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

*** Eme received her Pilates certification from the PhysicalMind Institute and was also certified with the American College of Sports Medicine, EFI Sports Medicine, and The Pilates Method Alliance

About Saskia Nora Bryan

Saskia became a Pilates enthusiast after taking her first class at Pilates PLUS back in 2002. A yoga practitioner for many years, Saskia was drawn to Pilates as a wonderful complement to her practice. As a result, after several years of being a client, Saskia made the leap to instruction by training directly with Eme through her pilot instructor training program at Pilates PLUS. Saskia relishes the opportunity to work with clients so that she can share her passion for Pilates and the ways in which it can help to improve health, posture, strength, and overall feeling. Saskia is also an attorney for a small law firm downtown, and credits Pilates for helping her maintain fitness and relieve stress in what is a mostly sedentary and stressful occupation. In addition to remaining a loyal client of Pilates PLUS, Saskia is also an avid walker and hiker.

About Shane Rhoads, M.S.

Shane K Rhoads has 20 years of extensive experience in the fitness, wellness, and rehabilitation field.  Shane’s diverse background includes working in Professional baseball, College athletics, Spine and back rehabilitation, Physical therapy, Private fitness and Consulting.  The past 9 years Shane has worked exclusively in the Pilates environment helping clients with fitness/wellness, post physical therapy rehabilitation, postural and movement alignment.  Shane has a M.S. ed in Athletic Training, and a B.S. in Exercise Physiology, and is certified as a Post-Rehab Pilates Instructor through Polestar Education.

Outside the studio Shane is a visual artist further exploring themes of the physical body and interconnectivity through painting and sculpture.  Having a strong scientific education combined with an artistic perspective gives Shane a unique approach in working with and educating clients.