About Eme Cole, Founder and Certified Instructor

Eme grew up in Illinois and spent the majority of her youth competing in gymnastics and continued competing through college at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. While there, she completed a 600 hour internship in fitness and wellness at the Medical College of Ohio and received her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology.

After graduation, Eme moved to Aspen, Colorado to do sport specific training for the Aspen High School ski and snowboard teams. While there, she also coached gymnastics and personal trained at the Aspen Club.

Two years later, Eme returned to Illinois to attend graduate school at the University of Illinois at Chicago. After 2 years of studying and personal training part-time, she received her Master of Science in Kinesiology and began managing a small fitness center in downtown Chicago.

Pilates entered the picture when a nagging back injury would not subside and she sought out alternative methods for alleviating tension in the lower back. It only took one session for Eme to realize that this was the fitness activity for her. She continued taking private sessions for almost a year and then decided to make it her career. Eme began with the Pilates mat-work certification and taught classes at various fitness clubs in Chicago. After a year, she went back for the extensive equipment certification and designed a business plan to open her own studio. Striving for a more fulfilling atmosphere for both herself and her clients, she opened Pilates PLUS in early July, 2002.

"This is the perfect outlet for my education and experience. I look forward to inspiring others to incorporate Pilates into their lifestyle." – Eme Cole, 2002

*** In addition to her Pilates certification with the PhysicalMind Institute, Eme also holds and maintains certifications with the American College of Sports Medicine, EFI Sports Medicine, and The Pilates Method Alliance

About Liz Roche

Liz Roche graduated from DePaul University with a degree in finance and economics. After spending some time in the corporate world, she decided to place more focus on a career that would enhance her well-being as well as the health and fitness of others. Liz was certified in Pilates through the PhysicalMind Institute and has been teaching since September 2002. She joined Eme at Pilates PLUS in December 2002.

To enhance her ability to benefit the health of others, Liz enrolled in the Soma Institute for Clinical Massage Therapy. She received her diploma in August 2004. She is currently certified through the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America as a group fitness instructor and through the International Sports and Sciences Association as a certified fitness trainer. In addition Liz coaches a cheerleading all-star team and teaches preschool and kindergarten gymnastics and cheer classes in St. Charles.

About Kristina Schneider

Kristina Schneider grew up in Boise, Idaho. She loved sports and fitness and swam competitively for 12 years at the national level. While in college, Kristina continued her focus by becoming a certified aerobics and fitness instructor. She graduated in 2000 with degrees in Finance and Marketing from Southern Methodist University. In 2004 Kristina moved to Chicago and currently trades the commodity markets.

After trying spinning, yoga and weight training, Kristina found Pilates and has been practicing for 5 years now. She has trained under the Colorado, Classical and Power Pilates Method, and additionally here at Pilates PLUS for a year. Kristina is excited to balance her day job by instructing at Pilates PLUS on the weekday afternoons and evenings.

About Saskia Nora Bryan

Saskia was one of the first clients to come through the doors when Pilates PLUS opened in 2002. Although she had never tried Pilates, Saskia had been an avid yoga practitioner for years, and immediately discovered that Pilates complemented and advanced her yoga practice. Since then, Saskia has worked her way through every class Pilates PLUS offers, from mat to circuit to semi-private and private sessions, now finally making the leap to instructing. Saskia received her Pilates credentials working directly with Eme through her pilot instructor training program at Pilates PLUS. When she's not at the studio, Saskia works as an attorney for a small firm downtown.


About Erin Carlisle Norton

Erin Carlisle Norton grew up outside of Pittsburgh, PA, where from a young age fell in love with dancing and movement. Beginning her formal training as a dancer in Pittsburgh, Erin continued her studies to recieve a BFA with Distinction in Dance from The Ohio State University before moving to Chicago to pursue a dance career. Having been introduced to Pilates as a part of her dance training, Erin decided to pursue deeper studies after discovering how the method tremendously increased her strength, flexibility, and understanding of the body. She completed the Pilates teacher training program at Chicago's fromthecenter Pilates Studio in 2005 and soon after became a certified Pilates Instructor through the Pilates Method Alliance. Erin continued her movement studies to complete a Graduate Laban Certificate in Movement Analysis from Columbia College Chicago in 2007, coursework which has given her a deeper understanding in how to observe, assess, describe, and notate movement and movement patterns. Erin continues to choreograph and teach, forming the contemporary modern dance company DANCEWORKS that currently performs and works with communities throughout Chicago, the midwest, and the eastern U.S. Erin has taught Pilates to individuals of all ages and abilities and feels that her diverse movement training allows her to address individual issues while sharing her joy for movement.

About Shane Rhoads, M.S.