Trainer Bios

Patrick O'Brien
Patrick O'Brien began studying the Pilates Method in 1991, teaching clientele in 1993 & began training Instructors in 1999. He received his Pilates Certification from The Institute for the Pilates Method, Santa Fe, NM, in 1995.
Patrick hosted & co-taught Core Dynamics Pilates, directed by Michele Larsson (protégé of Eve Gentry & former director at The Institute for the Pilates Method) from 1999-2002 and in 2002, began FTC Pilates Teacher Training Program. He has consulted for Core Dynamics Pilates, Powerhouse Pilates, Barrington Athletic Club, Cheetah Gyms, Mike George Fitness Systems & Wheaton Sports Center. His studio produces & hosts a wide variety of elective workshops for the Pilates Instructor including, Mechanics of Gait, Posture Analysis, Spinal Conditions, Pre & Post Natal, Conceptual Exercises, Body Assessment, Scoliosis, Neuromuscular Massage Therapy and West Coast Pilates. In 2008 Patrick will be presenting "Assessing a Body on the Reformer" at the Pilates Method Alliance in Phoenix, AZ.
Patrick is twice certified in ZenBody Therapy®, has taken workshops in Ohashiatsu Massage, Orthobionomy®, Trigger Point Anatomy & Neuromuscular Massage Therapy. He has studied various methods of martial arts, Zen meditation, danced professionally with Zero Moving Dance Company and Mordine & Company and holds and received BA in Dance from Columbia College of Chicago, IL.


Paula Merrit
Born and raised in Brazil, primarily in the Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo areas, has been teaching Pilates for more than 5 years. Throughout her career in Pilates, Paula has continued to pursue further education to advance her knowledge of the body, and the ways in which Pilates can improve it. These educational courses were focused on rehabilitation, improving and fine tuning motor skills, the art of stretching and general body improvement among other things.

Along with Pilates, dance has also been a passion in Paula's life. She has been an Assistant Professor of contemporary dance in Brazil, provided training and instruction to Popular Brazilian dance companies, and other endeavors in the arts. Her knowledge of movement is exceptional, and her teaching methods reflect the eclectic array of styles she has encountered and studied.


Megan Thompson
Megan began studying Pilates in 1998 as a part of her dance training. She continued these studies at the Laban Centre in London, England and at Excel Movement Studios in Washington, DC where she completed a 700 hour training program in the Pilates Method of Body Conditioning. In addition to her Pilates certification, Megan holds a BS in Dance and English from the University of Wisconsin and a MFA in Dance from the University of Maryland. She has danced professionally for the nora.new.dance.company, Li Chiao-Ping Dance Company and Maida Withers Dance Construction Company. She has taught Pilates and dance at private studios, the University of Maryland, the National Institutes of Health, the Kennedy Center and many dance festivals both nationally & internationally. As a teacher, Megan uses her knowledge and experience with many somatic methods to provide students with a variety of ways in which to approach the Pilates Method.


Sara Knauer
Born and raised on Maui, Sara began studying Pilates and ballet at the age of nine to supplement her training in gymnastics. After 10 years as a competitive gymnast, Sara began work in the sciences. Currently pursuing advanced degrees in pure mathematics, she started as a physicist at the University of Hawaii's Institute for Astronomy. Her scientific background gives her a solid understanding of mechanical systems, and she enjoys using this knowledge to analyze the interaction of forces within the human body and, through Pilates, transform the body into an increasingly efficient and well-functioning system. Sara received her Pilates training at From the Center.


Sarah Massey
Sarah has been teaching pilates for 2 1/2 years. She was PMA certifiied through Golden Wellness in Chicago. Pilates has changed not only her body, but her way of life. She attended Ferris State University, studying business and playing many sports. After college, she stayed extremely active but began suffering from back, hip, and knee injuries. She turned to Pilates, and has been enjoying a pain free active life style. Sarah continues to advance her knowledge and training by attending PMA conferences around the country. Other than being an instructor, Sarah is a hair stylist and keeps herself busy with running, snowboarding, boxing, and practices Bikram Yoga.


Laurel Silverman
Laurel is pleased to be joining fromthecenter Pilates Studios as Assistant Director of Pilates Teacher Training. Having earned a BFA in Musical Theater, dance and movement study has always been an integral part of her life. Laurel began her Pilates certification working with the Pilates Studio of New York and completed with The Frog Temple, Inc an affiliate of The Pilates Center of Boulder, CO. Laurel has been teaching throughout the Chicago area since 1999 working with students of all different ages and walks of life. Laurel is Head of the Pilates Program at Lakeshore Athletic Club Lincoln Park and was a large part of the Frog Temple, Inc Certification Program instructing future teachers in the Pilates method. She is constantly in pursuit of her own education and has had the opportunity to learn from some of the most renowned teachers in the world such as Amy & Rachel Taylor, Moira Stott, Lolita San Miguel, Michele Larsson, and Ron Fletcher. Laurel also has an extensive yoga background having studied with Quinn Kearney, Sianna Sherman, Douglas Brooks, Keith Bell, Tom Quinn, David Swenson, Mitchell Bleier, Geri Bleier, Jim Bennitt, and many more. Laurel is passionate about Pilates and Yoga and brings her energy, spunk, and humor to her teaching. She believes that Pilates is for everyone and aims for her students to leave with physical & mental freedom and zest to move through life.


Gilliam Weston
Gilliam Weston completed her Pilates training through From the Center Pilates Teacher Training and her Pilates Mat certification with the Physical Mind Institute.  She first discovered Pilates at Illinois Wesleyan University while completing her BFA-Performance degree.  She studied acting, dance, physical movement and stage combat.  During dance and movement classes, Gilliam was first introduced to Pilates concepts and exercises, and thus began a new found passion; a passion for knowledge about how to link both mind and body to develop healthy physical movement.  With this new found knowledge, Gilliam graduated college wanting to teach Pilates to others so they too could learn the discipline.  Gilliam currently teaches Pilates in Chicago at From The Center Pilates Studios, Lakeshore Athletic Club and Webster Fitness Center.


Joan Clarke
Joan completed her comprehensive Pilates education in a "mindful" classical style, which comes from the teachings of Joseph and Clara Pilates and their students, and includes movement modifications to meet individual needs. She came to the Pilates training having been a Professional Massage Therapist helping people heal from auto and work-related injuries, and had a foundation in human anatomy, physiology, and body movement. From her professional experience, as well as from her personal training as a cyclist, competitive swimmer and yoga practitioner, she’s very aware of the importance of applying balance, challenge and variety to a one’s workout routine. 

After first using Pilates as a means to return from a back injury, she’s realized Pilates as a vital, unique method to increase fitness while preventing further injury. She cherishes sharing her knowledge of Pilates to help people reach their goals.