Instructors
Tracy Friesen, Owner of Integration Pilates Studios
Tracy has been teaching Pilates since 1997. She originally trained and certified under Vivian Nickels at Body Matrix in Toronto, and has continued her training under various master teachers from around the world. She continues to study many forms of body work and movement, integrating her knowledge into the Studios’ programs. She completed her Gyrotonic training in 2001 and certified in traditional Thai Massage in 2004. In 2009 she completed yoga certification from YogaWorks. Tracy has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from York University and continues to dance, using Integration as her home base. Her husband, Dan Friesen, custom built all the Pilates Equipment in her studio. Some of his designs are total innovations and improvements to the original apparatus.
Tara Berry: Instructor
Tara certified as a Pilates instructor through the Physical Mind Institute. Besides the training she received at Integration, Tara trained and certified at the Body Harmonics Studio in Toronto under the tutelage of Susan Greskevitch and Margot McKinnon. Tara has a Bachelor of Education specializing in Physical Education, and she brings five years of teaching experience at the junior and senior high school levels to the studio. She was also a member and coach of the University of Alberta Pandas Gymnastics Team.
Catherine Green: Instructor
Catherine was introduced to Pilates at Integration in 2000 and started regular practice with Tracy Friesen following a back surgery. She certified as a Pilates instructor in 2003 through Body Balance at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas and has since been an instructing at Integration. Catherine’s background in physical theatre has exposed her to various movement techniques (Alexander, Feldenkrais, Creative Impulse, and Yoga), all of which influence her Pilates instruction. Catherine continues to enhance her Pilates education through workshops and conferences.
Linda Turnbull: Instructor
Linda was first introduced to Pilates while studying at Grant MacEwan College and then later at Simon Fraser University (2002), where she received her BFA in Dance. After returning from Vancouver, she became heavily involved in the Edmonton dance community and began training at Integration in dance and Pilates. She received her Pilates Method Certification in 2004 under the tutelage of Tracy Friesen. Linda practices Pilates and Yoga regularly and feels that not only are they an excellent complement to each other, but both have increased her strength, flexibility and body awareness as a professional dancer.
Shareen Hanke: Instructor
Shareen has over 20 years of experience in the fitness industry. She is dedicated to helping people develop healthy, fit, functional bodies. Shareen was Mat certified in 2001 through Body Works Pilates Studio and Dianne Miller, a Master Pilates teacher in Vancouver. Shareen is the creator of Strollercise, Babes in the Woods, and is a respected trainer and certified postnatal specialist. She has an innovative and energetic style and lectures on various wellness topics. She has recently completed her equipment training with Tracy Friesen at Integration and will be teaching equipment at our new Studio in Sherwood Park.
Janet Kwantes:
Instructor
Janet's teaching career spans almost 20 years and includes teaching English as a second language, genetics, organic chemistry and, most recently, Pilates at Integration (since 2004). She desires to bring the body, mind, spirit, and emotions into wholeness. She is currently pursuing a BSc in psychology and a graduate diploma in Dance/movement therapy and was recently certified in Traditional Thai massage. She lives in Sherwood Park with her loving husband and three creative children.
Raena Waddell: Instructor
The world of Pilates was introduced to Raena during her two years at Grant MacEwan's Dance Program (1998–2000). After graduation, Raena began a number of endeavours: performing with the Mile Zero Dance Company, training as a Reflexologist at the Universal College of Reflexology and taking Pilates at Integration Studio. Fascinated with how Pilates significantly increased in her strength and flexibility as a dancer, Raena began training with Tracy Friesen for her Pilates Method Certification and began teaching pilates at the studio in 2004. Raena is immersed in the performance and creation of dance in Edmonton as she works as an independent artist for various choreographers. In addition, Raena continues to present her own dance works throughout the year. Away from the stage, Raena has taught at various other studios in Edmonton, she is a founding member of the NewDance Collective and is now practicing Reflexology at Integration.
Jim Zerr: Instructor
Jim started doing Pilates in the Spring of 2003 to improve back pain due to a combination of poor posture and heavy work in construction. In a few months his back pain was under control and he began learning pilates with the intention to teach. In 2004 Jim became a certified instructor and started teaching Pilates at Integration Pilates Studio. In the Spring of 2008 Jim began learning Thai Yoga massage by completing a Certification course in Traditional Thai massage and is now also offering Thai massage sessions at Integration. In Jim’s own words, “The knowledge I have been given has made my life more active and way more fun than it ever could have been living with pain and fear of re-injury. My hope is that working at Integration I can pass along the gift of knowledge I have been given to any others who want it, and in the process empower others to more fully appreciate the awe, wonder and fun of their bodies. Live and Learn, Peace.”
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