Stephanie Davies graduated from the University of Illinois in 1993 with a degree in Occupational Therapy. Since then she has been employed in various hospitals and outpatient rehabilitation clinics including Northwestern Memorial Hospital, NovaCare outpatient Rehab and Accelerated Rehab. Stephanie has specialized in the treatment of cumulative trauma injuries, orthopedic and neurologic conditions, and specific complications resulting from breast cancer.
Pursuing extensive additional training to fill in the gaps that exist in traditional health approaches, Stephanie incorporates other alternative and holistic movement theories into her methodology. These include, the Feldenkrais Method®, Stott Pilates™, GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS®. Combining these approaches with her traditional medical training has allowed her to more effectively assist individuals in recovering from injury as well as achieving comfort in everyday life.
Stephanie is especially dedicated to the needs of breast cancer patients. She gained a valuable understanding about the unique needs of women who have undergone treatment for breast cancer while working at Northwestern Memorial Hospital Lymphedema Treatment Center and teaching their Stretching Connection classes. She has taught numerous other classes in the hospital and out in the community to educate and encourage women to move forward in their lives by moving past their physical limitations and fears.
Nicole Furno, P.T.A., B.A. has worked in a clinical rehabilitation setting since 2001 treating orthopedic and women’s health patients. In 1998 she received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from UIC. She went on to earn her Physical Therapist Assistant degree in 2001 and then her certification in the rehabilitation-based, Polestar Pilates in 2004. Her clinical expertise in women’s health rehabilitation includes the pelvic floor, pregnancy and postpartum, urinary incontinence, osteoporosis and general outpatient orthopedics. She incorporates pilates into her daily clinical practice and has instructed studio-based fitness classes in pilates since her certification.
Gwendolyn Crombie, P.T., D.P.T. graduated from Finch University, The Chicago Medical School in 2001 with a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree. Since graduation, Gwen has worked in both hospital and outpatient rehabilitation centers. Gwen has enjoyed building her career in physical therapy, as she has gained expertise in neurological, orthopedic and prosthetic rehabilitation. In addition to patient care, Gwen is active in human movement research at the Rehab Institute, supplementing her knowledge and contributing to the future of medicine. Gwen specializes in the treatment of vestibular dysfunction, orthopedic injuries such as knee or back pain, balance training, and prosthetic training. As an avid runner Gwen also enjoys educating other athletes and assisting them in enhancing their physical abilities and skills.
Jess Swoyer-Green,
Jess discovered Pilates during her first year as a dance major, and
used her newfound knowledge to improve her dance technique and performance
abilities. This experience led Ms. Green to complete her initial Pilates
matwork training in London, through the Pilates Foundation UK. In 2005, Ms.
Green completed her Stott Pilates Mat, Reformer, Cadillac and Chair training
in Chicago. Jess is also certified in GYROKINESIS®, and is currently a
GYROTONIC® apprentice instructor. Ms. Green’s additional specialized
training has included Pre & Post Natal workshops, Pilates for Seniors and
Survive & Thrive, programming for breast cancer survivors. Jess especially
enjoys teaching Pilates matwork, and is known for her challenging and
athletic sessions. She is most inspired when her clients improve and excel.
Ms. Green earned her BFA in Dance from the University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign, and her MA in Arts Criticism from City University, London.
Jess is passionate about traveling, writing, reading, dancing and laughing!
Courtney Kellogg is not truly happy unless she is dancing, moving, teaching, exploring, LIVING within the realm of all the human body can do. A professionally trained dancer, Courtney graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. A self-proclaimed love for “all forms of movement” led her initially to Detroit, MI where she performed and taught dance. Upon settling into Chicago, Courtney realized she wanted to expand even more upon her knowledge base. She furthered her skills in yoga and Pilates and began teaching dance/fitness classes at Cheetah Gym. All great teachers and humans alike go through tumultuous times in life, which may lead us away from that that we love most. Courtney is no stranger to this having fought her way through a breast cancer diagnosis. As her body healed, her heart and mind tried to keep up. It was during this time period that she discovered GYROTONIC exercise and its way of reinvigorating not only the body but also the mind. She recognized its rehabilitative process and longed to teach it to others. Courtney now has a much deeper understanding of the body, the mind, and how each individual is unique in his or her own right. To her sessions she brings not only the professional experience but the life experience as well. She encourages her students to “come to class with an open mind/heart; the body WILL follow.”