FREDERICKSBURG
Catherine Shafer, MFA(Director and Pilates Instructor)
Catherine is a movement specialist who received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Texas Christian University (TCU) and went on to become a professional dancer. Her first introduction was in 1974 when she suffered an injury while dancing. Pilates enabled her to make a quick comeback and she realized the value of practicing Pilates as a preventative measure.
Catherine returned to TCU in 1995 to pursue graduate studies in dance. Pilates exercises were incorporated into the technique classes and Pilates apparatus was available for further study.
After retiring from dance, Catherine decided to share her knowledge of Pilates with people interested in improving their own physical condition. She completed her Pilates training and graduated from the West Coast Pilates Certification Program, the leading instruction and certification program in Pilates-evolved techniques for fitness and rehabilitation professionals.
Since completing her her apprenticeship at the Physical Conditioning Center in Houston Catherine has participated in master classes and seminars in Body Awareness, Floor Barre Exercises, Movement Efficiency, The Alexander Technique, The Pilates Method, Ron Fletcher Work, The Feldendrais Method, Massage Therapy, and Yoga, to enrich her movement studies.
Catherine is passionate in her belief that Pilates has improved the quality of her life and that it can help you feel better and move more freely.
(Vinyasa Yoga)
Stevie began taking yoga in 2006 and was quickly enraptured with the discipline. She completed her 200-hour teacher certification from the Living Yoga program and continues her studies towards the 500-hour level with Gioconda. She emphasizes "stability over flexibility" and uses the postures to encourage an intimate understanding of proper alignment and an internal knowing of each students' own body.
Classes usually begin with a short devotional reading and centering, limbering exercises and progress vinyasa style through a variety of postures aimed at increasing strength and calming the erratic behavior of the mind, before coming to rest in sivasana. She currently teaches in Fredericksburg and in Kerrville.
Stevie brings with her an unreserved manner and her love of sharing the benefits of yoga. These include improved balance, increased strength, more flexible muscles and the contentment that comes with a healthier and stable body and mind.
Mariah Malec, MFA, RYT(Kripalu Yoga)
Mariah holds a Masters Degree in Modern Dance Choreography and Performance from Arizona State University and is a Registered Yoga Teacher through Yoga Alliance. She has taught dance and yoga for over 25 years privately, professionally, and at the university level.
Her teaching and performance work has taken her to many states and provinces, including Texas, Utah, Tennessee, Arizona, New York, North Dakota, Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, Michigan, Florida and Ontario and British Columbia, Canada.
In 2007 Mariah was a Research Fellow at Jacob's Pillow in Becket, Massachusetts. She happily settled in Fredericksburg in early 2009 and is enjoying the unique and wonderful small town life here in the Hill Country.
(Holistic Healthcare Facilitator)
Vessel is a Native Texan who was born and raised in San Antonio then made her way to the Texas Hill Country to raise 4 children. Vessel studied Holistic Therapies for nearly 30yrs and is a Certified Reflexologist having studied with The International Institute for Reflexology as well as The Center for Conscious Living and The Well-Being Ranch where she furthered her studies in Herbalism, Aromatherapy, Detoxification and Stress Management.
Vessel has been asked to share her wisdom with groups at local churches, guilds, women's gatherings, hospitals and weekend CEU workshops alongside Board members of the American Holistic Nurses Association.
Vessel has shared her love for gardening in the Hill Country and has designed and developed gardens for the Fredericksburg Herb Farm where she raised a Native American Garden around an authentic Tipi. She is currently designing and developing the Healing Garden at the Yoga Center in Fredericksburg as a retreat for the Body, Mind and Spirit.
Vessel lives and offers her services in Fredericksburg and is also a Singer/Songwriter performing in the Texas Hill Country.
