Club Pilates

In 2018 Allan was introduced to the world of Pilates as a co-owner and instructor at Club Pilates Laurel. Allan is living his life’s dream by incorporating his 20 plus years as a strength coach, while growing in his knowledge and ability as a Pilates Instructor to train members and operate Club Pilates Laurel alongside his wife (Kim). My wife and I are determined to make each of our Club Pilates studios like a family where through sound training guidance, warmth and encouragement we journey with our CP Family Members to live healthy lifestyles. We hope to make Club Pilates a cornerstone for health and wellness in the community of Prince George’s County Maryland for many years to come. Allan’s journey into the health and wellness industry began as a strength coach started in 1998. He became certified and began coaching at small studios in Delaware and Maryland. Allan quickly recognized the need to learn new training methods and approaches to better suit the needs of his clients. Allan believes exercise should be a regular part of everyone’s lifestyle habits which is why he really enjoys relating to and having fun with his clients as he sees them improving in their movement quality, strength and endurance. He is adept at designing and implementing programs for a wide spectrum of populations. Allan has a BA degree in Criminal Justice from Hampton University. He holds the following certifications: Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist; FMS/certified, having learned how to identify and improve movement imbalances through corrective exercises; Level-2 StrongFirst Kettlebell Instructor. This certification is one of the more grueling certifications in the fitness industry requiring 3 straight days of intense training designed to test your physical proficiency, stamina and strength. Out of a class of over 60 individuals Allan was one of the one third that was able to achieve this status.

Alisa is a Certified Pilates Instructor with a focus in private and semi-private lessons. Her journey into Pilates began with taking classes to help strengthen her rotator cuff and core. The Pilates method quickly became a passion of hers after noticing the improvements in her own posture, core strength and flexibility. This passion influenced her decision to fully immerse herself into this mindful and precise training. A strong believer in the power of positive thinking, she incorporates the principles of Pilates in her classes to teach students effective movement techniques they can use in their daily lives. She is tough, but takes the time to explain, correct and demonstrate so the student understands the “why” behind the movement. Alisa strives to challenge every student, meeting them where they are to keep them safe while exploring what they can accomplish with Pilates. A goal of hers when teaching is to empower the student to take control of their physical health and to improve their well-being. Alisa has a B.A. from UNC-Charlotte and a J.D. from UM Carey School of Law. She is now studying for the National Pilates Certification Exam (NPCP). When not teaching or studying Pilates, Alisa enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, decorating and learning about the uses of essential oils.

TEST DESCRIPT

Voni likes to describe her career in health, wellness, and fitness as a kaleidoscope of disciplines that all blend together to feed her purpose for helping others improve their quality of life. She fell in love with learning about the human body and how if given the proper nutrients and/or environment, we can heal ourselves. She was smitten by the ability that we have the power to take back our health and wanted to teach this to everyone. She’s worked in a professional capacity in the health and wellness industry for over 14 years as a health coach, business owner, and massage therapist. She received her professional training as a Certified Holistic Health Coach and is a nationally certified massage therapist. While working at the Pentagon as a contractor, she ventured off to start her first company, a mobile day spa. She is the founder and owner of a corporate wellness solutions company, Fruitful Lotus, and currently practices as a massage therapist and health consultant at her private practice in Columbia, MD. Voni is a combat veteran of the United States Army and advocates for medical cannabis for veterans to treat PTSD and pain management. Her love for fitness and movement has her currently working as a Pilates fitness instructor at Club Pilates. Voni loves this because not only does she benefit personally from Pilates but this profession contributes to the fulfillment of her over-all mission and purpose in life, which is to uplift love-consciousness. When people feel better, they simply do better while on this planet. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her awesome teenage daughter, loves quiet time reading books on health and wellness related subject matter and lives for attending concerts of some of her favorite hip-hop, jazz, reggae, and R&B artists. Oh, and she is quite the foodie!!

Kim was introduced to the idea of Pilates by a friend and subsequently stumbled upon Club Pilates while watching a promo for the 2018 NBC4 Health & Fitness Expo. The segment featured a local Club Pilates where they displayed members utilizing the Reformer. Kim was immediately drawn to the exercise method and wanted to try it for herself. In that moment she did a google search for a location near her home in Prince George County, only to find that the closest studio was in another county. Kim quickly realized the void in her community; no boutique fitness studios in Prince George County. Observing the exercise movements and how it could help lengthen, strengthen and tone one’s body, Kim wanted to experience it for herself. After she experienced it, God placed on her heart that many people in Prince George County could benefit from this movement method. Somehow this interest for herself turned into a desire to help her fellow neighbors. This interest came to fruition in August 2019 in Laurel, Maryland. Together with her husband Allan, they hope to be a part of solution for their community and forge to bring the health and wellness movement into the county. Together they hope to help their fellow residents become healthier by moving better and feeling better through Pilates and they plan on opening two more studios in the county. Kim has been working in pharmaceutical sales for just over 23 years. She holds a BS degree in Marketing from Hampton University and a Master’s in Business Administration from Howard University. When not working her fulltime job or managing business for the studio, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, practicing yoga, and leading meditation.

Allan teaches at Club Pilates.

Joanna Gilmer teaches at Club Pilates.

Robert teaches at Club Pilates.

Kim strongly believes “if you don’t use it, you lose it.” She has been an exercise enthusiast for more than three decades. One of her ultimate achievements was training for and finishing a 26.5-mile marathon in Honolulu, Hawaii, the fourth largest marathon in the U.S. As Kim entered her fabulous forties, she found that she couldn’t do as much running and high impact exercising as she used to and started looking for something she could get great results from without the high impact on her joints and bones. Something that would keep her strong, fit and flexible well into her 50’s, 60’s 70’s and beyond. Pilates was the answer and that began her Pilates practice some 20 years ago. Her enthusiasm for helping others and sustained commitment to her Pilates practice inspired her to become a Pilates instructor. Kim’s goal as a Pilates instructor is to help her clients create a practice that is sustainable, fulfilling and results oriented. She is very passionate about motivating people of all ages and body types to achieve a fit, strong and well-balanced lifestyle inspiring them to be happy, healthy, and confident throughout their lives and fitness journeys. She loves empowering others to see what their bodies are capable of in ways that are modifiable and adaptable yet effective—meeting them where they are and helping them get to where they want to be. When Kim is not teaching Pilates, she enjoys reading, listening to music, cooking, creating artwork and planning gatherings for her family and friends.

Devon teaches at Club Pilates.

Michelle teaches at Club Pilates.

Milan teaches at Club Pilates.

Jen teaches at Club Pilates.

Jennifer teaches at Club Pilates.

Stephany teaches at Club Pilates.

Julia teaches at Club Pilates.

Flo teaches at Club Pilates.

Carolyn teaches at Club Pilates.

Tiffany teaches at Club Pilates.

Debbie teaches at Club Pilates.

Denise teaches at Club Pilates.

Sharmaine teaches at Club Pilates.

Zachary teaches at Club Pilates.

A workout enthusiast and Georgia native, Devon Ray, enjoys helping students understand the mind body connection that Pilates offers and helping students push themselves to uncover new limits. Previous hobbies included running track, kick boxing, boxing, ranger challenge with ROTC, rock climbing, football, weightlifting and volleyball. However, that all changed when she tore her achilles one day while playing football. Her active lifestyle was brought to a screeching halt. She had no idea that this one injury would lead to multiple surgeries, other injuries and being confined to crutches and a wheelchair for over 4 years. While unfortunate, this hardship is what led her to pilates. Pilates is the only practice that enabled herto work out and strength train without putting excess weight on her leg. Moreover, pilates enabled her to walk when nothing more could be done in physical therapy. As a result, Devon brings a unique perspective on gauging ability especially when related to clients who are recovering from sports injuries. She integrates her athletic background into class as her programs are heavily influenced by a variety of sports and activities. Devon’s passion for overall wellness is vast as she is currently pursuing certification as a Nutrition coach.

Capricia teaches at Club Pilates.

Teresa teaches at Club Pilates.

Karen teaches at Club Pilates.

Juliana teaches at Club Pilates.

Marchele teaches at Club Pilates.

Denita teaches at Club Pilates.

Chauna teaches at Club Pilates.

Kimberly teaches at Club Pilates.

Alisa teaches at Club Pilates.

Ashley teaches at Club Pilates.

Charlene G teaches at Club Pilates.

Maria teaches at Club Pilates.

Jessica teaches at Club Pilates.

Lori teaches at Club Pilates.

Charlene J teaches at Club Pilates.

Michaella teaches at Club Pilates.

Voni teaches at Club Pilates.

Dee teaches at Club Pilates.

Paula teaches at Club Pilates.

Torie teaches at Club Pilates.

Abby teaches at Club Pilates.

Shelia teaches at Club Pilates.

Chantal teaches at Club Pilates.

Haley teaches at Club Pilates.

Debbie is a Native of Washington, DC (NE). She is an expert Pilates instructor with 18 years of practice, study and teaching. "Classical Pilates is my foundation, infusing contemporary methods and ancient disciplines. I impact the quality of life and reform physiques for those that entrust me with their Pilates practice". "Pilates is my impetus to being my greater self thereby imparting my expertise to other Pilates practitioners alike and to inspire others in their pursuit of happiness".