Hilery Avritt: Fremont, Mount Baker
Hilery started practicing Pilates in 1998, when she utilized the method to rehabilitate her back after an auto accident. She discovered her body was stronger, more flexible and healthier than before the accident. She became inspired to study Pilates and the human body further, and she began teaching Pilates in 2000. Hilery opened Vitality Pilates in 2001 and heads our Instructor Certification and Personal Enrichment Program.

Bianca Maggio:Mount Baker
Bianca is experienced in working with clients of varied abilities and skill levels, from Physical Therapy patients in India to professional dancers in Seattle. She received her Pilates certification in 2003 from Stott Education, and also holds a BA in Dance from the University of Washington. Bianca currently instructs Vitality’s Instructor Certification and Personal Enrichment Program students and is pursuing a degree in Physical Therapy.

Anne Kosugi: Mount Baker
Anne originally began Pilates training in 2002 to cross train with her ballet conditioning. She still uses Pilates to stay strong, flexible and undo the negative effects dance has had on her body. In addition to dance and Pilates, Anne has experience with trapeze, and aerial acrobatics. Anne is continually interested in the breath, its movements and its effects on the body. She focuses on correcting the negative habits and patterns that create tension in the body, aiding her clients in finding a sense of wholeness and well being.

Christine Fosmire: Mount Baker
Christine has been running competitively in the Colorado Mountain Race Circuit for six years, and it was a running injury (ITBS) that brought her to her first Pilates teacher, Karen Clippenser, a very well known exercise physiologist who used Pilates to rehabilitate dancers and athletes. After moving to Washington, Christine was encouraged to teach Pilates, and entered into Vitality's Instructor Certification and Personal Enrichment Program. In Christine's own words: "Teaching Pilates feels like a perfect fit for me. I love to share the power of Pilates with others and hope to provide a challenging and supportive environment for others to experience the amazing benefits Pilates provides."

Mari Hingten: Phinney Ridge
Mari began practicing Pilates in 2003 in order to cross train for dance and to relieve back pain from scoliosis. After completing her BFA in Ballet and Modern Dance from Texas Christian University, she moved back to Seattle and joined Vitality's Teacher Training Program. It was here that she discovered how much she enjoys helping others discover the many benefits Pilates has to offer.

Melissa Keadle:Fremont, Mount Baker
Melissa was drawn to practice of Pilates as a means of physical recovery from a near fatal car accident that occurred in October of 1999. After years of frustration and only a little progress made through physical therapy, Melissa discovered that with modifications to many of the exercises she could challenge herself physically within the practice of Pilates at a level that she thought was never going to be possible again. Her success and natural gift towards Pilates drew her to the teacher training program at Vitality where she now teaches and enjoys sharing her passion of Pilates with others.

Nicole Writt: Phinney Ridge
Nicole, originally a Chicago native, was drawn to Pilates because of her lifelong interest with health and fitness. She was amazed how quickly the damaging effects caused by years of poor posture doing daily things such as sitting in front of a computer were reversed in her own body. Because of this experience, Nicole is passionate about helping others build core strength and increased body awareness. She strives to create a nurturing and stimulating environment in her classroom. Nicole is living in Seattle and during her downtime you will find her walking around the city with her dog, Scout, or at home curled up with her family.

Rachel Smith: Fremont, Mount Baker
Active all her life in various kinds of dance, running, biking, yoga and skiing, Rachel similarly endured numerous sports-related injuries. Having been told she didn't have "a runner's body" and didn't have a "dancer's body" she set out on a quest to find what her body was made for, and like many others, she found it in Pilates. Pilates proved to be the first and only exercise method that was as injury-free and safe as it was challenging and effective, even with an old neck injury, scoliosis, and multiple stress fractures. When Rachel discovered Pilates at a time of transition career-wise, she jumped on the opportunity to train through Vitality's teacher training program in order to study the method more in-depth and have the credentials to share Pilates with others no matter where in the world life takes her. She imagines practicing Pilates and sharing it with others until she is old and grey and is excited to be a part of the Vitality staff currently.

Sara Jo Pacheo: Phinney Ridge, Fremont
Sara Jo grew up in Pennsylvania, where she worked as a snowboarding instructor in the winter, and a life guard and swimming instructor in the summer.  After graduating from high school, Sara Jo moved to Wenatchee, WA to fulfill her dream of living life as a ski bum. Soon after, she found Bastyr University and earned a degree in Exercise Science. Her interest in healing the body through movement lead her to Vitality's' Teacher Training Program, which she also completed. She currently splits her days teaching at Vitality and working as a Personal Trainer. In her free time, she diligently works to complete the prerequisites needed to apply for the Physical Therapy program at UW.

Sharia Pierce:Fremont
Sharia Pierce solved a life long challenge when she discovered Pilates; she found a fulfilling and exciting occupation that was compatible with her work as a Seattle stage actress. In her own practice, Sharia has discovered the one exercise modality that inspires her body to say "ahhhh" rather than "ouch!" and is excited to introduce others to the benefits and pleasure of Pilates. She is honored and inspired to be a student and teacher of Pilates.

Sharon Healey: Phinney Ridge
Born and raised in Illinois, Sharon escaped Chicago's bitter winters, only to run head-on into Seattle's endless gray skies in rainy season 2005, and in finding the transition difficult, developed an epic case of nervous exhaustion in only a year's time. After many possible remedies failed (Acupuncture/TCM, Naturopathy, Message therapy, Medical treatment, etc.) was left with the overwhelming feeling of defeat, and soon thereafter found Mt Baker's Vitality Pilates on a whim, and after taking just one class knew (she) was on her way to a swift, almost magical recovery. The spring-loaded shoes (Z-coils) that once carried all of her spirit and physical weight found their way into the trash can as pilates had put the natural spring back into her step and had awakened a deep passion to teach others to feel less trapped inside their own bodies. Sharon began her pilates career with Vitality's Teacher Training and Personal Enrichment Program at Mount Baker Studio in October 2006.

Tiffany Galer: Mount Baker, Phinney Ridge, Fremont
Tiffany was first drawn to Pilates because of its fluidity and the invigorated feeling that it creates.  Soon after, she found relief from a serious shoulder problem that was caused by drafting for 5 years in her Landscape Architecture career. She became intrigued noticing improved strength, better balance and posture, and a keener awareness of the effects movement has on the human body.  Feeling so excited about her findings, she felt eager to begin helping others feel this benefit, and joined the Vitality Pilates Instructor Certification program.  It has been a very fulfilling career choice.  She truly enjoys seeing clients walk out of a session smiling, feeling rejuvenated, and excited about how they feel both physically and emotionally.

When not teaching Pilates, Tiffany may be found kayaking, listening to music, hiking, and exploring winter sports in the mountains.