Pilates Bodies - Our Instructors

Lisa Tobias, Owner

Lisa Tobias has been teaching pilates for over 10 years to clients of all ages and levels. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of South Florida with a BA in Dance Performance and danced professionally with Moving Current Dance Collective before expanding her pilates studio. Lisa is certified through the reputable STOTT Pilates Intensive Certification program on the full repertoire of exercises and equipment. She also has previous personal training experience and certification through NASM.

Lisa started Pilates Bodies in 2000, and the studio continues to offer clients the most comprehensive pilates instruction in Tampa because of the high standards she has established.

Instructors_________________________________

Jennifer Busby has been teaching pilates for almost four years now. She
discovered pilates through rock climbing and noticed how soon she got results and
how it improved her back pain and core strength remarkably. Jennifer then
decided to get her certification with Physical Mind Institute in Tampa
and a year later wanted to further her knowledge and experience through the
reputable STOTT PILATES. She has completed all the intensive courses to
be required for the equipment and mat exercises, as well as some of the advanced courses. Her greatest reward with teaching is seeing her clients progress and feel good about themselves inside and out!

Melody Mason-Wiliford traveled internationally as an adage dancer before turning to the fitness industry where she settled in the United States to work as a personal trainer. Pilates complimented her own philosophies of obtaining strength and flexibility through perfect posture and mind body connection, it was the natural step to obtaining pilates training through the University of Las Vegas and then Stott Pilates.
Until recently Melody worked for a physical therapy institute where her knowledge in pilates was used for rehabilitating patients before moving to Florida and working for Pilates Bodies. She is one of three instructors in the State of Florida to obtain instructor training status through the highly accredited Stott Pilates method.

Claudette began practicing Pilates in 2002 and with a background in dance, gymnastics, diving and martial arts. Pilates was intuitive and in sync with her personal style of exercise. Continuing her practice with various methods, Claudette began practicing Stott Pilates with private instructions in 2006 and her enthusiasm for the well developed contemporary style grew. Claudette has completed the all Stott apparatus to include mat, reformer, chair, barrels, and cadillac as well as injuries and special population course work. She continues to deepen her understanding of the method and enhance her own practice and teaching skills by participating in workshops and continuing education courses. Claudette is continually awed by the transformative power of Pilates and enjoys assisting others in tapping into their innate awareness, ability and strength through the practice.

Mariel Schimpf has been an active professional in the fitness industry since
1998. Her fitness career actually began by participating in four Regional
Women’s Tri-Fitness Competitions. Following her last successful competition she
decided that she had a keen desire and passion to help people achieve
their fitness and wellness goals, therefore she became certified through The
American Council on Exercise (ACE) and began her career as a fitness
professional. As her interests evolved, she expanded her modalities
into other fitness methods. As a result, she became certified as a Peak
Pilates instructor. She is also a member of The Pilates Method Alliance, an
organization whose goal is “to protect and enhance the Pilates
Method”.