Instructors

Rachel Saunders

Rachel Saunders, CPT, founder and owner of Primarily Pilates, LLC, holds full certification in Pilates Mat work and Equipment from the PhysicalMind Institute.

Rachel first awakened her appreciation and respect for Pilates in 1995, after incorporating it into her rehabilitation program to manage debilitating and chronic pain and imbalances resulting from an auto accident. As an athlete, dancer, performer, fitness trainer and instructor, the thought of continued pain and limited mobility was unacceptable. The amazing benefits and results Rachel experienced in a short time fueled her desire to delve deeper into this emerging method of full body conditioning and strengthening.

Rachel dedicated the following three years to learning, apprenticing and refining her skills. She began studying under the direction of Christina Cansino and apprenticed for a year.  In 1998, Rachel added private Pilates sessions and group mat classes to her existing Personal Training business, aerobic and dance studio located in the Northwest. A year later, Rachel was tested and mat certified for the PhysicalMind Institute by Leah Putnam at the Spring Training Studio in Mountain View, California.

The fulfillment experienced from sharing the genius of this evolving system catapulted Rachel to purchase her first “at-home” Reformer and eagerly begin her equipment and apparatus training. In 2003, Rachel completed her Pilates equipment training and apprenticing and was certified a year later by Joan Breibert, President and Founder of The PhysicalMind Institute.

Rachel continued to study, practice and teach Pilates and fitness in Arizona. Operating a 200 sq. ft., in-home studio, she taught private and group Pilates, along with personal training, fitness and aerobic classes at local clubs and spas, including the Gainey Village, before opening Primarily Pilates in February 2005.  Rachel is also certified in Pilates for Golf, which targets and develops specific muscle groups to hone and improve the length of drives, the precision of putting and overall golf play.

Primarily Pilates is the culmination of Rachel’s lifetime of work and dedication to helping others to become stronger and healthier.  When she is not training clients, she may be found presenting to groups or training others to become certified in Pilates.

Pam More

Pam received her certification in 1997 from the Pilates Studio of New York under the direction of Master Trainers Romana Kryzanowska and Bob Liekens. Upon completion of 600 apprentice hours, she returned to Arizona to teach the members of the Sonoran Club fitness center at Desert Mountain where she was employed from 1995 to 2003. Offering mat classes and private sessions on the apparatus, she began to hone her craft in a 100-square-foot room. Her vision of a larger studio came to light with the expansion of the club and with a space equipped to handle two instructors. Ever eager for a challenge, she left in Desert Mountain in 2003 to pursue a career as an independent contractor. She has since had the opportunity to teach at several studios around the Valley.

From the beginning, Pam has been intrigued by a system of exercises that creates symmetry in the body. She has witnessed firsthand the subtle corrective changes that occur by performing just a few repetitions of each movement. Pam believes the added beauty of this method is being able to modify an exercise to match a person’s fitness level, making it beneficial to all age groups.

Pam looks forward to attending continuing education seminars where she goes to connect and re-connect, but mostly to stimulate her creative thoughts for the year ahead. She is proud to be a second generation instructor passing on Joseph Pilates' legacy. The longer she teaches this system the more she discovers its uniqueness and Joe's true genius.

Ronnie Abrams

Ronnie Abrams, originally from Long Island, New York, graduated from Ohio State University with a BA in Education, and from Adelphi University with a Masters of Arts in Education. After teaching in the public schools, she received a Masters of Fine Art from C.W. Post College and taught photography at the college level. She has done freelance photography in New York and Arizona as well.

Ronnie received her pilates training and certification from the Physical Mind Institute in 2006. She was also certified by the PMA in 2008 (the Pilates Method Alliance, an international, professional association). She attends national conferences and workshops to continue to refine her knowledge and practice of pilates.

Ronnie initially began pilates in 2001 as a way to ease the chronic back pain that was her constant companion. Within a short time, the sciatica disappeared and a passion for pilates was found. Helping others to find the health and the well being that is the result of pilates is just plain fun for Ronnie now. She enjoys helping her clients build strength, confidence and balance in themselves.

Danielle DeVivo

Danielle DeVivo received her Pilates certification through Balanced Body University in San Diego, a program focused on the instruction of traditional Joseph Pilates method. Following her certification, Danielle apprenticed for a year with several well-respected trainers in the Pilates community in Southern California before becoming a certified instructor in a prestigious La Jolla, California Pilates studio.

She moved to Arizona in to share her knowledge and the benefits of Pilates with a new community.

Danielle has a passion for health and wellness and connecting the body mind and spirit. Due to her own battle with scoliosis, Danielle is focused on improving spinal movement and correcting and creating symmetry in body and movement. Danielle is inspired to share the physical benefits that she’s received through her Pilates practice with her clients.

In addition, she is continuously seeking additional knowledge and experience with Pilates in order to help clients to further improve their body function and appearance, as well as strengthening the mind-body connection to overcome personal body challenges.