our studio |
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What Makes Us Different
We are a boutique studio that specializes in high quality private instruction and small group training.We pride ourselves in taking a health and wellness first approach to fitness.Whether your goals are post-rehabilitation, improvingathletic performance, or general fitness we have a program that is right for you.
We believe that cardiovascular health and the strength/flexiblilty training of Pilates go hand in hand. Our pilates private, mat, and group equipment classes condition the entire body with a low-impact approach that is suitable for all abilities and ages. Our HeartCore and ClubCore classes provide both cardiovascular and strength conditioning using a high intensity interval training (HIIT) format that rapidly increases metabolism and provides maximum fat loss.
Experienced and Dedicated Instructors
With an emphasis on cutting edge research in exercise science, rehabilitative protocols, and the latest in fitness trends we pride ourselves in customizing sessions to a diverse clientele with an emphasis on the needs of the individual client. All of our instructors are certified by or members of The Pilates Method Alliance. |
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 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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Kristen Schaffenberger, PMA Certified Instructor (Tier 2)
Kristen came to pilates from academia, where she honed her skills as an educator. She brings her love of learning to her teaching practice by exploring movement through creative metaphor and detailed explanation. Meticulous, approachable, patient, and enthusiastic, she particularly enjoys working with beginners, people who are new to fitness in general, and people with injuries. She began her certification through Balanced Body University and continued her training as an apprentice and instructor at two local studios before certifying with the Pilates Method Alliance. Kristen is a former competitive swimmer, casual runner, and, most recently, amateur German Shepherd trainer. |
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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 mental and physical benefits that complemented her running and her crazy consultant’s lifestyle. After two children, she stepped up her Pilates practice to help her regain her pre-child body and activity level. Two years and a thirdchild later, she 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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