instructors
Randi Whitman/Owner
Founder and director of Frog Temple, Inc., Randi Whitman studied and was certified in the pure, classic Pilates form by The Pilates Center in Boulder, Colorado. Randi has a lifetime of experience in fitness, dance and massage therapy. She earned her BFA in Dance and Art from University of Wisconsin and danced professionally for 17 years as both a member of Joseph Holmes Dance Theater and as an original member of Chicago's River North Dance Company. She has also taught aerobics, was certified by IDEA and AFFA, and worked as a certified personal trainer for six years prior to teaching Pilates. In 1983, Randi was certified by Chicago School of Massage Therapy as a massage therapist and has practiced massage for ever since. Randi has also studied Iyengar and Astanga Yoga extensively. As owner of Frog Temple, Randi spends most days, when not with her young son, in the studio working privately with clients, teaching a variety of classes including all levels of Pilates, Yoga, and Piloga - a blend of Pilates mat and Yoga work, as well as running the Frog Temple Teacher Training Certification Program.
Marcia Brenner
Marcia first tried Pilates in January of 2007 after multiple stress fractures sidelined her running workouts, and became an overnight devotee. She received her Certification from the Frog Temple Pilates Teacher Training Program in 2009. A working writer and teacher, Marcia is an adjunct faculty member in the Fiction Department at Columbia College Chicago where she is a three-time nominee for the Teaching Excellence Award, and directs Story Workshop® classes which focus on improving communication through visualization—elements key to Pilates. Marcia passionately believes each Pilates session is a chance to reconnect physically and mentally with ourselves, to be fully aware of our body and mind in the present so that we may reach our fullest potential of physical and mental well-being in the future.
Rose Dougal
Rose Dougal has a diverse background in news media and finance. Reflecting on her life
goals, she knew her true passions were for the active and healthy lifestyle choices she
pursued. An avid runner (complete with running-related injuries), Rose found yoga and Pilates
added balance, clarity and purposeful movement to her life. Through her practice and study of
Pilates, she gained new awareness and understanding of the power of being strong inside and out.
Rose completed the Frog Temple Pilates Teacher Training Program in March of 2009. Her enthusiasm,
passion for healthy living and skills developed throughout her career all contributed to her decision
to teach Pilates. Her goal in teaching is to help others build strength of body and mind and achieve
their health and movement goals through the Pilates method.
Tabitha Faes
Tabitha studied the Pilates Method under Randi Whitman at the Frog Temple Pilates Studio, Inc. She currently teaches at Frog Temple and thrives on the challenge of sharing her knowledge of Pilates with students. Tabitha completed her dance studies in January of 2004 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Columbia College Chicago. Fulfilling a life-long dream, Tabitha has been a member of Breakbone Dance Co. since 2001. She shares her love of Pilates and dance with children by teaching creative movement for the Chicago Moving Company. Tabitha has also taught for the Gallery 37 Connections Program and at Woodstock Ballet Studio. In July 2004, Tabitha traveled to Paraguay to co-teach dance workshops with fellow Breakbone member, Elisa Foshay, courtesy of the Peace Corps. Most importantly, Tabitha is thrilled to be creating a life in Chicago as a Pilates instructor and performing artist.
Allison Fall
Allison recently moved to Chicago from NYC to attend grad school at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She’ll be studying ceramics, sculpture and performance. Allison was certified in the classical Pilates method by Core Pilates in NYC. She trained and taught with Peter Roel, a long time dancer and second generation pilates instructor. Adding to her training, Allison has a life long dedication to dance, which gives her an in-depth understanding of the body and its movement through space. Allison’s approach to teaching reflects her understanding of the body coupled with the collective exposure to many older teachers. She witnessed various styles of teaching, which has helped her to understand Pilates as a complete physical system. Allison believes that a keen eye and a spontaneous approach are the keys to a balanced Pilates session.
Christina Gonzalez-Gillett
Christina graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a BFA in Dance. During her time as an undergraduate, she also spent time studying dance and Pilates in New York City and at the Laban Centre in London, England. She returned to London and received an M.A. in Dance Studies from Laban. After living and working in London for four years, Christina returned to Chicago where she is currently a faculty member of The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago. Christina received her Pilates teacher certification in 2006 from Frog Temple Pilates.
Emily Kagan
Growing up in both Chicago and Ann Arbor, MI, Emily was surrounded by her family
of Feldenkrais practitioners. When she was young, Emily travelled around the world
with her grandmother and master practitioner Anat Baniel (both were practitioners).
During these travels, Emily observed and interacted with the Feldenkrais Method.
Because of this early exposure, Emily became fascinated with the body.
Emily followed her dancing passion from childhood through her first year at Wagner
College in NY. She turned to Pilates to help strengthen and improve her dancing ability.
After that first class of Pilates, she was hooked. She completed her instructor training
under Randi Whitman as Frog Temple Teacher Training Program in early 2009. Emily believes
in the power of classical Pilates for all people, and its ability to improve their strength
regardless of current physical condition or past activities. Emily is currently pursuing
her degree in early childhood education at DePaul University and is always pursuing new
learning opportunities to expand her knowledge of the Pilates method and the human body.
Kelly McCarthy Clark
Kelly first came to Frog Temple in 2001 after moving to Chicago with her Masters in Physical Therapy from Central Michigan University. Unfamiliar with the Pilates method, she took her first mat class and has been a faithful student of Pilates ever since. Wanting to take her practice to a new level and be able to share the benefits of Pilates with others, Kelly completed her Pilates certification under the expertise of Randi Whitman in 2004. She has been teaching as a certified instructor and incorporating her Pilates knowledge into her physical therapy practice. Kelly believes in the holistic benefits of Pilates for ALL bodies to achieve balance and happiness in life. She enjoys working with Pilates students of all ages, shapes and skill level; and takes her experience as a new mother in April 2007 to guide her teaching of pre- and post-natal clients.
Jolie Petrine
Jolie recently moved to Chicago from Denver, CO. Jolie has danced professionally in ballet and modern dance since 1989 as a member of several companies including Southern Ballet Theatre, David Taylor Dance Theatre, Hannah Kahn Dance Company and Jumpstart Dance. She discovered Pilates in 1994 after a dance injury and realized the benefit of rehabilitation as well as injury prevention. She noticed a distinct difference in her dancing after she began practicing Pilates. Pilates has increased her strength, endurance, and flexibility and has been a great form of cross-training for hiking, skiing, and her newest interest, triathlons.
Jolie received her certification from The Pilates Center in Boulder, CO in 2003 and is currently enrolled in their Master’s Program. She also has a BFA in dance from New World School of the Arts and is a certified massage therapist through the Massage Therapy Institute of Colorado. Jolie’s background in dance and massage therapy has given her an extensive knowledge of anatomy and movement, enhancing her understanding of Pilates. Jolie has a strong belief in the mind-body connection and enjoys sharing her passion for Pilates with her clients.
Kerry Sheehan
Kerry was inspired to try Pilates in hopes of curing her chronic back pain. After her first lesson at Frog Temple in 2001, Kerry was hooked! After several years of participating in mat classes and taking private lessons, Kerry decided to pursue her Pilates certification with Randi Whitman at Frog Temple in 2005.
It is Kerry’s belief that regular participation in Pilates enables you to feel healthy and strong while going about life’s everyday activities. Kerry also firmly believes that Pilates is for everyone, regardless of age, gender, fitness level or ability.
When Kerry is not practicing Pilates, she can be found playing with several local bands as a keyboard player and accordionist.
Julie Smith
Julie earned her B.S. in Landscape Architecture from Colorado State University. During her college years, she worked as a group fitness and tennis instructor to satiate her desire to be in constant motion. She began studying Pilates in 2002, after long hours at a desk began to cause pain and discomfort in her back. Not only did Pilates relieve her back pack, but it left her muscles longer and leaner, making her feel more comfortable in her body. She began practicing Pilates as an adjunct to the many outdoor activities which she enjoyed, only to find that Pilates improved her running, biking, snowboarding, and tennis game. After relocating to Chicago, she enrolled in the Frog Temple Teacher Training Program and completed her certification in 2009.
Lindsay Stryffeler
Lindsay Stryffeler discovered Pilates in 1999 and received her certification as a Pilates instructor through The Pilates Center in Boulder, CO. Lindsay’s classic teaching style is dedicated to preserving the authenticity and brilliance of the Pilates method, based on the original work of Joseph Pilates. In addition to Pilates, Lindsay studies yoga, holistic healing and nutrition. She has also studied with Physicalmind Institute, Stott, and Power Pilates. Currently, Lindsay is completing the Masters Program at The Pilates Center. Lindsay also works as a mentor and adviser to apprentices in accredited Pilates training programs.
Lindsay truly believes that Pilates is for every body, regardless of current physical condition. She believes that Pilates, when performed with integrity, restores vitality and uniformly develops the body, mind and spirit!
Lanette Weninger
Lanette's affection for Pilates began in college. Her first instruction was at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Co. where she began her dance degree. She moved to Chicago in 2001 where she continued her Pilates training and earned her BA in Dance Performance at Columbia College Chicago in 2004. She began her teaching career and studied the Classical Pilates Method under Randi Whitman in the Frog Temple Teacher Training Certification Program. Her other teaching credits include, among others, modern and creative dance of all levels and Water Safety Instruction under the Red Cross. Lanette believes the body is an amazing piece of machinery and that the Pilates method can not only restore that machine but keep it in prime working order.
