Our Teachers

After many years of searching for a sustainable exercise practice, Shannon Houck discovered Pilates. Initially, it was a great way to rebuild strength after breaking her wrist, and then it quickly evolved to the best hour of her day! She realized that Pilates provided a mental and physical challenge which other types of exercise are not able to match. After practicing Pilates for little over a year, she enrolled in the Teacher Training Program to improve her practice – and realized how much she enjoyed helping others discover Pilates. After receiving her BS in Human Nutrition, Foods, and Science, Shannon earned her degree as a Registered Nurse. Pilates is a fantastic pairing with her background in HNFE and Nursing.

Shannon and her husband live in Berryville, VA with all of their four-legged children. She is a Pilates Method Alliance Certified Pilates Teacher, and is happy to work with Michelle and the rest of the wonderful staff at Pilates Connection!

As a former ballet dancer, and someone who swam competitively in college, Betsy Young felt that something was missing from her fitness routine. Having never really enjoyed traditional classes or weight rooms, she was searching for something more meaningful, something that respected the mind-body connection. Betsy was looking for a workout that was deep and layered enough to keep her interested over the long-term, preferably for the rest of her life, and Pilates filled that need.

Betsy took some time studying the practice of Pilates through books and other resources, and then she began taking classes. After about three years, she met Jaime Haines, who encouraged her to try Pilates Connection, and the rest is history! She considers Jaime and Michelle Dowell to be wonderful teachers and mentors, who showed her how important the relationships are between people who “do” Pilates: it is, at its best, a small-group or one-on-one practice. The intellectual and emotional satisfaction she has found by practicing Pilates has come to mean much more to Betsy than the physical benefits.

“There is still so much to learn and discover about the Pilates Method; I look forward to sharing everything I learn with other people who like to move well, use their bodies, and develop that mind-body connection.”

Congratulations to Betsy, who obtained her PMA certification in June of 2018!

Michelle is an Integrated Movement Specialist.  She is a Pilates Method Alliance Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher, Madeline Black Method Practitioner, Teacher Training Director for Pilates Connection Teacher Training School, former gymnastics teacher, and a lifelong equestrian. Michelle began studying Pilates to alleviate her back pain from scoliosis.  The results she achieved in her own body encouraged her to help others and became her passion.  She enthusiastically continues her education by studying with leaders in the movement industry like Madeline Black, Jean Claude West and Kim Gibilisco.  With over 19 years of experience, she excels in helping people integrate healthier movement into their bodies at every age and condition.

Pauline Lockard is a certified Pilates Instructor, personal trainer and licensed massage therapist. She started her career in fitness with an undergraduate degree from Rutgers University, and then taught group exercise classes while serving a full career in the military. She worked as a Specialist and Examiner for the Aerobic and Fitness Association of America (AFAA), conducting a variety of certifications and workshops. She has traveled throughout the country and overseas to present at various forums on topics such as Fitness and Self-Care. Her Pilates certifications are through Power Pilates, Balance Body, and Performance Enhancement International (PHI), enabling her to lead clients through comprehensive workouts that include mat, the reformer, and Pilates apparatus. She has tremendous passion for teaching, especially passing on the works of Joseph Pilates, using his classical methodology to assist in achieving results specific for each individual. She is currently retired after twenty-six years of military service and almost 40 years of fitness, but after visiting Pilates Connection Winchester, decided to return to teaching Pilates. “The environment here is fantastic- the instructors and clients have created a warm, open, and fun place to be!”

Pauline currently resides in Moorefield, WV with her husband Terry, her three pups, and one kitty.