Our Team
Our teachers are top-notch, first, second and third generation from the Jay Grimes lineage, which seeks to honor the traditional work of Joseph Pilates.
Nicole Briggs
Senior Teacher / Owner
Nicole focuses on balancing the body to be aligned, strong, and flexible. She uses the amazing apparatus Joseph Pilates developed to give what the body in front of her needs. Nicole is an alumnus of THE WORK™, a world renowned graduate program, led by Jay Grimes at Vintage Pilates in Los Angeles. Jay, who brings more than 50 years of experience, is considered a 1st generation teacher because he was trained by Joe Pilates himself. Nicole worked at Vintage Pilates from 2015 – 2018. Nicole still trains as a student, to further her knowledge of the method, to bring the best to her clients.
Before Nicole opened her studio in 2011, she taught at several Pilates studios in Los Angeles, worked with patients at a Physical Therapy clinic as an aide and Pilates teacher, taught dance in California and the Washington. D.C. area, and coached girls’ competitive gymnastics in the D.C. Area (where she was born).
Nicole was originally certified in 2005 by 2nd generation instructor, Jill Cassady (who trained with the late Romana Kryzanowska, another 1st generation teacher). Nicole was an assistant instructor for 4 years in Jill’s program, now called Pilates Technique Certification, Inc. She started taking Pilates in 2002, as a gift from her boss at a Chiropractic office, in San Francisco. It was the best gift! Nicole had daily low back pain, a weak center, and “cheated” at her posture. Today Nicole is in the best shape of her life, with no pain and better alignment.
Nicole holds a B.A. in Dance from UC Irvine, and she studied Kinesiology in the M.S. program at Cal State, Northridge. Nicole is a Certified Weight Loss Specialist through NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) and was a personal trainer through NASM.
Keion Moradi means
Senior Teacher / Owner
Keion embodies knowledge, inspiration, skill—and perhaps even a bit of levity—to share the Pilates method with others. She discovered Pilates in 2004, as a long-distance runner looking to prevent injury and in 2010, started teaching.
Keion is a graduate of THE WORK™, a rigorous, highly exclusive continuing education program for seasoned Pilates teachers, led by program director and first generation teacher Jay Grimes, and Sandy Shimoda, owner of globally celebrated studio Vintage Pilates. In 2017, Keion also joined the high-caliber teaching staff at Vintage Pilates and as a forever student, continues to study with both Jay and Sandy.
Keion co-owns Strong Body Pilates, a Los Angeles-based studio dedicated to passing down the original method. She completed her original certification under the tutelage of second generation teacher, Risa Sheppard.
Jay Grimes
First Generation Master Teacher
Jay began his studies with Joe Pilates in the mid-sixties, and after Joe’s death continued with Joe’s wife, Clara, for another 10 years until her death. Jay began teaching in the original 8th Avenue studio in New York and has since taught all over the world. Jay danced professionally, ballet and Broadway for 18 years, and never had an injury. This he attributes entirely to Pilates.
Jay is valued in the Pilates community for his experience, humility and integrity in maintaining the work of Joe Pilates. Over the years Jay’s clients have ranged from stars of Broadway and Hollywood, music and opera, to politicians, businessmen and housewives, and Olympic athletes. He currently provides ongoing training to instructors, conducting workshops and master classes around the world. To see where Jay is teaching workshops and classes away from the studio, go to vintagepilates.com
Teresa Brown
Teacher
Teresa walked into her first Pilates studio seven years ago and was thrilled by the many positive changes Pilates made in her life. She never felt stronger, more centered, and knew she wanted to share this with others. Teresa thinks making your body stronger is serious work but that it should be fun as well.
When you work with Teresa, she promises some sweating, maybe laughing, but most importantly that you will leave feeling great. She loves working with the very beginner, those who have fallen off the fitness wagon, and athletes as well.
Teresa is a certified Classical Pilates teacher through Strong Body Pilates, a Jay Grimes lineage training. Teresa received her first Pilates certification through Pilate-ology and is excited to be continuing her education through the Strong Body Pilates Classical Pilates program.
Teresa is a former professional opera singer, loves music, books, laughter, and good food, especially with friends.
Rina Mehta
Apprentice Teacher
A dancer by training, Rina came to Pilates after a severe knee injury. Where doctors told her she wasn’t going to be able to dance again, her Pilates instructors affirmed her body’s ability to heal itself and discover untapped reservoirs of strength. As she continued to work with Pilates she discovered how cultivating awareness and connection can facilitate profound ease and joy of movement. Rina is passionate about sharing the power of Pilates with people and helping them discover the inherent strength and resiliency of their bodies. Rina has been practicing classical Pilates since 2002 and is currently training to be a certified instructor with Strong Body Pilates.
Ken Krech
Independent Teacher, Second Generation
Ken Krech has been teaching Pilates since 1998, operating private studios in both Montréal and Los Angeles since 2000. Having been an avid swimmer, cyclist and runner he recognizes the important role Pilates has played in preventing injury and keeping fit during his athletic pursuits. Ken has studied with Jay Grimes privately and is a graduate of his advanced education program THE WORK™. He also completed Jay’s highly selective follow-up program, TEACHING THE WORK™.
Ken feels very honored to have taught at Vintage Pilates where he was able to teach other teachers from around the world as they prepared for the Master’s Program and during the program. He was also part of the group of teachers who helped select the candidates for THE WORK™. Best of all was just teaching all those years along side Jay Grimes. Vintage Pilates is closed now but Ken continues to teach at several studios in Los Angeles where he has the benefit of not only teaching teachers but also those who just want to stay in condition doing Pilates.
Ken is also a California licensed Massage Therapist who has been practicing for over 25 years. Over that time, Ken has studied and become certified in several different types of massage such as Swedish, Deep Tissue Massage, Sports Massage, Reflexology and spent about three years studying Osteopathy in Québec, Canada. Massage is beneficial for relaxation, pain management, injury relief, or/and for preparation to participate in sporting events. Ken tailors his massages to fit each person’s needs. To work with Ken click here >> KenKrechPilates.com
Contact Us
Email: info@strongbodypilates.com
Phone: 818-510-0827
Address:
10660 Riverside Drive, Suite B
Toluca Lake, CA 91602
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Contact Us
Email: info@strongbodypilates.com
Phone: 818-510-0827
Address:
10660 Riverside Drive, Suite B
Toluca Lake, CA 91602