Desima Dawdy, A.A., B.S., A.C.E. completed her four year course-work, observation and apprenticeship hours in Chicago, Denver, Miami, and Kansas City, training with Polestar Master trainers. Desima is a Polestar Certified Instructor and Mentor for Polestar Allegro Reformer and has also completed Polestar’s Comprehensive Studio/Rehab Hybrid Series. Polestar is the leader in providing rehab-based training for Pilates and neuromuscular re-education programs.

Desima has had the opportunity to receive training from Master Trainers Dr. Brent Anderson, Elizabeth Larkham, Dav Cohen MSPT, Gerard Hinderlich, Sheri Betz PT, Laurie Tushman, Dr. Noelle Dowma, and Dr. Tamara Neff. Desima has also had the honor of attending classes and/or workshops with elders Lolita San Miguel , Mary Bowen, and Ron Fletcher, who were trained directly and studied with Joseph Pilates.

Desima serves as a mentor/assistant for Polestar Education; Body Mind Spirit Expo, Santa Clara, CA; and is a member and volunteer for the Pilates Method Alliance. Desima specializing in clinical Pilates programs for clients with fibromyalgia, scoliosis,myofascial pain, osteoporosis, low back care and SI dysfunction. She also has experience training professional and student dancers and athletes to enhance athletic performance and injury prevention.

In addition to Pilates, Desima teaches Viniyoga (modified) and has received certification and/or training through SAFAX Yoga, Cycle Reebok, Nautilus Headquarters, Reebok University, Fitball, American Council on Exercise (ACE), SCW Aqua, and the Arthritis Foundation. She has also taught a wide variety of health, college physical education classes, and wellness programs since 1983. Desima has also been a nominee for Entrepreneur of the Year by Club Industry Magazine.

Desima is the director of Pilates Performance & Rehab and teaches and trains clients at both the Topeka and Lawrence locations.

Tamara Depew, DPT, BA received her Bachelor of Arts from Washburn University and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

Tamara is a Polestar Pilates Rehabilitation Practitioner and has been involved in Pilates since 2000. She is dedicated to the future of pilates and is a Polestar Pilates Mentor. Tamara has extensive experience working in physical therapy clinics and Pilates studios, where she utilizes her skills to educate and rehabilitate patients. Tamara has presented on fitness, Pilates and rehabilitation to the Kansas Occupational Therapy Association, Kansas Parks and Rec and the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Tamara worked at John's Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland and The Rehabilitation Institute in Kansas City where she obtained vast knowledge on neurological rehabilitation. She also has specialty experience in women's health, and pre-post natal Pilates.

Kim Hoobler, DPT
Kim grew up in the Topeka area and graduated from Shawnee Heights High School. She and her family are happy to have recently moved back to northeast Kansas! Kim graduated from Creighton University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program in 1996, and has worked in many different practice settings over the past 12 years. Her education has primarily been in manual therapy and orthopedics, as well as women’s health and incontinence issues. Kim has also started training to become a Polestar Pilates for Rehabilitation practitioner. Helping people recover their physical health and positively influencing client’s lives is what makes Kim truly enjoy being a physical therapist. Kim and her husband Marc live near Tecumseh with their 3 active sons. They enjoy cycling, water sports, snow skiing, and traveling to visit family and friends.

Ashley trains rehab based clients, athletes, and dancers. She also teaches Pilates Mat and Pilates Apparatus for small groups and accepts clients for personal training at the Lawrence location.

Alba received certification in Pilates Mat with Small Apparatus through SCW and PHI (Powerhouse) Pilates. She also teaches Pilates Mat for City of Topeka Parks and Recreation as well as at Wood Valley Racquet Club and Fitness Center. She is an apprentice with Desima Dawdy at Pilates Performance and Rehab.

Alba has also earned certification in SCW's Kids in Motion program and the Arthritis Foundation. Alba is accepting new clients of all fitness levels and will be specializing in programming for children adolescents, seniors, and weight loss.

A native of Puerto Rico, Alba is fluent in Spanish and English.

Megan Casey is a full-time student at Washburn University pursuing a B.A. in Psychology. After training under Polestar Pilates Practitioner Desima Dawdy and also Joni Wells for two years, Megan obtained Powerhouse certification and has been instructing apparatus and mat classes ever since.

She has experience working with athletes and dancers as well as clients with osteoporosis, scoliosis and post-rehab clients.

Megan is qualified to teach beginner, intermediate and advanced levels, as well as modified yoga and theraball classes.

Lea Huntington, A.C.E., is certified by the American Council on Exercise as a Personal Trainer and a Clinical Exercise Specialist. Lea received her Pilates Reformer training from Power House Pilates and also studies with Tamara Depew, Polestar Certified Rehabilitation Practitioner. Lea's clientele includes athletes and pre- and post-rehabilitation patients, as well as people with limited mobility.

Sara Felt
Certified Pilates Instructor, Centerworks Pilates Institute
BM Violoncello Performance, University of Kansas
Sara discovered Pilates as a cello performance major at the University of Kansas, after an injury left her unable to play for several months. The Method had such a dramatic effect on her rehabilitation that she was quickly performing again. Inspired to share Pilates with other instrumentalists, she enrolled in the Centerworks Pilates Institute Teacher Education Program in 2004. In the spring of 2005, she received a research grant to study the effects of Pilates and other movement techniques on instrumental performance.