Instructors

We are fully staffed by teachers and therapists who have had years of experience, training and education to give us the knowledge and skills needed to be the best stewards for meaningful, long term health. 

Christine Sturgis (in studio & online)

• Licensed PTA (Physical Therapist Assistant - 7+ years in outpatient orthopedic and home health care physical therapy), 2010

• PhyToga, Founder and Creator, 2010

• SFMA trained, Selective Functional Movement Assessment, 2011

• FMS certified, Functional Movement Systems, 2011

• RYT-250+ hours through Yoga Life Institute, 2012

• MovementRx Studio, Founder and Owner, 2018

• Barre Intensity Certification, 2019

• Pelvic Pro, Core Exercise Solutions, Anticipated Completion 2024

Christine Sturgis, mother of five, outdoor enthusiast and yoga practitioner of 20+ years, has spent the last 11 years developing a career applying two of her greatest passions: helping others and movement. She is a licensed PTA, having treated patients in an outpatient orthopedic setting for 4+ years and home health care physical therapy at Mainline Health Systems for 3+ years. During that time, she completed her FMS certification (Functional Movement Screen), SFMA training (Selective Functional Movement Screen),  250+ hours certified yoga teacher training program and Level 1 Myofascial Release certification under John Barnes, giving her a wide range of knowledge and experience in movement synergies, biomechanics and manual therapy.  She used this knowledge and experience to create her exercise series, PhyToga, which combines the best of all these movement principles into one exercise program. She brings her wide range of experience to her students and private clients, creating a safe environment to grow stable and balanced bodies with increased vitality.

Nicole Rodriguez (in studio)

Master of Education in Dance, Temple University, 1998

• Posture Alignment Specialist, Certified 2017

• Exercise Therapy Skills, Certified 2019

• Exercise Therapist, Egoscue of Philadelphia, 2019

• Pelvic Pro Core Exercise Solutions, Anticipated Completion 2024

Nicole’s parents always said she was dancing before she could walk. This passion carried her through her entire life as she received her Master of Dance Education from Temple University while she trained with multiple dance schools in the Philadelphia area. She also performed locally, taught dance, and was a member of Philadanco’s training company until she was sidelined by injury and chronic pain.

It wasn’t until Nicole resolved her pain issues in her 40s that she was able to do the things that she loves to do: dancing and helping people to move better and live healthier, more active lives. Nicole has come full circle and is teaching beginner dance again as well as working with people privately to help them improve their alignment, balance, and strength so they can get back to doing what they love to do. 

In addition to her Dance Fusion classes, Nicole teaches Cardio Moves, an upbeat dynamic class that blends fluid movements, light weights, and brief low impact cardio intervals. Nicole is the owner/operator of Pain Free Philly and is thrilled to be back at her favorite studio!

Karen Gagnier (in studio, online and special workshops)

• Kripalu: Certified RYT 200 hour, 2008

• OM Yoga: Women Cancer Survivor Certified, 2009

• Duke Integrative: Yoga of Awareness for Cancer Survivors Certified, 2012

• Mindful Yoga Therapy Training-Veterans Yoga Project, 2012

• YogaLife Institute: Yoga Therapy 500 hour, 2014

• LifeForce Yoga for Depression: Level 1 certification, 2015 

Karen has been practicing yoga for 20 years, and teaching and training extensively for 12 years. She received her 200hr yoga training from Kripalu, 500hr yoga therapy training from Yoga Life, Yoga for Cancer Awareness from Duke Integrated Medicine, Veterans Yoga project training, LifeForce® Yoga for depression and anxiety, and Mindful Schools meditation training. Most recently she has attended Harvard Medical School’s popular Mind Body course.

Karen strives to reach the broadest possible population, believing yoga is for every body, and makes her classes accessible by always offering modifications. She passionately believes in the science supporting the practice and will emphasize these evidence based tools in her classes. Karen has been practicing for over 20 years and teaching and training extensively for 15+ years.

Gail Lazarus (online only)

• Certified LaBlast Dance Instructor (as of summer ‘21: recognized as Elite Instructor)

A life long dancer, Gail fell in love with ballroom dancing while watching Dancing with the Stars.  She decided to give it a try and it was love at first step! She discovered LaBlast, a partner-free cardio workout based on all the dances from the TV show and knew she found the perfect blend of dance and fitness.  Gail trained with LaBlast’s creator, 3 time World Ballroom Champion, Louis van Amstel, and has been teaching ever since.  LaBlast makes dance accessible and welcoming for people of all ages and fitness levels. Choreography patterns begin simply and allow students to progress at their own pace and comfort level. Come experience the joy of music and movement with LaBlast, it is truly exercise in disguise!

Gail also uses dance as a means to combine her work with her other passion for community service.  She is the founder of Dance For Good, an organization that strives to empower others through the power of music and movement.

Alicia Papson (online and Pop Up in studio classes)

• Pilates Certification, Body Precision, 2017 (first certified 1997)

• Barre Intensity Certification, 2019

Alicia has been practicing Pilates for 20 years and she is excited to share her passion for Pilates with MovementRx Studio as a certified instructor! She completed her Pilates Mat training at the prestigious Body Precision studio in Rosemont and focuses on adapting exercises to meet the needs of clients at all fitness levels. Alicia’s mission is to challenge and inspire others to realize their body’s potential – through strengthening and lengthening our bodies, we will increase flexibility and core strength. Alicia lives in Havertown with her husband and two young children.

“Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness.  In order to achieve happiness it is imperative to gain mastery of your body. If at the age of 30 you are stiff and out of shape, you are old.  If at 60 you are supple and strong then you are young.”  - Joseph Pilates

Susan Gore (online and substitute)

• RYT - 200 hours, Focus Fitness, 2011

• Certified Pilates Instructor, Body Precision, 2006

• Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis, Level 2, Gyrotonic, 2018

Susan has always had a passion for sports and dance! These activities lead Susan on a journey into Pilates, yoga and Gyrokinesis. She is fully certified in these three exercise methods and finds that they easily blend into a functional flow of movement.

Sandy McGuire (online only)

• Barre Certified, Focus Fitness, 2013

Sandy has been teaching group fitness for the past 10+ years. In that time, she was taught and trained under Amy Feeney from Barre Focus Fitness. It was then she discovered her love for barre and the way it changed her body. She quickly fell in love with teaching barre and has a passion for making her clients work their hardest, and look and feel their best!

Carole McKeon (online only)

• Certified Yoga Instructor since 1996

• Continuing Education Provider for CEC credits 1993-1998

Carole McKeon has a degree in Health Education and Business from Penn State and has been leading group and fitness classes since 1986. Carole is a former Reebok Master Trainer and developed lead instructor training workshops for continuing education credits from 1993-1998. She has extensive experience in corporate fitness training and led fitness classes at some of Chicago’s top health clubs from 1995 - 2013. Carole is currently working with multiple sports teams at local high schools and colleges, taking athletes through yoga inspired workouts.

Nathalie Wetzel (online and substitute)

• YMCA group fitness,1998

• Mat Pilates, Body Precision 2005

• Pranakriya Yoga, 2006

• Yin Yoga, Jai Yoga, 2006

• Ashtanga Yoga, Sundog Yoga, 2019

• Pilates full equipment, BASI Pilates, 2020

• Trauma Sensitive Yoga (currently), Center for Trauma and Embodiment, 2020-21

Nathalie has studied, taught and loved yoga and Pilates since the late 1990s. The innumerable benefits for mind and body inspire her to keep practicing and to share these theories of movement with her students.

Colleen Sullivan (online only)

• 2011 200 hr Yoga Alliance Certification

Colleen began her yoga journey over 15 years ago to relieve stress from the daily pressures of life. “This practice is a gift I give myself each and every time I step onto my mat”. She wears multiple hats as a corporate 9 to 5’er, mom of two grown children, registered yoga teacher with yoga alliance, and a wellness advocate. She recognizes how stress in people’s lives impacts their mental and physical health. She is passionate about sharing health & wellness with others so they feel and perform their best, especially in the face of busy schedules and stress. She believes overall wellness is not one dimensional, rather a multifaceted approach of stress resilience practices, physical movement, and nutrition. If you’re curious about additional ways to feel more present, resilient & experience life more fully, she would love to connect with you.

Tasha Carson (online only)

Tasha has always had a passion for health and fitness. She has been involved in sports her entire life, and became interested in yoga about 20 years ago. After getting hooked she decided to branch out her teaching experience to include yoga, and she has been teaching it ever since! Tasha enjoys teaching and taking a good strong power yoga class but she also enjoys a nice slow Yin practice, and really anything in between! Yoga has truly changed her life.