OUR INSTRUCTORS
Beth Koch is Nationally Certified through the Pilates Method Alliance and a graduate from Polestar Comprehensive Studio Series. Beth has had the privilege of being a group and private Pilates instructor since 1999, a Registered Respiratory Therapist since 1979 and Certified Massage Therapist since 2005. Beth was honored to be trained by the renowned Elizabeth Larkham, on the Polestar Reformer I and II series and later graduated from Polestar Pilates 450 hour Comprehensive Studio Series under the instruction of Master educator and Physical Therapist Sheri Betz. The curriculum focused on an in depth working knowledge of Pilates movement principles on the reformer, trapeze, barrel, spine corrector, and mat. Further curriculum included, experimental application of Pilates in self and critical reasoning skills for application of Pilates for clients. Beth has taken additional courses on the latest modifications for special populations to include: Osteopenia and Osteoporosis. As owner and an instructor of Simply Pilates in Chico, Ca. Beth’s passion for Pilates shines through her professional, knowledgeable instruction honoring the teachings of founder Joseph Pilates. Her extensive background in Polestar Physical Therapy based education provides clients with safe modifications of exercises when deemed necessary. Beth states, “My passion for Pilates continues to thrive as I see and hear of it's healing works!" She enjoys attending Pilates conferences yearly for continuing education and personal growth.
Jane Jones has been practicing Pilates since 2000 and teaching Pilates in private, semiprivate and group format since 2001. She graduated from Chico State in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Physiology. She was also was certified through Polestar Pilates in the Allegro Reformer series in 2004 and has since trained in Mat through Powerhouse Pilates along with continuing education in pre and post natal Pilates. Throughout the years clients always respond in that "Pilates changes their bodies in ways nothing else has". Jane loves to share with people the many benefits that the Pilates Method delivers, and to see the wellness it brings people.
Megan Gulbrandsen is honored to be Beth Koch's daughter. Pilates has been a part of her life for several years. She has an extensive background in gymnastics and enjoys the strength training that is gained from pilates.
Megan is a graduate of the Simply Pilates Comprehensive Teacher Training Program. She also attended the 2009 Body, Mind, Spirit Conference which has been helpful to her and her clients to achieve their goals.
Megan states the more she teaches and learns about this intelligent exercise, the more she understands why Pilates is affecting so many lives.
MARY HURD ARAM, R.D., M.S., C.D.E. has been a dietitian and nutrition therapist since 1989. Mary has a B.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of New Hampshire, and a Masters in Nutrition Science from California State University, Chico, where she is an honored alumna of the Nutrition and Food Science Program. Mary completed her dietetic internship at Massachusetts General Hospital prior to becoming a registered dietitian. In 1996, Mary was a California Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year.
Mary’s background in fitness includes four years swimming for the University of New Hampshire, Red Cross swim instructor for over 15 years, head coach for the Chico High School Swim team (two seasons) and Gridley Gators age group swim team (three seasons), assistant Chico State Swimming coach (two seasons) and head coach for the Dartmouth Master’s swimming program for year and a half.
Mary has been doing Pilates since 2004 and is convinced she has never been more fit. Mary enjoys drawing on her fitness and athletics background when seeing patients for a variety of concerns, including training and conditioning goals. In her private practice, Nutrition Therapy Specialists, Mary also advises patients needing help with weight management, disordered eating, gastrointestinal disease, and food sensitivities.
Mary holds certificates in Adult and Pediatric Weight Management from the American Dietetics Association. She is also a Certified Diabetes Educator and a member of the Enloe Outpatient Center Diabetes Training and Education team.
Valerie is a dancer at heart, dancing from 1983-2001 and instructing 1995-2001. After recovering from a minor back injury, she was not able to continue dancing. It wasn't until she severely re-injured her back a few years later that she discovered Pilates. Within 6 months she went from almost complete immobility to teaching mat and reformer Pilates classes, and returned to Chico State to finish her Degree in Small Business Management. Valerie has been teaching Pilates since 2005, is certified in Mat Pilates, and also specializes in pre/postnatal Pilates and general fitness. She completed the Instructor Training Program at Simply Pilates in 2009, and plans to earn her certification with the Pilates Method Alliance.
Simply Pilates
