Teacher Credentials
Why we are particular about who serves our clients
Our extensive Pilates Plus Wellness Center programs are designed to help clients in Upper Marlboro, Brandywine, Bowie (and all of Prince George’s County), Lothian, and Dunkirk tackle the life balance issues that most of us grapple with in modern times.
To offer you the best quality service and care, we only hire certified instructors and therapists who are accomplished in their field to instruct our classes and provide therapeutic services.
Susan Spangler, Director, Pilates Plus Wellness Center 
Nationally Certified Pilates Instructor and Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT)
Susan Spangler is a Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) Nationally Certified Instructor and a PMA business member. She is a Physical Mind Institute certified Pilates Instructor receiving her certifications in Mat and Apparatus in August 2002 and April 2004. She has completed Peak Pilates PPS I, PPSII, and PPSIII and Level 1 & 2 chair certifications as well as Barrel 1 & 2. Susan is a Certified Christian Yoga Teacher(CCYT) and a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT)receiving certifications Yahweh Yoga in Chandler Arizona. Susan is enrolled in Yoga Therapy Training with Body Balance Yoga.
Susan is also an American Council for Exercise (A.C.E.) certified group fitness instructor. Ms. Spangler is C.P.R. certified through the American Red Cross Health Care provider system. Additionally, Ms. Spangler holds a certification in the Diet Directives nutrition program.
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John Baylor, Tai Chi Master 
John W Baylor Sr. began his martial arts training in 1973 and received his first black belt in 1976. In 1985 he joined the Shaolin Temple Boxing Association to study Yang style tai chi and Shaolin Long Fist with Sifu Michael Barry and John Johnson. John has 36 years experience teaching Tang Soo Do, Self Defense, and Tai Chi. Continuing eduction has been: Silk Reeling (Chen), Six Healing sounds, Bagua Qigong, Straight Sword, Tai Chi -Kung Fu fan, Liu He Ba Fa. John was inducted into the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame – June 1998 as Master Instructor of the Year. He is the owner and master instructor at Upper Marlboro Martial Arts and Wellness Center for the past 15 years. We are lucky to have his amazing talent on staff!
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Gina Bottalico, Front Desk
Gina joined the front desk staff in the summer of 2011 and is helping us with all of the administrative work. Gina has a degree in forensic science and awaiting a job offer in her field. She is engaged to be married in June 2012. We are so glad to have her help!
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Jae Sook Cohen, Reflexologist
Jae Sook is a gifted and talented therapist. She received her formal education and training at the Potomac Massage Therapy Institute in Washington, DC. She worked as the lead Reflexologist at Robert Andrew Salon and Day Spa in Gambrills, Maryland for five years before opening her own practice. She worked with us a few years ago and you all quickly embraced her gifts, we are glad to have her back and available on an as needed basis.
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Casey Douglas, Massage Therapist
Casey graduated from Centura College in 2009 and passed certification with NCETMB in 2010. Thereafter, she began working in spa settings to gain work experience in the massage therapy field. Currently she splits her time between mobile massage and Pilates Plus. In July 2012, she began providing massage therapy at Pilates Plus and is enjoying the studio and our wonderful clients. Casey is the Mom of two young children; she desires to build her practice here and balance her time with her family. We feel blessed to have found her!
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Julie Magram, Licensed Acupuncturist
Julie Magram uses a unique combination of both Japanese-style acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine to help you realize your true potential. She integrates her acupuncture treatments with her vast knowledge of medical qi gong (Chinese energy healing) to bring health and balance to your life.
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Diana Miller, Pilates and Yoga Teacher
Diana teaches Level I Pilates Mat classes and private lessons. Diana came to the studio as a student and after transforming her life with healthy eating and Pilates–she decided to pursue the work so that she could help others. Diana completed her Level I Mat Certification with the Body College in Washington D.C. and was trained by Susan Spangler to each level I apparatus lessons. Currently, she teaches private apparatus lessons. She successfully completed Yoga Therapy Training with Balanced Body Yoga and teaches Pilates Mat, Yoga and Yogilates classes as needed.
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Susan Neal, C.P.R. Instructor
Susan Neal is certified by the American Red Cross to teach First Aid, C.P.R. (Adult/Child/Infant) and A.E.D. for Community Responders and Professional Rescuers. She has joined the Pilates Plus Wellness Center as an adjunct instructor to help make C.P.R. training more accessible in Upper Marlboro and the surrounding areas. Susan’s goal is to inspire others to get certified in C.P.R. so that they are prepared to save a life if needed!
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Dan Nguyen, National Board Certified Acupuncturist and Herbalist
Dan is a National Board Certified Acupuncturist and Herbalist. Dan has been in practice for over 30 years and considers it an honor to serve. Dan’s compassion and desire to help others heal are truly remarkable. Dan believes in our natural abilities to heal and spends time during each session teaching and educating, helping patients to gain control over their health.
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Joyce Powell, Pilates Teacher
Joyce is Physical Mind Institute Certified Mat Instructor and is PPSII certified with Peak Pilates. Joyce is also a full-time employee for the Federal Government. Joyce is also certified as a Group Exercise Instructor thru the Aerobics & Fitness Association of America (AFAA) and CPR certified through the American Heart Association. Joyce is currently subbing classes for us on an as needed basis.
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Lorriane Rimando, Registered Aromatherapist
Lorraine is a Registered Aromatherapist certified by the East West School of Herbal and Aromatic Studies in Westminster, Maryland. She is also a Reiki Master certified in level III Usui and traditional Japanese Reiki. Lorraine has worked as a Registered Nurse for over 13 years in an array of healthcare fields ranging from acute to chronic care settings.
Lorraine became certified in aromatic healing and soon after she became a certified Holistic Aromatherapist through the East West School of Herbal and Aromatic Studies. She earned her diploma at the East West School of Herbal and Aromatic studies, and is also a member of the American Holistic Nurses Association and the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy. She is currently pursuing a Bachelors in Nursing Science.
She continues to combine her experience as a health care practitioner with aromatherapy and Reiki to assist people in reaching their full health potential. She emphasizes customizing aromatic blends to fit a person’s individual needs.
Recent Client Comments:
“Lorraine was delightful. I really enjoyed it. Thanks for offering such a wonderful holistic practitioner to your staff.”
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Gina Sager, Yoga Nidra Workshop Leader
Gina L. Sager, MD, RYT is a retired board-certified general surgeon, named one of Baltimore’s Top Docs in October 2000. She permanently left the practice of traditional Western medicine in May 2002 to explore her long time interest in holistic healing. She’s had professional training with Jon Kabat-Zinn in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and studied at Tai Sophia Institute in Maryland and is certified in Integrative Yoga Therapy.
She has used the wisdom of Ayurveda for personal healing since 2000, has recently completed a 60 hour certificate in Ayurvedic Nutrition with renowned author and teacher Amadea Morningstar, and works with Calvert’s Gift Farm, a small family owned organic farm in Sparks, Maryland to encourage the use of seasonal, local, organic produce for health and well-being. She is currently incorporating this work with her Ayurvedic and mindfulness training to offer seasonal, farmer’s market-based workshops on food, eating and self care in Baltimore.
We have been blessed with her presence at the studio leading our Yoga Nidra Workshops. We hope to see more of her!
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Tereaz Scholze, Massage Therapist and Meditation Leader 
Tereaz Scholze has been working in the healing arts for over 20 years. She received her massage training at Anne Arundel Community College and has been licensed in Maryland since 2003. She has had specialized training in head ache relief, shoulder issues and relief of tension due to emotional issues. Compassion and kindness are at the core of her massage practice and she takes good care of herself so she can take good care of her clients!
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Kari Scott, Certified Health Fitness Specialist and Personal Trainer 
Kari is certified through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). She is skilled in designing personalized exercise programs to help others increase physical fitness and safely and effectively achieve their fitness goals. Kari is certified to work with healthy individuals, as well as those with medically controlled diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. Kari is pursuing a certification in Yoga—we can’t wait to add her to our talented pool of yoga teachers.
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Gillian Thompson, Yoga Teacher RYT
Gillian’s journey into yoga started 5 years ago while competing in triathlons. Her father was a physical educator and mother who is 84, is still teaching dance! Her background has always been of the physical nature. When Gillian discovered yoga, things changed. Her outlook was different; she felt better physically but also mentally and so pursued a 200 hour training program and became a yoga teacher. She has completed various continuing education programs which include programs with children/seniors and has taken advanced anatomy and alignment workshops and certifications. She is our newest addition to the studio and we are happy to have her serving you!
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Cristal Rae Toribio, Yoga and Pilates Teacher, Thai Massage Therapist and Licensed Massage Therapist 
Cristal Rae graduated from St. Mary’s College of Maryland with a Bachelors of Art in Arts with intent to pursue a Master’s in Art Therapy. Following graduation she began to explore other modes of health and wellness which led her to train in indoor cycling, Thai Massage and Yoga.
Cristal Rae completed her Massage Therapy certification at the College of Southern Maryland. She has also completed coursework towards her Master’s at the Tai Sophia Institute in the Applied Healing Arts.
Cristal Rae was awarded the 2010 Dare to Dream Grant by the American Association of University Women, Patuxent River Branch to support her professional growth and development. The grant will allow Cristal Rae to attain her ACE Group Fitness Certification to instruct all inclusive group fitness courses fusing yoga, cardio, strength training and meditation. Finally, Cristal completed Level I Mat Certification with Power Pilates.
Here’s what our clients think about Cristal: “I just love Cristal. She’s a good listener and is aware of any medical issues that the folks in this class has. She is very concerned about our well being. –Belinda S”
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Jessica Wagner, Health Coach and Nutrition Counselor 
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Sheila Whiteman, Fitness Instructor, Physical Therapist, Pilates Teacher In-Training
Sheila is a seasoned fitness instructor, teaching many formats including cardio kickboxing and Zumba. Sheila is a physical therapist by trade which allows her to tailor and modify programs the individual needs of each student. Sheila’s credentials include the production of a long running fitness television show on local cable. Pilates Plus had the pleasure of teaming with her to produce a Pilates show a few years back! We welcome her to the studio and love that she offers another strength and endurance format to our offerings. Currently, Sheila is training for certification to teach Level I Pilates Mat and Reformer with studio owner. She will complete her studies in January of 2013.
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Jean Williamson, Yoga Teacher 
After 15 years of yoga practice, Jean completed her Hatha training in the Spring/Summer of 2012 and is registered through Yoga Alliance. For the past 21 years, Jean worked as a Registered Nurse at the Anne Arundel County Department of Health. Jean seeks to combine her nursing and public health background with a love for yoga to promote healthy living and healthy lifestyles. Incorporating inspirational messages into her classes, she also strives to provide an environment that allows persons of all ages to come to the mat and leave relaxed and rejuvenated, with a better awareness of life.
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Rev. Kendrick Weaver, Christian Meditation Leader
The Reverend Kendrick D. Weaver spends much of his time exploring the depths and dimensions of simplicity, silence, biblical meditation and prayer. His travels and research on Christian spirituality in Africa, Latin America and the Middle East have led him to deeper understandings of the spiritual path. He seeks to enrich communities through teaching the principles and practices of the early church.
He studied philosophy at American University and went on to receive his Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School. Currently, he is pursuing a Doctorate in Christian Spirituality from Washington Theological Union. Rev. Weaver is an ordained elder in The United Methodist Church and the pastor of Union United Methodist Church in Upper Marlboro, MD. He is also the author of five books. His most recent work is entitled, Sleeping with God: A Biblical Guide to Christian Meditation. Reverend Kendrick D. Weaver and his wife Lynnette reside in Upper Marlboro, MD.
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Leanora Winters, Reflexologist and Qigong Teacher 
Leanora Winters is a certified reflexologist, a Sekhem Seichim Reiki Master, a Spring Forest Qigong practitioner and a DNA Theta Technique practitioner. She holds a B.S. in Elementary Education, a M.S. in Government and is an Ed. D. candidate in Higher Education Administration. She is a retired U. S. Army lieutenant colonel, an ordained minister, an Astarian, a Native American Sundancer, member CEO Space, and a worldwide traveler.
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Sandra Wiseman, Energy Enthusiast
Sandra Wiseman has been involved in alternative forms of healing since the early 70s. After attending many workshops and retreats for Ayurvedic healing during the 70s and 80s, it became clear every person has untapped power within themselves to restore their health. Though these alternative forms of healing were available at that time, one had to search to find them. Through multiple synchronicities, her quest for personal wellness led her in the 90s to her first introduction to energy medicine, to forms of Chinese healing techniques, and most recently to Donna Eden. Donna has taught some 50,000 people worldwide, both laypeople and professionals, how to understand the body as an energy system. Sandra was fortunate to attend a workshop this past January with Donna Eden in Costa Rica. The information learned at this workshop is the basis of the Energy Healing Workshop being offered at Pilates Plus Wellness Center.
