Lauren Thompson
OWNER/INSTRUCTOR
Lauren Thompson has been teaching Pilates (and yoga!) since 2007 and holds an MA in Counseling and Guidance from UMKC. With her extensive background in both how the body moves and how our minds work, Lauren brings a unique perspective to her clients, using techniques from both worlds to help her clients achieve total health, mentally and physically.
Through pilates and yoga, Lauren has worked with athletes on cross-training to improve technique. She also works with clients who have serious medical conditions, such as scoliosis, hip replacements, neuropathy, ataxia, and Parkinson’s disease, to regain mobility and ease pain.
Through counseling, Lauren has worked with clients on stress management, pain management, eating disorders, improving body image and self-esteem, diet adherence, weight loss, and substance abuse. She enjoys introducing others to mindfulness through movement and knows how to keep clients motivated and achieve their fitness goals!
CERTIFICATIONS
- Pilates Mat and Equipment Certification
(Team Pilates) - Certified Pilates Teacher
(Pilates Method Alliance) - Registered Yoga Teacher
(RYT-200 – Yoga Alliance) - Pre/Postnatal Pilates Specialist
(Center for Women’s Fitness) - Breast Cancer Patient & Survivor Pilates
(Pink Ribbon Program) - MA, Counseling & Guidance (UMKC)
- Licensed Professional Counselor
- Licensed Addiction Counselor (Kansas)
A firm believer in the importance of women’s health, Lauren is also a certified Pre and Postnatal Pilates Specialist and is certified through the Pink Ribbon Program to provide pilates rehabilitation for breast cancer patients and survivors. Pre-and postnatal sessions focus on general wellness and recovery during and after pregnancy. Lauren is also certified to help women with healing exercises for Diastasis Recti, C-section and Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction.
Lauren holds a BFA in dance and a BA in psychology with a minor in women and gender studies from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. She is active in the Kansas City arts community and continues to perform. Lauren is also a board member of the Young Friends of Art steering committee for the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and BARRE for the Kansas City Ballet.
Taryn Ouellette
INSTRUCTOR
Taryn discovered Pilates in 2007, as a dancer looking for a way to improve her strength and stability, without limiting mobility. She was delighted by the results Pilates provided, and eventually decided to pursue becoming an instructor.
Taryn has been teaching Pilates since 2009, and completed certifications in mat and equipment with training through both Stott Pilates and the Kane School. She received her Pilates training and certifications in NYC, where she has also attended many continuing education workshops, including the Functional Anatomy for Movement and Injuries (FAMI) workshop at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She continuously strives to gain more knowledge about anatomy and various movement techniques, hoping to broaden her perspective, and deepen her approach.
Additionally, Taryn has been teaching ballet for over fifteen years, and holds a Master of Arts degree in Dance Education with a focus in Ballet Pedagogy from New York University. Taryn loves helping people of all ages and abilities work towards their goals, and achieve healthier bodies, with the increased functionality and greater ease of movement Pilates can provide.
Katarina Fitzpatrick
INSTRUCTOR
Katarina Fitzpatrick is a Pilates instructor, professional dancer, and freelance choreographer. Her love of Pilates was sparked at age ten when she began taking classes to supplement her dance training. She is now a certified Stott Pilates instructor with a passion for helping students utilize efficient movement patterns in their everyday lives.
Katarina is a company member with Kansas City Contemporary Dance and has appeared as a featured guest artist and collaborator with local dance companies, including City in Motion and Quixotic, and with independent artists. She graduated magna cum laude from Mercyhurst University with dual majors in dance (choreography concentration) and anthropology/archaeology (sociocultural anthropology concentration).
Kia Stora
INSTRUCTOR
Body Arts and Science educated California native, Kia has been teaching Pilates in between entrepreneurship for over 17 years. Recently completed 200 hour Katonah influenced Yoga teacher training at Love Yoga Venice last year and just completed an advanced 50 hour teacher training in Costa Rica this year which focused on body adjustments and pranayama breathing techniques.
