Meet our Teachers at The Space - Yoga, Pilates & GYROTONIC®
Pilates:
Marta Hernandez, founder of The Space (formerly Yaletown Pilates since 2000) was selected by the PhysicalMind Institute in 2004 to be a Certified Pilates Training Studio with her as the primary teacher trainer. Marta has been successfully training pilates teachers in BC, Alberta, Washington State and The Yukon since 2004. She has been involved in dance since a young age giving her a natural ability to work with the body through movement. She comes highly trained receiving her BFA in dance from University of York in 1994, completing her Pilates certification through The Physicalmind Institute in New York 1999, she became a certified Level 1 GYROTONIC® teacher in the fall of 2004 and in March 2008 she became a certified GYROKINESIS® teacher through Julio Horvath, inventor. Currently she is completing her level 2 GYROTONIC®, furthering her professional training and running her own studio at the Space since 2000.
Kim Matson Weinberg has been involved in Pilates both as a professional Modern Dancer/Choreographer and as a qualified instructor. Kim trained, apprenticed and worked with Diane Miller from 1986 to 1993. She has also taught in Montreal at L.A.D.M.M.I, in private practice and is now teaching at The Space. Kim holds a BFA in dance and psychology from Simon Fraser University. Kim has also studied yoga, Feldendrais and Kinesthetic Anatomy with Irene Dowd.
Laura Crema - Laura began study of the Pilates Method in 1989 with Dianne Miller in Vancouver. Since then she has been certified by the PhysicalMind Institute in both mat and reformer. Laura is also a jazz vocallst, dancer, choreographer and interdisciplinary performer. She holds a BA in Economics and Fine and Performing Arts from Simon Fraser University.
Meghan Aris - Meghan’s study of pilates began while living in Guelph Ontario in 2004. She was overwhelmed with the connections she made to her body through this modality. She began her journey as a teacher when she joined The Space in May of 2006. Meghan is a certified mat pilates intructor and is currently working on her equipment certification. She has a strong relationship to body wellness; taking dance from a young age, completing the Big Sur International Marathon in 2002, and practicing yoga. She is the Assistant Manager at The Space, as well as the Teacher Training Coordinator. Meghan also holds a degree in Creative Writing with a minor in Anthropology.
Suzanne Hepburn - Having been a dancer from a young age, Suzanne found that pilates was a natural evolution in her work with the body. After discovering the remarkable rehabilitative qualities of pilates on her own body, Suzanne was prompted to study to become a teacher. She received her training through the Physicalmind Institute under the tutelage of Marta Hernandez, in both Mat and Equipment work, and is thrilled to be able to pass her knowledge on to clients in their aim to heal and develop their own bodies. Suzanne received a B.A. in English Literature from McGill University and is also an actor and acting instructor in Vancouver. She is passionate about helping people on their road to self-discovery in both body and mind.
Tanis Lee - Tanis was first introduced to pilates in 2004. Having been heavily involved in sports, competitive gymnast and a gymnastics coach she was intrigued by the approach pilates took to exercise. By providing a deeper understanding to the mind and body Tanis continued to develop her own practice. This led her to embark on becoming an instructor. She is now certified in both mat and equipment pilates, through Marta Hernandez and The Physicalmind Institute. Tanis is also certified in Pilates for Golf by Sarah Christensen and Hole in One Pilates. Tanis is passionate about the pilates discipline and is enthusiastic to share its adaptibility with all walks of life.
GYROTONIC®:
Dana Maria Gingras is co-founder and artistic director of The Holy Body Tattoo, a multi-media dance company that has captured the attention of national and international audiences alike. Since 1993, she has performed extensively to sold-out shows in over 17 countries with the company and won numerous awards. Dana has had extensive experience teaching workshops and master classes featuring applications of various modern dance techniques and physical practices. These teachings have been conducted throughout Canada, the U.S.A., and Europe at major universities, colleges and festivals. For the past two years her teaching skills have been extended to include GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® - Level 1 and Level 2, Gyrokinesis® and the Ladder. Dana is now an authorized GYROTONIC® pre trainer offering instruction to people interested in becoming instructors.
Marta Hernandez, founder of The Space (formerly Yaletown Pilates since 2000) was selected by the Physicalmind Institute in 2004 to be a Certified Pilates Training Studio in The Method style. Marta has been involved in dance since a young age giving her a natural ability to work with the body through movement. She comes highly trained receiving her BFA in dance from University of York in 1994, completing her Pilates certification through the Physical Mind Institute in New York 1999 and became a certified Level 1 GYROTONIC® teacher in the fall of 2004. Currently she is completing her level 2 GYROTONIC®, furthering her professional training and running her own studio at the Space since 2000.
Yoga:
Wendy Eyton, co founder of The Space, has been teaching yoga in Vancouver since 2003. She took her primary hatha Yoga training at Prana Yoga College and has since studied yin and restorative yoga practices which are incorporated in to her teaching. Wendy’s primary focus is working with people who are in rehabilitation or who experience high levels of stress. She uses a variety of techniques including restorative yoga, hatha yoga, relaxation techniques, breathing, pilates & nutrition. Wendy works closely with a variety of professionals including pilates teachers, chiropractors, acupuncturists to ensure each client is effectively treated. Wendy is currently completing her pilates certification.
Diana Batts - Diana’s teaching combines the quiet meditative work of yin yoga with the moving breath of vinyasa (flow), inspired by trainings with Sarah Powers, Paul Grilley and Shiva Rea, among others. Yin yoga targets the deeper connective tissue, promoting healthy ligaments and joints, especially the hips, shoulders and spine. Yin postures are held passively for three to ten minutes. Vinyasa or yang yoga brings energy, heat, endurance and muscular flexibility through dynamic movement. These classes are suitable for all levels and those who wish to enjoy the benefits of both complementary forms of yoga: a balance between the practice of movement and stillness. Diana encourages students to practice with an open enquiring mind in a safe and supportive environment.
Heather DeLong has been teaching Hatha yoga since 2004. She has had the opportunity to study with a variety of inspiring teachers in Vancouver, San Francisco and Shanghai and incorporates these experiences into her own teaching style. A certified Yin yoga and Hatha instructor, her classes integrate the deep openings of Yin yoga, the guided breath work and flowing movement of Hatha, and precise guidance developed from her own Iyengar experience. Instruction includes variations and alternatives to encourage ease and awareness in each moment. Heather’s goal is to help each student cultivate a safe, lifelong personal practice.