Get the Scoop on Our Instructors

Welcome to The Scoop-A Pilates Studio
Classical, Cutting Edge, Smart, Refreshing--RESULTS!

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The Scoop Instructors

Certified Teaching Staff:
Debbie Moore Johnston (Owner)

Kristin Dabney

Kristina Bemis

Heather Needleman

Congratulations to Christy Vogl and Boni Lang--they have passed their PMA Pilates Certification Exam!!

Apprentice:

Rachel Garavaglia---she's fabulous!

The Scoop is always looking for qualified Pilates Instructors trained on Full Equipment for part time/full time work.

Debbie Moore Johnston: Debbie is both owner and instructor at The Scoop. She is a Graduate of The Pilates Center of Boulder,CO, Teacher Training Program and has just completed her Masters Program with The Pilates Center of Boulder, CO in March 2009. Debbie is also a Certified Yamuna Body Rolling Instructor/Level 1 Teacher Trainer--plus trained in YBR Massage and Yamuna Face Saver. In November 2009, Debbie has completed her training to become a GYROKINESIS® apprentice. Her background has included Personal Training and teaching fitness class from Spinning to Cardio-Kickboxing,plus everything in between. She has been working in the fitness industry for over 10 years. Debbie has taken an interest in health and fitness since she was a teenager. Now 41 and is continuing to seek the best in health and fitness. Her expertise in health and wellness allows her to create a well rounded program for anyone interested in taking an active role for a lifetime of health and vitality. Prevention is the key to a long and healthy life.
Debbie has an eclectic background that finally led her to where she is today. She has a degree in Fashion Buying and Merchandising from Fashion Institute of Technology. As well as having spent time in the modeling/acting industry for almost 20 years. She's lived in NYC and LA, plus many travels to Chicago area. Ahh, the memories of waiting tables.
She is married to Ken Johnston--he's full of electricity. He owns Amp'd Electric. You can visit him at www.AmpdElectric.org They both love animals and lost their Rottie, Jasmine, in Sept. 2007. In March 2008, they've taken on a new puppy Rottweiler named SPRING.

I would personally like to thank my family, friends and clients for all of their support!! THANK YOU--without you, The Scoop would not be possible. Many Blessing--Debbie

Kristin Dabney:
Coming Soon!

Kristina Bemis:
Kristina is an Alton, IL native who is happy to be home in the St. Louis area once again. She has been an active Pilates student for nearly 10 years and has been teaching reformer and mat classes for nearly 3 years now. She received a BA in dance from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA and was certified in Pilates through Long Beach Dance Conditioning in Long Beach, CA. She specializes in working with dancers, athletes and clients with rehabilitation needs.

Heather Needleman:
Heather discovered Pilates in 2002, when she was in need of something to help her general body aches and pains, lack of strength and general overall lack of conditioning. She had tried many options before--aerobic dance, yoga, running, etc. but nothing seemed to help. Everything felt too difficult and she often felt discouraged about ever feeling better.
One day, she decided to try Pilates and she has had a love affair with Pilates ever since. For the first time in her life she could actually feel the aches and pains disappear and her strength increase.
Her decision to pursue Certification came from her desire to impart the wonders of Pilates to others. She is fully Certified in the Classical Pilates Method through Karen Sanzo of Pilates Unlimited.
Heather encourages her clients, with calm and patience, to respect and appreciate their bodies at any moment in time, and that growth and change will happen through commitment and persistence.

Christy Vogl: Christy is a St. Louis native and a Webster Groves resident who was introduced to Pilates by Debbie Moore Johnston in 2001. She has practiced Pilates since then, and decided to pursue teacher training in 2007. Christy has been teaching Pilates since 2008 and became fully certified in 2010 through the Pilates Method Alliance with over 500 training hours completed at The Scoop - A Pilates Studio.

Christy attended St. Louis University and graduated with a BSBA in Finance and an MBA. Christy also enjoys yoga, spinning, and walking, and spending time with her children Claire and Joe (their names are a coincidence!) and husband Mark. She believes that Pilates is the ideal exercise method - accessible for anyone who wants to "Return to Life" and achieve optimal health and wellness.

Rachel Garavaglia: Rachel, a lifelong fitness enthusiast, was introduced to Pilates six years ago. Rachel has a passion for exercise and wellness, after practicing Pilates she found it provided the challenges and benefits she most desired. Rachel started her Pilates training in March 2009 through Pilates Unlimited and continues her studies through Balanced Body University.

Rachel received her BA in mathematics education at MU and her masters in administration through UMSL, she currently teaches at Ladue High School. Rachel resides in South City with her husband Nicholas and their rescue Whoodle.