The Team
a little more about us:
Emily Petrie
Studio Owner
Polestar Pilates Practitioner
Emily found Pilates after searching endlessly for ways to address her chronic back pain after having back surgery in 2017. Her PT directed her here and she was hooked from the start! As her practice progressed, she decided to take up teaching with the goal of helping others correct poor movement patterns before they turn into more serious injuries. Emily comes from a career in the local tech scene here in Denver and is especially focused on incorporating movement into her client’s daily life to help prevent or rehabilitate injuries. A healthy balance between work and fun is at the core of Emily’s life even outside of Pilates. Outside of the studio you might run into her walking her dog, Scarlet, on Tennyson, golfing, fly-fishing, or any other activity that gets her outside!
Her classes are fun, inviting, and will keep you improving from week to week! Her laugh fills the studio and is bound to keep you smiling through class.
Maria Zorn
Certified Pilates Instructor
Certified Prenatal Pilates Doula
Maria is a comprehensively trained Pilates instructor who specializes in women's health and low back and hip pain. She is a Certified Prenatal Pilates Doula and is currently completing coursework to become a Certified Prenatal and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist. She has completed Oov Fundamentals and Oov on the Apparatus training. Maria is passionate about helping her clients feel healthy, strong, and confident in their bodies and improving movement patterns to prevent future injuries.
Rachel Haffner
Balanced Body Certified Instructor
Rachel was born and raised in New Orleans and is brand new to Denver. She graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Kinesiology – Exercise Science. Rachel discovered pilates after several injuries sidelined her from other exercise and she knew it would be an integral part of her life. She is a Balanced Body Certified Pilates Instructor, as well as a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, AFAA Certified Group Fitness Instructor & TRX Qualified Instructor. Rachel can't wait to encourage and share her fitness journey with others.
When not in the studio, Rachel is looking forward to exploring all that Denver has to offer.
Greyce Skinner
Certified Pilates Instructor
Greyce (Also known as Leah Watson to fellow clients) is a Denver based aerialist, actor, and movement teacher who specializes in creative development.
In college she was introduced to yoga and completed a 200 hour teacher training through CorePower Yoga in Denver. This served as a jumping off point for a life of movement.
In 2012, she began her aerial journey. While living in Los Angeles she had the great pleasure of training, teaching, and performing at The Choreography House under the instruction of Kelly Yvonne. More recently, she began training and teaching low-dance trapeze at Aerial Works Castle Rock under the guidance of Rebekah Leach. She's also thrilled to be a part of #teamtease- teaching pole, dance, and creative movement at Tease Studio Denver.
Greyce started taking pilates classes in 2018 to rehab several aerial injuries and was thrilled to discover such a transformative (and low impact) training modality.
She is currently completing the L0-L2 Mat Teacher Training through Polestar and will be completing her Comprehensive training with Polestar to teach on all apparatus offered here. She looks forward to the continued exploration of this movement practice and apprenticing with us!
Melinda Robinson
PT, Pilates Instructor
Licensed physical therapist who graduate with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from The University of Miami. Currently working in the Denver area in an outpatient clinic utilizing a variety of manual therapy and corrective movement techniques, including dry needling and Pilates, to restore patient function.
Carolyn Williamsen
Substitute Pilates Instructor
Coming Soon!
Claire Kenkel
Certified Pilates Instructor
Claire’s first experience with Pilates was through a mat class in 2005 where she discovered that Pilates was a great foundation for running and recreational sand volleyball - adding balance, coordination, and flexibility. Now as a full-time business consultant, Claire recognizes daily the benefits of improved posture and core strength in offsetting the effects of computers and travel. She has been sharing her knowledge and passion for Pilates as an instructor since 2016 and has completed comprehensive training through Balanced Body. She is recognized as a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher (NCPT) by the NPCP, as well as a member of the Pilates Method Alliance. Claire focuses on helping her clients understand proper alignment and how to initiate movement, while identifying and avoiding movement patterns that can contribute to chronic pain. Above all, she believes in helping people learn about and appreciate their bodies rather than wishing for new ones.
Carissa Fernandez
Pilates Instructor
Growing up as a dancer, I have always been drawn to movement. My journey with yoga and Pilates started over ten years ago and has expanded into something that resonates so strongly with me, I feel grateful to be able to share my love of these practices with others. I feel everyone can benefit either mentally, physically, emotionally, or a combination of all three from these practices. The challenge comes in simply finding a way to integrate these movement philosophies and practices into your life.
I am a 200 hour Registered Yoga Teacher who received my certification from Yandara Yoga Institute in Todos Santos, Mexico. I am a Balanced Body Certified Comprehensive Pilates Instructor who trained at EHS Pilates in San Francisco and San Mateo College. I am a TRX certified instructor and Barre Above instructor. I am also a Reiki Master and a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach. In 2020 I became a certified Master Pilates Instructor through the National Pilates Certification Program and began to host teacher trainings through various host studios. I love being able to share my experiences with future instructors. I am constantly learning new modalities of movement and healing and integrating this knowledge into my work with clients to help them move the best they can. I had taught movement for 13 years in Santa Cruz, California before moving to Denver in 2022. I love working one on one with clients as well as teaching fun and challenging group classes. I have a special interest in working with clients who are post-rehab, pre/post natal, diagnosed with neurological conditions, actively aging, and athletic. I also host various workshops and retreats all over the country and even outside the United States!
