About Katie
Meet the Teachers
Pilates Teacher
Pilates Teacher
I have always found joy in movement. Growing up, I loved to run, bike, swim and tumble. I played soccer, basketball and softball. I ran track, high jumped and did a lot of gymnastics until I landed at classical ballet. Moving my body to music was my greatest love and it has stayed with me throughout my life. Even now, when I can, I steal moments away from work, home and motherhood for a little time on the dance floor. I retired my point shoes long ago, but I dance Argentine tango now. Dance still feeds my soul. I was introduced to Pilates through the world of dance in 1998.
At first, Pilates resonated with me simply as a movement practice. It was a way to keep my body strong, flexible and fit. Over time it became more than that. My own practice healed a chronic back problem. It also helped forgo a major foot surgery. Pilates became my medicine for all sorts of aches and pains that have popped up over the years. Beyond that, I found my practice to be a place of calm and quiet through all the ups and downs of life. It has developed into a kind of moving meditation for me, bringing balance to body, mind and spirit. Inspired by my experience, I decided to pursue a career as a teacher. I completed a teacher training program in the classical Pilates method with Michele Larsson in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 2004. I studied further at the renowned Pilates Center in Boulder, Colorado and graduated from the Advanced Teacher Training Program in 2006.
I have spent much of the last two decades teaching and spreading my enthusiasm for Pilates all over the world. I have lived and taught in many cities in the United States as well as London, Buenos Aires, El Puerto de Santa Maria, Spain and Paris. I have had the honor of providing training and continuing education for Pilates teachers. I have had the pleasure of working with people in different languages, from different cultures, of all ages, all body types and all fitness levels.
I moved to Portland in 2019. I am so happy to be settled here and putting down roots with my husband and daughter. My teaching is firmly rooted in classical Pilates, but enriched by my knowledge of anatomy and my experience as a dancer.
My greatest strengths in teaching are my ability to see the nuanced imbalances in someone’s body and movement patterns, and then to empower them to make lasting changes.
I whole-heartedly believe that Pilates is a practice capable of creating vibrant health and true well-being. I’m excited to share it here at Milwaukie Pilates!
Fun fact - Katie’s teaching offerings include more than just Pilates. She also has her own GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® studio.
To learn more, visit http://www.griffinmovement.studio.
"With body, mind, and spirit functioning perfectly as a coordinated whole, what else could reasonably be expected other than an active, alert, disciplined person? Moreover, such a body freed from nervous tension and over-fatigue is the ideal shelter provided by nature for housing a well balanced mind that is always fully capable of successfully meeting all the complex problems of modern living."
- Joseph H. Pilates
