Trainer Bios

Tori Brown, Program Director/Owner
Chimêne Montivero-Cole, Director of Education/Owner

TORI
In 1994, Tori Brown, a member of Actor's Equity Association (AEA), was introduced to Pilates while on a break from performing in the 20th Anniversary International Tour of “A Chorus Line”. Other performance credits include a starring role as Paula McFadden in the West Coast Premier of "The Good-bye Girl", as well as a featured role in "The Will Roger's Follies", Don Arden's "Jubilee" in Las Vegas, and a year long contract as a Los Angeles Rams Cheerleader (way back when...). She began training to become a Pilates instructor in 1996, and holds certifications in multiple Pilates training methods, including STOTT PILATES®. Additionally she holds certifications for Group Fitness and Personal Training from AFAA, Aquatic Certifications through PADI and FitTour, and memberships with IDEA. Tori has worked with NHL players from the New Jersey Devils, and has consulted with the head coach of professional AFL football teams in San Diego, CA, Wichita, KS and Davenport, IL. Locally she has worked with the Cornell Women's swim Team, the Ithaca Swim Club, professional dancers from the New England Ballet Company, and has instructed classes at Ithaca College. Tori is currently studying Somatics and working toward her certification as a Rehab Exercise Specialist.

CHIMENE
After reaching her goal of competing internationally as a member of he USA National Karate Team,  Chimêne Montivero-Cole received a masters degree in Science in Physical Therapy from Ithaca College.  In addition to holding multiple professional Pilates certifications, including STOTT PILATES®, she is a highly sought-after licensed Physical Therapist. Chimêne has been a licensed physical therapist since 1999, and prides herself in actively persueing continuing education. Her experience includes rehabilitation of a wide variety of spinal and sacroiliac disorders, movement impairments due to muscle imbalances, foot orthotic management for lower extremity disorders, shoulder and knee rehabilitation, and prenatal programs.

Montivero-Cole and Brown opened the region's first Pilates studio, The PILATES Room , in 2001. They created and trademarked AQUALATES® - Pilates Inspired Aquatics in 2006, and currently offer unparalleled aquatics training and certification programs nationally. With an emphasis on client education, the pair continue to expand upon their personal certifications with several hours of continuing education every year, and offer their clients and students superior insight into the movement of each exercise, whether Pilates or AQUALATES® based.

Tori and Chimêne believe that exercise in any form is important, but exercise based upon current knowledge of human biomechanics and anatomy is essential. There is more than one school of thought in terms of Pilates technique, and though Joseph Pilates was unarguably a man ahead of his time, our knowledge today exceeds what he understood to be true in his time. As is the case in any science, the more time passes, the more knowledgeable we become. Joe Pilates himself continued to evolve his teachings right up until his death at the age of 87, in 1967.

Though the more classical, or "authentic", method may be well-suited for some individuals, Brown and Montivero-Cole chose to acquire complete certification with STOTT PILATES based upon personal experiences with several different pilates styles. STOTT PILATES is an Internationally recognized certification requiring over 500 hours of classroom instruction, supervised teaching, observation, personal review and practical teaching experience. In addition, STOTT certified instructors are required to obtain a minimum of 6 hrs of continuing education every year. You can be assured that your instructor is well-educated and well-versed in the same modern-day principles practiced in modern physical therapy practices.

The PILATES Room is still the region's most full-service studio, offering group mat and reformer classes, open gym sessions, private training, STOTT PILATES workshops, and comprehensive Pilates and AQUALATES® certifications.

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Sally Baker - Authentic Pilates™ Guild Certified Instructor

In 1997, Sally Baker became Guild Certified in Authentic Pilates™ by master teacher Romana Kryzanowska, protégé of Joseph Pilates and a practitioner of the method for more than 50 years.

For the six years following certification, and prior to relocating in Ithaca in the summer of 2002, Sally was director and head instructor of InterHealth Pilates in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Her practice includes collaborating with orthopedists, pain management specialists, physical therapists, and chiropractors on a client referral basis. Sally has had the pleasure of working with Olympic athletes, U.S. ski and snowboard team members, professional athletes, musicians, dancers, Hollywood stars, and most recently the Cornell University heavyweight crew team, Cornell women's crew team, Cornell women's lacrosse team, and students at Ithaca Ballet.

Sally has a background in nursing as well as a Healing Touch Level 1 certificate. She is a member of the Pilates Method Alliance, IDEA Health and Fitness, and is affiliated with Romana's Pilates, The Pilates Studio™, and Classical Pilates™ .

Sally is well versed in teaching clients to understand and apply the Authentic Pilates™ principles in their everyday lives. She brings a high level of commitment to her clients and is personally involved in helping them achieve their goals.

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Johanna Goehner - Power Pilates™ Level III instructor

Johanna is a certified Power Pilates™ Level III instructor. Her solid grasp of the exercises using all of the Pilates apparatus helps her tailor her clients' workouts to their specific physical needs. Johanna teaches mat, private, and semi-private session as well as mat classes at the Ithaca College Wellness program. She is deeply devoted to the work and committed to her clients' success.

Johanna works successfully with people of varied backgrounds, including young skaters, stressed students, and older professionals. She is especially delighted to work with middle-aged and senior exercisers, as she began Pilates in midlife and is stronger now than she was in her thirties.

Johanna is also an enthusiastic swimmer and bicyclist and has benefited greatly from using the Pilates method in both activities. She is also a translator of philosophical books.

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Alexandra Zieba
Ali's bio is coming soon.

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Helaine Schultz
Helaine's bio is coming soon.

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Jana Hay
Jana's Bio is coming soon.

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Jodie Whittle - Studio Coordinator

With 20 years of customer service experience, including 5 years of service in the fitness industry, Jodie Whittle is an invaluable asset to Pilates Associates of Central NY, LLC and The PILATES Room.

Among other things, Jodie has taken charge of our complicated scheduling system making it easier than ever to schedule, cancel, or change your appointments with one or multiple trainers. Additionally, with her help we are able to offer more billing options including house charge accounts, online invoicing, and automatic billing. She is an avid Marathon runner living in Ithaca with her husband and 2 children. Call Jodie for any billing or scheduling assistance Monday-Friday between the hours of 9am-12pm, or just stop by and say hello! You can also email her any time.

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