Mairin Wilde

Owner

 

Mairin Wilde is the owner of the Vancouver Pilates Centre and Program Director of the Dianne Miller Pilates Teacher Education Program. She was first introduced to the Pilates method by Dianne Miller in 1986, while they were both on the dance faculty of Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada. This led to an ongoing collaboration with Dianne Miller that became the Dianne Miller Pilates Center.

 

In 2005, Mairin took ownership of the studio and continues to provide excellence in Pilates training with a superb staff of DMPTEP trained teachers, under the new name of Vancouver Pilates Centre. Mairin's background includes ballet and contemporary dance, including performance, teaching, and choreography. She is a Certified Laban Movement Analyst (University of Washington, 1984/85), a Franklin Method Educator (Level Three - Boulder, 2011), and certified in ELDOA (Level 1 & 2). In addition to owning the studio and teaching Pilates and the Franklin Method, Mairin teaches movement fundamentals and movement for actors at SFU's School for the Contemporary Arts. 

Karin Weekley

Senior Pilates Teacher

 

Karin began her Pilates training in 1998 in Edmonton, Alberta with Steve Bryson (a Dianne Miller trained teacher). She had previously earned a diploma in modern dance through Grant MacEwan community college and while pursuing a dance career, suffered knee injuries which led her to study Pilates. Karin moved to Vancouver from Alberta in 2000, completing the Dianne Miller Pilates Teacher Training Program and joined the VPC team shortly after. She is a Franklin Method Educator (Level 1 - 2012), and certified in ELDOA (Level 1 & 2). 

 

Karin considers herself lucky to have been involved in the arts and movement education from a young age. She finds it rewarding to help people make new discoveries about their bodies, making room for joy in movement and in their daily lives. Karen feels blessed to be a part of the VPC team. 

Carolyn Woods

Senior Pilates Teacher and Kundalini Yoga Teacher 

 

Originally from Alberta, Carolyn moved to Toronto in 1988 to pursue a career in dance. Carolyn danced with the company, Dancemakers, under the direction of Serge Bennathan for 16 years. As a part of their regular training, Dianne Miller was brought out every year to teach the Pilates mat work to compliment the rigourous demands of dancing full time. In 2004, recognizing the importance of Pilates, Carolyn travelled to Vancouver to complete the Dianne Miller Pilates Teacher Education Program. She then taught at the The Pilates Centre of Toronto with Rucsandra Mitrea from 2004-2011. While in Toronto, she also trained in Myofascial Stretching and the ELDOA technique developed by renowned osteopath, Dr. Guy Voyer. 

 

In 2011, Carolyn moved to Vancouver to join Mairin Wilde and the VPC team. Since then, she has completed the Franklin Method Teacher Training Program, Level 1 in 2012 and the International Teacher Training Level 1 Program in Kundalini Yoga, in 2014. Carolyn is known for caring and encouraging nature. Her main passion is to help others rediscover strength and confidence in their bodies. 

Marla Waal

Pilates Teacher and Pain Care Yoga Teacher

 

Marla comes from an extensive background. She originally trained at the school of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens and then started her professional career wtih Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal in 1990. She then danced with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago from 1994-1998. During her career as a professional dancer, Marla started studying yoga and Pilates for health and injury prevention. As her dancing days were winding down, Marla discovered a deep passion and love for teaching yoga. Marla has been teaching yoga since 1999, in styles ranging from very athletic Ashtanga/power yoga to the more gentle Yin and restorative forms of yoga.

 

In her pursuit to learn more, Marla discovered the work of Eric Franklin and this led her to the VPC, where she completed her Franklin Method Level 1 Teacher Training. In 2013, Marla became the first yoga teacher invited to teach at the VPC, embodying a complementary approach to teaching movement. Since joining the VPC, she has rekindled her interest in the Pilates method and has nearly completed the the Dianne Miller Pilates Teacher Education Program. She is also certified in ELDOA (Level 1 & 2).

Edmond Kilpatrick

Pilates Teacher

​

Edmond Kilpatrick danced professionally for 23 years, graduating from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, dancing with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens in Montreal, followed by 9 years as a featured dancer with Ballet B.C. He has been teaching ballet and contemporary dance for many years, as well as choreographing for stage and film.

 

Edmond came to Pilates through dance as a student of Dianne Miller, and has been teaching at the VPC since 2009. He is excited to show dancers and non-dancers how they can feel good in their bodies and move in a healthier and livelier way.  He is a graduate of the Dianne Miller Pilates Teacher Education Program, is a Franklin Method Educator (Level 1), and certified in ELDOA (Level 1).

  

Kathy Pomeroy

Pilates Teacher

 

​

Pamela Blackmon

Pilates Teacher

 

​

Current Intern Teachers

VPC also provides intern opportunities for student teachers working towards a Comprehensive Teaching Certificate with the Dianne Miller Pilates Teacher Education Program. The following interns are currently fulfilling their requirements towards this program.

​

Martin Gotfrit

Caitlin Purvis

Tilly Schalkwyk