Carli Herrs, STOTT PILATES Certified Instructor

I studied Pilates and anatomy at Bodycenter Studios in Seattle, where I earned my Advanced Level STOTT PILATES® certification on the mat and all equipment. Today I continue to evolve my understanding of the Pilates method through ongoing training and personal study. I have been teaching private sessions and group mat classes since 2005.

My interest in movement and fitness has its roots firmly planted at the Goju Karate Center in Kent, WA, where I have been studying Goju-ryu karate-do since 2001. I've led classes for adults and children, as well as classes in women's self defense. Teaching at Intimate Pilates is a joy in many ways, but its location right across from the dojo truly makes it feel like home!

I enjoy finding the endless ways in which Pilates can be adapted to enhance any body, and I believe that the beauty of this method lies in that it is meant only to benefit the body, without the muscular imbalances, injuries and joint stress so many other activities can bring. I am grateful for the opportunity to guide people in understanding how their body moves, learning to own and improve that movement, and gradually re-connecting the mind, body and spirit.

Just this year, I have set out on a whole new journey to become a SOMA practioner. SOMA is a system of bodywork which works by way of the fascial (connective tissue) network to release chronic, stored structural aberrations, and effectively realign the entire body. I am currently in training at the SOMA Institute of Neuromuscular Integration in Buckley, WA. The Soma Institute is an amazing school, and graduates say that the training program goes far beyond simply teaching a new skill; they say it is a life-changing experience. SOMA is a wonderful complement to the Pilates method, and I can't wait to see how it changes and enhances my work in the studio!