Meet Your Instructors

erin haag (Studio Owner)

Erin Haag is a Power Pilates certified instructor and a member of the Pilates Method Alliance. With a background in dance, Erin studied with Ballet Florida, Alexander W Dreyfoos Jr, School of the Arts, North Carolina School of the Arts, and Webster University’s Conservatory for Theatre & Dance. Erin is also an alumnus of The Broadway Theatre Project where she had the privilege to study dance under Ann Reinking, Gwen Verdon, Gregory Hines, and Debra McWaters. Erin’s love for dance led her to Pilates in 2000, and soon after, she created the Yoga & Pilates Organization at Webster University. Graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Erin began working as a certified weight loss counselor and helped hundreds of clients lose thousands of pounds. It was Erin’s experience as a weight loss counselor that inspired her to open Pilates of Palm Beach. “I believe that EVERYONE can be fit. This is why I am so passionate about Pilates. Pilates allows people of all ages and sizes to transform their bodies & improve their health.” A lifelong dancer turned avid runner, Erin now uses Pilates as a way to keep herself flexible during marathon training. "If it weren't for Pilates, my joints and spine would not make it through 26.2 miles of pounding pavement."

Training and Certifications:

• Pilates Mat and Comprehensive (Apparatus) Certifications, Power Pilates
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with Minor in Musical Theatre, Webster University, St. Louis
• Weight Loss Counseling Certification, LA Weight Loss

If you would like to speak with her directly, please contact us.

Cathy Backensto

Cathy is a Power Pilates and All American certified instructor. With a passion for exercise, Cathy specializes in helping her clients shift into a method of mind-body connection. Cathy has over 18 years of functional and practical training experience. She is a National Certified Personal Trainer with AFAA. Over the past 10  years, Cathy has been designing exercise programs based on an individual's needs as well as instructing group Aerobic classes. She is dedicated to helping others achieve a happier, healthier lifestyle regardless of age.

Training and Certifications:

• Pilates Mat and Comprehensive (Apparatus) Certifications, Power Pilates
• Pilates Mat & Apparatus Certifications, All American Pilates
• National Personal Training Certification, AFAA
• Aerobic Certification, National Dance Exercise Instructor Training Association

Claudia Meyer

Claudia Meyer, a former competitive gymnast, is a Power Pilates Certified instructor. Through gymnastic training, she developed a disciplined commitment to strength training, which eventually led to her becoming an Independent Beachbody Coach with elite Beachbody Fitness  (Insanity, Asylum, Turbo Fire and P90X). Claudia’s passion for overall health, nutrition, and physical fitness has been the forefront of her adult life. She re-discovered the superior benefits of Pilates after herniating four cervical & thoracic spinal discs during a serious car accident.  After six months of conventional medical treatments, it was only six weeks of Pilates strength training that provided relief. Further realizing that sitting at a desk for extended periods of time in Corporate Management was no longer contributing to her quality of life, she decided to pursue her passion for Pilates. Claudia’s life goal is to encourage and support the absence of pain, as well as the building of strength, nutrition, and overall well-being in others. 

Training and Certifications:

• Pilates Mat and Comprehensive (Apparatus) Certifications, Power Pilates
• Independent Beachbody Coach, Team Beachbody
• Bachelor of Arts, Social Organizational Psychology, Florida Atlantic University

Deniece Morse

Deniece is a Zumba® certified instructor and is excited to share her passion for fitness with the clients of Pilates of Palm Beach. With her children grown, Deniece searched for a fun and healthy way to stay fit, and that’s when she discovered ZUMBA®.  Her affair with this expressive and high energy workout reached new heights, and she became a certified instructor in 2011.  Deniece takes pride in motivating her clients to live a healthy lifestyle through dance and fitness.  Deniece studied under Beto Perez, the founder of Zumba®, and is an ambassador of the craft.

 

Training and Certifications:

• Zumba Basic 1® Certification, ZUMBA®
• Zumba Toning® Certification, ZUMBA®
• Zumbatomic® Certification, ZUMBA®
• Zumba in the Circuit® Certification, ZUMBA®

Derrick Quinn

Derrick Quinn is a certified Yoga Instructor through Miami Yoga Shala of South Beach. Derrick has been practicing Yoga and meditation since the age of 8 and accredits his successes in all areas of his life to the clarity of mind he gains through the practice of regular Yoga and meditation. At the age of 17, Derrick became involved in the sport of competitive bodybuilding and personal training. In 2008, Derrick lived and worked at The Omega Institute of Rhinebeck, NY where he worked and trained with some of the world’s leading authorities in Holistic Health, Nutrition, and Yoga such as David Life, Sharon Gannon, Rodney Yee and Steve Ross. Derrick continues his education and is constantly investing time in improving his knowledge and self practices. Derrick practices veganism and many forms holistic nutrition including herbalism, super food education, detoxification and cleansing, in addition to the practices of Yoga, meditation, weight training, Pilates and Martial Arts. “Yoga means to create Union, or Oneness. My philosophy is to bring that subjective state of oneness into everything that one does, so whether your brushing your teeth, washing the dishes, or combing your hair, it is all Yoga. It is all done with awareness, breath, and Joy.”

Training and Certifications:

• Power Yoga and Advanced Meditation techniques
• Pilates Mat Certifications, Power Pilates
• Certified Fitness Trainer, International Sports Sciences Association,
• Reiki Energy Healing Level 2

Erica Curcio

Erica Nicole Curcio is a dual certified Prem Yoga Kripalu 200 hour Yoga instructor and a registered instructor with Yoga Alliance.
Erica started yoga while in high school at Matlock Pre-collegiate Academy as part of her daily activities. She became certified to teach in December 2009 with leading Yoga Trainer, Prem Shakti, of Prem Yoga in West Palm Beach Florida. She is currently working to obtain her Kripalu 500 hour Yoga Instructor Certification at the Kripalu Center for Wellness in Massachusetts. She has studied with leading Kripalu Yogis, Jovinna Chan and Steven Hartman. Erica is the founder of Jyoti Yoga and a non-profit company called "The Yoga Peace Corp," which brings yoga to special needs children & adults. Her specialties include stress management, weight loss, power yoga, yoga for kids, and yoga for insomnia, depression, and anxiety.

Training and Certifications:

• Prem Yoga Kripalu 200 hour, Prem Yoga, West Palm Beach
• Certified Yoga Instructor, Yoga Alliance

Florencia Rodriguez

Florencia Rodriguez is a Power Pilates certified instructor and a member of the Pilates Method Alliance. Florencia initially came to Pilates of Palm Beach in January 2009 as a client. Training 4 times a week, she quickly realized what an impact Pilates had on her self esteem & confidence. She felt stronger and more flexible, and her body completely transformed (see Florencia’s Before & After pictures). Inspired to make others feel the same way, Florencia completed the Power Pilates Mat & Comprehensive Certification programs. "My ultimate goal is to make others feel as good about themselves as Pilates of Palm Beach has made me feel about myself.” Along with conducting in-studio sessions & group classes, Florencia also leads the studio's In-Home Training Program.

Trainings and Certifications:

• Pilates Mat and Comprehensive (Apparatus) Certifications, Power Pilates

Jamie Lyon

Jamie Lyon is a certified Power Pilates Mat instructor and is currently in the process of attaining her Comprehensive (Apparatus) Certification. She danced with the Georgia Ballet for 13 years prior to being diagnosed with scoliosis. This diagnosis, which caused severe back pain, forced her off the dance floor and into a back brace for 2 years. It wasn't until Jamie found Pilates that she was able to live her active lifestyle again. Pilates gave Jamie her life back! After personally experiencing the difference Pilates made in her own life, Jamie left her job as an investment consultant to pursue her passion. Jamie truly believes that "Pilates is what you do in order to do everything else!"

Training and Certifications:

• Pilates Mat Certifications (Beginner & Intermediate), Power Pilates

Julie Feldman

Julie is a well trained professional with a long history of involvement with The Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health.  She is a Licensed Massage Therapist in the state of Florida having studied at both The Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Lenox, Massachusetts and The Atlanta School of Massage in Atlanta, Georgia.  She has been practicing Massage Therapy since 1989.  While living at Kripalu and practicing yoga on a daily basis with a private yoga instructor, she decided that becoming a Yoga Instructor was in her future.  That dream became realized in 2007 when she became a Certified Prem ~ Kripalu Yoga Instructor. Julie loves being a part of people’s journeys and joyfully does that through breath work, postures, and bodywork.  She also creates one of a kind pieces of healing jewelry that are infused with Reiki energy to support people on their journey.

Training and Certifications:

• Certified Kripalu/Prem Yoga Instructor, Kripalu Bodyworker, & DansKinetics/YogaRhythmics Instructor, Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health

• Member of KYTA, Kripalu Yoga Teacher’s Association

• Certified Massage Therapist, Atlanta School of Massage

• Licensed Massage Therapist, State of Florida

• Certified Cranio-Sacral Therapist Level One, Upledger Institute

• Certified Raindrop Therapy Practitioner, Gary Young / Young Living

• Certified Bach Flower Essence Practitioner, Nelson Bach Educational Program

Kamil Webster

Kamil, a former professional ballerina, is a Power Pilates & PMA certified instructor. Kamil started dancing at the age of 8, and by the time she was 13 years old, she was a professional ballerina with the Ballet Municipal de San Juan in Puerto Rico. Spending every summer in NYC studying ballet intensively with the Evlevsky Ballet, Kamil was introduced to Pilates as part of the company’s conditioning repertoire. After moving to the US at the age of 19, Kamil became fascinated by how the structure & discipline of Pilates improved the dancer’s body; learning this 1st hand with her own body. It wasn’t long after that she decided to branch into the Pilates world by becoming a certified instructor. Kamil’s passion for ballet & Pilates is evident in every session. Her attention to detail, and her belief that “Movement Heals,” makes Kamil an excellent instructor.

Training and Certifications:

• Pilates Mat and Comprehensive (Apparatus) Certifications, Power Pilates
• PMA Certified Instructor, Pilates Method Alliance
• Xtend Barre Teacher Trainer, Xtend
• Certified Spin Instructor
• Group Fitness Certified Instructor, ACE

Marcela Mendoza (coming soon)

Sadie Hasey

Sadie was introduced to Pilates at an early age, 16 years old, when she began tagging along with her mom to Pilates mat classes. She felt an instant desire to learn more. In 2003 she earned her mat certification from the PhysicalMind Institute. She began teaching mat classes, then she decided to further her education when she learned Power Pilates would be hosting a comprehension certification locally. She completed her full comprehensive certification in 2005. She taught At Equinox Fitness on Michigan Avenue while attending Loyola University Chicago. She looks forward to working with clients at Pilates of Palm Beach. "Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness," and it's my goal to see clients leave feeling fit and happy.

Training and Certifications:

• Pilates Mat and Comprehensive (Apparatus) Certifications, Power Pilates
• Pilates Mat Certified Instructor, PhysicalMind Institute

Shelley Sweat

Shelley began dancing in her early childhood and fell in love with the art of ballet. A Georgia native, she danced with LaGrange Ballet Theater, Brenau Dance Ensemble, and the Gainesville Ballet. After injuries prompted her to change her career path, she attended Florida State University, where she received a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing. Shelley continued to dance and exercise as a hobby while working in marketing and direct sales. The experience she gained in motivating others while working in the corporate world easily transfers to an enthusiasm for teaching and training in the Pilates world. Shelley believes that Pilates and ballet are perfect companions for transforming the body. Shelley received her certification in Power Pilates Beginner Mat and looks forward to pursuing a Comprehensive Apparatus certification.

Training and Certifications:

• Pilates Beginner Mat Certification, Power Pilates
• Bachelor of Arts in Marketing, Florida State University

Stefany allongo

Stefany is a certified Power Pilates Mat instructor. Stefany began her Pilates journey as a Pilates of Palm Beach private client in 2009 post reconstructive knee surgery. Training 3-4 days a week for more than 3 years, Stefany regained her strength and then some. The transformation in her body is remarkable (see Stefany’s Before & After pictures). Wanting to introduce others to the benefits of Pilates, Stefany obtained her Pilates Mat Certification. “Your starting point doesn't matter as long as you try! Pilates of Palm Beach helped me to realize this.” Stefany is also a certified Zumba® instructor and is excited to bring the energy of Zumba® to the Pilates of Palm Beach family.  

Training and Certifications:

• Pilates Beginner Mat Certification, Power Pilates
• Zumba Basic 1® Certification, ZUMBA®
• Master of Business Administration, Clemson University
• Master of Science in Marketing, Clemson University
• Bachelor of Art in Music & Theatre, University of Miami

Todd Collura, B.A., M.A.T., C.S.C.S.

Todd has been a certified Muscle Activation Techniques Specialist since January 2006, and he holds a bachelors degree in Exercise Science from Florida Atlantic University. Having played professional baseball with the Minnesota Twins, and serving as a strength and conditioning coach for the Detroit Tigers baseball organization, Todd has worked with some top professional athletes over his career. Currently he practices Muscle Activation Techniques (M.A.T.) at Chris Evert's Tennis Academy in Boca Raton, Fl working with young tennis players. He is also involved with local area golfers, fitness enthusiasts, and people looking to rid their bodies of pain. As a certified strength and conditioning specialist, Todd understands the role the muscular system plays in preventing injuries that occur due to muscle imbalances. Through M.A.T., Todd is able to alleviate and relieve the pain and tightness your body feels while performing daily activities.

Trainings and Certifications:

• Certified Muscle Activation Techniques (M.A.T.) Specialist
• Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, Florida Atlantic University