Susan Spangler

Trained

Director of the Pilates Plus Wellness Center and
Pro-Skills Plus, Inc.

Susan is a Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) Nationally Certified Instructor and a PMA business member. She is a Physical Mind Institute certified Pilates Instructor receiving her certifications in Mat and Apparatus in August 2002 and April 2004. She has completed Peak Pilates PPS I, PPSII, and PPSIII and Level 1 & 2 chair certifications as well as Barrel I. Susan recently completed the Certified Christian Yoga Teacher Training (CCYT) with Yahweh Yoga in Chandler Arizona and has recently completed her (RYT) Registered Yoga Teacher certification. Susan is enrolled in Yoga Therapy Training with Balanced Body Yoga for the Spring 2010 session.

Susan is also an American Council for Exercise (A.C.E.) certified group fitness instructor. Ms. Spangler is C.P.R. certified through the American Red Cross Health Care provider system. Additionally, Ms. Spangler holds a certification in the Diet Directives nutrition program. Susan received her Reiki I certification in November 2006.

Under the purview of Pro-Skills Plus, Ms. Spangler is a professional skills trainer and consultant delivering training programs and consulting with business, industry and government. She specializes in Stress Management and Customer Service. For more information on Pro-Skills Plus training and courses, please click here.

Janelle Jones, Registered Yoga Teacher, E-RYT 200 and RYT 500

Janelle was first introduced to yoga in 1997, and has been teaching yoga since 2005. She has completed two separate 200-hour teacher trainings, a 500-hour teacher training, and is registered through Yoga Alliance as an E-RYT 200 and RYT 500. Janelle is also a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT). She continues her studies with Jenny Otto, and is most proud of her recent certification as a Body Balance Yoga Therapy Teacher. Before becoming a yoga teacher, Janelle spent 5 years as an Open Water SCUBA Instructor. Through this experience she gained insight into the various learning styles and abilities of each individual. In her yoga classes she honors this individuality in each of her students, and through her love of teaching creates a space where students feel empowered to safely explore the gifts their yoga practice can offer, both on and off the mat. Janelle plans to begin a program in Respiratory Therapy in the fall of 2010, and is looking forward to seeing how
respiratory therapy and yoga can enhance one another, as well as her joy of teaching
and helping others.

Yvonne Jones, Yoga Teacher, RYT®200 and Certified Christian Yoga Teacher

Trained

Yvonne Jones has been practicing yoga for over 10 years and began teaching Yoga after graduating from The Columbia School of Yoga, in Columbia Maryland. She has received additional certifications as a Christian Yoga teacher from Yahweh Yoga in Chandler Arizona. Yvonne’s path to yoga is not unlike many yoga teacher and student. Her naturopathic physician suggested Yoga as a tool for combating stress and promoting good health. Yvonne discovered many personal benefits from practicing yoga and her passion for Yoga blossomed. Her teaching philosophy is that everyone begins somewhere and yoga is accessible to everyone! Yvonne currently teaches our intermediate and Christian Yoga classes.

Dr. Tim Thompson, Tai Chi Chuan Instructor and Meditation Leader

Dr. Tim Thompson has over thirty years of experience helping individuals and groups discover their own routes to inner peace and fulfillment of their potential. Proficient in open-hand and weapons forms, as well as push hands, Dr. Thompson holds a black belt in the ancient Chinese internal martial art of Tai Chi Chuan under Grand Master Dennis Brown, with whom he has studied for the past seven years. Dr. Thompson is a Tai Chi Chuan instructor at the Community College of Baltimore County, Catonsville Campus. In addition, he is an advanced kundalini yoga meditation practitioner. His counseling/healing work focuses on self-transformation, interpersonal/group dynamics, organizational cultures, and leadership development. He has a Ph.D. in Organizational Communication from Howard University.

Satyam Kumar, Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT 500) with Yoga Alliance of North America, Workshop Leader

Satyam the founding director and lead instructor of Renaissance Yoga. During the 1990's, Satyam pursued and completed his yoga teacher training in India. Satyam has been practicing yoga and meditation daily for 19 years and has been teaching yoga for 14 years. In addition to his background in yoga, Satyam holds an undergraduate degree (B.A.) in philosophy as well as a professional degree (M.S. Ed.) in Educational Leadership & Community Education. Satyam will be leading workshops and helping the studio grow beginning Fall 2009.

Mickey McGinnis, Licensed Massage Therapist

Mickey McGinnis is a graduate from the Baltimore School of Massage and has had a successful massage therapy practice since March 1999. Mickey joined us in October 2005 and has been a great asset to our center.

Mickey received her National Certification in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and is a Professional Member of the AMTA. Other training and certifications include:

Spa Reflexology, Gentle Massage for the Frail, Mother Massage, Massage During Pregnancy, Raindrop Technique, Dry Spa Techniques, Reiki and seated massage.

Mariely Loperena, Pilates Teacher

Mariely has worked for us intermittently for the past four years as a Pilates instructor. Mariely's life long passion for fitness makes her an amazing teacher. Mariely completed mat certifications with the PhysicalMind Institute in the late '90s and has certified all levels within the Peak Pilates System for both mat and apparatus. She is currently teaching Level II mat for us; helping students to grow and challenge themselves in the Method. When not doing and teaching Pilates Mariely holds a full-time position for the Federal Government and travels often to her homeland of Puerto Rico.

Robbin Samelson, Licensed Massage Therapist

Robbin Samelson, originally trained in pediatric nursing and internal medicine, received her RN in early '90s is also a graduate from the Baltimore School of Massage. After practicing as a pediatric nurse for 15 years, Robbin graduated from massage school with a 4.0 and quickly began continuing education in Reflexology, Trigger Point Therapy, Pregnancy Massage and Energy Medicine. Robbin has the spirit of a warrior and the heart and hands of an angel; she makes the perfect addition to the Pilates Plus Wellness Center. Robbin is a breast cancer survivor and has truly found her calling in massage therapy.

Lorriane Rimando, Registered Aromatherapist and Reiki Master

Lorraine is a Registered Aromatherapist certified by the East West School of Herbal and Aromatic Studies in Westminster, Maryland. She is also a Reiki Master certified in level III Usui and traditional Japanese Reiki. Lorraine has worked as a Registered Nurse for over 13 years in an array of healthcare fields ranging from acute to chronic care settings.

Lorraine became certified in aromatic healing and soon after she became a certified Holistic Aromatherapist through the East West School of Herbal and Aromatic Studies. She earned her diploma at the East West School of Herbal and Aromatic studies, and is also a member of the American Holistic Nurses Association and the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy. She is currently pursuing a Bachelors in Nursing Science.

She continues to combine her experience as a health care practitioner with aromatherapy and Reiki to assist people in reaching their full health potential. She emphasizes customizing aromatic blends to fit a person's individual needs.

Recent Client Comments:

"Lorraine was delightful. I really enjoyed it. Thanks for offering such a wonderful holistic practitioner to your staff."

Vivian Arbin, Holistic Nutrition Counselor

Vivian graduated from the The Global College of Natural Medicine is accredited by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners and the American Naturopathic Accreditation Board. Her training included comprehensive coursework and 500 hours of training. Coursework covered subjects such as dietary guidelines, toxicity and detoxification, alternative health methods, and weight loss. Vivian's desire is to share her knowledge of natural healing with nutrition and help others to begin living healthier through proper nutrition. Her speciality is whole raw food diets and gluten-free lifestyle coaching.

Theresa Beale, Boot Camp Instructor

Theresa is our newest addition to the studio and comes to us with a board certification of the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Her personal training background helps her to help our clients who are looking to increase strength, endurance and overall fitness. We are so excited to round out our health and wellness offerings with boot camp classes.

Tere Erdmann Hubler, Pilates Teacher

Tere has been teaching fitness classes since 1999. She was introduced to Pilates through PHI Pilates and was certified for Basic Mat in 2004 and Advanced Mat in 2007. Tere is PPSII trained with Peak Pilates. She was a semi-professional ballet dancer with the Ballet Theater of Maryland is currently a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. Tere is also certified as a Group Exercise Instructor thru the Aerobics & Fitness Association of America (AFAA) and CPR certified through the American Red Cross Association. Tere is currently subbing classes for us on an as needed basis.

Joyce Powell, Pilates Teacher

Joyce is Physical Mind Institute Certified Mat Instructor and is PPSII certified with Peak Pilates. Joyce is also a full-time employee for the Federal Government. . Joyce is also certified as a Group Exercise Instructor thru the Aerobics & Fitness Association of America (AFAA) and CPR certified through the American Heart Association. Joyce is currently subbing classes for us on an as needed basis.

Diana Miller, Pilates Teacher

Diana is one of the newest members of our staff and is currentlyl teaching Level I Pilates Mat classes. Diana came to the studio as a student and after transforming her life with healthy eating and Pilates--she decided to pursue the work so that she could help others. Diana completed her Level I Mat Certification with the Body College in Washington D.C. and is currently attending Yoga Therapy Training with plans to teach beginner Yoga classes in the Fall.

Karen Allen, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

Karen is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in Maryland and D.C. Karen received her undergraduate degree from Columbia Union College, Takoma Park, Maryland in 1998 in Organizational Management. It was in 1998 a few months prior to graduation that the Lord put upon her heart to continue her education in the field of pastoral counseling. As a result, she received her graduate degree in Pastoral Counseling from Loyola College, Baltimore, Maryland in 2004. Pastoral Counseling is the integration of spirituality and psychotherapy.

Currently, Karen also works part-time at The Wendt Center for Loss and Healing, Washington, DC and has since remained as a part-time Associate Therapist, while working full-time for a large non-profit leading their Human Resources department. Karen says that counseling is her life’s mission and loves it with all her heart. She looks forward to the day of fully transitioning into the counseling field.

She is an avid fitness and wellness “junky” stays in shape through healthy eating and attendance in fitness classes.In November 2008 she ran her first half marathon (13.1 miles) in the Philadelphia Marathon, and most recently successfully completed her first full marathon (26.2 miles) in the SunTrust Richmond Marathon.

Susan Neal, C.P.R. Instructor

Susan Neal is certified by the American Red Cross to teacher First Aid, C.P.R. (Adult/Child/Infant) and A.E.D. for Community Responders and Professional Rescuers. She has joined the Pilates Plus Wellness Center as an adjunct instructor to help make C.P.R. training more accessible in Upper Marlboro and the surrounding areas. Susan’s goal is to inspire others to get certified in C.P.R. so that they are prepared to save a life, if needed!

Amy Belinky, Front Desk

Amy Belinky is the newest member of the Pilates Plus team. She recently graduated from Bishop McNamara, and will be going to Anne Arundel Community College in the Fall. She is quickly "learning the ropes" and we are very excited to have her on staff!