Kathleen is a former National level competitive gymnast and began teaching fitness and dance in 1978. She has been teaching Pilates since 1997 and is dual-certified in Pilates Apparatus and Mat by Polestar® Hong Kong and STOTT® Toronto coupled with an extensive apprenticeship in rehabilitation. Her additional training also encompasses Body Arts & Science (BASI), C.A., and The Pilates Center, Boulder methods. Kathleen’s unique approach blends the four Pilates methods that she has studied together with several diverse streams of related techniques that she has learned. This includes adaptations of KMI (Kinesis Myofascial Integration), Therapeutic Ball, Feldenkrais, Eric Franklin & Alexander Techniques, Restorative (YIN) Yoga and Rolfing Movement. This results in a well-rounded method with a progressive and balanced approach to achieving overall body wisdom.
Kathleen began her teaching career in the late 70’s in Vancouver with diverse forms of athletics, fitness and dance. In her twenties she began studies in Kinesiology and the pursuit of a career in the Health and Fitness field. For three decades, she has continued to teach and further her education and has worked in various streams of the industry.
After teaching fitness and dance and performing for 20 years, Kathleen discovered Pilates in the mid 90´s. Her initial studies began at The Method Center, a Polestar® rehabilitative studio in Vancouver. She completed her Polestar® certification under Dawnna Wayburne in Hong Kong. Her STOTT® certification was completed in both Canada and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia where she was under the tutelage of Heather Low of Meridian Pilates, Vancouver. Her instructors for both certifications are third generation Master Educators, consequently Kathleen is fourth generation in lineage from Joseph Pilates himself. In addition to her dual certifications and early rehabilitative apprenticeship, Kathleen also completed an additional comprehensive apprenticeship on all apparatus at the Canadian Pilates Institute, Vancouver under the guidance of Linda Zurak, a Pilates Center Boulder graduate.
In 2002,Kathleen was recruited by the family of the Malaysian Prime Minister and moved overseas. Here she introduced the first International level of Pilates and her Therapeutic Ball Techniques to Malaysia. She started-up and managed two new studios, instructed clients and led teacher training apprenticeship programs. Throughout Kuala Lumpur and various Malaysian provinces she also facilitated workshops for local physiotherapists and chiropractors.
In 2005, she introduced the first International level of Evolved Pilates and her Therapeutic Ball Techniques to Indonesia, when she became the International Pilates Educator for a large chain of high-end fitness clubs. Here she directed the programming for nine clubs in both Indonesia and Malaysia and began the development of her own instructor training courses, THE KELLER METHOD™. 2006 led Kathleen to an extended sabbatical in Spain, in order to more fully concentrate on the development of her instructor-training syllabus with minimal teaching interruption. During this time she taught her Methods to selected groups of Spanish Physiotherapists and in London.
With twenty-five years teaching experience in Vancouver and five years training instructors and teaching health professionals in Asia and Europe, Kathleen has now come full circle and has relocated back to her hometown of Calgary. She is operating her practice out of LifeMark™ Physiotherapy Clinic at Westside Recreation Center. Her unique teaching approach focuses on functional movement education, self-empowerment and positive reinforcement. Her distinctive style places a strong emphasis on imagery, tactile and verbal cueing. Kathleen is eager to share her international experiences and newly found knowledge from abroad. She is devoted to facilitating her teacher-training courses in THE KELLER METHOD™ and helping her clients achieve a life of optimum health with her techniques.
Biography of Studies and Certifications
STOTT® Pilates - Certified Instructor: Reformer and Mat - Vancouver, 1999
POLESTAR Pilates ® - Certified Studio Instructor: Cadillac, Chair, Barrels, Mat & Reformer - Hong Kong, 2003
MERIDIAN Pilates - Cadillac and Chair - Kuala Lumpur Malaysia - 2003
Canadian Pilates Institute: Comprehensive 350 hour apprenticeship in all apparatus and two years of experience in the Pilates Center Boulder style - Vancouver, 2002 – 2000
BASI Pilates Method (Body Arts and Science International): Two week intensive with Rael Isacowitz - California, 2002
The Method Center – A Polestar Rehabilitation Studio: Nine month apprenticeship, trained on all equipment with an emphasis on small apparatus including: foam rollers, ring, discs, balance board and therabands - Vancouver, 1997
Yamana® Body Rolling Practitioner - Certified Level 2, Body Logic of New York, Vancouver, 2000.
CANFIT PRO - National Fitness Conference Presenter, Vancouver 2000 –1999, Calgary 2007
Health & Fitness Certificate: Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada, 1984
Paul Check, Swiss Ball Master Educator: Attended numerous courses
Canadian Pilates Association - Former Board Member
Reiki Practitioner Level 1
In addition to the training above, Kathleen has also studied and /or attended workshops with many other notable master teachers in related practices and the Pilates method including:
