"We strive for excellence, not perfection."

Owner, Pilates & Yoga Instructor

Rachel is originally from Virginia Beach, VA where she was first introduced to Pilates while attending university in 2002.  She then began a career traveling the world on rock n roll tours.  For the next 15 years, during her times home from the road, she returned to her pursuit of Pilates. While living in NYC she advanced her practice at Power Pilates. It was at that studio she decided to become a trainer.  In 2011 Rachel earned her 200hr yoga certification from YogaWorks, and later that same year she made the move to Chicago. It was at Pilates Center of Chicago where she completed her 600hr classical comprehensive Pilates teacher training program with Power Pilates in 2012, and began teaching Pilates.  For the next 6 years, Rachel continued touring, meanwhile always returning to Chicago and her Pilates home at PCC.   

In the fall of 2018 she decided to leave the road behind and make her primary focus teaching Pilates.  She took over ownership of Pilates Center of Chicago from Doug and Alicia Zabrocki in February 2019. 

Most recently, Rachel completed the bridge program with Real Pilates in 2024.

Studio Manager

Daumante was not familiar with Pilates before working at PCC, but now that she's been here for a couple years she has been working on her practice, and plans to become an instructor one day. You’ll see Daumante at the front desk Monday through Friday. She found her way to the studio through instructor Allison Santa. Daumante loves the strength, stability, and community Pilates gives her. She has experienced the magic and benefits of Pilates, and what wonderful things it brings to both the clients and instructors here. “It’s wonderful what the human body can recover from, and I admire Pilates for how it can help the most intricate of injuries or complications by addressing the body as a whole.” 

Don’t hesitate to chat with Daumante the next time you see her at the front!

Front Desk Staff

As the welcoming face of PCC 3 times a week, Celi hopes to make sure that every clients' Pilates journey begins with a warm smile and exceptional service. She also got introduced to Pilates by Allison Santa, an amazing instructor at PCC. 

Balancing a full-time day job while also being passionate about animals, travel and fitness, Celi is thrilled to be part of the vibrant community at Pilates Center of Chicago. Since joining the team she has been able to participate in classes, gaining insight into the practice and enhancing her ability to assist clients efficiently. This firsthand experience has fueled her new passion for Pilates and supporting others in their fitness journey. 

Pilates Instructor

Barbara Katz discovered Pilates in 1995 while searching for relief from the pain and fatigue of several back issues, including scoliosis, stenosis, and a herniated lumbar disc. In the eleven years that followed that first lesson, working with trainers taught by Romana Kryzanowska, 

Pilates gave Barbara her life back. She resumed the physical activities she had always enjoyed with renewed energy and vigor. In 2006, Barbara left the corporate world of children’s educational publishing to become a certified Pilates instructor. Barbara draws on her own background to understand what clients with similar issues may experience. And she offers this advice, “While we can’t always heal certain conditions, with Pilates we can manage them quite successfully and have a better quality of life.” Barbara helps clients to focus on what they can do and to learn how to safely and vigorously work out even if they have physical limitations. 

The Oov

Barbara is now also certified to offer Oov training. The Oov places the body in an anatomically correct, neutral position to facilitate efficient movement. It helps elongate the spine, relieving pressure on discs, while building strength and stability and increasing range of motion in the shoulders and hips. The principles and goals of the Oov system coordinate well with Pilates. Both develop a strong, stable core as the foundation of movement. Oov training can improve performance in any physical activity. Clients can combine Oov training with Pilates lessons or devote their entire lesson to Oov.

Pilates Instructor

Growing up in the Kansas City area, Joseph Webster is a recent graduate of Texas Christian University receiving his Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Ballet. Through TCU’s School for Classical and Contemporary Dance he received his Pilates Teacher Training Certificate under the direction of Susan Douglas-Roberts, Sarah Newton, and Laura West-Strawser. Being introduced to Pilates changed Joseph’s life forever and for the better. Having been diagnosed with spondylolythesis while in college, the connection to the Dance and Pilates program just made perfect sense to Joseph’s health. Since graduation in May 2022, Joseph had been teaching Group classes and Private sessions at Club Pilates in Fort Worth, TX as well as dancing for the Sh’ma Project, a video based Choreo-Drama about the events leading to the Jewish Holocaust. Recently transplanted to Chicago, Joseph hopes to use his passion for Pilates and Physical Health to help everyBody feel better on the inside and out. 

Pilates Instructor

Jordan Andrews received her comprehensive Pilates certification through Power Pilates after studying with Stormi Trusedell and Andree Khalaf in Metairie, Louisiana 2019.  Pilates opened her world to the process of healing chronic misalignment and pain through intentional movement.  Despite a background in athletics, including power lifting and track, Pilates was Jordan’s first exposure to a preventive and restorative movement practice. Inspired by healing through a mind and body connection, Jordan wanted to bring this method to the mass population.  Thus, she decided to pursue a career in physical therapy and is currently enrolled in a DPT program with plans to graduate in 2024. 

Pilates Instructor

Annette Thurman is happy to be returning to Chicago after teaching Pilates in Los Angeles, CA, for the past 10 years. As a Senior and Certification Instructor at Whole Body Method in Los Angeles, CA, she brings her vast knowledge of the Classical Pilates System to her new home at Pilates Center of Chicago. Annette is always aiming to make each session dynamic, creative and fun, while honoring the integrity of Joseph Pilates' method. A former professional dancer, (you may have seen her perform at some of the Musical Theater houses in the Chicago area or touring Internationally- Europe, Japan ,dancing and tapping away) choreographer, gymnast and magician’s assistant. (She always jokes and says she used to be taller). All of this wonderful experience will add to her teaching mix, as she creates a challenging and interesting experience for the client. Annette has developed a wonderful “Cadillac Side Manner”, but don’t let her pleasant demeaner fool you! If it is a seriously challenging workout you are seeking, she will guide you safely through the exercises while twisting, bending and flexing beyond your potential. Annette always has the goal in mind of the client feeling energized, stretched and stronger; accomplishing this with her incredible compassion and expertise. A client once stated after taking a jump board class with Annette that it was like a ‘flying ballet class’. Come join Annette and our great PCC team for group class or a customized private session. Any of our services can range from helping the client feel relaxed and restorative to strong and challenged……it will do your body good!

Pilates Instructor

Wade Schaaf (they/them) received their Pilates certification through Power Pilates after studying with Liv Berger and Linda Spriggs at the Body Endeavors studio in Chicago in 2009. Wade’s teaching style is movement focused specializing in anatomy and body mechanics. Outside of the Pilates studio Wade teaches ballet and pointe at various dance studios in and out of Chicago and is the founding artistic director of Chicago Repertory Ballet. Wade brings their knowledge of Dance, Pilates, Injury Recovery, Meditation, Anti-Racism, Queer Theory and Magik to their work with clients to create a focused, challenging and supportive working environment. 

Pilates Instructor

Allison was born and raised in north Atlanta, where she grew up being an advocate for health and wellness. She’s always been interested in how the body functions to heal itself and always wanted to be involved in the fitness industry. It wasn’t until discovering contemporary Pilates in 2016, that she grew eager to learn more. After graduating later that year, she traveled in Up with People, international non-profit, in their study abroad program and on staff, where she completed over 400 hours of volunteer service hours over two years. One of her favorite things about the program was the ability to be with 100 people from 15-20 different countries each semester, while learning more about being a global citizen. She’s had the opportunity to perform on various stages and work with students all around the world. Shortly after arriving back from her journey, she landed a job at the front desk of a Pilates studio and was inspired to pursue receiving her certification. Unfortunately with the pandemic, her training had to be delayed, but that didn’t stop her! She was connected with Joel Crosby, owner of Vitality Method in Georgia, and she began her comprehensive training in August of 2020. Fortunately enough, she was able to learn to teach in both English and Spanish. Allison completed her 600-hr classical training, finally earning her certification in October of 2021. She loves pilates for the relief it provides the mind and body, helping her mental and physical wellness overall! It brings her a lot of joy and fulfillment in helping individuals discover their love for pilates, and seeing their progress over time. She’s honored to be welcomed to the PCC team and work alongside such incredible people!

Pilates Instructor

Sarah's lifelong love and study of movement began as a student of classical ballet in Toledo, Ohio.  While studying at the University of Utah, Sarah majored in ballet performance.  After a back injury sidelined her professional career she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toledo.  In 2004 she moved to Chicago where she continued to attend ballet classes and turned to Pilates to help increase her strength, stamina, balance, and flexibility. Sarah quickly fell in love with the Classical Pilates method and completed the Power Pilates Teacher Training Program in 2006.  After a move to the suburbs and the birth of her two daughters Sarah struggled to get her body back on an even keel and was also diagnosed with arthritis in her spine. It took several years and not a few tears, but with the guidance of the Pilates Center of Chicago she was able to rebuild her body through weekly sessions with Barbara Katz (they completed their training program together) and the support of the studio. She is thrilled to be back teaching and is excited to continue to share the joy of movement with others through her teaching, and to help them heal, achieve, and maintain healthy lifestyles.

Pilates Instructor

Dan was born on the South Side of Chicago, and went to UIC where he double majored with a BS in Mathematics and Psychology. He followed that up by attending Roosevelt University for an MSc in Mathematics.

Dan started his fitness journey in college, where he started to run regularly and began to include long-distance runs on the weekends.

When he graduated from grad school and started his corporate 9-5, he decided to begin marathon training. In between training, Dan was trying to find something that would complement his runs and help build his core strength. He began taking Private Pilates Lessons, and combined that with group equipment and mat classes. After seeing the benefits of how Pilates improved his runs and recovery time, Dan began taking Pilates classes more regularly, 5-6 times a week, along with his long-distance runs. Dan loved Pilates so much he decided to teach it! He has completed his 450-hour FFC Classical Pilates Apprenticeship under Linda Spriggs, and continues to take workshops in continuing education.