Club Pilates

Christina Dowd

I first started taking Pilates about 4 years ago when I was a student at the University of Nevada, Reno. Our new gym offered free classes to students so I decided to try it out and I was immediately hooked! I saw my body change and gained so much body awareness in such a short amount of time! After I graduated college, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do so I decided I would focus on something I loved: Pilates. That’s when I enrolled in the Teacher Training program at Club Pilates! Now I get to teach and share my love of Pilates with all of our clients and I feel so lucky! Come visit me in all of our amazing Norther Nevada studios!

Education: Club Pilates 500 Hour Comprehensive Pilates Instructor Certification

Services: Group based Reformer Classes

Kelly Brittain

Education: Club Pilates Comprehensive Instructor Certification

Services: Group Reformer Pilates Classes, Private Instruction

Chandra Greene

Chandra is a published and syndicated Pilates and dance arts writer, with a certification in the Pilates Method with DK Body Balancing at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, which focuses on rehabilitation. She recently taught as a Dance Adjunct with Truckee Meadows Community College for two years. She earned her Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in Dance from UNLV and maintained a professionalcdance career for over twelve years of experience in the professional circuit. She has worked with networks: such as, HBO, Warner Bros. Television, Fox Entertainment, MTV, Charo Entertainment and much more. She had to retire as a professional dancer due to Lumbar Stenosis, Spondylolisthesis, bulging discs and Scoliosis, which resulted to a massive spinal injury to her lumbar region of the back that caused the lower half of her body to be paralyzed for a short period of time. As any athlete she continued to dance as her sensation came back to her legs, which resulted in a crack in her spine and led to a lumbar laminectomy – spinal fusion of the L5-S1 region of the back with two discs removed and a right hip realignment. Chandra started her Pilates passion when she was 19 years old at UNLV, and she was determined to heal her self from her surgery and continue to help others that may suffer from the same pain as she has. Her passion for the Pilates Method is seen with her clients that have found relief from hip surgeries, shoulder replacements, spinal injuries, lower back pain, postural concerns, balance and stabilization issues and learning how to breathe properly. She helps those that may feel that can’t do Pilates do to their age, weight or lack of movement. With a strong focus in learning how to practice the Pilates Method that best suits the body in front of her. "My mentor Dolly Kelepecz-Momot always stated to me: 'Do not identify yourself by your injury, your injury doesn’t defy you or identify you…' She instilled in me that just because you are injured or may have a surgery, it’s up to each individual to stay positive with positive affirmations about yourself, there is room for change, but we have to be willing to walk through the next door of our life. We do what works for our bodies, and Pilates has allowed me to be free of steroid injections, epidurals and pain management. I am free from my injury” – Chandra Greene

Services: Group Reformer Classes , Private and Semi Private Instruction

Sarah Hughes

Born and raised in Reno, NV(you read that right, true Battleborn!) I love getting outside and enjoying Reno's 300 days of sunshine a year AND hanging out with my fur baby Teeny! I love being active and I have played sports all my life. I am a former college athlete and I earned a Bachelor's and Masters Degree in Educational Psychology. Mindfulness and teaching are a huge part of what drives me. I became hooked on Pilates after my first encounter because it refreshes my body and mind. I love connecting my workout with my breathe, improving posture, and loving what it's done for my midsection! When I am not in the studio, I help put people in their dream home as Residential Realtor at Dickson Realty. Helping people fulfill dreams and goals is in my nature.

Education: BS, MFA, UNR

Certifications: Club Pilates Comprehensive Pilates Instruction Certification

Services: Group Reformer Classes

Brigitte Benoist

I was born and raised in France where I studied and taught ballet, jazz and modern dance. Although I pursued a career in a different field, I have always been involved in health and fitness to keep fit both physically and mentally. A few years back, I started experiencing extreme lower back pain and could no longer follow my fitness routine. A friend of mine encouraged me to try Pilates. I took my first Pilates class at Club Pilates Reno, and I fell in love with the discipline instantly. It helped my lower back pain and gave me physical strength and body awareness. I love the emphasis on the mind-body connection, and Pilates brings me back to my roots as a dancer. Teaching Pilates is a second career for me, and I can’t wait to share my passion and knowledge with clients. I believe in a holistic approach to wellness, and I enjoy helping people reach their fitness goals. I am honored to work with the instructors who taught me Pilates and shared their passion with me. They are the reason why I decided to become a Pilates instructor in the first place. Come on in, and say hi...I love a hug, and a laugh and a smile!!!

Certifications: Certified Pilates Instructor

Kim Caramella

I heard about Pilates 17 years ago when I was running long distances & lifting weights when it was mentioned I should incorporate Pilates into my training. . I had the typical wear & tear that comes with running and being active. I tore my Achilles & had plantar fasciitis in both feet for 2 years. My wonderful Podiatrist was able to alleviate the fasciitis from my left foot, but my right continued for 6 more years & when it got to the point I was on my toes, we opted for surgery. I believe if I had been doing Pilates then, many if not all of these issues could have been averted. In 2014 I was bucked off one of our horses while roping & injured my L5, but I kept running in spite of it & would barely be able to walk later in the day. Many nights were sleepless due to the pain & when I could sleep I was propped w/pillows between my legs & wedged behind my back. Mentally was harder than the physical as running was my go to place where I would go to forget problems, work out problems, think of nothing, get centered...my happy place. But now where I once found all this I could only feel the physical pain. Once my youngest was out of the house, I began looking for a part time job. Club Pilates hired me as a Front Desk and Sales Associate for my love of fitness, and passion for movement and people. I fell in love with the members right away. I started taking so many different classes. I was skeptical it would help my back as I had tried so many things to little or no avail. But I can now say in spite of my skepticism, it truly is helping. I’m running at least 3 days a week & I even have those good weeks of time & little to no pain where I can do 5 days. My mileage is slowly increasing & my times though still far from pre-injury times are decent & on my good days which I now have, I can open up my stride & feel like I’m running with the wind again. No plantar fasciitis to speak of at this point, which I believe is thanks to Pilates. My lifting is great due to Pilates lengthening everything back out. I’m riding my horses, hiking, out on the lake waterskiing, running, lifting & doing Pilates. Pilates has become an integral part of my workout regimen & lifestyle. I am so grateful it found it’s way into my life. I LOVE fitness! I find it vital for my mental health even more than my physical & I am excited to share my passion with others. Life brings us what we need & it knew I needed Pilates. I chose to enroll in Teacher Training so that I can help pass on all of this goodness to others who might struggle! And how blessed am I that the Biggest Little City In The World , where I was born & raised has Club Pilates to offer this? Very blessed!

Maddie Nichols

Pilates became a big part of my life about 2 years ago. I have always tried to stay active playing sports in high school to trying new types of workouts such as kickboxing, yoga, and group training workouts, but nothing sparked a fire. I was interested in trying Pilates because my Aunt had been in the Pilates and yoga industry for awhile and I could see the benefit of not only physical health but mental health as well! With Pilates we use mind body awareness with every move we do. And boy did it light my fire! I was certified here in Reno and have been teaching for about a year now, so there is still so much to learn! I love to expand my knowledge and learn new workouts for not only myself but for my clients, so I am certain Club Pilates is the perfect place for me. Tell me what you would like to see more of...I am open to learning and growing with my clients!! Come try some of my classes and party with us at The Club!!

Certifications: TMCC Pilates Reformer Certification

Annie Goff

Johanna Halosz and Dave O'Mahony

Johanna and Dave became the proud owners of Club Pilates Reno, NW Reno and Sparks, in September 2018 after loving being a client, a student, a Brand Ambassador and an instructor. She played a major role in building the client base. Johanna and her husband Dave have an unrivaled passion for Pilates and their clients, studios, and team members alike. They truly embody 'Do Pilates. Do Life' by spending all of their spare time in the great outdoors hiking, mountain biking, SUPing, golfing, camping, fly-fishing and traveling in their Sportsmobile, with their lovable Wheaten Terrier, Finnegan.

Javier Hernandez