Studio Instructors of Pilates

Maureen Dunn | Amber Frye | Susan Hankinson
Terry Hendrickson | Aleda Keel | Melanie Murray
Alissa Pludeman | Betsy Thomas | George Watson


Maureen Dunn Pilates, Soma Moves, Yoga Flow, Core & More	Maureen has more than 20 years of experience as a professional dancer, choreographer, teacher, workshop facilitator, group exercise leader and personal fitness coach. She is certified for Pilates mat and equipment work through Physicalmind Institute. Maureen has a bachelors degree in Dance Performance from the University of Oregon and a masters degree in Choreography from the University of North Carolina. Her academic studies include anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and a wide variety of dance genres and somatic techniques, with an emphasis on body awareness modalities developed by Alexander, Feldenkrais and Pilates. After beginning her career as a dancer, Maureen became interested in the health and fitness field 15 years ago when she realized that a regular cardiovascular, strength and flexibility training program can enhance well being, physical and mental acuity, energy, psychological clarity, emotional balance, and overall quality of life. She is currently pursuing her doctorate degree at Texas Woman’s University, researching creativity through movement expression and its role in facilitating enhanced transpersonal growth, spiritual awareness and psychological balance. Maureen’s aspiration is to help her clients achieve their physical goals and also appreciate the sustaining power of a holistic exercise program, everyday healthy lifestyle choices and focused, disciplined action.

Amber Frye Pilates	Amber's training in the Pilates Method began at MoveStudio with classes, workshops, private training, and much self-study and reading. She began to see her body change in ways she had not thought possible because of her past conditioning. She has been most influenced by master teachers Michael Miller and Donna Fisher, as well as all the MoveStudio instructors. In 2005 she completed her certification to teach matwork through Pilates Unlimited with Karen Sanzo. Amber has a deep appreciation and understanding of the strong foundation of the classical Pilates Method and the logical progression of the movements. She enjoys sharing with others her unique style of teaching and what she has learned from her own journey, in a fun, supported and welcoming class environment.

Susan Hankinson Pilates	Susan has many years of experience training a wide variety of clients, including those with special rehab needs. She is certified in Pilates matwork and equipment training through Power Pilates (2005), Romana's Pilates in NYC with Joseph Pilates' protege Romana Kryzanowska (2002), and PilateSystem with Colleen Glenn (1998).

Terry Hendrickson Pilates	Terry believes in playing hard for fun. She has participated in team sports since childhood and has competed in several triathalons. After being sidelined with a knee injury, she discovered Pilates. The non-impact exercises improved her flexibility, balance, agility, core strength, and endurance, and also introduced her to a new career. Terry continues to challenge herself, balancing family life (and raising three boys!) with her athletic endeavors. She strongly believes Pilates can enhance any athletic or physical performance. Terry is certified by Stott Pilates and Michael Miller Pilates. She hopes to share her joy of play with her students!

Aleda Keel Core & More, Yoga	Aleda has been teaching fitness classes for more than 20 years and has been practicing yoga since 1993. After experiencing a back injury, she immersed herself in the study and practice of yoga to heal her injury. This started her on the journey to learn to teach yoga to others. As an active dancer and fitness enthusiast, yoga had shown Aleda the connection of mind, body and breath in a new way, giving her increased energy, strength and concentration. Her passion is to touch as many people as possible with the joy and healing power of yoga. Her teaching style is influenced by the many master instructors she has had the good fortune to learn from; this includes teachings from B.K.S. Iyengar, Vanda Scaravelli, Rod Stryker, Ana Forrest, Anusara Yoga and the Pilates Method. Her class is “down to earth,” allowing her students to achieve their best in a relaxed atmosphere. Aleda is a Registered Nurse and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Physiology. Her education and training allows her to adapt the practice to the individual needs and abilities of her students. She received certification to instruct yoga in 2003 and continues to take classes and workshops, believing that her training is never completed.

Melanie Murray Pilates, Yoga	Melanie is certified in mat and equipment work by Stott Pilates and the PhysicalMind Institute and has been teaching since 2000. She began training with Joseph Pilates' protege, Romana Kryzanowska, while studying dance in New York. She also directed a Pilates studio in Minneapolis at the Minnesota Dance Theatre. Melanie danced professionally with several ballet companies after training extensively at some of the most prestigious schools in the country, including Joffrey and American Ballet Theatre. She earned her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Modern Dance from Texas Christian University, including advanced training in anatomy and kinesiology, and taught dance for several years at the college level. A yoga practitioner and teacher since the early 90s, Melanie has a daily meditation practice that includes chakra energy healing and breath work. She is certified by the White Lotus Foundation in Santa Barbara and has studied extensively with master yoga teachers such as Tias Little, Judith Lasater, Gary Kraftsow, and Elise Miller. Melanie has a Masters in Counseling Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute and is also experienced in energy healing and somatic psychology. She uses all of her training and experience in her teaching, which she considers a healing art form.

Alissa Pludeman Pilates	Alissa has been teaching dance and group fitness since 2001. She is certified in Pilates mat and equipment work by the PhysicalMind Institute. She earned a B.A. in Dance and B.S. in Health Promotion from the University of Iowa and also holds group exercise and personal training certifications through AFAA and ACE. Alissa is the artistic director of the Royale Ballet student company, choreographing and directing their annual performance of "The Nutcracker." She enjoys working with individuals of all fitness levels and using her creativity to improve health and wellness in her community.

Betsy Thomas Pilates	Betsy has been a practicing physical therapist in the healthcare arena since 1983. She has a bachelor's degree in Biology and MS in Physical Therapy from Columbia University. She received her comprehensive certification from Power Pilates in 2006.

George Watson Pilates, On the Ball, Core & More	George Watson embodies more than 25 years of professional experience in the fitness industry as a personal coach and athletic trainer to career athletes and sports enthusiasts. His current focus is in the application of the Pilates Method to traditional athletic and sports conditioning techniques in order to help athletes sustain the rigors of sports competition. George is a master personal trainer certified through the Cooper Institute. He earned his Pilates certification through Oasis Mind Body Conditioning, and he has NeuroCoreKinetics Phase I and II certification from T.A.N.K. (Training Athletes Neuro Kinetically) based in Houston. George has a Bachelor of Science degree from California State University in kinesiology and sports medicine. While earning his degree he served as Assistant Coach and Conditioning Specialist for the Santa Monica College Women’s Track Team under Tommie Smith, Olympic Gold Medalist and George’s longtime mentor. At Santa Monica College he also conducted physiology testing and fitness assessments, developed conditioning programs for injury prevention as well as therapies to minimize permanent injury-related damage, and worked in the physical rehabilitation department administering exercise programs for the disabled. Currently, George teaches and trains throughout the Dallas metroplex. He especially enjoys working with the football, basketball, baseball and crew teams at Jesuit Preparatory High School, applying his experience and knowledge of fitness conditioning to empower young athletes. As an athlete himself, George truly understands the value of proper conditioning. He knows when athletes are conditioned properly they are more likely to reach their fullest potential in their athletic pursuits with fewer injuries, whether competing professionally or just for fun.