Biographies
Regan Hoerster is the owner and master instructor at Village Pilates Studio. Completing among the most intensive Pilates certification program of its kind in the world, she teaches with knowledge, creativity, and inspiration. Fulfilling over 1,000 hours of apprenticeship work in the classical Pilates Method and studying with the most highly trained and renowned instructors in the field, Regan continues to be committed and impassioned as a lifelong student. Her initial training consisted of a strict one-year 750-hour program under the tutelage of Fran Ahrens of Body in Balance, Hinsdale, IL. And Regan continues to train, traveling several times a year to Boulder, CO, where she studies with the renowned staff at The Pilates Center, including Amy Taylor Alpers and Rachel Taylor Segel. Regan Hoerster is dedicated to her own daily Pilates lessons and continues to take workshops, lessons, and observations from the leading Pilates instructors in the country.
In light of the Village Pilates Studio mission, Regan Hoerster is consciously creating a positive and unique place to practice the Pilates method. Hosting a creative and inspiring place to learn and an accessible and reliable place to do business is imperative in maintaining her own vitality and belief in the method. She is dedicated in being a trustworthy Pilate's teacher, one who is thorough, caring and careful, and keeps abreast on the complexity and depth of knowledge in the field. Regan is committed to living and working in a style that is directly in line with the values of fairness, respect, and appreciation for others.
New Scoop? In addition to her 750-hour certification and all the hours of continuing education that has followed, Regan has been accepted into The Pilates Center Teacher Training Master's Program! She is very excited about joining this enriching program to further her Pilates knowledge and to become a member of The Pilates Method Alliance. She is planning on completing this advanced certification by Summer 2009.
Stefanie Dockendorf
is a Pilates instructor at Village Pilates Studio. Having taken Pilates for eight years, it wasn't until Regan Hoerster encouraged her, that she began to pursue teaching. She has completed intense certification programs under Regan, has been teaching for almost three years and will continue to further her Pilates education and knowledge throughout the coming years. Stefanie has experience teaching people of all fitness levels, including those with injuries or limitations. She takes time to get to know each client, their body and their goals.
While living and breathing Pilates at night and on the weekends, during the day Stefanie is a full time mom of two boys and a freelance graphic designer. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis in graphic design and jewelry and metalsmithing.
Pilates has changed Stefanie's body throughout her years of practice. After giving birth
to her first child, she began to listen to her body more intently and thought she may not be able to regain her previous figure. Pilates has allowed Stefanie to regain and improve her fitness level while at the same time boosting confidence in her body and self. During her second pregnancy, Stefanie continued her Pilates practice until the end and was able to achieve an even stronger body post pardom.
The Pilates Method has increased her core strength and stability to the point she is able to chase her little boys all day and maintain a high energy level into the evening. Her goal is to take her own pilates experiences and the experiences of others to improve her understanding of the method and the human body. Stefanie has a great passion for practicing and teaching the
Pilates Method and hopes to share that passion with you and take you on a journey of physical and mental well being and improvement.
Mary Kren is a Pilates instructor at Village Pilates Studio. Inspired to move uniformly, Mary completed an intensive certification program under the strict direction of Regan Hoerster. She teaches private lessons, group equipment classes and mat classes with particular attention to alignment, form and breath. In addition to Pilates, Mary is a professional dancer with local Oak Park company MOMENTA!. MOMENTA! is the resident company at the Academy of Movement and Music on Lake Street. She holds a Bachelor's in Dance and has completed a Master's in Elementary Education. For the past six years she taught ballet, jazz, and modern dance to all ages and levels. Here goal is to educate and instill grace and wellness to all students.
Laurie Nations
is a Pilates Instructor at Village Pilates Studio. Laurie was certified through Regan Hoerster’s intensive 750-hour teacher training program and teaches private lessons, group equipment and mat classes. For Laurie, Pilates has been a life changing endeavor. Suffering chronic back pain from a degenerative vertebral disc, Laurie turned to Pilates to help ease her symptoms and has strengthened her spine, abdomen and deep postural muscles to the point where she is virtually pain free. During the day, Laurie works in the fast-paced Chicago advertising industry but during the early morning hours and weekends you can find her at VPS where her goal is to make the Pilates method accessible and fun for students.
Ellen Teinowitz Taylor is a certified instructor at Village Pilates Studio, after completing a rigorous and thorough training under Regan Hoerster’s mentoring. She is proof that anyone, at any age, can change the way they look, feel and think. She credits all the positive changes to studying and teaching Pilates. Ellen was hooked on Pilates in her first week and knew she wanted to learn as much as she could, and eventually become a Pilates Instructor. She is particularly inspired by a quote from Joseph Pilates:
“To achieve the highest accomplishments within the scope of our capabilities in all walks of life, we must constantly strive to acquire strong, healthy bodies and develop our minds to the limit of our ability.
Ellen credits Regan Hoerster and all the other teachers at VPS with helping her reach for the “Pilates” stars. She looks forward to continuing on--- learning all she can, and teaching her students with skill, insight, creativity and compassion.
Angie Dalrymple is currently a student in the Teacher Training Program, and joined the staff at VPS as a student instructor February 2008. Angie hopes to complete her certification by the end of 2008. She started doing Pilates 2 years ago when she became Stefanie Dockendorf’s case study. Once Stefanie’s case study was completed Angie decided she couldn’t get enough Pilates and continued studying as a student at VPS. August of 2007 she decided to pursue her passion and joined the Teacher Training Program. If asked, Angie would tell you there are many things about Pilates she loves, but first and foremost VPS has changed her life forever and she looks forward to practicing Pilates for a lifetime.
Outside of the studio Angie has a marketing background in radio and TV. She currently transitioned jobs from working in media to now working at an advertising agency for Leo Burnett. She is very excited and grateful to have such a wonderful opportunity ahead of her! She also enjoys any thing and everything outdoors; running, biking, BBQ’s, or just lounging on a blanket in the park on a sunny afternoon.
Originally for Indiana where her parents reside she tries to go home as much as possible because family and friends are a huge part of her life.
Teaching mainly group classes Angie takes great pride in the art of teaching Pilates and the interaction she gets to encounter with the staff and students at VPS. She hopes to help others grow stronger and smile bigger.
Jimmy Zangrilli is currently a student-teacher in the Fast-Track Teacher Training Program at Village Pilates Studio. Joining VPS in January of 2008, Jimmy had already received Pilates training and certification in California from the Pilates Academy International. Jimmy focuses on the combination of breath and movement to help his students feel strong and centered.