PILATESFIRST
Your personal approach to total mind/body conditioning.
ABOUT
About PilatesFirst
PilatesFirst is a family owned and operated business since 2001 providing the finest in Authentic Pilates. We do business differently than most. PilatesFirst employs top quality fitness professionals. All instructors have completed extensive certification in their field and are required to complete continuing education every year. PilatesFirst is not a training center for new instructors. We focus solely on delivering the finest, most authentic Pilates in the Louisville area to our clients. PilatesFirst believes individualized attention is your key to taking control of your fitness goals. PilatesFirst strives to create a nurturing environment for clients of all fitness levels and ages. Our goal is to help clients restore health by reconnecting their mind, body and spirit.
INSTRUCTORS
Maret Propes
OWNER/INSTRUCTOR
Maret was first introduced to Pilates her Freshman year at Ohio University. She began learning Pilates and found that it went hand in hand with her studies in Kinesiology. By the end of her Sophomore year she decided audition for The Pilates Method teacher training program. Maret took lessons and observed Professor Mariana Walchli (certified in The Pilates Method) to prepare for the Pilates program. She later auditioned and was excepted into the teacher training program. Maret continued her studies to later receive her BFA in Dance. After graduation she moved to Evanston Ill to begin the teacher training program. This was a year long program at The Pilates Studio of The Midwest taught by Juanita Lopez. Juanita is a long time student of Romana Kryzanowska, a student of Joseph Pilates. Romana herself observed Maret teaching for her finial test, Maret received her certification in 2001. Maret stayed and taught at The Pilates Studio of Midwest and well as other studios in the Chicago Area. Maret moved back to her home town of Louisville, KY and opened PilatesFirst in 2002. Maret has continued to learn more about fitness over the years. She has additional certifications in PowerPilates, TRX and Mad Dog Spinning.
Pat Propes
INSTRUCTOR
Pat began taking Pilates in 2002 at the studio as a means of supporting Maret’s new business. With a BFA in Graphic Design from the University of Illinois and 20 years work experience at area advertising agencies, she opened her own design firm in 2000. Her clients range from Louisville Water Company, Locust Grove and The Official Art of the Kentucky Derby. After taking classes she began to see real improvements in her flexibility, strength, posture and focus. As Joseph Pilates himself is quoted as saying “Pilates is the fountain of youth” she could see the improvements in her own body and totally agreed. The opportunity to not only continue taking Pilates but also teach seemed a win-win proposition. She took the comprehensive Power Pilates Training and was Certified in 2008. She continues to learn more about Pilates through her work at the studio with Maret, continuing education classes and research on aging, movement and related problems. She says “Pilates is for everyone—its a very personal workout, the more focused you are the more you’ll get out of it and the more you’ll love it.” When not working at the Pilates or design studios, her passions are nature and photography.
Kristen Camacho
APPRENTICE INSTRUCTOR
Kristen came to PilatesFirst in hopes that Pilates would be a good outlet for stress. She instantly fell in love. Not only did she notice immediate stress relief, but she also progressively began to notice improvements in her posture, breathing and overall sense of health. It wasn’t long before she experienced relief from her chronic sciatic pain. That is when she knew that she wanted to share this gift with others. With guidance and training from Maret and Pat, Kristen is now Core Mat 1 & 2 level certified with Power Pilates and plans to continue her education and training. Kristen also holds a Master’s Degree in Education and has enjoyed teaching throughout her life. Additional certifications include Yoga RYT 200 and Childlight Yoga certification. When she is not teaching Kristen loves studying a variety of wellness modalities, hiking, traveling and spending time with her husband and two children.