Studio owner Elizabeth Bartell

Why do you teach Pilates?
I enjoy making a positive difference in someone’s day week and potentially, life.

I love it when my clients…
Set a goal and achieve it. Whether that is a certain exercise or a feeling in their body they haven’t experienced before.

I believe in Pilates because…
it inspired me to take a huge leap of faith and completely change my career and life.

What's your teaching style?
It’s always evolving as I continue to learn more as an instructor.

Favorite Pilates exercise? Most challenging?
My favorite exercise is footwork and my least favorite is the mermaid.

What do you like to do for fun?
My husband and I enjoy boating and water skiing.

What's your favorite Joseph Pilates quote?
“The mind, when housed within a healthful body, possesses a glorious sense of power.”

Instructor Sarah Blood

Why do you teach Pilates?
Pilates is something that always intrigued me, and after taking my first few lessons I was hooked. I continued to take lessons and enjoy the challenge of the work, especially because I learn something new about my body after each lesson. I'm a teacher by trade, so naturally, I wanted to share the life-long learning experience of Pilates with others.

I love it when my clients…
share with me that Pilates helped them complete a task they couldn't do before or that Pilates made an activity they've always done easier than ever before.

I believe in Pilates because…
it has completely changed my body and mind. I have gained strength, control, confidence and length in my spine (I'm not kidding, I'm taller now!) and I have seen it do the same for other teachers and clients.

What's your teaching style?
My style is motivating and encouraging. I'm sensitive to the needs of my clients, and I like to think I keep clients laughing!

Favorite Pilates exercise? Most challenging?
The tower is probably one of my favorites. And the teaser and I have an ongoing love-hate relationship. Every. Single. Variation.

What do you like to do for fun?
I love spending time with my husband, Jeron, going up to Michigan to see my family and going on walks with my dog, Popcorn. I also love to cook, binge watch TV, and shop!

What's your favorite Joseph Pilates quote?
"The answer to everything is Pilates or Champagne." (I don't think Joe actually said this.)
So,  "A few well-designed movements, properly performed in a balanced sequence, are worth hours of doing sloppy calisthenics or forced contortion." And, “it is the mind itself that builds the body"

Instructor Terry Boyer

Why do you teach Pilates?
I teach Pilates because to me, it's not a job. I get to help improve the quality of people's lives. I don’t consider it work. Teaching Pilates is a way to provide a little bit of freedom by way of movement in a person’s body.

I love it when my clients…
come in and tell stories about how they use Pilates in their everyday life. Whether it be dancing, working out or just maintaining their household, the client uses their Pilates to do it. It feels good to know they listen to what we say and believe in it.

I believe in Pilates because…
it works. It changed my life, really. I work in the service industry, and my body started to feel its age. Pilates helped relieve my lower-back pain and increased my overall flexibility and strength. Most importantly, it gave me control over my body, which then gave me confidence.

What's your teaching style?
When I first started teaching, I would stand back from the client and I was loud because of my inexperience. Now, I put out as much energy and guidance with my hands to help the client move correctly and with energy! I like to be hands-on because it helps the client and continues to help me learn.

Favorite Pilates exercise?
I really like leg springs because of the length I get throughout my whole body. I really like the snake, twist and swan dive on the mat.

Most challenging?
Teasers are extremely difficult exercises to do and to do them well. It's easy to hold teasers in the wrong parts of your body.

What do you like to do for fun?
I like to play cards and go to the movies. I really love to go camping, but I guess my favorite thing to do for fun is eat!

What's your favorite Joseph Pilates quote?
“With every movement of our life can be the beginning of great things.” I love to dance. Dance comes from movement and Pilates can greatly increase movement.

Instructor Kelly Nykaza

Why do you teach Pilates?
Pilates has changed my body throughout the last nine years. I have found strength and length, gained flexibility and feel more comfortable in my own body than ever before. I want to pass along that same experience to others.

I love it when my clients…
Walk out the front door after a lesson feeling taller and stronger than when they came in.

I believe in Pilates because…
It works! It's unlike any other exercise you will do, yet enhances every other exercise and movement in your life.

What's your teaching style?
Movement and positivity

Favorite Pilates exercise?
I love the tendon stretch, both on the Reformer and Wunda chair.

Most challenging?
The teaser on the reformer, by far!

What do you like to do for fun?
Run, cook and hang with my family.

What's your favorite Joseph Pilates quote?
"Everyone is the architect of their own happiness."

Instructor Brook Wind completed her apprenticeship under Janice, and is now teaching at DPC.

Why do you teach Pilates?
Pilates helped me recover from a back injury, which left me unable to live the active lifestyle I was accustomed to. I was obsessed after a few lessons and eventually wanted to be able to share the love and help others.

I love it when my clients…
are able to feel a connection in their body they've never experienced during an exercise.

I believe in Pilates because…
It’s helped me grow stronger mentally, physically and spiritually.

What's your teaching style?
Uplifting and energetic.

Favorite Pilates exercise?
Hundreds.

Most challenging?
All of them! If I have to pick one, the teaser on the mat.

What do you like to do for fun?
Travel, exercise, and spend time with friends and family.

What's your favorite Joseph Pilates quote?
"Every moment of our life can be the beginning of great things."

Office Manager Meg Dickinson has been keeping DPC run smoothly for several years.

Why do you work in a Pilates studio?
I love being a part of an environment so focused on overall wellness and strength, and watching clients learn from our instructors. I also enjoy organizing things, which makes me a good choice for emailing clients about their accounts and managing other details around the studio.

I believe in Pilates because…
it’s made me longer, leaner and stronger. It’s also given me confidence to take on new challenges, like running my first marathon.

Favorite Pilates exercise?
The tree and open leg rocker. And, I crack up every time I do the seal.

Most challenging?
Hundreds and teasers. Why don’t they get easier?

What do you like to do for fun?
I work full-time in marketing and communications, and write a cooking column for The News-Gazette. I enjoy spending time with my husband and setting big, scary goals and then achieving them.

What's your favorite Joseph Pilates quote?
“Patience and persistence are vital qualities in the ultimate successful accomplishment of any worthwhile endeavor.”