top of page
About Us: Welcome
IMG_8299 2.jpg

NADEA KNODEL

Whitehorse, Yukon

I'm a certified Pilates instructor in Whitehorse, Yukon.

 

I'm passionate about Pilates, and while I hold a contemporary certification with STOTT, I deeply appreciate the value of the classical Pilates method, I have supplemented my original certification with classical Pilates training, mentorships, and certifications, and I try to honour Joe's method as much as possible. I love using Pilates to help people connect to their bodies and movement, and I believe in its power as a physical healing method. I see Pilates as a complete system of exercises, put together to help your body feel its best and work at its fullest potential, and I enjoy assembling the parts of the system that are going to work best for your body’s needs.

​

I enjoy working hard and being challenged, but I also value being comfortable in my own skin and having a sense of humour when things are difficult or less than perfect, and I reflect that balance when I’m teaching my classes and working one-on-one. As an instructor, you can expect me to be a deeply observant and highly-attuned big-picture thinker, and I can easily adapt my focus and approach to what you need on any given day. To me, a movement practice is not just about your physical efforts, but it's also about your total health and well-being (mind, body, spirit). I believe that Pilates is for everyone and anyone, and I welcome students of all backgrounds and ability levels. To me, an effective workout can mean something different for every one — so if you’re wanting to move and work out in a way that helps you kindly connect with your body, or manage your pain, or rebuild your movement practice, or if you’re looking for a faster-paced sweaty challenge that you’ll feel tomorrow or to crosstrain to supplement your athletic endeavours, I’m ready for you! You can expect my classes to be thoughtful, logical (but lighthearted), appropriately challenging, grounding, and fun.

 

I constantly update and expand my education and certification to offer my best to my clients.

My training, courses, study, workshops, and continuing education include (to date):

​

  • Full-body stretch (reformer and mat)

  • Oov work

  • Total Barre

  • YogaFit Level 1 training

  • Pre- and postnatal Pilates-specific specialization (Stott Pilates; Boditree Pilates and Healing; Lynda Lippin)

  • Certified Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist (Core Exercise Solutions, Dr. Sarah Ellis Duvall, PT, DPT, CPT)

  • Flexion-free Pilates (Stott)

  • Pedipole, spine corrector, and foot corrector certification (trained through both Boditree Pilates and Healing and Lynda Lippin)

  • Boditree releasework (levels 1 and 2)

  • Lynda Lippin Pilates Teacher Mastermind Workshops: Pilates Modifications for Osteoporosis; Osteoporosis Modifications on Apparatus; Common Causes of Lower Back Pain with Mat Modifications; Lower Back Pain Appararatus Modifications; Motor Learning Principles for Pilates Teachers with Greg Youdan; Pilates for Neurological Disorders with Greg Youdan; Beginner System Reformer and Mat; Breathing in the Pilates System; Apparatus Variations for Kyphosis, Forward Head, and Scoliosis

  • Anti-Racism for Wellness Professionals led by Chrissy King

  • Anti-Racism & Allyship for Rehab and Movement Professionals led by Dr. Jpop/Jennifer Hutton PT, DPT

  • Wellness for All workshop led by EbonyJanice Moore

  • Making Space (Simple strategies for creating welcoming movement offerings) with Jo Gale

  • Supporting Autistic Mental Health in the Workplace with Exploring the Spectrum

  • Polyvagal Theory: Managing Anxiety, Trauma & Autism (Wale Oladipo/MindBody Breakthrough)

  • How to Serve Muslim Clients (Cultural Safety & Responsiveness Workshop) with NISA Learning

  • The Gluteal Floor: Glute Training Pelvic Floor Support with Tom Waldron

  • Pilates and Pain Science with Return to Life/Julie Anne van Veenendaal

  • Understanding the Spectrum of Connective Tissue Disorders with Melanie Byford-Young and Alena Guggenheim, ND

​

If you have any questions about these trainings or workshops and how they influence my approach to movement education or my work as a studio owner, please don't hesitate to ask!

​

I regularly expand my training and education to teach individuals within special populations or specific demographics, such as individuals with spinal conditions, neurological conditions, emotional sensitivities, neurodivergence, and more. I'm proud to receive client referrals from medical doctors, physiotherapists, and other professionals and I'm committed to offering a high-quality, thoughtful, and safe movement experience for my clients, but I also have the modesty and good judgement to refer any cases not within my scope of practice as a movement and exercise instructor to other health and wellness professionals within my clients' communities.

 

When I'm not teaching Pilates, I'm usually enjoying the outdoors with my husband, our two dogs, Juniper and Cedar, and my kitty, Mulberry. I love being outside and going camping, hiking, and exploring the wilderness around us. I collect antique books, rocks, flora and fauna specimens, tea, and niche perfumes.

Nadea
IMG_6630.JPG

MYKAELA LEMKE

Whitehorse, YT

I am a STOTT- and Stretch Collective-certified Pilates instructor, born and raised in Whitehorse, Yukon. I lived and taught Pilates in Victoria on Vancouver Island, BC for a number of years, and I've now moved back to the Yukon. I value movement education and sharing Pilates’ power to improve posture, stability, and balance in the body, and I believe that understanding your own body and practising how to move with control is one of the most empowering things a person can do.

Because I feel strongly about wellness being attainable for any person, no matter their background, appearance or fitness level, I strive to maintain a very down-to-earth and welcoming atmosphere in my classes. I fuse my contemporary training with my respect and appreciation for classic Pilates – so you can expect a class with a fairly traditional framework while adding in some props, stretches, and fun variations.

I was certified by STOTT in 2012 to teach mat Pilates, and was certified to teach Reformer and Springboard Pilates at the beginning of 2020 through Stretch Collective. I have now been teaching Pilates for over 10 years!

Outside of teaching, I am a nature lover and I enjoy spending time outdoors as well as pursuing artistic and creative endeavours -- my favourite being photography. I also love just being cozy at home, reading and hanging out with my two kitties, Fig and Mr. Raincloud.

Join me for a thoughtful, and (appropriately) challenging Pilates practice that will leave you feeling strong, limber, and more in tune with your body.

Mykaela
Jinnice
image_from_ios.jpg

Jinnice Sebastian

Victoria, BC

I am Root + Reach's administrative support human in addition to now being a Kind Movement instructor.

My apprenticeship to teach Pilates with Root + Reach is ongoing. I teach mindfulness, breathwork, flowing movement, self-care, and gentle mobility and stretching. I call my classes "Level 0" or "Level 0.5" -- you don't need to have any experience to move with me, and my focus is on helping you feel your best in a calm, nurturing environment.

​

My trainings and qualifications include:

  • YogaFit Level 1

  • Breath work (with Jessica Fleming)

  • Sound therapy

  • Raindrop therapy

  • Aromatherapy

  • Root + Reach apprenticeship training - ongoing

​

I was born and raised on Vancouver Island, and I live in Victoria. I love the ocean, old movies and taking walks on the beach. I love people and taking care of others. I am very interested in hollistic wellness, and I am trained in raindrop therapy and aromatherapy. I am also a photographer and I've taken photos for Root + Reach. When I'm not in the office, you might find me exploring the island while drinking a warm London Fog and listening to my favourite music or being cozy at home with my husband, our two kitties, and our little guinea pigs .

Sam
Samantha.jpg

Samantha French

Whitehorse, Yukon

I am an Advanced Classical Mat Pilates Instructor certified by University of Pilates. I am also currently studying and working towards becoming certified in the Cadillac, Reformer, Wunda Chair, and other equipment to improve my teaching.

​

I’ve worked as a water polo and swimming coach for over 10 years and through coaching I was able to see how cross-training greatly benefited athletes at all levels. This jump-started my journey into Pilates. Through Pilates, I found that I was able to learn more about my own body leading to more joyful movement throughout my life and an appreciation for the practice. As a Pilates instructor, I want to help enable people of every background to enjoy movement in their own way, at their own pace. I am passionate about creating a safe, non-judgmental, and welcoming environment for everyone. To me, Pilates is an all-encompassing workout that connects the body and mind and that also happens to be super fun!

​

My favourite exercise is Scissors, and my least favourite is Control Balance (the combination of inversion and balance is difficult!).

​

I’ve also completed the following certificates:

  • NCCP Emergency Action Plan

  • Making Head Way in Sport

  • Safe Sport Training

  • Making Ethical Decisions

  • Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders

  • Competitive Coach

  • Certified Community Coach for water polo

​

When I am not practising Pilates, I am outside with my dog, Cola, going for long walks and hikes, playing sports, and coaching swimming. I also love spending a cozy evening in to watch movies and documentaries!

Jeddie
walk on foot care

Jeddie Russell

Guest Instructor

BScN, MAdED, RN

Whitehorse, Yukon

​

Hi, welcome! I own and operate both WalkOn FootCare (2004), a medical restorative clinic treating common foot conditions with science, education and experience, and Health Matters (1998), which is designed to assist individuals & organizations with capacity & resource development. 

 

My work specializes in prevention, function & stability. Pilates at Root + Reach provide all three, and I am honoured to share the accessible secrets of our second hearts in such a rich movement environment. Thank you!

Heather
heather 3

Heather Martin

Guest Instructor

Victoria, BC

Hello, lovely humans! I’m Heather and I live in Victoria on Vancouver Island. I’m currently a certified Pilates teacher through Balanced Body for the mat and I am currently working through my comprehensive training for the Reformer and apparatus exercises. While my training is contemporary, I am aware of and respect the classical roots. It’s really exciting to see how the whole Pilates system works!

I came to Pilates during the pandemic to help me deal with the growing symptoms from my Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) but I didn’t really having a clear idea of what it was. I only knew that it was a safe type of movement that had been suggested to help me build strength and stability in my bendy and unstable body. I struck gold right away with an amazing teacher for my private lessons. She helped me find my mind-body connection, calm my nervous system, teach to whatever version of myself I was that day and what I needed, and to hold space for me in addition to guiding me through the exercises and helping me build strength. This experience with my own teacher is what inspired me to become a teacher and has greatly influenced me as a teacher and what I aspire to be. I’ve had multiple teachers now, and they all impart something a little different and special to my journey as a teacher.

I’m pretty passionate about Pilates being accessible and inclusive. I believe that everybody and every body can benefit from Pilates. What makes Pilates so wonderful is how adaptable it can be. There’s everything from beginner exercises to the advanced work, and all the ways to make it all accessible. There are many continuing education courses that I would love to take to supplement my knowledge and expand my skills.

I’m also quite passionate about teaching people the Pilates essentials. These are the foundational building blocks with which the Pilates system is based on… the things that show up time and time again throughout the entire repertoire on all of the equipment in many different ways. I find that not all teachers take the time (or are allowed to take the time) to build these important skills in their students, especially with larger drop-in multilevel classes, but I think that they are so crucial for creating and setting up successful movement for people.

Outside of my Pilates obsession (taking classes, teaching clients, or studying my comprehensive curriculum) you can find me enjoying a good cup of tea — London fog, matcha, chai, and many others make me really happy. I also love to tune out the business and noisiness of the world by doing my paint-by-numbers and diamond painting projects. They allow me to be with my thoughts and slow down with the cathartic nature of working through a project. Sunshine fuels my inner magic, and I love a good walk through the park or along the waterfront on a warm and sunny day.

I look forward to sharing my passion for Pilates and feel-good movement with others in a non-judgmental, welcoming, and safe environment.

bottom of page