Instructors
Karen Coffman
After years of consistent running, Karen suffered a series of stress fractures leaving her to make necessary changes to improve balance and strength in her body. During rehab, she realized her additional need for core stability and overall flexibility. Pilates offered all of these! She began attending mat classes regularly and quickly experienced many additional benefits: improved posture, a stronger center, better hip control, and the development of minor muscles. This encouraged her to pursue training to help others experience the same overall body wellness.
Karen received her certification as a Beginner Mat Instructor from Power Pilates in 2013 and as an Intermediate Mat instructor in 2015. In 2016, she was certified with Peak Pilates gaining her second Intermediate Mat and in 2018, completed her Advanced Mat with Power Pilates. She has been instructing clients at these levels for the past 8 years, in both in-person and on-line class settings while also instructing clients privately. Karen’s greatest joy in teaching comes from helping clients see growth in their bodies and feel stronger to live with joy in each season. She has also seen the encouragement a Pilates community offers clients and seeks to create a welcoming, friendly, and personally challenging atmosphere during each class experience.
Karla Duerson
Karla began her Pilates journey unexpectedly at BodyWork with Pem Ausbrook on West Short St. in downtown Lexington, KY. After enjoying cardio with weight classes for a couple of years, Pilates mat classes were offered. After one year of experiencing the mindful and invigorating work of Pilates, Karla could envision herself exercising with Pilates for the rest of her life.
Though her background and education was in Social Work, she received her mat certification through Physical Mind’s Initiation 101, a fifteen hour Professional Intensive Course in Louisville, in 2002. After three years of mat instruction, she became Power Pilates System I certified. With this training, she began working with people on Pilates equipment.
Now, she counts it a pleasure to teach people who, like herself, have discovered the wonderful benefits of Pilates work. Her plan from the beginning has not changed. She intends to do Pilates for the rest of her life for a better life! Karla believes Joseph Pilates meant for his exercises to do that for people: to improve their lives, keep them from injury, and make their bodies as balanced and strong as possible. She holds out that hope to people who join in the journey of learning and practicing Pilates’ wonderful set of exercises.