brooke has had the opportunity to teach Pilates at a variety of studios, before finding her home at Core Pilates on 17th. In addition to working with clients, Brooke has dedicated herself to becoming an Certifying Instructor through Pilates Academy International (PAI) in New York, NY. Through PAI, Brooke has taken her practice to a new level and continues to seek greater educational opportunities within the field. Brooke has attended the cadaver workshop at the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine and is also certified in CARDIOLATES® and The Center for Women’s Fitness program for Prenatal and Postpartum Pilates.

During her off-time Brooke enjoys spending every moment outside—from rock climbing to surfing, she takes her high energy and enthusiasm into everyday life. Brooke strives to bring this same energy, educated body awareness, and love of physical movement to each client.

Alisa Dillion-Ogden
Senior Instructor
Certified in STOTT PILATES™
The Center for Women's Fitness:
Certified Pregnancy Fitness and Postpartum Rehabilitation Specialist
alisa@corepilateson17th.com

Alisa first discovered Pilates while completing a 2-year Certificate in Dance program from the Alvin Ailey School in New York City. She found Pilates to be an invaluable tool for staying strong and injury-free in a career that is hard on the body. Since experiencing the positive affects Pilates has had on her own body, she has committed herself to sharing these benefits with others by completing the full STOTT PILATES™ Certification program. Alisa has also enhanced her training and knowledge through the study of anatomy, Pilates for rehabilitation and special populations, and Prenatal and Postpartum fitness. She feels that the study of the body is an ongoing process and is always looking forward to her next opportunity to learn something new.

As an instructor, Alisa strives to make Pilates accessible to all her clients, whether they want to prepare for a marathon or just have a day without back pain. She enjoys watching her clients discover for themselves how Pilates can enhance their wellbeing and aims to create a welcoming atmosphere and tailor workouts to the specific needs of her clients, whatever their age or fitness level.

Anne Bishop
Senior Instructor
Pilates Academy International Certifying Instructor
Certified in STOTT PILATES™
Pink Ribbon Progam:
Certified Cancer Exercise Specialist
The Center for Women's Fitness:
Certified Pregnancy Fitness and Postpartum Rehabilitation Specialist
anne@corepilateson17th.com

Anne Bishop is a dedicated Pilates practitioner who strives to continually expand her knowledge and share her enthusiasm for this practice with her clients. A life-long dancer with a passion for body awareness and the human form, she came to study Pilates in 2000 and received her certification in 2002. In 2005 Anne furthered her education with a Bachelors of Science in Physiology from San Francisco State University. In 2006 she joined the faculty at SFSU for a year, where she taught an Anatomy laboratory class in the Biology Department. Anne draws from her academic education and her passion for movement to create a uniquely well-rounded approach to Pilates.

Inspired to seek new developments and challenges, Anne has furthered her training at the Pilates Academy International (PAI) in Manhattan, New York. In July 2006, Anne became a certifying instructor for PAI, and now trains Pilates instructors in California and throughout the world. Most recently Anne was hired by PAI to teach and certify future instructors in Istanbul, Turkey. Anne’s love for travel has also brought her to teach Pilates in such places as Jamaica and at the Balance Pilates Studio in the Dominican Republic. Since then, Anne has also certified in Pre- and Post-Natal Pilates through The Center for Women’s Fitness and the Pink Ribbon Program, which helps breast cancer survivors post-operatively. She inspires her clients to honor where they are in each session, and to move forward with playfulness, mindfulness, and great joy in their practice.

Kelly Bowker
Certifed Instructor
Certified through Pilates Academy International
The Center for Women's Fitness:
Certified Pregnancy Fitness and Postpartum Rehabilitation Specialist
kelly@corepilateson17th.com

Kelly Bowker received her BFA in dance from the University of Michigan. She first discovered Pilates as a student of the Bates Dance Festival where she was amazed by the transformation of her own body in just three weeks. Kelly brings a strong foundation in dance and gymnastics to her Pilates teaching. She has danced with Clancyworks Dance Company and Catscratch Theater and has completed an apprenticeship with the Liz Lerman Dance Exchange. She has over six years of dance and gymnastics teaching experience in three different states. She currently teaches through LEAP! for Kids and is a member of the National Association of Women's Gymnastics Judges. Chandler Moore inspired Kelly to bring her love of movement and teaching to Pilates and she trained through Pilates Academy International. Since then she has also completed Pregnancy and Postpartum Fitness Specialization through The Center for Women’s Fitness. Kelly is looking forward to sharing her extensive teaching experience and her new found education.

Sergio Novoa
Certified Instructor
Pilates Academy International Instructor
The Pilates Coach Mini Ball Certified
Pilates Institutes of America Mat Certified
Balanced Body Reformer Certified
NASM - Personal Trainer Certification

Sergio Novoa has been working in the fitness industry for over ten years. His involvement in fitness started back in 1989 when he decided to study martial arts. From there, he expanded to teach cardio kickboxing, and has since become a personal trainer and a Pilates instructor. Sergio truly loves working with his clients and is committed to helping them achieve their short and long-term goals.

On his off time, Sergio likes to get involved in the community. You will find him participating in all sorts of chariable events, such as AIDS/LifeCycle, Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, Race for the Cure, Aids Walk SF and many more. Last year he and his team of twelve members road their bycicles from San Francisco to Los Angeles and raised over $50,000 to fight AIDS. With such a diverse background, Sergio takes an approach to fitness that is both thoughtful and energetic, thorough and fun. He is very excited about joining our team at Core Pilates on 17th and he is looking forward to working with all of you.

Jaime Rangeley
Certified Instructor
Certified through Pilates Academy International
The Center for Women's Fitness:
Certified Pregnancy Fitness and Postpartum Rehabilitation Specialist

A dancer for many years, Jaime has long had a passion for the human body and how it works. At Arizona State University, Jaime earned a B.F.A. in Dance, which included the study of anatomy, physiology, nutrition, and kinesiology. Since graduating, she has performed with several modern dance companies in Arizona and the Bay Area, touring in California, Washington State, and Vietnam (where she was the only person to be found in the hotel's decidedly un-air-conditioned fitness center).

Jaime first discovered Pilates in a high school dance class, though it went unnamed until years later when private sessions were offered as a job perk. Her love for movement and fitness made Jaime realize that she either needed to invent a treadmill desk, or leave her job in management for a life of Pilates.

Choosing the later, she promptly pursued her certification through Pilates Academy International, and fell in love with how Pilates can strengthen the muscles while lengthening them and be adapted to any fitness level or objective. Pilates helped Jaime run her first marathon and has transformed her chronically weak upper body, allowing her to pursue the art of trapeze. Since obtaining her certification, Jaime has also been certified by the Center for Women's Fitness as Prenatal and Postpartum Exercise Specialist. Jaime looks forward to helping you attain your goals, as well as setting new ones!

Tara Geear
Apprentice Instructor
Pilates Academy International Trained
The Center for Women's Fitness:
Certified Pregnancy Fitness and Postpartum Rehabilitation Specialist

Tara earned her Bachelors degree from the University of Oregon in Psychology and Philosophy. After graduation she joined the dot-com world and moved to California, where she was introduced to Pilates in 2003. Pilates brought some much needed balance to her day life as a computer geek and she was inspired to obtain her instructor training through Pilates Academy International. As a Pilates instructor, she focuses on bringing body awareness to those who, like her, spend so much time improving their intellectual awareness. She is also certified through The Center for Women's Fitness in Prenatal and Postpartum Pilates. Tara is looking forward to working with you to meet your fitness goals.

Melinda Kausek
Studio Administrator/Apprentice Instructor
Pilates Academy International Trained
The Center for Women's Fitness:
Certified Pregnancy Fitness and Postpartum Rehabilitation Specialist
melinda@corepilateson17th.com

Melinda has a knack for combining her skills and passions into to neat and tidy packages. Armed with the encouragement of her first Pilates instructor to pursue her certification and a varied background of clerical and teaching experience, Melinda joined the Core Pilates on 17th staff last September, first as the Studio Administrator and more recently as an Apprentice Instructor.

As the Studio Administrator, Melinda brings a friendly face and voice to the front desk. Fearless in the face of databases, she quickly mastered the quirks of our online scheduling system and even taught herself HTML to keep our website current. Her Bachelor’s in English makes writing The Teaser, our monthly newsletter, rewarding and fun. She is committed to helping Core Pilates on 17th be the best Pilates studio in San Francisco and making sure everyone knows it, whether it’s by improving our Google rankings or just telling everyone she meets.

As an Instructor, Melinda feels blessed to work and train at a studio that encourages its instructors to be creative, as well as thoughtful and disciplined. She began her training through Pilates Academy International and has continued to broaden her knowledge base with specialized training in Pre- and Postnatal Pilates through The Center for Women’s Fitness. With a diverse background in language, psychology, and dance, Melinda takes a well-rounded approach to Pilates and has a deep appreciation for its ability to improve mind-body awareness, facilitate rehabilitation, or just be a great work out. Her keen eye for alignment, patience, and humor help her tailor sessions to each client’s individual needs and goals.

Kelli Zehnder
Apprentice Instructor
Pilates Academy International Trained
The Center for Women's Fitness:
Certified Pregnancy Fitness and Postpartum Rehabilitation Specialist

Kelli's love of Pilates began right here at Core Pilates on 17th. She recently decided to turn her love of practicing into a passion for teaching, and is completing her training through Pilates Academy International. Pilates has helped Kelli alleviate her back pain during long days in front of a computer, and achieve new goals in other areas of movement. Kelli also has a degree in Anthropology, and Pilates allows her to continue her fascination with the human body and all of its amazing potential for motion.

A practicing yogi and former dancer, Kelli leads an active lifestyle and brings these elements into her teaching style. She believes that Pilates can be practiced by men and women of all fitness levels, and enjoys working with clients to achieve their potential, respecting wherever they presently are. Pursuing her deep commitment to women's reproductive health, Kelli received her Pregnancy and Postpartum Fitness Specialization through The Center for Women's Fitness, so she can help women gain strength through knowledge of their own bodies in every stage of life. Playfulness, anatomy, biomechanics, poetic imagery, and a sense of humor all come together to make Kelli's lessons an empowering and revitalizing experience. Kelli looks forward to working with you on your current fitness goals and future aspirations.