Megan Cairns

Founder, Senior Pilates Instructor

Megan was happily living her life (East Coast transplant, recent English major grad trying to figure out what to do with her life, etc.), in no danger of becoming a Pilates instructor. But that changed in a rather dramatic way in 2002 after she suffered a severe neck injury that required immobilization in a brace and the possibility of spinal fusion surgery. While her neck healed, the rest of her muscles atrophied, leaving her very weak when she was finally free of her brace. Her physical therapist recommended Pilates as a safe way to regain strength and stability, as well as help relieve the residual neck and back pain she felt.

Pilates made such a profound difference in her body that she decided to move to NYC to study, apprentice, and earn her Pilates instructor certifications in both mat and apparatus work.  She studied with second-generation teacher trainers, learning the original, classical Pilates exercises and choreography with an emphasis on anatomy, biomechanics and modifications for injuries. Over the next few years she apprenticed and worked at several Manhattan Pilates studios, which exposed her to many different approaches to teaching and schools of thought, leading to a rich synthesis of styles in her own teaching.

Megan’s clear, common sense approach and enthusiasm for Pilates helps her connect with students of all ages and levels of fitness. Focusing on the fundamentals of form and breath in every session, she guides her students to develop better posture, alignment, and core stability, leading to a more balanced, happy, pain-free body.

Education: BA, Macalester College, St. Paul, MN; Comprehensive Pilates Certification, Sal Anthony’s Movement Salon, New York, NY

Cristiana Giordano

Senior Pilates Instructor

Cristiana has been practicing Pilates for over 20 years. Originally trained in classical ballet, Luigi and lyrical jazz, she danced professionally in San Francisco and Los Angeles before returning to the Twin Cities where she taught ballet and jazz for 15 years. When she discovered Pilates at the JCC in St. Paul, she wanted to share its magic with her dance students. Cristiana first trained in Mat Pilates through The Pilates Method, teaching at many renowned Twin Cities dance and fitness centers before completing her 500 hour comprehensive Pilates Apparatus certification at Six Degrees Pilates in Minneapolis.

Cristiana's Pilates instruction is influenced and enriched by her understanding of movement through dance, Stanchfield Technique, Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais Method. She has a personal understanding of how to use Pilates during all stages of pregnancy. Cristiana's teaching is based on her classical Pilates training, a mixture of inspiring cuing and the use of props. She keeps her class repertoire fresh and innovative. Cristiana will definitely get you moving!

Amy Jones

Senior Pilates Instructor

Amy discovered Pilates in 2000 by way of a dance training program. She continued taking classes while she danced professionally and worked in advertising and event sales for Dance Teacher Magazine in NYC. She went on to get certified in Pilates mat in 2008 and equipment in 2010 from Kinected/The Kane School of Core Integration. Her training was a combination of classical Pilates principles and a modern, clinical perspective (Kinected is co-owned by an orthopedic doctor). 

Teaching and learning is addictive, and Amy has pursued additional training as a Certified Personal Trainer and in Zumba, Aerialates, and Restorative Yoga. She has served as Master Teacher/Teacher-Trainer for Cirque-It Fitness and Bungee fitness, and teaches group fitness classes in barre and treadmill. She still performs dance and also loves running, biking, rollerblading, kayaking and hiking.

Amy has enjoyed working with clients from ages 7-90, and feels that every person can benefit from Pilates for one reason or another. She loves seeing people feel better from improved posture, reduced chronic pain, and increased strength and mobility. 

Vicki Luedtke

Senior Pilates Instructor

Vicki has always had a passion for movement and exercise. She began running early in life and was active in many sports. This led her to study Exercise Physiology and Movement studies at University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse. Vicki began teaching group fitness classes in college to share her passion with others.

Post graduation, Vicki moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota and worked in Cardiac Rehab. She began studying different movement modalities and teaching at various fitness facilities. This eventually led her to work as a studio manager at a Pilates studio in Minneapolis, where she worked for over 8 years. 

Vicki has a 450 hour Pilates certification and 200 hour Yoga certification. She has studied various forms of body work and Reiki as well. She enjoys guiding clients in classes and one on one instruction. There is always an emphasize on trusting one's own body and moving with focus and intention. She brings a gentle, welcoming spirit to everyone.

Petra Pattermann

Certified Pilates Instructor

Petra found Pilates while pursuing her BFA in Dance at UW-Madison, where her love of movement and its how's and why's came together. When she started Pilates for cross-training and injury prevention, she saw her dancing and daily movement habits improve immensely— both from a strength perspective and a deeper understanding of biomechanics. She knew this was how she wanted to share and pursue movement long-term. After moving to Chicago in 2014, dancing and working in Arts Administration, she continued her personal Pilates practice as a way of checking in with her body and steadying her mind. 

Petra completed her 500-hour Comprehensive Training with Holly Vicars at Core Chicago Pilates in 2018, and has been teaching Pilates full-time ever since! With specializations in Postpartum Corrective Exercise (2019), Postural Restoration Pilates Integration (2020), and Pelvic Professional Integration (2022), she works with all types of clients to improve movement patterns for better support in daily life, and has a special passion for working with perinatal clients. This passion for women’s healthcare and informed decision-making led her to Doula training in 2022, and she is currently pursuing her comprehensive Doula certification.

Petra’s classes are filled with clear, specific cues and tips on how to perform exercises with efficiency and intention, and how these movements relate to daily life. She believes Pilates isn't just what we do in the studio— we find efficiency, strength, ease, function and joy through this work together! Petra is a recent transplant to Minneapolis, and is excited to be a part of the vibrant Pilates community here.

Amanda Sachs

Certified Pilates Instructor

Amanda grew up in New Jersey and encountered Pilates at a very young age through her ballet studio. She instantly fell in love with Pilates and continued her practice during her travels to San Francisco, New York City, and Portland while she danced professionally for various contemporary ballet companies. Amanda has performed around the world and credits Pilates with her longterm injury prevention, health, and success as a professional dancer.

In 2012, Amanda received her mat certification through Core Pilates in NYC. She has taught mat, conditioning, group fitness, and barre classes at various studios, gyms, and dance companies. In 2020, Amanda completed her comprehensive pilates training through Balanced Body. She is thrilled to be pursuing her dream of sharing the full Pilates experience with others and helping people achieve the longterm strength, confidence, and trust in their bodies that Pilates has offered her.