After taking her first class over 19 years ago, Gretchen instantly became hooked on the body, mind, and spirit connection of the Pilates Method. In 2008, she obtained her first certification in Mat Pilates under Teri Steele through Dance New Amsterdam in NYC. Gretchen went on to continue her education and received her Comprehensive Certification on all Pilates Apparatus through Polestar Pilates in Miami in 2010. Gretchen eventually had the opportunity to come back as an Instructor, shortly after she also became a Mentor to students going through the Comprehensive Series and then an Educator with Polestar Pilates. Gretchen has taken Advanced Teacher Training courses in Osteoporosis, Scoliosis, Woman’s Health (including pre/post natal), Pilates for the Dancer, Pilates for Rotational Sports, and Pilates for Hip and Knee Replacements. Gretchen also holds a certificate for Pilates for MS™ & Neurological Conditions taught by Mariska Breland and has hosted Mariska at BREATHE twice to sold out courses of the same name. She went on the take and host another sold out course, Advanced Pilates for MS™ & Neurological Conditions taught by Mariska’s partner Meghann Koppele. Gretchen has also completed level I, level II, and level III trainings for the CoreAlign® by Balanced Body. She is certified by the Pilates Method Alliance. Most recently, Gretchen completed one of her most inspiring trainings to date, The Kathy Grant Heritage Training® (Kathy Grant was an original student of Joseph Pilates) led by renowned teacher and student of Kathy Grant, Cara Reeser (carareeserpilates.com). Gretchen continues to study movement, anatomy, and body mechanics with Cara Reeser and Jeremy Laverdure.

Having had the pleasure of working with a wide variety of clients, including Cirque du Soleil performers and octogenarians, Gretchen enjoys assessing her client’s abilities and then helping them achieve their goals, and expectations. She finds great reward and pleasure in being able to guide them through their Pilates practice and help them get in touch with their bodies and minds through the teachings of Joseph Pilates. Having a Bachelor’s degree and background in Fine Art, Gretchen always is looking for creative ways to facilitate movement and to design fun and interesting classes.