Club Pilates

Liza Lee Ginoni Pilates Director

Health and fitness has been an important part of Liza’s life. She began her passion for fitness as a teenager while participating in Varsity Track and Field and Captaining her high school and college Dance Teams. Liza has her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and her Masters in Human Nutrition. After a life threatening surgery in 2001, Liza decided she wanted a change in her life. It was at this moment when a shift her life occurred. Because she had to “rehab” herself back to health, Liza decided she wanted to help others do the same. That impetus was the beginning of Liza’s career in the fitness industry as a personal trainer and spinning/group exercise instructor. In 2006 Liza decide to expand her fitness instruction horizons and began actively practicing and teaching Pilates. To boot she was 5 ½ months pregnant! This experience of practicing Pilates and being pregnant has provided valuable insights into prenatal Pilates. After giving birth, she began practicing more rigorously and found the Stott Pilates method. “Stott Pilates has absolutely changed my own life and how I teach others in all styles of exercise whether it be a Pilates class or even a TRX class.” In addition to Liza’s current passion of Pilates, Liza currently teaches many types of group classes. She is a certified NASM, ACE and AFAA Personal Trainer. She is also a certified Johnny G Spinning instructor as well as holding certifications from AFAA in Group Fitness, Kickboxing & Mat Science; from BeachBody in Insanity, TurboKick & PiYo. Lastly, she is a trained instructor in Piloxing, TRX, Barre, BOSU and Silver Sneakers. To Liza, fitness can be said simply “Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. Respect your body by giving it the gift of Life through Fitness!”

Lisa Swanson

Lisa’s Pilates journey began in 2011 after discovering IM=X Pilates in Guilford CT and it was then that she decided to change careers. She was certified in NYC with the IM=X Pilates method on both mat and reformer.  While working and teaching group Reformer classes at the IM=X studio, she was introduced to the TRX Suspension Trainer and began attending day workshops on Group, Functional and Force Suspension Training with TRX and RIP trainers as well as attending two TRX Summits which included Yoga and Pilates workshops on the straps.  In 2012 and after completing her Stott training on all apparatus at the Pilates Academy International in NYC, she was hired by Edge Fitness Clubs in Trumbull CT as their lead Pilates Instructor for both private and group training.  Lisa continued with her fitness education, becoming a Group Exercise Instructor through AFAA. She attended Anatomy Studies for Pilates and Yoga Instructors with Jason Brown at Zenyasa Studio in NYC deepening her knowledge of functional anatomy, biomechanics, injury prevention, kinesiology, assessment, sequencing strategies, corrective exercise and cross-training. In addition, she received her Level I Yoga Tune Up Certification and is certified in BootyBarre. Her Pilates journey continues with PEAK Pilates, a classical Pilates education program distinguished by an emphasis on Pilates as an integrated movement system as Joseph Pilates intended. Lisa is working towards completing her Comprehensive 500 hours Certification in Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, Barrel and Auxiliary equipment with PEAK. Outside of the Pilates studio, Lisa is passionate about working out and hiking.

Robyn Defonce

Robyn believes that practicing Pilates gives the body the perfect foundation for everything else- from every day activities to rigorous athletic pursuits. An instructor since 2011, she combines her interest in wellness with an affinity for guiding others to make connections within their own bodies. Robyn is a PMA Certified Pilates Teacher, and has completed over 600 hours of comprehensive training on all of the Pilates equipment through Balanced Body and the Kane School. A certified TRX and AFAA Fitness Instructor, she continues her education through workshops including anatomy, back care, pre/post natal, active aging and cancer recovery.

Esther Martinez

Esther Martinez-Hayes Esther relocated from Jupiter, Florida with her family (Husband, teenage son, and teenage daughter). Esther lived the active outdoor lifestyle that many Floridians enjoy including: active gym membership, watersports such as paddle boarding, and swimming. A friend introduced Esther to Pilates in Florida and over a few months’ time, Esther began to see the improvement in her flexibility and endurance. Esther relocated from Jupiter, FL to Redding, Ct and learned of the Pilates Center in Norwalk, CT. It was at the Pilates Center in Norwalk where Esther received her training and certification for Mat and Apparatus Pilates instruction. After receiving Esther worked as a Pilate’s instructor for “The Edge Fitness Club” in Fairfield, Ct. instructing private and small group apparatus Pilate’s instruction. Esther loves to spend time with her family, work in her garden, or hike the various trails of the Connecticut State Park system to help round out her fitness profile when she is not at the Pilates studio. Esther says, “Hiking is a great endurance work out, and it also helps my coordination and cardio vascular systems.” One true success story example that Esther is proud to describe about how Pilates has improved the quality of life of someone is with her husband John who has suffered for years with chronic pain from a lower back injury that left him with 3 herniated discs. Esther established a simple routine of stretching exercises that has dramatically improved his flexibility and eliminated pain “flare ups” altogether. A number of other Pilates students that Esther has instructed in the recent past have described similar results of eliminating chronic back pain with Esther’s “tailored routine.” Esther’s Philosophy for those who take her classes. “I want my clients to receive my highest level of attention. The client will always be directed to focus on their core with the ultimate goal of achieving greater balance and stability.”

Steven Whitaker

Steven Carroll Whitaker brings to the Club Pilates over twenty five years experience in the health & fitness industry. Holding Certifications with NASM-CPT, Peak Pilates- Level III 500hr, 300 Hr Yoga Aura Wellness Center, Floor Barre Method, IIQTC- Tai Chi Easy, AFFA- Prime, Red Cross- CPR/AED/First Aid. Steven has 10 over years experience in teaching Pilates. Turning to the "Classic Pilates" approach in recent years, Steve utilizes the teaching methodology as Joseph Pilates designed it almost 100 years ago as a movement system. Using precise connecting flowing movements to develop the mind, body and spirit connection, it is the bases of all Pilates being taught today. Classic Pilates is distinguished by its emphasis on Pilates as an integrated movement system as Joseph Pilates intended. This traditional flow develops the body into a better balanced, lean and stronger physic as it develops a strong sense of being at the peak of one's ultimate level of physical conditioning.

Stephanie Pelling

As a former elementary school teacher, Stephanie continued her passion for teaching by pursuing a career in Pilates. She immediately fell in love with this style of exercise that kept her challenged, both physically and mentally, and soon began her journey to become a Pilates instructor. Stephanie employs her creative energy into each class by designing a unique session for clients, ensuring that no two workouts are ever quite the same. She takes her classroom experiences with her students and relates them to her clients by providing modifications and accommodations to support the range of abilities of all members. While staying true to the core principles founded by Joseph Pilates, she likes to take an athletic training approach in her classes and keeps exercises challenging and fresh. Stephanie has previously taught at The Pilates Centre, and is currently teaching at Club Pilates of Fairfield

Meredith Anand

I received my Doctor of Physical Therapy from MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston and have been a licensed, practicing physical therapist for 14 years. I discovered Pilates while recovering from the birth of my son almost 9 years ago and immediately fell in love. I found that Pilates so greatly complements the work I do as a physical therapist – teaching people how to move their bodies in an efficient and functional way, decreasing pain and becoming more fit. I decided to pursue a certification through Balanced Body beginning in 2014 and in May of 2017 I completed the comprehensive certification which requires nearly 500 hours of training, observation and practice. I enjoy planning fun, functional and challenging workouts. When I am not teaching I am taking care of 3 children, running, paddle boarding, playing tennis, enjoying music, traveling and trying new restaurants with my husband.

Certifications: Doctor of Physical Therapist , Balanced Body Comprehensive Pilates Certfication

Services: Class and Private Training

Glenda Rorick

Glenda was born in Costa Rica and moved to United States at the age of 24. After living in the US for a few years she decided to jump into the world of fitness subsequently started her career as a trainer. In 2001 Glenda became an AFFA certified personal trainer. During her early career in 2004 she had the opportunity to try Pilates and fell in love. She has been studying and practicing the Pilates method ever since. In 2006 Glenda obtained a certification in all the apparatus and received additional training for injuries and “special populations” training. About Myself: I have always enjoyed being active both indoors and outdoors. As a child I always enjoyed biking and climbing. As an adult I began lifting weights in a gym so becoming a Pilates trainer came naturally. In 2004 when I came across Pilates I had a light bulb moment; I realized that what was missing which was the flexibility, lengthening and core strengthening Pilate provides which is often neglected with traditional training. There is a lot of talk in the fitness industry nowadays about core strengthening and I have found that Pilates addresses those issues in the most profound and organic way. That is why I call my light bulb moment because something turned on in in me that I instantly fell in love with Pilates. For me Pilates is not just a training method but a lifestyle. Ever since I started Pilates I have enjoyed an injury free existence while continuing to purse many of the activities I enjoy including running, biking, and weight training. Please come and join me in exploring the self-healing and natural movement that the Pilates method can offer you.

Karen Jordan

Karen’s fitness journey began many years ago with her participation in varsity, collegiate athletics and movement for over 15 years. This was followed by teaching, coaching and empowering while creating diverse group and individual fitness & movement programs for over 30 years, to commercial, corporate, educational, private, and medical facilities; Karen brings 45 plus years of knowledge, experience and passion to the movement and fitness industry. Through the mind-body systems of Pilates and Yoga, she is able to improve balance, enhance coordination, control and strength, while sustaining safe practical movement to allow for improved health and wellbeing. Karen believes the center (core) of the body as the powerhouse used to negotiate all movement, while using mind focus to bring awareness and ultimately control to the body. The breath creates ease of movement, naturally allowing energy and flow to the bodies systems, while alignment provides safety for the expression. Karen is well trained in Classical Pilates under the Master Trainer MeJo Wiggin and Contemporary Pilates with Stott Pilates in Mat, Barre, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, and Barrels. She is also a Yoga Instructor through Lotus Garden - Yoga Alliance as well as an ACE and IDEA group fitness instructor and is Zumba certified. She brings to Club Pilates a well-rounded host of skills to the studio for a full strength, lengthening and mind body experience.