Your Teachers
Kate Yesis
Kate is originally from Minsk, Belarus and grew up as a competitive gymnast and dancer. She completed her first Pilates certification in 2000. Impressed by the changes she felt in her strength and energy, she decided to pursue a career in the health and fitness field. She earned a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree in Physical Education and Exercise Science.
After moving to the US in 2008, she completed a BASI (Body Arts and Science International) Pilates Comprehensive Teacher Training Program. Kate has continued her Pilates education since then by attending multiple seminars, workshops and courses all over the country. She is always working on how to teach Pilates more effectively and serve her clients better. Her drive, passion and knowledge have given her the ability to work with and help people who have different conditions such as scoliosis, hip and knee replacements, neurological conditions (MS and Parkinson’s) and many more.
Opening her own Pilates studio has been her dream, and in 2020, that came true when Kate opened Pilates Studio 11. When not in the studio, Kate teaches private sessions at her home studio or spends time with her family. She loves hiking, paddle boarding, biking, skiing, eating good food and hunting for edible mushrooms in local forests.
Faith Coben
Faith is originally from Sun Valley, Idaho. She’s a lifelong dancer and skier and has practiced the Pilates method for 15 years. She received her comprehensive Pilates certification from Vitality Pilates in Seattle and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance with a focus on education from Cornish College of the Arts, as well as her Pilates Mat teaching certificate. She’s also barre-certified through Barre Above.
Faith teaches a contemporary Pilates style that is grounded in the original athletic style of Joseph Pilates. Drawing from her experiences in dance, aerial, skiing, and other athletic activities, her goal as an instructor is for her clients to gain physical freedom through the Pilates method of movement to support their diverse bodies, needs, and goals as they move through life.
Carilyn Livesey
Carilyn is originally from the Midwest and fell in love with Pilates after receiving a gift certificate for a series of classes. She completed her training with Jill Balch through the Physical Mind Institute in 2011. She has continued learning through other certifications, including a two year program as a restorative exercise specialist and training as a Restore Your Core specialist.
She also focuses on pre/postnatal Pilates, Supporting your pelvic floor, and diastasis recti recovery. When Carilyn isn’t in the studio, she enjoys gardening, hiking, and reading. Painting is her newest hobby. Above all, she loves the calming mindfulness that Pilates brings and this peace keeps her returning to her practice at Pilates Studio 11.
Gosha McClung
Gosha is originally from Poland and arrived in the US in 2001 after obtaining her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. When she was introduced to the Pilates method, she loved the practice’s ability to connect mind, body and soul and transform people’s lives. She started teaching Pilates in 2006 after obtaining her Pilates Mat certification and added her Comprehensive Classical Certification from Power Pilates in 2008.
Gosha has continued to expand her knowledge of Pilates through other workshops and finds teaching Pilates a perfect fit for her career. It allows her to combine her passion for movement and wellness and her love of education as she teaches at Studio 11. When Gosha’s not in the studio, you’ll find her practicing yoga, paddle boarding, or spending time with her family and dog outside.
Valerie Eggers
Being a very active kid Valerie was involved in multiple sports and activities. In college Valerie knew she wanted to have a career in health or medicine. At Northwestern University, she earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Physical Therapy degrees and embarked on a career in rehabilitation. In her 15 years as a physical therapist Valerie treated patients young and old, with acute injuries and chronic conditions, in the hospital and in outpatient settings. Helping people regain flexibility, build strength, improve function, and achieve movement goals was deeply fulfilling.
In 2015, Valerie experienced her own major back injury. When all other forms of exercise were off limits, she found a Pilates studio opening in her neighborhood. She took her first reformer class and knew she was in the right place! Through Pilates, Valerie recovered from that injury and found a new career to pursue as she retired from physical therapy. After completing the 500-hour comprehensive Pilates teacher certification through Club Pilates in 2018 she started teaching large classes, small groups, duets, and individual sessions.
When Valerie is not teaching she spends time with her family enjoying water-sports, golf, snowmobiling, and spending time in the great outdoors.
Annika McMeekin
Annika was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest and began ballet and gymnastics at a very early age, Pilates and yoga followed. She got certified to teach Power Vinyasa Yoga in 2009.
After having her second child, Annika decided to pursue fitness full time. She has taught barre and yoga classes ever since and completed her Pilates 500 hour certification with Club Pilates. Annika’s classes follow a contemporary Pilates style. Her goal as an instructor is to create fun, balanced and dynamic classes. Annika believes everyone can benefit from and feel successful doing Pilates regardless of injuries and personal challenges.
Join Our Team
If you are a Pilates professional who loves to share passion, love, and knowledge with people let’s connect! We love diversity and will be happy to see your style and drive at our studio. Send us your resume at team@pilatestudio11.com and we will contact you.
