Lacy Hubbard, Owner / Certified Instructor
Lacy is a fully certified STOTT PILATES Instructor and has been teaching since 2004.  In the end of 2008, Lacy and her husband became the owners of "Premier Pilates St. Louis".  Since then she has been focusing on growing the business.  Her goal for the studio is to become the preeminent Pilates studio in the St. Louis area.
Lacy was introduced to Pilates while she was practicing yoga in a local YMCA.  She loved it so much that she started going to Pilates classes three times a week and received great benefits from it.  Pilates not only improved her posture, strength and flexibility, it also helped her to understand how to use the appropriate muscles while she was attending other workout and martial art classes.  Lacy eventually decided to become an instructor so she could share this method with other people.  After studying anatomy and bio-mechanics, Lacy started her STOTT PILATES Certification Program in Springfield, MO.  She was certified Level I in 2005 and Level II in 2007.  Lacy was also trained as a specialist in Pilates for Golf TM in 2006 with the hope of helping golfers.
Besides being busy with the Pilates studio, Lacy works full time as VP of Global Product Support for The Elekta Group, an international medical technology group providing integrated clinical solutions to medical specialists for treating cancer and brain discorders.  Sher received her BS degree in Electrical Engineering in Shanghai, China and Executive MBA from Washington University in St. Louis.

Tonya Leeka, Program Director / Certified Instructor
Tonya is a fully certified STOTT PILATES Instructor and has been teaching since 2004.  As the Program Director, Tonya oversees the growth of all instructors and the studio as a whole.
As an Instructor, Tonya works with clients of all abilities from post rehabilitation to advanced.  "I love working with a variety of people each day and seeing them experience the benefits of Pilates.  Whether they are here to get in shape, stay in shape, improve their sport, or improve their quality of life, it brings me joy knowing that I am helping them to achieve that goal."
Tonya graduated from Missouri State University with a BFA in Dance Performance.  She spent some time in Las Vegas dancing before returning to Missouri to teach dance.  She took her first Pilates mat class at an American College Dance Festival in 1995 which sparked her interest in Pilates.  Eight years later after doing Pilates on her own and loving the way it made her feel and look, she decided to go for her certification in August of 2003 so she could teach others.  Tonya received her level I & II Certification in 2006.  The combination of her love for dance and movement with her interest in anatomy and bio-mechanics has poven to be a great asset in her teaching.  
Outside of teaching and doing Pilates, Tonya enjoys spending time with her family and friends. 

CJ Thomas, Certified Instructor
CJ is a fully Certified STOTT PILATES Instructor as well as trained in the Reiki method, First Degree through the Healing Arts Center.  CJ has been teaching since 2004.
CJ danced and choreographed until age 30 before retiring.  Years of dancing and multiple injuries left her with chronic back pain that would plaque her for 15 years.  She tried every method available short of surgery to alleviate the pain, including chiropractic work, physical therapy, acupuncture, spinal injections, yoga, meditation, hanging upside down, even the original Pilates method.  Nothing worked.  In 2002, CJ discovered STOTT PILATES.  In four months, she began to see a way of managing her pain that 15 years of medicine and therapy and four years of the original Pilates could not give her.  CJ quit her desk job and took a leap of faith that this was the answer to years of debilitating pain.  If she could "cure" herself through the Stott Pilates® method, she could teach others how to manage their pain as well and live life more fully again.
CJ received her B.S. in Education in Dance and Choreography from Missouri State University, a degree that included a solid background in physical movement, bio-mechanics, movement theory, anatomy and kinesiology.
Today, CJ rarely has any back problems and has been teaching for 7 years, working mostly with injured clients, post rehabilitation, and those with chronic pain.
When she is not teaching, CJ enjoys reading, dancing and dabbling in mosaic art.

Dana Yenzer, Certified Instructor
Dana is certified Level I in Mat and Reformer in the STOTT PILATES Method.  She has been teaching since 2006.
Dana started doing Pilates when she was 7 weeks pregnant with her second child and instantly fell in love with it.  "It made me stronger and more aware of my posture.  Pilates helped me with lower back pain during pregnancy and helped me bounce back so much quicker after he was born."  What she loves most about Pilates is how much stronger she is and how Pilates allows her mind to escape.  Dana hopes to share her love for Pilates with her clients and show them the awesome benefits they can reap from this method.  "I started teaching because it made me stronger and I wanted to share that with other men and women.  Pilates is efficient, relaxing and a challenge.  There are not many other forms of exercise that can claim that." 
Dana received her BS in Psychology/Sociology from St. Louis University.  She received her STOTT PILATES Certification in Level I mat and reformer in 2007 and is now trained in Level II Refomrer and Level I Stability Chair.  Dana teaches group classes with a reputation of giving challenging arm and abdominal workouts!
Along with Pilates, Dana also enjoys running, biking, reading and spending time with her family.

 

Erika Irace, Certified Instructor
Erika is certified Level I in the STOTT PILATES Method.  She is trained in Level II Mat and has been teaching Pilates since 2005.  In 2005, Erika was also trained in Pre-Natal Pilates through Fit4Moms.
The thing Erika Loves most about STOTT PILATES is the way it transformed her body and how the exercises are modified to accommodate every body type.  She was impressed with the way that it can help people with injuries and give back to them abilities they never thought they would have again.  Erika also enjoys seeing clients gain greater self confidence through this method. 
Erika earned a Communications degree from Drury University in Springfield, Missouri.  After graduating, she worked a variety of jobs until discovering Pilates.  "I used to have a desk job and every minute I was there I was miserable.  I felt like I needed to do something that inspired me, inspired others and made me feel good about myself."  She took her first mat class at a gym and loved it!  Erika found that Pilates offers fitness, strength, balance, grace and focus all wrapped up into one.  In 2004 Erika found STOTT PILATES and began her training in Springfield, Missouri.  She received her Level I certification in 2006 and Level II Mat training in 2007.  Erika is known for her Cardio Pilates classes and strength training.
When not teaching Pilates, Erika enjoys spending time with her husband and kids, biking, traveling, hiking, swimming, weight training and staying active.  She also enjoys spending time with family and friends, drinking good wine and enjoying good conversation! 

 

Melanie Summers, Certified Instructor
Melanie is certified Level l & ll in the STOTT PILATES Method and has been teaching since 2007.  Melanie began taking Pilates Mat classes at her gym and loved it immediately.  After a couple of years, she followed her Instructor to our studio and was introduced to the reformer.  Melanie enjoys teaching and decided to become a certified instructor in the STOTT PILATES Method.  It is a great compliment to her background as an Occupational Therapist.  Melanie hopes to give her clients an enjoyable yet demanding way to get and stay fit.  "I love that it is a fun, yet challenging workout!"
Melanie received her Level l & ll Mat certification and Level l Reformer certification in 2008 and is now trained in Stability Chair and Barrels.
She has a Bachelor of Health Science degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Missouri-Columbia.  She went on to receive her Masters in OT from the University of Indianapolis.  Melanie is a licensed Occupational Therapist and works full time in Early Childhood Special Education. 
When not working or teaching, Melanie loves to ride her bike and walk her dog.  She likes going out to eat and enjoys spending time with family and friends.