About Us
Embody Pilates Studio is committed to teaching excellence. All instructors have achieved or are working towards the Master’s Program of The Pilates Center in Boulder, Colorado. The Pilates Center is considered the “Harvard School” of Pilates, offering the highest teaching standards and the wisdom of 3 direct lineages of Joseph Pilates.
Embody Pilates is proud to be mentors to new teachers-in-training within The Pilates Center’s teacher certification program.
Bonny-Lynn Russell
Bonny-Lynn Russell is the founder, owner and head instructor of Embody Pilates Studio. She is based in Canmore, Alberta.
Bonny-Lynn graduated from the University of Calgary with a collaborative Kinesiology/Fine Art Dance Degree (with Distinction). As a former figure skater who competed at the national level, she has a passion to help clients move and feel their best.
Bonny-Lynn has over 2000 hours of Pilates Teacher Training and has studied the Pilates Method in New York, Toronto, California, and Colorado. She was the first Canadian to have completed the Pilates Master's Program at the world-renowned Pilates Center in Boulder, Colorado and continues to study Pilates & the body on a continual basis. She was the first to complete the Pilates Center Master's Bridge program, granting her the Advanced Teacher-Training Diploma. The Pilates Center is considered the "Harvard School" of Pilates, offering the highest teaching standards and the wisdom of 3 direct lineages of Joseph Pilates.
Bonny-Lynn is certified through the Pilates Method Alliance's International Certification and has achieved Gold Certified Teacher status. She also owns Embody Activewear in Canmore with her husband.
Lois Bailey
I came to Pilates in a round about way! After many years of long distance running and many injuries, I was seeking something to help me with my chronic tight hips! The first class I attended I have to admit didn't hook me right away, but I knew there was something to the work that would ultimately help me, so I continued. Not long after I began to realize that Pilates was beginning to take over my fitness routine and that was when I knew I needed to pursue the work at a much deeper level. So began may Pilates journey.
I studied in Toronto and Edmonton to become mat certified and then went on to complete a full equipment certification with Michelle Larson of Core Dynamics in Santa Fe New Mexico. After teaching for a numbers of years I made the decision to pursue my Masters certification in 2009. My dedication to the work has also taken me to many workshops in Vancouver, California and Oregon and always has me returning home with a renewed passion for the work.
It is my wish to bring my knowledge, commitment and passion for the classical pilates work to all my clients.
"The mind when housed within a healthful body, possesses a glorious sense of power." Joseph Pilates
Catherine Von Hohenbalken
An ankle and foot injury left Catherine in constant pain and unable to exercise. Out of desperation, she began practicing Pilates. Six months later she could sleep through the night without pain. Her passion for a healthy body took her career from an events planner to a Pilates instructor. Her experience with Pilates continues to strengthen her belief that it is the best way to strengthen the body and mind, increase body balance and alignment and prevent injuries for all ages.
She earned her Pilates Certificate from Core Dynamics in Santa Fe. In 2010 she completed the Master's Pilates Program at the Pilates Center in Boulder, Colorado. Catherine continues to enrich her knowledge through workshops with world-renowned instructors such as Amy Taylor Alpers and Rachel Taylor Segal from the Pilates Center.
Chelsea Kuhn
Chelsea comes from a highly athletic background. She was a competitive track & field athlete, taking her to competitions across North America and health and wellness has always been of the upmost importance in her life. Chelsea is a Chartered Accountant who decided to turn her passion for Pilates into a new career. She has visited the world renowned Pilates Center in Boulder, Colorado numerous times, studying the importance of the traditional classical method, pre & post natal Pilates, as well as how to adapt the method to meet the client's specific needs.
Lynda McPhee
Lynda comes to Embody with strong teaching experience and movement background. Lynda's Pilates journey began in 2003. Prior to having knee surgery for an injury sustained while playing soccer, it was recommended she take classes to facilitate her recovery. From the first class, Pilates just felt 'right' for Lynda's body - whether it was from her dance and sports background, the Pilates philosophy and method, or a combination. Lynda completed her Advanced Teacher-Training Program (950 hours of internship and instruction) from the world renowned Pilates Center in Boulder, Colorado. Through teaching at Embody, Lynda hopes her passion and enthusiasm will inspire others to incorporate the ultimate form of exercise into their everyday life...Pilates.
Robyn Lloyd
Robyn completed her Pilates Instructor Certification from The Pilates Center in Boulder, Colorado. She feels that she has been fortunate to receive training from one of the best schools in the world! To accomplish this she has spent a year on site in Boulder, taking lessons from a slate of wonderful instructors. Robyn is excited to continue learning and training in the Pilates method. Not only does Robyn have a passion for Pilates, she loves the outdoors, backpacking and rock climbing. In 2006 she spent 2 months cycling across Canada from Victoria, BC to St. John’s Newfoundland and while in Boulder, she free soloed the 1st Flatiron, which is a 1,000 ft. climb. Another thing Robyn is excited about is animals and animal behaviour. She loves training her own dogs and worked as a dog trainer for a short time. She is excited to be part of the Embody Pilates team!
