ABOUT US
Tucson's Top Pilates and GYROTONIC® Professionals
Serving Tucson since 2006, our movement professionals believe in living a life full of joy, gratitude, and free of judgment. These values inform and guide our core teaching philosophy and practices at Movement Revolution Studio as we help clients find their mind/body connection. In both Pilates and Gyrotonic exercise, we offer a variety of services, classes, and workshops.
MEET THE TEAM
MIRELA ROZA
Mirela moved to the U.S. from her native Brazil to join Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey circus in 2001 as a professional dancer and in 2015 she earned a Master of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Arizona.
In 2005, she fell in love with the beautifully crafted art form of the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® and was certified to teach in 2011. With Gyrotonic exercise, Mirela found the expansion of space and freedom important in allowing full expression of one’s body within many dimensions. She also incorporates other modalities such as Pilates (2016), Alexander Technique and Floor-Barre Technique in her teaching style, continually exploring ways to build on the basics and dive deeper into the work.
Mirela, very attentive to her students, encourages them to explore outside their comfort zone with balanced pacing and the use of imagery, much of which comes from her modern dance background. At the end of her sessions, she loves watching students feel more comfortable and grounded, having had the pleasure of moving and achieving their specific goals.
SAM SHANKMAN PROUTY
After performing as a Rockette at Radio City Music Hall, Sam moved to Italy in 1983 and stayed for 9 years as a dance instructor. While in Florence, she fell in love with the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® and, after moving back to the U.S., was certified (2001) in the Gyrotonic method. She has since trained and been certified in the Gyrokinesis Method, Gyrotonic Leg Extension Unit and Jumping Stretching Board.
Santa Fe, NM was Sam’s home from 1992 to 2005. She first received her Pilates training with Ray Kurshals and later was certified in 1998 by Michele Larsson, Core Dynamics Pilates, where she was exposed to the Eve Gentry work. Sam continued to work with Michele until moving to Tucson in 2005. In 2006, she became a certified Pilates teacher with the Pilates Method Alliance.
After moving to Tucson, Sam worked at Canyon Ranch and the Jewish Community Center, teaching Pilates and the Gyrotonic Method and in 2006, opened up her own fully equipped studio. In 2023, Sam was thrilled to transition the ownership of Sam's Motion Studio to Mirela Roza. She continues to enjoy teaching her full schedule at the studio.
JOHN WHITE
John began studying Pilates in 1980. Embodying a direct legacy from Joseph Pilates, he was mentored by both Romana Kryzanowska and Ron Fletcher to preserve and promote Pilates’ work. Romana was the primary force in John's progression from student to teacher, guiding him to a deep understanding of the method. In 2001, Ron Fletcher honored and recognized John with a rare certification as a Master Teacher.
John danced professionally for many years, first in classical ballet and later in modern dance, most notably with the Martha Graham Dance Company. Living in Tucson since 1992, he was the Director of Movement and Aquatic Therapy at Canyon Ranch. In 2001, John was trained and certified to teach the GYROTONIC® method and in 2003, the GYROKINESIS® method.
John has been featured in magazines such as Men’s Health, Town & Country, Cosmo Girl and Pilates Style and has appeared as a health and fitness expert on local, national, and public television.
STEPHANIE SOHNS
Stephanie is a certified and dedicated hands-on body practitioner, teacher, and compassionate healer, committed to guiding individuals toward greater wholistic health and optimizing their body's inherent capacity for healing and infinite potential.
Over a decade of specialized training, Stephanie's unique practice seamlessly integrates three core modalities: the Alexander Technique, GYROTONIC®/GYROKINESIS®, and Kundalini Yoga. She is an AMSAT-Certified Alexander Technique Teacher, having completed a rigorous, 1600+ hour full-time instructor training program at the Manhattan Center for the Alexander Technique, focusing on psycho-physical integration, sensory development, and the unifying effects of the head, neck, and spine.
Since 2014, as a self-employed independent practitioner, Stephanie has successfully engaged with a full client base, implementing a tailored blend of these modalities based on expressed needs and health histories. Her foundation as an educator is deep-seated, holding a Master's Degree in Education (Body-mind Emphasis) from Saint Michael’s College, where she previously developed a curriculum integrating physiology with EQ/emotional intelligence. Serving as both advocate and educator to empower clients.
DORIS STIVERS
Doris is a certified Pilates Instructor and Level 1 GYROTONIC Trainer. Her commitment to comprehensive wellness is reflected in her unique training background, which also includes a Kundalini Yoga Level 1 certification and specialized Craniosacral training.
Doris’s primary mission is to empower individuals through movement, guiding her clients to find their physical and mental center. She approaches her work with genuine compassion and empathy, creating a supportive, safe, and motivating environment where clients feel comfortable moving toward their goals. Known for her energetic presence and positive attitude, Doris supports clients with all unique challenges and objectives.
She maintains her passion for movement by enjoying outdoor activities such as hiking and camping with her family.
JENI McCLISH
Jeni’s lifelong love of movement began in San Diego, inspired by her cousins — professional ballet and flamenco dancers. She trained at the San Diego School of Ballet and later at Southern Arizona Dance Theatre under the direction of Jane Matty Willet.
Her performing career included leading roles such as the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, and the title role in Snow White. She also created original works in La Hetania with Richard Holdan and Manifestation with Hassan Afelock. While studying on scholarship at The Boston Conservatory, Jeni premiered Tongue and Cheek.
Jeni discovered Pilates early in her dance journey and immediately connected with its balance of strength, control, and grace. She trained in the Ron Fletcher Program at Body Works Pilates Studio in 1997, and by 2002, opened her own Pilates and movement studio while raising three children.
Her continuing education includes neuro movement Therapy and the GYROTONIC® Method, including specialized equipment.She blends classical technique with mindful, functional movement, Jeni brings over two decades of experience to her teaching with a mission to help clients discover joy, health, and freedom through movement.
TERI POMARANTZ
Teri received her GYROTONIC® training in New York and her GYROKINESIS® training in Paris. She discovered the GYROKINESIS EXPANSION SYSTEM® 15 years ago in Santa Monica, California where she grew up, and has continued her exploration ever since. She has been a certified instructor in both disciplines since 2008, has completed specialized courses and holds additional certifications on specialized equipment.
Teri has a 20 year background in contemporary dance, West Coast Swing, Argentine tango, and yoga. In addition to teaching both Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis methods, she has extensive experience in corporate training and movement education where she collaborates with other practitioners in discovering an optimum path to incorporate exercise to her individual client needs. She is a lifelong learner committed to challenging herself and educating her clients about their movement capabilities, emphasizing empowerment through self-awareness and exercises to promote wellbeing, range of motion, and overall strength. She feels truly privileged to be involved in this work and can teach in either English or French.
