About Us

Jeeseon (Ed.M., B.F.A) is a movement artist and educator who is passionate about sharing positive movement experiences.

Jeeseon graduated with Master’s degree in Dance Education with K-12 at the Graduate School of Education at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, U.S.A.

Throughout her dance career, she found somatic practices not only strengthens her creative movement but also helps reconnect her with her body and mind in a unique way. As Jeeseon discovered her passion for somatic practices in Pilates and yoga, to further her knowledge, she completed her Comprehensive Pilates teacher training program from the Polestar Education at Rutgers University as well as 200 HR-Vinyasa Yoga from OMFactory NYC.

Emerging her passion for movement and teaching, Jeeseon taught various age groups from K-12 schools to university students. She developed and choreographed the interdisciplinary dance curriculum and dance performances as well as introducing and teaching somatic practices for younger generations.

Throughout her teaching experiences, she found it very rewarding to bring Pilates to foster integration of the body and mind and offer positive movement experiences.

Being part of the NZ Polestar Pilates team, she is eager to provide enriched movement experiences by developing a healthy body and mind for ALL.

Shelly Power is the co-founder of Polestar Pilates Center Miami, a Pilates conditioning, rehabilitation and physical therapy studio in Miami, Florida. Shelly is a Polestar Principal Educator, has taught for Polestar Education since its inception in 1992 and currently coordinates the Curriculum Committee. In Dec 2012, Shelly was elected to the PMA Board of Directors, and currently serves as President.

Shelly is certified in GYROTONIC®, having trained with Angela Crowley and has completed the first year of Franklin-Method® training with Eric Franklin. She has been a member of International Association for Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS), is a member of the Pilates Method Alliance and is a PMA Certified Pilates Teacher.

Shelly danced professionally for 12 years with the Sacramento-based modern dance company Dale Scholl Dance/Art. She received her BS degree in Dance from California State University, Sacramento, where she served on the faculty from 1992-1998. She studied Pilates and worked as a physical therapy aide with Polestar President Brent Anderson at his clinic, Anderson Physical Therapy, in their native Sacramento for 7 years, and later moved with Polestar to Miami in 1998.

Shelly teaches nationally and internationally for Polestar Pilates Education. Shelly also administers exams, conducts Pilates workshops and Polestar Mentor and Educator trainings worldwide and brings a unique and fresh approach to the work of Joseph Pilates.

Contact Shelly Power directly: shelly@polestarpilates.com

Dav was first introduced to Pilates exercise in 1992 while working in Los Angeles, California as a fitness instructor and personal trainer. His interest in the movement sciences and rehabilitation led him to pursue a Master of Science Degree in Physical Therapy, which he received from the University of Miami in 1998.

Since then Dav has worked in a variety of fitness and rehabilitation settings, including Orthopedic Physical therapy clinics, fitness centers, health clubs and Pilates studios. He has been a Principal Educator with Polestar Pilates Education since 1997 and is currently Director of Curriculum for Polestar worldwide. Dav has just completed 3 years living in Sydney, Australia as the Director of Educator Development for Australia and New Zealand. When not in Denver, Dav conducts Polestar Pilates teacher training workshops and seminars nationally and internationally.

Dav is dedicated to the continued evolution of the Pilates community and is a member of the Pilates Method Alliance. Through his work he hopes to help maintain the highest standards of Pilates education and information and foster a spirit of unity and professionalism within the industry. Dav is an avid mountain biker, snowboarder, surfer and scuba diver.

Contact Dav Cohen directly: dav@polestarpilates.com

Alice Becker is the current President of Physio Pilates Education, and an Educator as well as Polestar Licensee for Brazil.

Alice was THE Pilates Pioneer in Brazil. She started her Pilates studies in 1989, at California Institute of the Arts, Cal Arts – US. In 1990, she certified in Pilates by Marie Jose Bloom, at the Long Beach Dance Conditioning – CA.

In 1998 she became Polestar Education certified in Post-Rehabilitation and Fitness. She also certified in Mat by Physicalmind Institute with Elaine De Markondes in Brazil. In 2016 Alice went through the Fletcher Pilates Intensive.

Graduating in Dance by the Federal University of Bahia and Masters in Dance (MFA) by Cal Arts – CA, USA, Alice co-directs two Pilates studios in Salvador – Bahia, and teaches at various conferences of Fitness, Rehabilitation, Pilates and Dance, university events, and dance festivals throughout Brazil, Europe, South America, North America and Oceania.

She integrated the Balé Teatro Castro Alves from 1984 until February 2019, and has toured around the world as dancer and soloist of this official state-sponsored modern and contemporary dance company.

Alice has been the Pilates instructor for this dance company since 1991 and Gyrokinesis since 2002. She also created and coordinated a Dancers Health Program at the Balé Teatro Castro Alves.

In May 2000, Alice trained in the Gyrotonic Expansion System, certifying in 2001 (first generation in Brazil). In May 2010 she concluded her Leg Extension training and in 2015 the Jumping Stretching Board, both with Juliu Horvath.

Founder of the Pilates department at the Pain Ambulatory of HUPES – UFBA (Federal University of Bahia), a multidisciplinary group coordinated by Dr. Durval Kreychette, where Pilates is provided for low-income individuals with chronic pain.

In October 2010 she certified in CoreAlign after intensive training with Jonathan Hoffman and in November 2015 went through the Balanced Body Update with Nora St John.

Kimberley Garlick is a part of the Australian Polestar Educator team. Kimberley’s Pilates related background began with full time dancing. She studied sports science at the Australian Catholic University, while simultaneously pursuing her Nutrition Diploma and teaching dance.

Kimberley managed Sports centres, teaching all styles of classes and personal training, and ran her own nutrition centre. In 1996 she completed her first mat and reformer courses and began teaching Pilates in sports centres along with her other classes. In 2003 Kimberley completed the Polestar Studio training and simultaneously finished a Diploma of Pilates through Sydney University. Since then Kimberley has completed the Polestar Diploma, Certificate 4, Mat and Reformer training.

Kimberley has done many other course including Myer Briggs Personality Profiling, AcuEnergetics (AcuEnergetics® is a modern healing modality, that integrates Chinese, Judaic, Indian and western healing traditions into an accurate energy medicine) and Life Coaching. She is a Life style presenter for large business firms and has her own studios in Sydney and Byron Bay.

Elizabeth Wilson is the studio director of The Perth Pilates Studio and a Principal Trainer Member of the Pilates Alliance of Australasia (PAA).

Elizabeth began practising Pilates in 1993 and is one of Perth’s most highly trained and experienced Pilates practitioners. She is a Senior Educator for Polestar Pilates and regularly conducts advanced teacher training workshops and masterclasses in numerous countries over the world.

She also presents at seminars and conferences both in Australia and overseas.

Elizabeth is dedicated to the continued evolution and development of the Pilates community in Australasia. Through her involvement with the PAA, she hopes to help promote the highest standards of education in our industry and create a spirit of unity within our profession.

Kim is an experienced movement educator with a robust performing, choreographic, and teaching career that has taken her all over the world.

TEACHING
Since 2000, Kim has maintained a private Pilates practice specializing in cross-training dancers and working with her husband, Bob Turner, on pre and post-surgical cases. Their company, Movement CoLab, is the culmination of many years of collaborative work, which blends their respective areas of expertise in movement and rehabilitation through a creative lens for each individual client. Their approach is focused on delivering clients back to their fullest movement potentials with lasting results.

Kim’s workshops have brought her to teaching on platforms such as the Pilates Method Alliance Annual Conferences, Balanced Body® presents Pilates on Tour®, International Association for Dance Medicine Science (IADMS), SPRINGS – Köln, Polestar Pilates Australia (Melbourne and Sydney), Danceworks-Berlin and Polestar Pilates Asia (Bali and Japan).

Kim teaches modern dance technique in the Nikolais/Louis Tradition, which focuses on developing the performance quality and unique artistic voice of each student. She has taught modern dance technique, choreography, improvisation, repertoire, and directed student touring companies at Mason Gross School of the Arts, Shenandoah Conservatory, Nikolais/Louis Summer Dance Intensives, and the Paul Taylor Dance Intensives. She is responsible for the curriculum design and implementation of the Polestar Pilates Teacher Training Program at Mason Gross School of the Arts – Rutgers University, where she directed the program for from 2013-2017. The launch of this program marked the first 450-hour Pilates Teacher Training Program to be offered at the university level in the USA. The Polestar Pilates Teacher Training Program at Rutgers University is the first and only teacher training program to use the Pilates Method Alliance Board Examination as its exit exam.

PERFORMING
Kim began her professional performance career when she was invited by Mr. Louis to join Murray Louis and Nikolais Dance. She has traveled internationally as a principal dancer in the reconstructed works of Mr. Nikolais and originated roles in the works of Mr. Louis. As a free-lance artist, she has performed with various choreographers in NYC including Douglas Dunn, Lorn MacDougal, Tamieka McCloud, and Kathleen Dyer. Her performances have received critical acclaim from the New York Press. The New York Times dubbed Ms. Gibilisco “a firecracker of a dancer.” The Village Voice noted that Gibilisco is “Louis’ most accomplished dancer.”

CREATIVE
In 2008, Kim launched her dance company, Kim Gibilisco Dances, at the Merce Cunningham Studio in NYC. Her choreography has been presented at several venues in NYC including the 92nd Street Y, Downtown Arts Festival, DUMBO Arts Festival, and Joyce SoHo; regionally at the Maryland Choreographer’s Showcase, Dance Place, the RE:Vision series produced by Forward Motion Theater, and internationally at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Her work has been reviewed as, “startling and innovative, riveting to watch.”

She has served as a model for Pilates articles and has also written several articles for Pilates-Pro.com and Pilates Style Magazine. Kim has been featured in and interviewed for Dance Spirit Magazine and Introduction to Modern Dance Techniques by author, Joshua Legg.

In addition to her private practice, Kim is a Polestar Senior Educator, curriculum writer, and workshop presenter. Kim strives to develop workshops that bridge the gap between health care professionals and Pilates professionals, in an effort to offer clients integrated movement experiences. With Bob, she develops courses, to offer unique teaching and movement strategies for challenging case studies and pathologies.

EDUCATION
Kim holds a BFA from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, a MA from NYU-Steinhardt School, and an MFA from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She became a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher (NCPT) in 2005. In August 2017, Kim completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training Certification at the Laughing Lotus Yoga School in New York City, where she began her studies in 2005.

SERVICE
Kim has been proudly serving the Pilates community for many years through her work for the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA). She was the Vice-Chair and Secretary of the Certification Commission for six years. She has served on the Item Writing and Item Review Committees. She served on the 2016 PMA Teacher Training Summit Taskforce. Kim served as a member of the Board of Directors from 2016-2020 and was the Co-chair for the Art of Overcoming Pain, 2018 Pre-conference event.

Kim had the great honor of being mentored by two legendary American Modern Artists, Murray Louis (dancer/choreographer/educator/author, b. 1926 – d. 2016) and Tom Caravaglia (photographer/educator, b. 1928 – d. 2014). She takes great pride in perpetuating their legacy through her service work. She is deeply invested in mentoring and sponsoring young professional dance artists and Pilateros in honor of Mr. Louis and Mr. Caravaglia.

Kim and Bob also offer pro bono services to Shen Wei Dance Arts.

Christi Idavoy has dedicated her life to movement. As a young dancer and philosophy student at NYU she found an instant affinity with the science and practice of yoga. The Himalayan Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy in NYC was Christi’s second home as she studied the traditions of Swami Rama from 1999 – 2001.

On a voyage to share her passion for yoga as a healing art she moved to Costa Rica where she taught yoga and furthered her studies as a graduate student at the United Nations University for Peace. In 2005 she stumbled into a Pilates studio in San Jose, CR where she started her career as a Pilates instructor.

Today Christi has lectured and taught yoga and Pilates in many Latin American countries thanks to her role at Polestar Pilates Education. When she met Polestar founder, Brent Anderson in 2009, she knew she had found the organization that would allow her to bring together her passion for international relations and development with her career as a movement practitioner.

With her extensive experience as a Polestar Senior Educator, Ambassador, and Examiner Christi is a truly a “teacher’s teacher”. In January of 2018 she also opened Polestar Pilates Costa Rica with her partner, Natalia Montero.