Instructors
Meagan Koehler
Owner/Instructor/Lululemon Ambassador
Location:
90 Patton Ave, Suite 206
Asheville, NC 28801
Meagan Koehler is the successful owner and founder of RISE: Authentic Pilates, an urban pilates studio in the heart of downtown Asheville, NC. She discovered Pilates in 2003 and was impressed by how it made her feel strong, empowered, and connected in mind and body. The transformative experience of the Pilates method led to her first 500+ hour comprehensive training with Kevin Bowen in 2010. Desiring further education, in 2012 Meagan successfully completed an additional 700+ hour Classical Pilates teacher certification program taught by second generation teacher, Penelope Wyer-Barrow.
Following her Classical Pilates immersion, Meagan was honored to be hand-selected to receive continuing advanced teacher training and personal mentorship from Pilates extraordinaire Kathryn Ross Nash, who studied directly with first generation Pilates elders Romana Kryzanowska, Jay Grimes, Kathy Grant, Edwina Fontaine, and Sari Meja Santos. Meagan has attended a variety of conferences and intimate workshops all over the Unites States learning from leading Classical Pilates instructions including, Jay Grimes, Brooke Siler, Mari Winsor, Chris Robinson, Blossom Leilani Crawford, Sandy Shimoda, Dana Santi, and Mejo Wiggin.
With many diverse years of teaching beginner to advanced students, Meagan is a gifted and skilled hands-on instructor. Her commitment and dedication are evident when you walk into the studio. It is a bright and airy space filled with good humor which is indicative of her style and approach to instructing. You’ll find clients working on different classical apparatus including, the cadillac, reformer, wall units/tower, wunda chair, and mat. Classes range from foundational to advanced levels, but there’s no delineation in the sense of camaraderie between students and staff. It’s a very egalitarian experience. And because Pilates is a method that requires building blocks, even the most advanced students may be seen in a foundational level class working on the same method and exercises as newer students. Meagan’s warmth and compassion can be felt from the moment you walk in, to the moment you leave, feeling stronger and more present in your body.
Meagan credits her dear friend Kathryn Ross Nash for encouraging her to pursue her dreams. “Studying the endless depth and purity of the Authentic Pilates method has opened my eyes to an advanced understanding of the larger perspective of form and function within the body,” says Meagan. “I left my 10 year career in social work to follow my heart and open a Pilates studio. Teaching in this community, with the level of instructors I’m lucky enough to surround myself with, is a real gift. I wake up every day excited about what I do.”
Since opening RISE in 2015, the studio has been voted by the community as the #1 Best Pilates Studio in all of Western North Carolina in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018! Meagan has been recognized as one of the Best Physical Trainers in Western North Carolina 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2108 by Asheville’s Mountain Xpress Best of WNC.
Elise Beckstett
Instructor
Location:
206 E. Chestnut St.
Asheville, NC 28804
Always passionate about fitness, Elise discovered the amazing transformative power of Pilates after she and her husband retired to Asheville in 2011. This new enthusiasm for Pilates led her to enter a Classical Pilates Certification program in 2012. During her training she began to focus on the active older body and how Pilates can help anyone of any age and ability. She saw her calling as working with active seniors, 60 and older, and leads online classes tailored to this age group. Elise also enjoys working with clients of all ages and levels because “I love seeing the breakthroughs that people make in their bodies, regardless of where they start their Pilates journey. Being a part of the RISE family has helped me continue the joy of teaching.”
As a former training and development professional, Elise believes strongly in continuing her learning through regular Continuing Education to help better serve her clients. Her ongoing Pilates education and growth comes through workshops with some of the foremost practitioners today: Kathi Ross Nash, Chris Robinson, Blossom Leilani Crawford, MeJo Wiggin, Clare Dunphy Hemani and Brooke Siler.
With the changing environment and evolution of RISE Authentic Pilates, Elise now operates out of her own studio space at 206 E. Chestnut St. in Asheville, offering both in person privates and duets along with virtual classes and privates, using the safest studio protocols available.
Carolyn Gordon
Instructor
Location: Virtual
Carolyn discovered Pilates in 1999, as an injured dance major in college. She was humbled by the difficulty of the work and impressed at the physical strength and energy of her instructor- a petite woman in her 60’s who was easily stronger than a room full of college-aged dancers. At the recommendation of the instructor, Carolyn had a private session and was instantly intrigued by the Pilates apparatus. She quickly realized that Pilates was something special.
In 2004, Carolyn completed her 1,000-hour Massage Therapy and Hydrotherapy degree at the Finger Lakes School of Massage in Ithaca, NY, beginning her bodywork practice.
Shortly after the birth of her first son, Carolyn resumed a consistent Pilates practice and began her Pilates apprenticeship in Asheville with Brooke Tyler, where her training took her to Seattle to study and certify with second-generation
Carolyn is devoted to deepening her knowledge of the Pilates method. Toward that end, she has attended continuing education seminars with some of the the most respected Classical Pilates instructors in the world including Kathi Ross Nash, MeJo Wiggin, Mari Winsor, Brooke Siler, Chris Robinson, Blossom Leilani Crawford, and many others.
Carolyn finds that her two professions complement each other perfectly. She finds no greater joy than to help her clients resolve injuries or painful patterns so they are able to move with, as Joe Pilates said, “spontaneous zest and pleasure!”