Instructor Bios

– Vered Arbel – Owner

Movement has always been an important part of my life.  I started dancing when I was six years old.  As a child, I followed in my father’s foot steps participating in his successful dance and choreography career.  I soon moved on to dance with leading dance companies in Israel.

My career progressed when I started my own dance company, performing in dance festivals throughout Europe.  Soon after, I trained with the Royal Academy of Dancing in London for three years and became a certified teacher of various dance types.  Teaching dance opened up new ways to explore and analyze movement.  The broad knowledge I gained gave me a greater understanding of anatomy and body mechanics.

Dance inspired me to explore new interests through movement.  As a dancer I practiced Pilates on a daily basis, which allowed me to have a long and injury-free dance career.  The move into teaching Pilates was a natural progression.  I became a Certified Lead Instructor Trainer in 2000 for STOTT PILATES®  and opened my own studio and training center, teaching certification courses and continuing education workshops for health and fitness professionals as well as working with a broad range of clients from rehabilitation to athletes.  In 2005 I expanded my credentials in the fitness industry to becoming a Certified Personal Trainer with the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).  Currently, I am pursuing my degree in Kinesiology and preparing to enter the PhD program at University of Illinois at Chicago and designing new program, Elemental Fit-X, for clients and instructors to fuse the latest research in the industry with today’s physical demands on the body.

My belief is that we need to be aware of our body placement, understand what correct posture is and facilitate exercise through proper breathing.  With this awareness we can eliminate muscle imbalance and gain a greater range of motion and flexibility.

It’s never too late to get your elements in motion!

– Linda Kollmeyer

Linda Kollmeyer brings a great depth of knowledge from her background in health and fitness. She graduated from the University of Missouri with a BSN degree and also attended the Health and Sports Institute of Chicago (HSIC) to study personal training; her certifications include ACE and STOTT PILATES®. She has taught Healthy Moms Pre/Postnatal Fitness Programs, PIA/Resist-a-ball, Johnny G Spinning, Body Pump and Indoor Cycling.

In her own words Linda says, “In my experience, within the health and fitness industry over the past 25 years, I have learned to appreciate exercise as a preventive health care measure, as well as a restorative life enhancing regime.  I believe that one should never give up, but rather continuously create a work out, specific for one’s needs, to improve their on-going quality of life.”

– Arthur Riepenhoff

STOTT PILATES® Certified Level 1
Certified in Clinal Massage Therapy by the Soma Institute & NCTMB
Certified personal trainer and group exercise instructor by the Aerobics & Fitness Association of America
Certified Spinning Instructor by Madd Dog Athletics

- Dee Durfee

STOTT PILATES® certified Levels 1 & 2
BA in Theater Arts and Dance Performance at Northern Illinois University
Yoga certifed AAAI-ISNA
Certified personal trainer by American College of Exercise
Certified Aerobics Instructor by Aerobics & Fitness Association of America
Certified Spinning Instructor by Madd Dog Athletics
Dance member experience with Northern Dance Theater, Los Preferidos Spanish Perfomance, Ukrainian Folk Dance Ensemble and various musical theater performances

– Rachel Shuttleworth

Rachel moved into Pilates from investment banking after being inspired by the STOTT PILATES® workouts. She studied Anatomy & Physiology prior to starting her STOTT PILATES®  journey in Sydney. Rachel’s teaching experience has spanned across the world, having worked in studios in Australia, England and the United States. Rachel says she is excited to be back in Chicago and happy to  be working with such a talented team of instructors at Elements.

– Mira Kaiser

– Rachel Sutter

Rachel has been studying Pilates since the age of 14 in conjunction with her dance training. She began teaching STOTT PILATES® in 2009 at the University Of North Carolina School of the Arts. While at UNCSA, she worked with many different populations; including, professional dancers, students, faculty and staff. Inspired by its contemporary approach to muscular balance, Rachel has used the STOTT PILATES® method as a strength training system and a rehabilitative tool.  As well as teaching Pilates, Rachel teaches dance and gymnastics. She holds a BFA in Dance from UNCSA where she also studied anatomy, kinesiology, and nutrition. Rachel is thrilled to be a part of the Elements in Motion Family!

- Annie Conlin

Annie began seriously practicing Pilates 10 years ago with the goal of toning and strengthening her body. Soon she found that her increased balance in strength and flexibility helped her body remain injury-free after a long progression of dance-related injuries. Annie’s improved strength, energy, and pain-free living persuaded her to increase her practice and knowledge of Pilates through the STOTT PILATES® Certification Program. Today Annie is happy to return to Pilates instruction after taking time off to pursue and complete a social work degree. As an instructor Annie looks for the best way to promote maximum learning and understanding for the individual. She encourages questions from clients and asserts that an inquisitive client is one who is making the necessary mind-body connections. Annie is thrilled to join Elements In Motion and to share her enthusiasm for this form of exercise and wellness with others!