Danita Chandler
Born and raised in Portland, Danita is the owner and a teacher at Portland Pilates Studio. She completed the Core Dynamics Pilates certification program lead by Michele Larsson and has been teaching since 1999. Competitive swimming through college, playing competitive water polo and racing downhill skiing have given Danita a solid athletic base to support her Pilates work. After having her children she studied Vinyasa yoga and dance which lead her into the Pilates work. "Through Pilates I have found the greatest understanding and awareness to my body, which has made me a healthier person inside and out. I wish I had had this information while I was young and so athletic. My goal is to share this with as many people as possible, making a difference in the world by creating a positive influence through positive,conscious movement."
PMA Certified
Bettina Blank Bettina has been studying Pilates since the fall of 2000. She completed the full certification program with Core Dynamics and received Gold Certification from the Pilates Method Alliance in 2005.
In addition to her teaching at the Portland Pilates Studio, Bettina is on the faculty of Reed College, teaching mat Pilates classes to students and faculty. She also works with OHSU (Oregon Health & Science University ) and the Parkinson’s Center of Oregon teaching Pilates to Parkinson's patients and to members of March Wellness at the Center for Health and Healing.
Backgound: BSc in Health Education, University of Oregon; previously employed by Legacy Health Systems, 1975 - 2000. PMA Certified
Mary Ganzon
Mary Ganzon is a Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) gold-certified Pilates instructor, movement teacher and artist. She started her Pilates training with Michele Larsson and
was certified with Dianne Miller in Vancouver, BC.
Mary brings to Portland a diverse background of improvisational dance, bodywork and energy modalities to help people discover and regain access to their own infinite movement.
She has worked with populations in rehabilitation, fitness, performance enhancement and
general wellness for over 10 years and developed and founded studios in Singapore.
She is happy to be part of the Portland Pilates Studio team.
PMA Certified
Carey MacNaughton Carey’s background and ongoing participation in competitive running, duathlon, triathlon, long-distance cycling, mountain climbing and Nordic skate-skiing merged brilliantly with the teachings of Joseph Pilates.
Pilates helps me access the strength that was before unattainable. The specificity of the core work for all athletics is amazing.
Her passion for movement and athletics inspires her three children in their various sports and all enjoy time with their mother in the studio, understanding that Pilates makes them balanced and strong.
Carey’s other interests include foreign travel and languages and the Hawaiian culture. Her mantra: “What is life without the pursuit of personal and ongoing self-improvement?”
extends to her clients who are encouraged to find passion in their lives and to celebrate their good health daily by moving their bodies and breathing.
Background: Carey holds a BA in Humanities, is a Certified Personal Trainer and is certified in Pilates by Core Dynamics. PMA Certified
Lila Ojeda Lila Ojeda discovered the power of Pilates in 2003. She brings to Pilates the background of working at OHSU in nutrition research for over 7 years and, as a Registered Dietitian and Personal Trainer, her background has made Pilates the perfect addition to her private practice, LO Solutions. Lila strives to help her clients overcome barriers to achieve and maintain their nutrition and health & fitness goals. Pilates has brought an amazing new dimension to Lila’s life and career, and she is eager and proud to share Pilates as a means to creating a healthy lifestyle, body and mind.
In addition to a regular Pilates practice, Lila’s other regular activities include yoga, resistance training, tap dancing, hiking, biking, cooking, and exploration in healthy eating.
Background: Pilates Method Alliance and Core Dynamics Certified, Registered Dietitian, MS in Health Studies (PSU), BS in Dietetics (UC Davis), Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.
Website: www.LO-Solutions.com
PMA Certified
LISA WILSON HAGERMAN Lisa has a long history in fitness. Growing up in Wichita, Kansas, she played tennis, danced and participated in baton twirling and cheerleading. In 2006 she graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Women’s Studies and Creative Writing. Later, while traveling and living overseas, she became interested in martial arts.
Discovering the larger world of fitness in her overseas journeys led Lisa to the decision to teach it to others. She has taught kickboxing and weight training for nine years and in 2002 began a serious study of Pilates.
In 2004 she obtained Core Dynamics teacher certification in mat and all equipment under the tutelage of Michele Larsson. Lisa continues her Pilates education in the advanced training program through The Pilates Center of Boulder.
She enjoys teaching the Pilates method as a healing and physical education system. Whether one’s intention is to gain a happy and healthy body, strengthen a weak or injured back, or achieve maximum human potential, Lisa believes the Pilates method is the best there is.
Christine Manning Christine has studies Pilates since 2002. It has changed her life. In addition to increased flexibility, she values the benefits Pilates provides for virtually every physical injury and how it accommodates all ages and skill levels.
Background: Christine is on the faculty at Portland Community College where she teaches Corrective Physical Therapy and aqua-fitness. Christine is trained through Core Dynamics and is a Certified Personal Trainer. She holds a BA in Psychology and has graduate training in education.
Mckenzie Petterson
Mckenzie Petterson is a graduate of Whitman College with a BA in US history. Mckenzie began Pilates with Danita Chandler in 2002 and discovered an awakening in her body that was extraordinarily empowering. With this new awareness, Mckenzie found the strength to transfer her life from LA to Walla Walla, Washington and pursue a more rigorous education. Maintaining her practice through college gave her strength of mind and body to thrive in an academically challenging setting. In the summer of 2006 Mckenzie began the Core Dynamics teacher program under the tutelage of Portland Pilates Studio owner, Danita Chandler.
Mckenzie’s fitness career goal is to use Pilates as a catalyst to instill self-esteem and confidence in pre-adolescent girls. She envisions that, with the help of volunteer mentors and a strong schooling in the guiding principles of Joseph Pilates, a positive change will be felt by everyone that participates in her future project.
Mckenzie enjoys laughing, loving, art, beauty, dance, history, travel, photography and thanks Pilates for her understanding of the importance of balance, breath and control in life.
Debra Burchiel
Debra graduated from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. Her experience as a surgical nurse and Operating Nurse Manager has given her insight into health care and the training of others. Debra’s interest in Pilates began in 2003 when she discovered, through the Pilates Method, the power and energy to maintain a very active lifestyle and keep up with her children.
Debra is in tune with her personal fitness and the commitment it takes to maintain health, strength, awareness, agility and balance. Coupled with her nursing skills and a desire to take a different path in the health and wellness field, Pilates has brought her a strong commitment to her own physical health as well as the well-being of her clients.
“I am continuously striving for balance in my life. I believe that, through Pilates, I am closer to obtaining both emotional and physical balance than ever before. I would like to share this with others.”
Eryn Deeming Kehe
Eryn Deeming Kehe enjoyed dancing as a child. She taught tap classes and performed on campus while in college. With her discovery of Pilates in 2002, she rediscovered a way of communicating with her body and building inner strength that brought her confidence, better health, good posture and joy in everyday movement. After several years of study, she decided to learn to teach and share the Pilates Method with others. Eryn began the teacher training program with Core Dynamics, under the mentoring hand of Danita Chandler, in 2006.
Eryn is a new mother who practiced throughout her pregnancy. This experience revealed to her how our bodies and lives are in a regular state of change; our job is to move well within the space we have at any particular moment.
Eryn holds a BA in American Studies and a graduate degree in City Planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Professionally, she is a City Planner in Portland with a special focus on public involvement, facilitation and mediation.
JENNY WHITEMAN
Jenny was active from childhood, participating in gymnastics, diving, soccer and track. At the University of Oregon she became involved in dance and that pursuit took her to New York City. There she found and fell in love with Pilates and in 1999 was certified as a Pilates teacher by Power Pilates.
Jenny opened her own Pilates and Spinning studio in Brooklyn, NY, where she trained national and world champion cyclists while continuing her study of movement through dance, yoga, continuing Pilates education, anatomy courses and Thai Yoga Massage. She received her prenatal/ postpartum certifications in Pilates and has conducted many classes and courses for mothers-to-be and new mothers.
In 2007, Jenny moved back to the beautiful state of Oregon to be closer to her family and to raise her two amazing children. She is happy to be a part of the Portland Pilates Studio community.
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Portland Pilates Studio 333 South State Street, Suite W, Lake Oswego, OR 97034 | 503.534.1283
