In her Physical Therapy practice, Sandi combines various manual techniques including strain-counterstrain, craniosacral and visceral manipulation with Pilates and GYROTONIC® exercises to treat her patients.
Sandi has practiced Pilates for ten years. In addition to being a certified Pilates instructor, Sandi instructs Pilates teacher trainings on both mat and apparatus on behalf of the PhysicalMind Institute.
Sandi has practiced GYROTONIC® exercise for over eight years and brought GYROTONIC® to Atlanta. Sandi is a certified GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® Instructor and instructs GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® Pre-Trainings. Sandi is certified on all of the specialized pieces of GYROTONIC® equipment, including the GYROTONER®, the Leg Extension Unit, the Ladder, and the Jumping-Stretching Board. In addition, Sandi developed and instructs the GYROTONIC® applications for Tennis workshop. Sandi has taken continuing education courses on GYROTONIC® For Golf and GYROTONIC® for Pre/Post Natal Clients. Sandi continues her GYROTONIC® studies and currently is working towards becoming a Master Trainer.
NICOLE BRODIE, LMT
Massage Therapist
Nicole Brodie has a bachelor’s degree in English and Master’s degree in Social Science with a concentration in Student Affairs and Diversity, from Binghamton University in upstate New York. Nicole spent a semester abroad in London, England and participated in many internships while attending college. She is also certified in Neuromuscular therapies, including TMJ massage, and Sports and Swedish therapies.
While attending college, she thoroughly enjoyed her time training and mentoring students, as well as putting on many programs for them that focused on health and wellness topics and holistic living on a college campus.
After moving back to Georgia in 2007 with her husband, she attended the Academy of Somatic Healing Arts where she received her massage therapy certification. While attending her massage program, she was diagnosed with a rare hip problem and was forced to have arthroscopic hip surgery in Nashville, Tn. She has since then adjusted her activities and lifestyle to accommodate her hip and to prevent her injury from progressing.
Nicole loves working with clients for injury prevention, stress alleviation and pain relief. She is certified in Neuromuscular therapies, including TMJ massage, and Sports and Swedish therapies.
LISA C. CARMICHAEL, DPT
Physical Therapist
MICKI CHRISTOPHER
GYROTONIC® Certified Instructor, RFST® Instructor
Micki has a B.A. in Health Care Administration and is a Registered Nurse.
Micki worked at Duke University Medical Center and Brigham and Women’s Hospital as an R.N. in the Critical Care unit. After 15 years, Micki shifted her career focus and worked as a corporate recruiter, medical recruiter, and a business manager for an orthopedic distributorship.
After relocating to Atlanta, Micki worked in the Critical Care unit of North Fulton Hospital. After numerous back injuries, she left bedside nursing and joined the Patient Management Services and Clinical Appeals division at Aetna.
After discovering the benefits of GYROTONIC® exercise, Micki’s back injuries and the resulting pain were cured. Micki became passionate about the benefits of GYROTONIC® and she became a Licensed GYROTONIC® Trainer in February 2008.
BONNIE CLIFTON
Pilates Instructor
Bonnie Clifton obtained a B.A. degree in Psychology from Emory University. She received her Mat and Apparatus certification from Peak Pilates.
Bonnie is a lifelong resident of Atlanta, Ga. She lives here with her husband and two active teenage boys.
TRACY COPILEVITZ
Pilates Instructor, Yoga Instructor, GYROTONIC® Certified Instructor
Tracy received her B.S. in Human Ecology from the University of Tennessee Knoxville.
While living in Dallas, Tracy worked as an assistant dress designer and owned a desktop publishing firm. After the birth of her second daughter in 1999, Tracy discovered Yoga and Pilates and became an instant convert. She earned certifications in all aspects of Pilates training and studied various formats of Yoga such as Ashtanga, Viniyoga, Hatha, and Bikram.
In addition, Tracy has worked as a fitness model in local print and television segments and choreographed and performed in several published fitness videos.
Tracy relocated with her family from Dallas and began working at BODY-N-BALANCE in 2008.
Tracy enjoys working with all levels of clientele and tailoring formats to meet their special needs. She strives to help clients reach their potential by honoring each one’s unique needs.
KAREN DEMPERS
Pilates Instructor
RENEE’ FRENCH
Office Manager, Pilates Instructor, GYROTONIC® Certified Instructor, RFST® Certified Intern, GYROTONER® Certified Instructor & GYROTONIC LEG EXTENSION UNIT® Certified Instructor.
Renee’ began her movement studies as a dance student at the tender age of three. While studying with the Atlanta School of Ballet from 1980-1985, Renee’ was first introduced to Pilates.
In 1984, Renee’ attended a summer ballet program at the Royal Academy of Ballet in London, England. She danced professionally as a corps de ballet member with the Atlanta Ballet from 1985 to 1986. In addition, Renee’ danced professionally as a soloist with the Northwest Florida Ballet in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, from 1987 through 1988.
In 2002, Renee’ joined the staff of BODY-N-BALANCE as the Office Manager. She completed her Pilates certification through the PhysicalMind Institute in June 2005. In 2007, Renee’ became a certified GYROTONIC® instructor, a certified GYROTONER® instructor, a specialized piece of GYROTONIC® equipment, and completed a GYROTONIC® tennis workshop. In 2008 she became a certified GYROTONIC® LEG EXTENSION UNIT instructor, a specialized piece of GYROTONIC® equipment. Renee’ also is a certified intern in Resistance Flexibility and Strength Training®.
Renee’ has lived in Atlanta most of her life and attended elementary school, middle school, high school, and college in the area. When she is not working or spending time with her son, Renee’ enjoys teaching and choreographing pre-professional level ballet and pointe classes at a local dance studio.
AMANDA GUSTIN
Receptionist & Student Pilates Instructor
LISA H. HUGHES, PT
Physical Therapist, Pilates Instructor, GYROTONIC® Certified Instructor, RFST® Certified Intern
Lisa Hughes received her B.S. in Physical Therapy from Northeastern University in 1986. She graduated Magna Cum Laude.
While growing up in Boston, Lisa was a competitive gymnast for eleven years.
Lisa has over twenty years of experience as a Physical Therapist in a variety of clinical settings and has specialized in sports medicine for the past ten years. While working with the head of the American College of Sports Medicine at the Sports Medicine Clinic in Children’s Hospital Boston, Lisa specialized in the treatment of the growing athlete. Lisa also has rehabilitated professional football players from the New England Patriots, dancers from the Boston Ballet Company, and many elite gymnasts.
Lisa is a certified Pilates instructor, a certified strength training specialist, a GYROTONIC® certified instructor, and has completed a course on the GYROTONER®, a specialized piece of GYROTONIC® equipment.
In 1997, Lisa relocated to Atlanta with her family. She is married and has three children. In her free time, Lisa is an avid runner and teaches kickboxing.
MELISSA KATZ
Yoga Instructor
Melissa Katz her 200-hour basic teacher training with Graham Fowler and Ursula Nix at Peachtree Yoga Center and her 500-hour advanced teacher training with Yogan and Michael Carroll and Jim O’Leary through Jai Shanti Yoga. She also holds certification as a pre- and post-natal instructor.
Melissa is currently working on her certification as a yoga therapist, which she expects to complete by the end of 2010.
Melissa teaches yoga full-time at multiple yoga locations in metro Atlanta. She is also the co-director of the Atlanta Yoga Conference, an annual event.
JENNESSA PETERSON, LMT
Massage Therapist, Student Pilates Instructor
Jennessa has been a massage therapist since 2003, and a yoga teacher since 2000. She uses a number of techniques including swedish, deep tissue, myofascial release, craniosacral therapy, neuromuscular therapy and thai. She also offers prenatal massage and hot stone massage. She loves helping people feel better, so they can better enjoy life's joys and adventures.
When Jennessa is not treating clients she enjoys the outdoors, good music and spending time with her husband and baby girl.
JULIE SUTTON
Yoga Instructor
Julie Sutton is a Master Yoga Works graduate from Foundations of Svaroopa® Yoga and is a member of SATYA (Svaroopa Association of Teachers Yoga Association). She is a Hatha Yoga Svaroopa® Style instructor, and Embodyment® Yoga Therapist, and provides Reiki, an alternate healing modality.
Julie attended Northern Kentucky University prior to moving to Atlanta, Georgia and pursuing her career as a paralegal.
Julie lived a very active life including women’s league softball and running marathons. Injuries, fibromyalgia, migraine headaches and other stress related problems forced her to find other ways to continue her physical endeavors. It is then she found that Svaroopa® Yoga has a “less is more” approach that was much better for her body.
DANICA TODD, LMT
Massage Therapist, Yoga Instructor & Student Pilates Instructor
Danica received her degree in massage therapy from the Atlanta School of Massage in 2002. The Asian Bodywork Program gave her a full understanding of massage as a healing art. After graduation, she continued to work for the school teaching the benefits of energy and motivating students to consider the possibilities of traditional Chinese medicine.
She continued her growth by training in yoga. She received a certificate for RYT at Yoga of India School in the spring of 2009 and currently teaches it on a regular basis.
HOLLY WRIGHT, MS, L. Ac.
Accupuncturist & Student Pilates Instructor, GYROTONIC® Instructor in training
Holly Wright is a Georgia State Licensed, and Nationally Board certified Acupuncturist. She received her Masters of Science degree in Oriental Medicine from Southwest Acupuncture College in Boulder, Colorado.
Holly became interested in Oriental Medicine while earning her Bachelors degree in Exercise Physiology from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. As an avid skier, snowboarder and mountain biker she was fascinated by the human body and dedicated her undergraduate years to studying the mechanisms which govern life.
Holly is passionate about helping people live healthfully through the use of Oriental Medicine. Additionally, Holly incorporates into her practice, nutritional and lifestyle advice, while focusing on the importance of overall well being. She sees Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine as an exceptional opportunity to help people live a more natural, enjoyable, and peaceful life.
