Patricia Dominguez has a movement background that includes both dance and athletics. After having received a BA in Dance & Performance from Hunter College in 2006, she continues to dance professionally with local Philadelphia artists and Mask & Dance theater company, ArcheDream for Humankind. She spent ten years at the Fencing Academy of Philadelphia, fencing competitively and coaching all ages. She completed her initial Pilates training in 2012, from the Drexel Pilates Training Program, and has continued her education with completing Karen Carlson’s Master Teacher Training in June 2019.
TEACHERS: PROFILES AND CONTACT INFORMATION
Nicole Rogers
Nicole Rogers graduated from Smith College in 2001 where she studied anatomy & movement & Spanish. Nicole completed Karen Carlson’s Master Teacher Training in 2004. She also completed certification in holistic health coaching from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in 2009. Some of Nicole’s continuing education training has been with Michael Buck in Thai Yoga Bodywork, Erica Fletcher in therapeutic exercise & joint function, and Irene Dowd in neuromuscular repatterning.
Nicole works with clients combining many modalities, primarily therapeutics of Pilates and Thai Yoga bodywork with an emphasis on holistic nutrition.
Kristen Shahverdian
Kristen Shahverdian has been teaching Pilates in the Philadelphia area since 2001. She initially trained under Louise Gillette while getting her MFA in dance from Temple University and she also holds a BA from Hamilton College with a double major in History and Dance. She was first certified in Pilates through Physical Mind Institute and continued her teacher training under Master Teacher Karen Carlson.
Some of Kristen’s continuing education training has been with Michael Buck in Thai Yoga Bodywork, Irene Dowd in specific training for foot, hips and knees, Ellie Herman in ball and small apparatus. She brings her love of movement to her work and enjoys teaching Pilates so that her clients can achieve success in all their physical endeavors.
Patty Graham
I have been teaching the Pilates method since 2000. The majority of my training has come from Karen Carlson. I have trained with IM=X Pilates as well. My approach has also been deeply influenced by my study and performance in the fields of ballet, modern dance, yoga and bel canto vocal technique. My philosophy is to utilize Pilates, which is a very flexible and extensive method, to support the health and function of each individual, providing education and training for better breathing, structural alignment, strength and flexibility. I believe this training and new awareness naturally starts to provide the foundation for greater function in all activities, sports, dance, yoga, life?, while addressing and minimizing discomfort and pain. My effort to meet the needs of my clients led me to expand my skills into the realm of bodywork and I now do Shiatsu as both a part of, or as a separate session to, the Pilates work. I also teach a dance class for people with Parkinson’s.
Jeff Prall
Upon completing his MFA in Dance from Temple University in 2001, Jeff continued to teach and dance professionally, but never lost his love for how the body worked. In 2002 Jeff became certified to teach Advanced Pilates Mat, going on to become fully certified on all apparatus in 2003 by the Physical Mind Institute in New York City. Since then, while teaching Pilates full time, Jeff has constantly expanded his knowledge of the body.
He has studied many exercise forms including yoga and weight training, and has completed an extensive advanced certification in 2007 with master teacher Karen Carlson. During this program Jeff was used consistently as a demonstrator for many of the most advanced forms, and continues to do so in Karen’s subsequent certifications for other trainers. Jeff incorporates his knowledge of movement, anatomy, and both therapeutic and functional training into his Pilates teaching. Recently Jeff was honored to be listed as “One of Ten Pilates Instructors You Should Know” in Philadelphia Magazine.
Pat Robertson
Pat Robertson’s 30 years as a healthcare provider, educator, Pilates instructor and entrepreneur has given her a unique ability to integrate science with intuition and to express knowledge in a practical and functional manner.
Pat was first introduced to Pilates through Karen Carlson in 1992, trained extensively with her, and has had Pilates as an integral part of her chiropractic practice ever since. As an educator, she has taught Anatomy and Physiology in multiple schools in addition to her own healing arts/massage therapy trainings that she has been facilitating for 20 years.
Pat is currently working in Philadelphia at Karen Carlson’s Studio 1420 as both chiropractor and Pilates instructor and in Flourtown at her daughter’s chiropractic office. She continues to offer seminars and trainings in Pilates and rehabilitation, advanced massage techniques, stress management and meditation.