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.

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.

Kelly Bowker
Senior 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 most recently taught 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 certified through Pilates Academy International, completing their fundamental through advanced Pilates repetoire as well as training in Special Conditions. 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.

Laura Blakely
Senior Instructor
Certified through Polestar Pilates
laura@corepilateson17th.com

After graduating from Bowdoin College and dancing in Vermont, New York, Boston and Providence, Laura Blakely traveled to Salt Lake City to pursue her MFA in Modern Dance from the University of Utah. Her graduate studies led her to Pilates. Certified in Polestar Pilates since 2006, Laura's approach to movement combines her background in dance and somatics. She uses imagery and gentle breathing and cueing techniques in her classes and solos. As an active dancer and outdoor enthusiast, Laura believes in the continual process of embodiment and enjoys seeing clients of all backgrounds come more fully into themselves through movement. She has completed continuing education courses in Advanced Spine, Feldenkrais, and Body Mind Centering, and enjoys learning about and incorporating different modalities into her practice. She seeks any opportunity to learn and grow more and finds that using her body and studying the body provide endless opportunities.

Laura Bradley
Senior Instructor
Certified through BASI Pilates
The Center for Women's Fitness:
Certified Pregnancy Fitness and Postpartum Rehabilitation Specialist
laurab@corepilateson17th.com

Laura Bradley is a dancer and choreographer who began studying Pilates in 1998 with her aunt in Los Angeles. She continued her training while getting her B.F.A. in Modern Dance at the University of Utah. After graduating, she moved to New York and became certified through Body Arts and Sciences International. While training to become a Pilates instructor, she was a Senior Patient Coordinator at The Weill Cornell Medical; assisting Physical Therapy patients who had undergone mastectomies. She is certified to teach Prenatal and Postpartum Pilates through The Center for Women’s Fitness, and has done continuing education workshops with Rebekah Rotstein for teaching Pilates to those with Osteoporosis. She has experience giving challenging Pilates sessions to athletes, as well as working with those that are recovering from major injuries.

In her free time, she enjoys hiking, yoga, exploring, and cooking. Laura is so grateful to have found Pilates, and loves to share the strength and benefits of its’ practice with her students.

Melissa Bell
Senior Instructor
Certified through Synergy Fitness
melissa@corepilateson17th.com

Melissa Hudson Bell has developed a serious love for Pilates. She began her studies in 2001 after completing college and venturing out as a professional dancer and choreographer. She found that Pilates vastly improved her movement ability and even helped reverse her chronic back pain. Melissa worked as a physical therapy aide at a clinic that used reformers for rehabilitation and, after witnessing Pilates’ effects, she decided to get certified by Synergy Fitness. Melissa loves to do work on foam rollers and was recently introduced to Somatic Movement principles, which she now incorporates into her Pilates practice.

Melissa brings many years of teaching experience with her to Core Pilates on 17th. Prior to her certification, she taught martial arts, cardiokickboxing, dance, and even ball bounce fitness classes! Until just recently she could be found teaching at UC Riverside while working towards her PhD in Critical Dance Studies. Melissa believes strongly that her role as an instructor is to meet you where you are -- and then to provide a comfortable space, clear directives, and lots of support to help you get where you want to go. Whether you are a dancer or dentist, bridge builder or banker, pilot or pregnant mama, Melissa is excited to help you enter into Pilates in a way that will work for you.

Julia Abel
Certified Instructor
Integrated Teacher Training Certified
julia@corepilateson17th.com

Julia Lauren Abel is an ITT certified Pilates instructor. In May 2009 she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance from San Francisco State University where she co-directed the University Dance Company. She began studying dance at a young age and continued to dance throughout College. Her dance training includes ballet, jazz, contemporary, as well as modern in the Limon and Horton techniques.

Julia was introduced to Pilates as a means to emphasize proper body mechanics and strengthen her own muscular endurance. She found that it helped to stabilize and strengthen her deep core muscles while adding grace and stamina. Julia brings an energetic and motivational quality to her sessions. She helps her clients to understand and realize their bodies’ full capabilities and enjoys watching them improve their Pilates skills. She believes physical movement is the means to a healthy and fulfilling life, and to achieve this, she stresses the importance of proper body alignment.

In her free time Julia enjoys hiking, running, swimming and bicycling. She believes that being outdoors is beneficial for her overall wellbeing. Julia also loves to entertain. She takes pleasure in creating healthful meals to share with friends.

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

Melinda started falling in love with Pilates while she was completing her BA in English (with a self-declared minor in Argentine Tango) at Reed College. PE was requirment for graduation, so dabbling in various dance and movement classes seemed the best way to go. Things got more serious a few years later when she used Pilates to prepare for a Tango Cabaret performance. Within a month of a more disciplined practice, she noticed that her mild, but chronic low back pain disappeared and her dancing was both stronger and freer. What really sealed the deal for her, however, was the encouragement of her first teacher to pursue her certification.

It was a long, winding road, but Melinda finally received her Pilates Academy International certification in June 2009. She has continued to broaden her knowledge base by becoming a Certified Pre/Post Natal Pilates Specialist and by completing Lizz Roman’s 12-week Pilates Rehabilitation Intensive. Credentials aside, Melinda strives to share her passion for Pilates and it’s ability to increase strength and ease within the body – whether it’s through intense workout or a gentle, rehabilitative session. Her keen eye for alignment, patience, and humor help her tailor sessions to each client’s individual needs and goals. When she’s not teaching Pilates, you might find Melinda on the dance floor, playing guitar, or just exploring the city.

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@corepilateson17th.com

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.

Tara Geear Clark
Certified Instructor
Pilates Academy International Certified
The Center for Women's Fitness:
Certified Pregnancy Fitness and Postpartum Rehabilitation Specialist
tara@corepilateson17th.com

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 Pilates Certification 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.

Kelli Zehnder
Apprentice Instructor
Pilates Academy International Trained
The Center for Women's Fitness:
Certified Pregnancy Fitness and Postpartum Rehabilitation Specialist
kelli@corepilateson17th.com

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.

Kristen Philipkoski
Apprentice Instructor
Trained through Balanced Body and Pilates Academy International
kristen@corepilateson17th.com

Kristen's love affair with fitness began with Jane Fonda, legwarmers and all, in the 80s. She has jumped on many bandwagons: aerobics, step aerobics, kickboxing, yoga, spinning and even hip hop dancing. But when she tried Pilates, she knew she had found The One. As a journalist she spends hours sitting in chairs and staring at computers, which led to neck and back pain. The precise and balanced movements of Pilates helped ease the discomfort and increased her overall strength. That's when she knew she wanted to share her Pilates experience and teach others to reap the same rewards. Kristen completed the Balanced Body mat training in Paris in 2008 and will participate in the Pilates Academy International Reformer training at Core Pilates on 17th this summer. She looks forward to seeing you in a Mat class soon!