instructors
Gene F.
Gene is a certified massage therapist (Chicago School of Massage
Therapy) and personal trainer. He utilizes an intuitive/therapeutic
approach with his massage clients creating a custom massage based on
their specific body and muscle condition. Gene's massage skills are
enhanced through his work as a personal trainer and his increased
awareness of biomechanics and kinesiology.
Originally from Moscow, Gene is a former gymnast and has certification
from The International Sports and Science Association, the American
Council on Exercise and Kettlebell Athletics. Gene received advanced
Kettlebell in Russia and teaches Align's Kettlebell classes which
focuses on functional fitness utilizing core strength and
stabilization, and postural alignment through dynamic movement.
Victoria G.
Fitness coach and co-author of “Kettlebells, Strength Training for Power and
Grace,” Victoria D. Gray, ATC, MPA, CSCS has surrounded herself with health and fitness from an early age.
Victoria started as a gymnast and dancer at the age of five. She had the distinct pleasure of dancing in many
Orange Bowl Half-time shows, Super Bowl Half-time show and for Walt Disney World Company. Victoria received her
undergraduate degree at the University of Central Florida with a specialty in Sports Medicine. Immediately
following she moved to New York City and received her Graduate degree from New York University in Health Policy
and Management. While in New York, Victoria became a Certified Athletic Trainer, Certified Strength and Conditioning
Coach, Kettlebell Instructor, and managed a team of trainers at one of the top fitness clubs on Wall Street.Victoria
has recently relocated to Chicago, IL where her specialties lie in post-rehabilitation, Kettlebell instruction,
pre/post natal, weight loss, and general health and wellness. After ten years of working with elite athletes, dancers,
and fitness enthusiasts of all levels, Victoria believes that dedication and determination will help you accomplish
any goal you may have. Visit vgrayfitness.com for more
information!
Emily U.
Emily has been practicing Pilates since 2000 and is certified through
Body Arts & Science International. Her knowledge of Pilates, form,
alignment, biomechanics and movement brings her clients to new levels
of body awareness and focus. She motivates and encourages clients with
creative challenging sequencing and unique fun workouts. Emily has
fallen in love with both Yoga and Pilates. While living and teaching
Pilates in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, Emily completed her 200 hour
Vinyasa Yoga certification with Yoga by the Way in 2009. Her yoga
instruction will strengthen, heal and align the body while bringing
balance, discipline and peace to her students minds. With a passion
for healthy cooking and a desire to educate others, Emily received her
Health Coach Certificate in 2011 from Integrative Nutrition and
specializes in helping people find balance through holistic wellness
and nutrition consulting. Along with her work at Spring, Emily is also
a Balanced BodyŽ Faculty Member and and passes the knowledge of Pilates
to others a deeper level in Teacher Trainings. She feels fortunate to
have a job where she educates others and believes we are always
students, changing and evolving throughout life. She also earned her
BA in Art & Design from Columbia College Chicago in 2001. With almost
2 years experience in bilingual teaching she is able to teach clients
and classes in Spanish. In her spare time, Emily enjoys spending time
with family and friends, cooking and traveling as much as she can!
Gizel S.
Gizel came to Chicago from Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1995 to attend the University of Chicago and earned her BA in Economics.
She fell in love with Pilates the moment she attended her first mat class in 1999 and in 2004 decided to teach it full time.
In 2006 she and her partner Alex opened up Spring Wellness Center on Southport and Waveland in a renovated apartment flat.
However, she truly believes that a balanced workout routine can truly keep the body young, healthy and fit so a few years
later in 2009, a great opportunity came up for her to be able to open up a more spacious and beautiful space down the streets,
just 50 steps from the Brown Line stop on Southport and Newport. The new studio allowed her to incorporate yoga, different styles
of Pilates, Kettlebells, TRX, Core Ballet and various Fusion classes. You can automatically tell her enthusiasm and love for
Pilates in every mat class and private lesson she teaches. She loves how athletic a Pilates practice can be and is incredibly
grateful to share the power and strength her clients are capable of achieving in each of their sessions. Gizel is certified
through BASI Pilates and is also a Level 1 certified Kettlebells instructor. In her spare time, she is very devoted to her daily
yoga practice but most importantly, loves to hang out with her husband Craig and son River.