...the millions of dollars today foolishly expended in the purchase and maintenance of gymnasium equipment, etc., could be more wisely expended for the purpose of training teachers, living examples of normal health, not mere preachers of what normal health should be.

CARRIE JESSEE COHN AMANDA JESSEE KAREN STALEY RUTHANNE MANTINI

Carrie Jessee Cohn, MBA, PMA-CPT
Owner and Founder

Carrie Jessee Cohn, MBA is the owner and founder of Personal Best Pilates Studio. She has been a fitness instructor since 1986, and has experience with types of group fitness and personal training. She was named one of Kansas City’s Top Women Business Owners in 2005 by the Kansas City Business Journal. Also in 2005, Personal Best Pilates Studio was named top woman –owned business in the state of Kansas by the Kansas Department of Commerce.

• Certified Pilates Instructor – Pilates Method Alliance
• Certified Pilates Instructor - Physical Mind Institute
• Certified Pilates Mat Instructor - Physical Mind Institute
• Certified Group Fitness Instructor – American Council on Exercise (ACE)
• Certified Yoga Instructor – American Aerobic Association International (AAAI)/International Sports Medicine Association (ISMA)
• American Council on Exercise (ACE) Continuing Education Provider
• Balanced Body Partner in Pilates Education
• Certified Spinning â Instructor – Madd Dog Athletics
• Certified Box Aerobics Instructor – Promise Enterprises

Since becoming certified to teach Pilates, she has continued her study by with some of the biggest names in the industry, such as: Rael Ishikowitz, Elizabeth Larkam, Brent Anderson, Kathy Corey, Mari Windsor, Shelley Geier, Michael Miller, and Michelle Larson.

Formerly, she has held part time faculty positions in the Physical Education Department of Penn Valley Community College, and hosted Penn Valley Fitness, a weekly television program in Kansas City, MO.

Prior to opening her studio, Ms. Cohn worked in the private sector for 14 years, and has experience in manufacturing, construction, and information technology. She held executive positions in management and organizational development, training, organizational assessment, strategic planning, leadership development, organizational transformation, and human resource development.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Park College (magna cum laude), and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Missouri, Kansas City.

Why she loves her job - in her own words:
I love the special relationships I’ve developed with our clients! And - I love it that I get to come to work everyday with the best, most dedicated team of Pilates Instructors in the city. I love that my business partner, who is also my sister, is also one of the finest and most accomplished teachers I have known.

When I first started teaching Pilates in 1999, there were only a few places in the country to go for quality education. It was my dream to create a Pilates Center in Kansas City, where instructors and practitioners alike could go for the highest quality instruction for a reasonable price. There are lots of places to go in town if you’re looking for a typical gym experience. Our Pilates Studio is definitely NOT a typical gym experience. I love sharing our new, 5,100 + square foot spa-like studio with all our wonderful clients and customers!

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Amanda Jessee, MA, CSCS, PMA- CPT
Co-Owner, Director of Instructor Education

Amanda has been a leader in the health and fitness industry since 1987. She began her career as a group fitness instructor, and continued to teach all types of groups fitness classes, until she became certified to teach Pilates in 2000. She holds a BA in Exercise Science and an MA in Higher Ed, Exercise Physiology. Prior to starting Personal Best Pilates Instructor Academy (PBPIA), she was a full-time faculty member in the Physical Education Department of Santa Fe Community College. Having spent most of her career teaching higher education, she created PBPIA’s courses in a flexible, college curriculum format. The courses she designed have been recognized for continuing education credits for the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA), the American Council on Exercise ( ACE), the American Aerobics and Fitness Association (AFAA), and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Her philosophy toward Pilates instructor training is simple: to provide high-quality, exercise science-based education that is affordable, convenient and most of all taught in a supportive and inclusive environment.

She has received the following professional certifications:

• Certified Pilates Instructor – Pilates Method Alliance
• Pilates Mat Instructor - Physical Mind Institute
• Pilates Equipment Instructor (400 hours) - PBPIA
• Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) - National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
• Certified Group Fitness Instructor - American Council on Exercise ( ACE)
• Continuing Education Faculty member - ACE
• Continuing Education Provider - AAFA
• Continuing Education Provider - NSCA
• Aerobic Kickboxing Instructor - Promise Enterprises:
• Yoga Fitness Instructor - Inner City Yoga

Since becoming certified to teach Pilates, she has continued her study with some of the biggest names in the industry, such as: Rael Ishikowitz, Elizabeth Larkam, Brent Anderson, Kathy Corey, and Mari Windsor. When she’s not working with clients or mentoring new Pilates instructors, she and her husband love to swing dance, backpack and work on their log home in rural Kansas City.

Why she loves her job - in her own words:
I have been a professional in the fitness industry since 1987. I always lifted weights and taught aerobics as my way of keeping in shape. After living with chronic knee pain, I decided to try Pilates and loved it. I do not teach aerobics any more, devoting all my group fitness skills to mat classes. I lift weights in a much smarter way and have noticed a change in my body! Being a fully certified Pilates instructor is not something you can achieve with a single weekend workshop, or by watching a video. Our Pilates Instructor Certification is a very challenging process, and requires a sincere commitment on the part of the student. But if a student is committed to the process, I believe it is my responsibility to provide the most supportive learning environment possible. I personally mentor each student through the entire process, and enjoy watching them grow as instructors.

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Karen Staley
Master Mat Instructor

Karen Staley has been actively involved in Pilates for 7 years and has been teaching at Personal Best Pilates for over 2 years.  After demonstrating excellent coaching and mentoring skills, she was promoted to Master Instructor for Personal Best Pilates Instructor Academy in 2006.  She is responsible for teaching all levels of mat classes, as well as instructor certification workshops.  Karen has earned several mat certifications through Personal Best and plans to pursue her equipment certification in the near future as well. 

Karen has a background in secondary business education and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. Before the birth of her son, Karen spent many years working for large corporate organizations in leadership and management development.  She has extensive experience in developing and facilitating small and large groups in leadership skills.  She believes that not all adults learn in the same way, and she strives to create a supportive environment that involves many different teaching techniques - verbal, tactile and visual.

Why she loves her job - in her own words:
"I love the physical and mental rewards of focusing on an exercise routine that emphasizes strengthening the body’s core area.  Pilates challenges me to continuously refine and improve.  It’s always a work in progress for me.  Most of all, I’m fortunate to have found a place where I can combine my background in adult education with my favorite form of exercise—Pilates!!"

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Ruthanne Mantini
Master Mat Instructor

Ruthanne has been a fitness instructor since 1985, and has taught Pilates in the Kansas City area for 7 years. Ruthanne began her career with Personal Best Pilates Studio in 2005. After demonstrating exceptional coaching and mentoring skills, she was promote to Master Mat Instructor in 2006.

Ruthanne holds the following professional certifications:

• Certified Pilates Mat Instructor – Physical Mind Institute
• Certified Pilates Mat Instructor – Personal Best
• Certified Pilates Reformer Equipment Instructor - Personal Best
• Certified Aerobics Instructor – Bally

Since becoming certified to teach Pilates, she has continued her education by participating in various workshops including: Pilates on the ball, Advanced Pilates and Anatomy and Kinesiology courses. Ruthanne graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

Why she loves her job - in her own words:
I have always been involved with health and rehabilitation, and in the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle. It is this very passion for a healthy body that led me to Pilates. In my mind, it’s Pilates which bridges the gap between healthy exercise and healthy mind while at the same time removing the physical stress on body joints. I truly believe in the power of Pilates with respect to physical achievement, but also is a firm believer in the “mind-body connection” which is the cornerstone to Pilates. My most rewarding aspect of Pilates is the interaction with my students. I love to see the connections in body awareness and growth in each student.

Personal Best Pilates Instructor Academy™
6600 College Boulevard - Suite 210, Overland Park, KS 66211
Phone: 913-345-8787 Fax: 913-345-8789.
Email Us: info@PilatesInstructorAcademy.com
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