| Debbie Richter
Owner/Trainer
Debbie grew up in Oregon with a love of the outdoors and sports including horseback riding, downhill & waterskiing,running,golf,hiking,& cycling. After moving to the Seattle area she graduated as a Fitness Specialist in 1989. In 1990 she became certified through the American Academy of Exercise as a “GOLD” Certified Personal Trainer and The American College of Sports Medicine as a Health Fitness Instructor. Over the last 17 years as a studio owner and trainer she has continued to pursue educational opportunities in the fitness industry to help enhance, encourage, and educate her clients. These include certification through AAFP as a Medical Exercise Specialist, Lifestyle women’s exercise specialist, Golf conditioning specialist, and Body Arts and Science International Pilates Instructor. In 1997 she was recognized by her clients and peers as one of the top trainers in the Puget Sound area in the Seattle Times “Best Of” edition. In June of 2007 Debbie and her family relocated to the Rogue Valley and in October of 2007 she opened Southern Oregon Pilates & Personal Training. Along with her career in the Fitness Industry she has participated and competed in running & long distance cycling races, triathlon, and is an avid scuba diver. Always Encouraging her clients to join her along the way!
Cyndi Voss PhysicalMind Cert. Mat Instructor Body Arts and Science International Comprehensive Apprentice Instructor The study of ballet and other dance forms as a youth provided a natural progression to and an appreciation of Pilates as an adult. I was first exposed to Pilates in a fitness gym enviroment. Classes were wonderfully choreographed and fun, and provided excellent fitness goals. In search of a more structured and instructive class atmosphere, I migrated to a Pilates studio and it was there that I began to understand there really is a true science to the method. I followed through with this more precise and discplined practice , and ended up with my Mat Instructor Certification from the PhysicalMInd Institute in June of 2004. In the years following my certification, I've taught mat classes part-time for the city of Medford Parks and Recreation Dept., as well as offered personal private instruction with individuals in the Rogue Valley. I am extremely proud to be joining the staff at Southern Oregon Pilates and look forward to sharing the healthy benefits of this beautiful and exciting work with all of our clients.-Cyndi Evy Savage Certified in Group Fitness,Yoga, & Pilates Evy has been a certified group fitness instructor since 1982 teaching everything from cardio to strength training; yoga, Pilates, cycle, water aerobics and boot camp classes. She has worked for 24 Hour Fitness, Nautilus Plus, MAC club, Eastmoreland Athletic Club, Portland Parks and Recreation, Portland and Mt Hood Community Colleges, and SOU. She has studied Stott and BASI style Pilates, Anusara Yoga, with certification in Hatha Yoga. Her background is in classical dance; studying, performing and teaching ballet, modern dance, theatrical jazz and tap in New York City and in Portland. She takes classes in yoga, Pilates and ballroom dance for fun, because she loves to move her body and like Joe Pilates said, “fitness is a prerequisite to happiness”.
Kristen Ballew, RN Body Arts and Science International Mat Instructor Being trained as a Registered Nurse, I've always been interested in health and fitness. I enjoy working out, but find that I need a lot of variety in my workouts to stick with it. Fortunately, I have a great job where I get to work from home at my computer; unfortunately, I started experiencing neck pain from sitting with poor posture. After not getting lasting relief from physical therapy or chiropractic treatment, I decided to give Pilates a shot, as I had heard so many good things about it. The Pilates classes helped my neck so much, that I decided I needed to do this for the rest of my life to protect my spine and reduce the reoccurrence of my neck issues. What better way to commit to doing Pilates than to get certified and teach others! There is so much variety in Pilates that it is difficult to get bored doing it, which is what I love. I also love how great I feel after a Pilates workout, it is truly invigorating, both for the body and the mind. Currently, I am still working from home, being a mom to 2 amazing children ages 7 and 4, and fitting in Pilates whenever I can. I still have so much to learn, and there is always room for improvement when doing Pilates. I am excited to share this journey with other people trying to enrich their lives through Pilates. DR. Jeff Taylor D.C. Bio Coming soon!
I | | What people say ! Debbie was a dream to work with; we worked with her for 11-12 years. Workouts were always fun and varied. With her very strong knowledge of physiology, she was a huge help with my long term pain. She balanced my strength and my body, which helped with a lot of other problems, like chronic shoulder pain. Mike Clifton
I never got tired of going to visit DJ. She was always up-beat, and made it all fun. She had the ability to work you out and not leave you aching. My husband and I would always say the next day, "Hey, Debbie snuck another workout in on us while we were having fun." We wouldn't hurt, but we could tell we did something, and we got stronger, more flexible, with better wind, sometimes without even realizing it. Her knowledge of what her clients need is incredible. I would come in with a stiffness or a pain, and she would ALWAYS know whether I should work it out or rest. She never missed; it was as if she could read my knee or my elbow. I was in awe. The workout was different all the time, and she came up with new and interesting things to do. Not only does she have the science, but she is an artist, if such a thing can be said about a personal trainer. If she ever moves back, I'll be the first one to sign up! Nona Clifton
Working out with Debbie was more like a partnership. We discussed goals and mapped out a strategy to reach them. With her help I did my first Danskin Triathlon and hiked the mountains of Peru for 5 days to Machu Picchu.
Erica Hirschmann
I enjoyed training with you for 5+ years. You were always attentive to the details of proper form in both weight training and Pilates and extremely knowledgeable regarding the mechanics and function of the human muscular system. I always knew I could rely on your expertise as well as personal support in reaching my physical goals, even when I would give up on them myself. The day that we completed the Honolulu Marathon in Dec 2005 will always remain in my list of Top 10 best days. Thanks for all your efforts on my behalf. I miss our workouts. Joey Nessif
Debbie is a tremendous fitness and Pilates instructor. I have been seeing her for over 5 years, and now that she has moved I and my body miss her terribly. Debbie, through her many years of experience knows what it takes to bring a person's individual body up to a healthy status. She takes time to "learn" your strengths and weaknesses and uses that to tailor exercise programs to meet the challenges. She is firm without being pushy and is extremely attentive to your needs. I have more strength and control than I ever thought I could possibly have at the age of 60, all due to Debbie's training. If I could clone her I would. I highly recommend her services. Monique Elfman Redmond, Wa. I met Debbie at a time when I questioned whether middle- age weight gain could be controlled or even reversed. She assured me it could and convinced me to take a chance. Her approach makes even new comers to weight training and exercise feel comfortable and capable. I lost pounds and body fat under her expert guidance as well as gained an improved mental attitude. Her Interest in me went beyond workouts , She encouraged me to be more aware of nutrition as well as appreciate who I was. Her positive attitude is infectious! She brings knowledge, positive encouragement, and emotional support to the workout. It was with regret that I learned she was moving out of the area. Her new clients however will come to love working with her, as I did! I highly recommend her services! Lynne Fricks, Redmond, Wa. | |