our studio |
 
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WE ARE A FULLY EQUIPPED PILATES STUDIO OFFERING
DYNAMIC STRENGTH, CARDIOVASCULAR & FLEXIBILITY TRAINING
- We specialize in high quality private pilates instruction and small group training.
- Innovative class and program design
- Contemporary approach to Pilates that focuses on the unique needs of the client.
- We pride ourselves in taking a health and wellness first approach to fitness.
- Post Rehabilitation specialization
- Experienced, creative, and dedicated instructors.
- Results-Driven Workouts
- Emphasis on cutting edge research in exercise science and the latest in fitness trends.
- All of our instructors are certified by The Pilates Method Alliance.
Urbancore Pilates + Fitness was established in 2010 by studio owners Angela Carini and Christine Hall. Coming from a long standing background in dance and athletics they found pilates through dance and sports related injuries and have become passionate about intelligent, biomechanically efficient exercise that provides maximum results without the risk of injury. |
our instructors |
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Angela Carini, Studio Owner/Senior Instructor (Tier 3)
B.A. Dance, Northwestern University
PMA Certified Instructor
AOBTA Certified Shiatsu Therapist
Studio owner, teacher trainer and senior Pilates instructor at Urbancore Pilates
and Fitness, Angela Carini has over 15 years of experience in dance,
bodywork and holistic forms of fitness.
Angela fell in love with Pilates more than a decade ago while
studying at Northwestern University, where she earned her bachelor's
degree in dance. In 2005, she pursued and completed her mat and
equipment certification through the Physicalmind Institute, and has
since developed a loyal following of clients who appreciate her mind-body
approach to health.
Angela is dedicated to soaking in all she can as a practitioner
and continues to perfect her craft by participating in advanced
workshops in anatomy, cadaver dissection and rehabilitative protocols.
Doing so ensures that she is able to design safe and effective workout
programs for clients with chronic pain and injury.
Known for her precision and depth as an instructor, Angela
incorporates a number of stretching and bodywork exercises into every
session, including acupressure and manual therapies, to create proper bodily alignment and
neuromuscular function. Though her teaching methods are notably
challenging, clients—from musicians in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
and professional dancers to elite athletes and fellow Pilates
instructors—are able to overcome their own mental and physical limits
while achieving a renewed sense of health and wellness.
Angela is also a certified and well-known shiatsu instructor. She is the author of the popular beginner
video series The Art of Shiatsu and teaches classes and workshops to students of all
levels.
Angela has taught Shiatsu at the renowned Pacific College of Oriental Medicine and Zen Shiatsu Chicago. She is currently studying Taoist Medicine and Medical QiGong with Michael Lomax. |
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Christine Brusca Hall, Studio Owner/PMA Certified Instructor (Tier 2)
Christine Hall, is a certified pilates instructor through both The PhysicalMind Institute and the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA). Chris specializes in training people who want to move better, feel better and look better. She has trained men and women, ages 13 to 78; those with back injuries, sports-related injuries, as well as pregnant and post-partum women.
Chris herself is an athlete first and foremost, having begun her running career young, with her first race in 1981, as well as playing competitive tennis for many years. Fast forward when having 2 children physically affected her workouts, Chris decided to seek alternative methods of exercise to offset the beating her knees and hips had been taking over the years. Two visits to physical therapy finally led her to the world of pilates. Pilates was the balance she had been looking for a combination of the challenge of athletic movements as well as the lengthening/strengthening and core development her body was missing. After a year of being a pilates client, Chris decided to leave corporate America to pursue pilates as a career.
In the last four years, Chris has successfully completed 3 marathons, numerous half marathons around the country, and is virtually injury free. In her own words: "I want to feel great on as many days as possible. I don't believe in aging gracefully, I believe in fighting it every step of the way!" |
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Allison Ward, PMA Certified Instructor (Tier 1)
Allison Ward became hooked on Pilates in 2008 when chronic lower back pain, and numerous trips to doctors and physical therapists, led her to explore alternative treatment solutions. Since that first mat class not only has her back pain disappeared, but she feels stronger, healthier, and more mentally in tune with her body than she has in years. Allison began her teacher training with the talented instructors at Urbancore Pilates in early 2010 and is certified through the Pilates Method Alliance.
She loves the creativity, exuberance, and anatomical precision of Pilates exercises, and particularly enjoys sharing this with her clients as she helps them reach their fitness goals. Originally from Indianapolis, Allison moved to Chicago in 2007 after earning her MA in Arts Administration from Indiana University. She has a background in dance, and is still known to put on her tap shoes for a little time step action should the mood strike. |
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Annie Murray, PMA Certified Instructor (Tier 1)
Annie first discovered Pilates in 2002 and immediately recognized the benefits that complemented her running and her busy consultant’s lifestyle. After three children, she stepped up her Pilates practice and opted to pursue Pilates teacher training rather than return to the consulting world. Now an instructor certified through the Pilates Method Alliance, Annie loves to help clients discover their greater strength, focus and athleticism through Pilates practice!
Annie holds a BA in history from Pomona College and an MBA from the Booth School of Business. More recently, she has attended several workshops on anatomy build her understanding of the body and movement. She draws frequently on her business and mentoring experience to help motivate clients to reach their fitness goals! |
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Sarah Howells, PMA Certified Instructor (Tier 1)
As a practicing physical therapist for over 12 years with a specialty certification in orthopedics, Sarah immediately recognized the benefits that pilates offered both personally and professionally when she began training in Pilates three years ago. Her training philosophy is to utilize a structured pilates program centered around a client’s goals in which weekly gains are realized.
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Meshelle Rich, PMA Certified Instructor (Tier 1)
Meshelle has been an athlete since her youth, focusing on running and soccer since her graduation from college at UC Santa Barbara. She discovered Pilates around 10 years ago and originally used it as a means to cross-train and improve her sports performance. Pilates training has helped Meshelle develop a strong, stable core needed to continually meet her athletic goals, including running a sub 3 hour marathon in 2011. Her dedicated practice has allowed her to remain injury-free and become more flexible. Pilates also helped her get back into shape quickly after the delivery of her two daughters. She is energetic and motivated to help her clients reach their personal fitness goals. Away from the studio, you can often find Meshelle running local road races or chasing her two toddlers around the neighborhood.
apprentice instructors |
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Emily Smith, Apprentice Instructor (Level 2)
Emily Smith first tried Pilates in 2010 in an attempt to improve her yoga practice. After a handful of sessions it was clear she had found in Pilates what she'd never found with any other form of exercise; a moving meditation! Emily loves the clarity she gains from Pilates practice. Each session leaves her feeling stronger, clearer, and more focused both in body and mind. She is excited to be working towards her PMA certification with Angela Carini and hopes her passion for Pilates shows in her teaching!
Originally from Indianapolis, Emily moved to Chicago in 2005 to pursue her Masters from the University of Chicago. After completing her degree there, she worked for several years in the high-stress consulting world. Since leaving her corporate job she has had more time to work with children, read for pleasure, and of course spend at the studio! |
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Jessica Wall, Apprentice Instructor (Level 1)
Jessica Wall is a true Pilates enthusiast! She first came to Pilates practice after the birth of her third child and was an immediate convert. She found Pilates not only helped her physically, but gave her balance and holistic support in her busy life. Jessica believes that Pilates benefits both the body and mind! Pilates practice is such an enjoyable challenge because it requires not only physical effort but also mental control and focus. When approached with passion and dedication, Jessica believes Pilates can reap huge rewards for and be loved by anyone. It's this excitement and commitment that Jessica hopes to bring to all her clients! |
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Paula Palmer, Apprentice Instructor (Level 1)
After spending years at different health clubs without seeing any significant results, Paula decided to give Pilates a try. Within 30 days she noticed a more trim and toned body. The physical results were amazing, but what inspired her to enter the teacher training program was the powerful healing and therapeutic benefits she began to experience. Paula enjoyed less anxiety, a calmer mind, and more focus and peace.
Paula's experience with Pilates is helping her understand that health and fitness are not just about lean muscles and flat abs, it is about your overall well being and the quality of your relationship with yourself.
Paula is eager to inspire and challenge her clients to work hard, have fun, and enjoy all of the beautiful benefits of being well that will be achieved through practicing Pilates.
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Jennifar Bassett, Apprentice Instructor (Level 1)
Jennifar began her journey in health and fitness in 2001, when she began managing health clubs. After years of exercising the traditional way, Jennifar decided to train and compete in her first triathlon in 2009. Once that goal was complete she then began running 5k and 10k races and eventually joined a running team, LunaChix, in 2011. Shortly after that, she began experiening lower back pain, stiffness and tight hips, which made it very difficult to continue running. In additon to that it became difficult to do any sort of exercise and certain daily functions.
It was recommended that she try Pilates to help with the pain, stiffness and and overall tight feeling she was experienceing. She decided to give it try and fell in love with it after her first session. In continuing with Pilates, it not only worked wonders on her physically, but, it also did wonders for her mind. She loves the mind/body connection that Pilates gives her and feels at her best when in the studio.
Jennifar wants to share the joy she has found in Pilates with others. Living a healthy lifestyle and embracing the mind/body conncetion she feels when she herself is doing Pilates. |
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