In addition to her training with Polestar, Christine has continued her education with Seattle based, Rebecca Leone’s Pilates Excel workshop as well as a intensive coursework with Lolita San Miguel (1st generation Pilates instructor and 1 of only 2 people certified by Joseph Pilates himself). She holds a bachelors degree in political science from Florida Atlantic University and a Masters degree in Campaign Management from George Washington University.

Christine is originally from South Florida and has lived in Chattanooga for 5 years.
Prior to her involvement with Pilates, Christine has over fifteen years experience teaching ballet, tap, jazz, acrobatics and gymnastics. Christine is a certified dance instructor with Florida Dance Masters and a member of the Tennessee Dance Association. Christine currently offers mat, reformer, and private lessons at Pilates Tonic.

Anne has over 24 years experience in the fitness and health industry. Her extensive background in dance performance, choreography, and teaching as well theatre performance led her to embrace Pilates as a natural extension of her life. She holds a master’s degree and her course of study includes psychology, dance, fitness, and nutrition. Anne is an active member of Tennessee Association of Dance (TAD) and Pilates Method Alliance (PMA); and, she continues to enhance her knowledge of biomechanics, movement and performance. Anne received mat training through Physical Mind; and, received training in Reformer, Trap Table, Chair, and Barrels through Body Balance University in Atlanta and Asheville. She has studied with Seattle-based Rebecca Leone (Pilates Excel), and Michele Larsson (second generation Pilates instructor), as well as a first generation Pilates master – Ron Fletcher. Accepted into the Passing the Torch program, Anne continues intensive study with Fletcher including use of his signature towelwork. Drawing from all elements of her diverse experience, her goal is to help others achieve a sustainable way of life through the Pilates method – nourishing and prolonging one’s authentic body and spirit.

Kim Butters
Instructor

Kim is a fully certified Pilates Instructor through Corebodyworks of Atlanta, Ga.   Before entering the fitness industry Kim taught Art at Jasper Middle School in Marion County for nine years.  She became involved in fitness and ultimately Pilates because of constant neck and shoulder pain , continuing weight gain and high stress.  She became an AFAA certified Aerobics instructor in 2000 and then an AFAA Personal Trainer in 2001 and begin working in fitness full time.  She took her first Pilates class in September of 2002 and was immediatly fascinated with the concept of working internal muscles in an elongated state rather than only working external muscles in a shortened contraction.  “I realized there was such a potential to help people with muscular problems.”  Around the same time she began working part-time in a Physical Therapy clinic as a tech which further fueled her interest and awareness of the massive need for the Pilates type of training.  Kim received her instructor certification in 2005 and began teaching at Pilates at Barking Legs.  She has worked to further her training by attending  Life Long Pilates with Mary Bowen(a first generation teacher) and Fundamentals of Pilates at Body Awareness in Atlanta, Special Conditions with Wendy Leblanc-Arbuckle, and most recently Anatomy & Fundamentals of Pilates and Mapping the Body for Alignment with Rebecca Leone.   She currently teaches Intro to Pilates for Physical Education Credit at Chattanooga State and University of the South.  Though always active with hiking and biking, Kim has been considerably overweight in the past and has to work very hard to stay in shape.  This led her to create the only Full Figured Pilates classes in this area.  “I want to inspire people who struggle with weight, age, or other physical limitations that they can safely achieve a level of health and fitness that will revolutionize their everyday lives.”