About Us & Our Pilates Instructors

Instructors: Leslie & Nicole have been trained in the contemporary method of pilates, STOTT PILATES™, which incorporates mordern principles of exercise science into the original method designed by the late Joseph Pilates. This exercise system has 5 core principles: Breathing, Spine/Pelvic Placement, Scapula Stability/Mobility, Rib Cage Stabilization, and Cervical Spine Alignment. Practitioners will notice improved posture, increased muscle strength & endurance, enhanced/flattened core strength, improved balance, alignment and increased flexibility.

Leslie Larch, BFA, Certified STOTT PILATES™ Mat & Reformer Instructor enjoyed a long and successful career as a professional dancer and model in the USA and Europe before earning her BFA in dance at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle. She then taught dance for many years while continuing post-graduate studies at Western Washington University, where she received a Washington State Teaching Certificate.

Her brief school teaching career ended with a serious foot injury. As many other injured dancers have learned, Leslie saw that Pilates is one of the very few things that can be done even during recuperation. She thus embarked on a Pilates training path that led to the opening of Island Pilates Center in 2003.

Leslie's teaching style emphasizes form, focus, precision of movement, and a personalized curriculum to help clients achieve effective core support, strength, and stability in their daily lives. In her spare time Leslie walks the Putney Woods and cares for her 94 year-old grandmother, who is always fine, real good. Email Leslie

Nicole Falso, Certified STOTT PILATES TM Instructor in Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, & Barrels began dancing at the age of 3 and has extensive, life-long experience in all forms of movement. Also an accomplished soccer player, she began cross training in Pilates in 2006. She joined Island Pilates Center as a full partner in 2008.

Nicole specializes in rigorous equipment workouts that leave her clients both beaming and buffed. Her finely tuned eye for detail and youthful vigor inspire and nudge athletes and anti-exercisers alike to greater strength and body awareness. She is an alumnus and current recruit of Whidbey Island Dance Theater. In her spare time Nicole teaches creative dance to 3 year olds, and cares for her dachshund Louie and his fellow pets. Email Nicole

Pilates History

Joseph Pilates developed this exercise system during WWI when he helped rehabilitate ailing fellow German nationals as well as injured soldiers from an internment camp. He designed the specialized equipment by rigging springs from camp beds to create resistance and thus mobilize and strengthen the bedridden.

When Pilates immigrated to New York, his conditioning methods were discovered by professional dancers who found the exercises helped prevent injuries and improve strength while maintining long, even muscle tone.

STOTT PILATES™ was developed by former professional dancer Moira Merrithew, who incorporated modern principles of exercise science and spinal rehabilitation to the original method.

For more information go to:
www.stottpilates.com
www.pilatesmethodalliance.org