JENNIFER REICH "As a young girl I remember special Saturday mornings joining my father when he did rounds at the hospital. A thoracic and vascular surgeon, my father would discuss his surgeries and I remember wondering, "Was this the only way to heal?" As years passed, and many heated dinner table debates transpired, my sister developed a brain tumor and her life was saved by surgery. After that my mission became to find a link between preventative medicine and a deep respect for the time and place where Western medicine and surgical intervention were the correct solution." Determined to learn how to empower the body to heal itself, Jennifer has been teaching Pilates for 17 years. In 1991, Jennifer discovered Pilates while working for a small company selling durable medical equipment to physical therapists in the San Francisco Bay area. What started as a personal discovery for her health and wellness became a passion that revealed a new career, working with people affecting their health directly. Her first practice was a partnership with a chiropractor, Dr. Ellen Stubenhaus. In the Marina in San Francisco, the business was called the Chiropractic Fitness Center. Dr. Stubenhaus reviewed every client's X-rays with Jennifer and gave her the indications and contra-indications. After three years of intense learning, Jennifer decided to learn more from another perspective and went into practice with a physical therapist from Holland named Leigha Ambra. Leigha taught Jennifer everything she could and then introduced Jennifer to her own teacher, Dr. Ed Stiles, D.O. Jennifer took every class Ed offered, learning much about spinal mechanics and the effect on the muscular system. After studying with Ed, Jennifer found Dr. Tom Hendrickson, D.C., and took his course in Orthopedic Massage, where she learned even more about the muscular system. Simultaneously, learning about the anatomy and physiology of the body, Jennifer studied the Pilates method from many different perspectives. She received her PhysicalMind certification from Madeline Black in 1997, and before that she studied with Marie Jose Blum, Elizabeth Larkham, and Jean Claude West. In 1998, Jennifer sold her business Center Strength in Berkeley and opened up Center Strength in Denver. She combines her experience to work with many challenging clients and has been teaching the Physicalmind teacher training programs for the last six years. Teaching is her greatest joy, next to empowering people to reclaim their health and find their Center Strength. "It has been a fantastic opportunity to bring cohesion to my education by taking and now teaching Concentration 301 for the PhysicalMind Institute." Jennifer SARAH SMYSOR Sarah came to Center Strength from a career with two major league sports teams. After six years of teaching and much continuing education, Sarah’s classes are always fresh and challenging. The creative style of her teaching is inspired by her deep roots in ballet and athletics. Sarah’s patience and compassion guide her clients to levels of fitness they never knew they could achieve. She encourages people to enjoy their bodies and explore their unlimited potential through Pilates and GYROTONIC®. She loves to work with golfers and is certified in GYROTONIC® for golf. LIZ IKARD-MAGALONG Liz has a deep love for movement. Pilates and GYROTONIC® are her passions. Her meticulous teaching style creates a safe environment for all her clients, particularly those who have been injured. She has three Pilates certifications: PhysicalMind, Alana Norman Classical Pilates and Pilates Method Alliance. As mom of two, soon to be three, Liz also specializes in working with expectant and new mothers. LYNNE CURCIO Lynne is certified in Pilates, GYROTONIC®, Gyrokenisis and Muscle Activation Technique. A therapeutic education specialist, she is also working with special needs children. She has studied dance, anatomy, physiology, and Aruvedic breath work since 1981. Her practice has evolved to support individual needs including sports conditioning, injury prevention and post-operative rehabilitation for all orthopedic conditions, specializing in spinal rehabilitation. NATALIE TAYLOR Natalie is a professional dancer and choreographer. She continues to train and perform with David Taylor and the International Ballet School. She completed her GYROTONIC® training and taught in New York City. Since returning to Colorado, she has completed Master Stretch, GYROTONIC® and golf, and PhysicalMind Institute Pilates certifications. Natalie is pre-trainer for the GYROTONIC® method and has studied in Italy this year, bringing the cutting edge of movement techniques to her clients. Natalie brings joy to the process of reclaiming your body and freedom of movement. NADJA COUNTS Nadja’s determination and skill make her an excellent Pilates instructor. Through Pilates Nadja has discovered her inner athlete. She loves rock climbing and snowboarding and will push herself as well as her clients to the edge. With Nadja you will discover inner strength, power, and beauty. CHRISTINE LUCIANI Christine comes to us from New York, where her professional dance career and love of movement led her to Pilates & GYROTONIC®. After certification in and teaching of both methods, she found a special niche through the birth of her daughter. Christine specializes and is certified in Pilates through pregnancy. Her passion is empowering other woman. KRISTA OVERLY "My introduction to Pilates in 2004 was in Alaska while visiting family and friends. I had completed my yoga teacher training and was excited to try another mind-body-movement experience. That month I became totally entranced by Pilates and decided to become an instructor. Now I have two movement modalities that I love to teach and practice which incorporate mind, body, and spirit. The work I do with clients inspires me and I love how we make discoveries together through breath and movement." ELLEN RICE Ellen Rice brings 22 years of experience as a body worker in the healing and meditative arts to her Pilates clients. Along with Pilates, her studies include qigong healing, energy-body healing, polarity therapy, lymphatic drainage and integrative massage. Through intention Ellen creates and holds sacred, safe space for each client to facilitate their healing and integration of the body, mind and spirit. MADELINE RAY Madeline has been a body worker for 21 years. She has studied extensively and her work encompasses many teachings. Madeline’s modalities include: Jin Shin Jyutsu, Chi Nei Tsang, Hot Stone Therapy, Reflexology, Craniosacral Therapy, Deep Tissue, Swedish and Prenatal Massage. Guided by the still quiet voice within, her touch is that of a true healer. She is an important part of our team here at Center Strength. KRIS STERN Drawing from her communications background, Kris combines her appreciation of movement and words to craft precise workouts to fit her clients' needs. As a journalist, she understands the hazards inherent to computer and desk work. Her love of Pilates herself, as well as mountain biking, snowshoeing, downhill and cross-country skiing, make her a particularly inspired instructor. Certifications: PhysicalMind, mat Pilates (2006) and equipment. JEN DUFFLEY Former competitive gymnast, Jen Duffley, started as a Center Strength client and has become a Pilates instructor. Diligently working side by side with her clientele, Jen strives to encourage them to accomplish the ultimate: core strength and balance. Incorporating her coaching background, patience and calming mind-set, Jen guides her clients to exceed their expectations. Jen continues to educate herself through PhysicalMind and passes this expertise on to her clients. CHRIS HARRIS Christine Harrison, L.Ac, Dipl.OM Christine comes to Center Strength with over 15 years clinical experience in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine. After graduating from the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1993, she completed a clinical internship at Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Harbin, China. Once she returned, Christine began her practice in south-east Denver specializing in women’s health care and Chinese herbal medicine. Her clinical experience has grown to incorporate health and lifestyle counseling, effective therapies for chronic disorders, and musculo-skeletal conditions.