Our Team

Pilates Certified Instructors

The shared energy, passion and expertise of our team translates into everything we do at Bend Pilates. We are fortunate to count a close group of talented individuals, including Pilates certified instructors, certified trainers, and licensed massage therapists, as part of our team. At Bend Pilates you can train with some of the best Pilates instructors in Oregon.

We’re Hiring

We are looking for comprehensively Certified Pilates Instructors that appreciate innovation, intelligent movement and feel passionate about our profession. Must be a team player, energetic, and ‘ready to hit the ground running’.

IDEAL CANDIDATE:

  • Pilates Certification: Equipment and apparatus
  • Experience with privates and group classes
  • Experience with rehab is a bonus
  • Intelligent, clear verbal cueing, and effective tactile cueing

Send resume to info@bendpilates.net or call 541.647.0876

Bend Pilates instructor Debby Bowen

Debby Bowen 

“Passionate,” “supportive,” “creative” and “friendly” are some of the words Debby’s clients use to describe her teaching style. Her keen eye for movement, attention to detail and encouraging approach ensure that her clients get the most from each session. Debby enjoys creating unique exercise modifications to challenge her clients on both a physical and neuromuscular level.”I love seeing the rewards that the Pilates method brings to my clients: freedom from pain, better posture, enhanced athletic performance, leaner, stronger bodies with flexible muscles, and increased body awareness in day-to-day life.,” explains Debby. “My goal is to share my knowledge of the Pilates method with as many people as possible, helping them make positive changes in their lives through mindful movement.

Debby is the owner of Bend Pilates, and was naturally drawn to Pilates in 2002. As an athlete, she realizes the importance of proper muscular balance and movement. After having her children, Debby studied the Pilates method through the Core Dynamics Pilates certification program led by Michele Larsson, where she learned the Classical Pilates repertoire. Since her certification she has taken workshops from many well known disciples including Ron Fletcher, Kyria Sabin, Marie-Jose Blom, Elizabeth Larkam, Rael Isacowitz, Madeline Black, Kelly Kane and many more. In 2008, Debby was the first Pilates instructor in Central Oregon to be certified through the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA), and is only one of two in the region currently. Debby’s formal education includes a Bachelors of Science in Biology and a Masters in Water Resources.

Best pilates instructor Carolyn D'Agostino

Carolyn D’Agostino

Carolyn is an accomplished STOTT Pilates instructor teaching since 2008 and joined Bend Pilates in 2013. She has earned a comprehensive certification, including the Advanced repertoire from STOTT Pilates on Mat, Cadillac, Chair, Barrels, Reformer, Injuries, and Special Populations, as well as Total Barre. More recently, she added training on Balanced Body’s CoreAlign. She also holds a Personal Trainer certification from ACE.

Carolyn brings an enthusiastic, supportive, and innovative approach to each of her classes. She works to provide a challenging and fun workout while being mindful of each client’s individual modifications. She enjoys working with clients of all fitness levels and believes that physical activity is at the center of a balanced life. Carolyn is a mother of two daughters. She and her husband enjoy hiking, golfing, gardening, and cooking together. She is a graduate of Robert D. Clark Honors College at the University of Oregon.

Emma Maaranen

Emma is a comprehensively certified instructor through Balanced Body Pilates. Emma has more than 15 years of experience as the founder of Focus Bodywork, a sports injury clinic in Utah meeting the needs of athletes through massage, movement and physical therapy. She is on the faculty of Central Oregon Community College and shares her passion for applied anatomy and physiology in the Allied Health College. Emma also rides mountain bikes professionally for Team Rolf Prima/Trek.

Emma references her background as a massage therapist while guiding her clients through their Pilates sessions, helping them achieve their individual movement goals by incorporating tissue release techniques to maximize fascial potential. She loves to help clients create balance in their body for intelligent movement through life’s demands, develop cross training programs for specific athletic pursuits, and to aid clients in confidently returning to an active lifestyle after an injury. Emma is a perpetual student of movement therapy and is excited to share modern spins on Joseph Pilates’ masterwork.

Bend Pilates instructor Shawn Clary

Shawn Clary

Shawn’s pilates journey began as a quest to find low impact exercise to help with injuries sustained from an automobile accident and turned into a passion for the Pilates method. Her Pilates education began with classical training through Peak Pilates in 2015 and she obtained a 600 hour certification through Classical Pilates Education in Kansas City in 2017. Her comprehensive training included Mat with props, Reformer, Chair, Tower, Cadillac, Ladder Barrel, Ped-O-Pull, and Spine Corrector.

She fell in love with the benefits of Pilates and appreciates the modifications and variations which truly makes Pilates for every body! She wishes to continue her education and is currently working towards certification through Pilates Method Alliance. Shawn loves teaching and is very excited to be part of the Bend Pilates team!

Bend Pilates instructor Heather Phifer

Heather Phifer

Heather Phifer began her exploration of Pilates as a practitioner in 2008 after moving to Denver, seeking strength and confidence in her body that generic workouts couldn’t provide. She found Pilates to be an invigorating, yet relaxing practice and it became imperative to include Joseph Pilates’ principles in her life permanently. In 2010, Heather received her certification from East West Pilates under the supervision of second generation teacher Donna McLean and continued her education under master Pilates teacher, Cara Reeser.

The physical stamina of Pilates is what drives Heather to approach teaching with an emphasis on strength and endurance. Proper form, flexibility and a mental connection to movement are all essential to her athletic approach. When you join Heather in the studio, you will notice her creativity keeps your time on the equipment and mat unique. She will provide emphasis on how to relate the skills and strength you attain in Pilates to your everyday movements outside the studio.