Kristen is the Founder/Director of Integrated Balance Education® and IB Pilates ® Certification Programs.  She has over 25 years of movement education experience and is committed to a program that provides instructors with an education that emphasizes critical thinking and integrates the original work of Joseph Pilates and other first generation teachers with current research and sound principals in neuro-motor control, anatomy/kinesiology, tissue mechanics.

 

Kristen has experience training with Stott Pilates, Pilates Guild® , and Power Pilates®  educators and completed over 1000 hours in apprentice work. Kristen earned a bachelors degree in Exercise Physiology from the University of California, Davis in 1994 and her Master of Science and Physical Therapy degrees from Duke University in 1996.  She was introduced to the Pilates Method in Boulder Colorado while working at Mapleton Sports Medicine.  She quickly recognized the tremendous value in the movement and its application to clients along the wellness spectrum – from the developing child to the elite mover to the client needing rehabilitation.  Kristen earned her initial comprehensive certification through Polestar Education.  Kristen founded and later sold Pinnacle Performance, LLC in Salt Lake City, UT.  During this time she served as an Instructor Trainer for Polestar Education from 1999-2003 where she trained several Physical Therapists, Chiropractors, and other movement specialists across the country.

After moving with her young family to Louisville, Kentucky – Kristen with the initial help of Kathleen Harper who is the owner of Pilates Plus and Manager of Good Vibrations Movement Co. began to develop curriculum for Integrated Balance.    Kristen finalized the curriculum an offered the first IB Pilates ® training in the fall of 2004.

She has experience as a physical therapist in orthopedics/sports medicine, women's health, spine health, vestibular rehab and has additional training in healing touch, manual therapy through NAIOMT,  and is a certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist. Kristen served as adjunct faculty and clinical faculty at the University of Utah, division of Physical Therapy from 2000-2004, under the direct supervision of Dr .Eduard Gappmaier who specializes in cardiopulmonary physiology and exercise and multiple sclerosis.  She has served as a consultant to the US Olympic Training Center, Women's Health Centers, and Division I/II Athletic Programs, Ballet Companies, and professional athletes across the country.

Kristen grew up in the Reno/Tahoe area, but as an adult/professional she has had the opportunity to live in 11 of the 50 United States.  The experience of living in several places has given her the unique opportunity to work with and learn from several gifted professionals in the fields of neurophysiology, physical/occupational therapy, electrophysiology, audiology, psychology, chiropractic/ naturopathic medicine, and sports/dance medicine.  She continues to work collaboratively with these experts in their field to better provide services for her clients and to continually improve curriculum for the students at Integrated Balance Education.

Kristen currently lives in Bowling Green, KY with her husband and two sons.  She serves as a consultant at several studios including:

Coredination – Brecksville, OH

Core Pilates & Yoga – Louisville, KY – IB Pilates ® Host Studio

Absolutely Pilates – Bowling Green, KY

The Spot – Bowling Green, KY

Advanced Rehab – Helena, MT