Maureen Sher
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Maureen Sher,
a native of South Africa, grew up dancing and playing the piano.
At 16, she was
told by leading orthopedic physicians to stop dancing or she would
require a double hip replacement before the age of 20. So
began the journey to healthier exercise, where Maureen had the honor
of befriending and learning from several leading exercise experts.
Through applying sound principles of stabilizing and strengthening,
she was delighted to return to dancing several years later and qualified
as a modern dance teacher in 1983.
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It was in the late 1980's that
Maureen stumbled on that ruby in the road - a body conditioning expert
by the name of Pat Gush, who is now a leading force in functional exercise
in South Africa and consultant to many of the dance companies. An eight
year association followed, during which Maureen trained, studied and taught
intensively with Ms. Gush. Although Pilates had not yet reached South
Africa, the principles of core stabilization, wellness through intelligent
exercise, functional movement and correct postural ethic were the basis
of her learned philosophy. Maureen also established and implemented an exercise
rehabilitation program for a top Johannesburg chiropractic office and
practiced reflexology and aromatherapy massage during this time.
At the beginning of 1996, Maureen
and her husband Russel, a chiropractor, moved to Denver, Colorado. Russel
established his clinic at The Phoenix Center for Health Excellence which
houses one of the largest Pilates and Gyrotonics studios between the east
and west coasts. This was Maureen's first direct exposure to Pilates.
The obvious extension of everything she'd learned to this point was very
exciting.
Soon after the birth of their son, in 1998, the Shers moved to Asheville,
North Carolina where they both accepted positions with Great Smokies Diagnostic
Laboratory. In July 2001, Maureen followed her passion and went
back to Denver to be awarded Pilates Certification from The Phoenix Center
for Health Excellence. She now runs several Pilates classes a week
and offers individualized Pilates instruction by appointment.
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