Vicki Hickerson is the owner and senior instructor of Body Springs Studio. During her 14 year engagement as a Radio City Music Hall Rockette, Vicki discovered the many strength, balance and flexibility benefits Pilates has to offer while rehabilitating a dance injury.

Following 3 years of private sessions training, Vicki choose Pilates for her second career. She entered the Pilates Method of Body Conditioning instructor certification program at The Pilates Studio of New York which required 600 hours of apprenticeship under the guidance of Romana Kryzanowska ( a devotee and pupil of Joseph Pilates) and Bob Liekens (teacher trainer).

After certification, she began teaching at Tribecca Body Works in New York City and The Movement Place in Upper Montclair, New Jersey. Vicki became certified in the Power Pilates program in 2005.

Body Springs Studio fulfills Vicki's desire to offer Austin area residents the advantages of training in The Classical Pilates Method and represents her belief that anyone desiring a total body conditioning program will be greatly rewarded for their efforts under her direction. Vicki is a member of the Pilates Method Alliance and is also proud to be part of the Power Pilates team. She has accepted a position as a Power Pilates teacher trainer, and will be conducting teacher training and continuing education programs at Body Springs Studio.

Gretchen High, being a person who loves to eat, realized she needed exercise to keep the weight off. She roller bladed, walked, and weight trained. Unfortunately she started noticing pain in her knees and ankles as well as her hands, shoulders and elbows.

She stopped roller blading and weight training, but the pain still occurred. Finally, diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, her doctor instructed her to add resistance training. She began taking private and group mat classes from Vicki Hickerson at Body Springs Studio, and loved it. Gretchen found that she was able to strengthen her muscles, support the joints, and decrease the dosage of her medicines. She was hooked and wanted to share her love for Pilates with others. After five years of training in all the levels of Pilates, she became a certified instructor through Power Pilates program. Gretchen also continues her education through various continuing education programs.

Gretchen is a Certified Teacher Trainer for the Power Pilates System.

Dolores Skowbo earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics and Nutrition as well as completing additional training and testing to become a Registered Dietitian. Her experience includes nutrition counseling at a nationally recognized weight-loss center. She is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine as a Health & Fitness Specialist, with more than ten years of experience helping clients of all ages reach their health and fitness goals.

Dolores continues to offer beginner and intermediate Pilates mat classes in the Austin area, and now uses her Advanced Pilates Certification to help clients strengthen the core using Advanced Pilates equipment at Body Springs.

Carol Peteres discovered the wonders of the classical Pilates method in 2004 after her retirement from a more than 30 year career in Texas state government. Too many 12-hour work days spent sitting at meeting tables, behind a desk and in front of a computer - not to mention the high stress of an administrative position - left her feeling like she had been run over by an 18-wheeler. Everything hurt, especially her back. Carol started working out at Body Springs with Vicki, hoping to find pain relief, an exercise routine she could enjoy and overall improved health. She stuck with it and over time was amazed by the many positive physical changes she experienced from Pilates. She even added 1/2 inch to her height - at an age when many women find themselves getting shorter. In 2006, she was able to complete New Zealand’s 3-day, 33-mile Milford Track hike, something she never would have dared to undertake before her Pilates conditioning. Carol believes she is proof positive that people of ALL ages can reap substantial physical rewards from the classical Pilates method.

Having experienced in her own body the many benefits that a strong core, flexible spine and increased strength and stamina bring to all aspects of daily living, Carol had the desire to help others enhance their health and well-being. In 2010, she embarked on a fourth career by pursuing Pilates certification through the Power Pilates Comprehensive Training Program. She accomplished her goal upon completion of the Program’s 600-hour apprenticeship and is eager, as a member of the Body Springs Team, to bring the joys and rewards of Pilates to others.

A fourth generation Texan, Carol grew up in a small town near Austin. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. An Austin resident since 1974, she enjoys an active lifestyle including equestrian activities, fishing, hiking and travel.

Alia Al-Yafi was introduced to Pilates while searching for a class to satisfy a physical education requirement at university. She was thrilled to discover that Pilates Mat, unlike the other PE classes on offer, was actually challenging and transformative. She was particularly impressed by the instructor's attention to form, detail, and proper alignment, not to mention the elegant "Teaser" she maintained until the day before she went into labour!

Alia attended a variety of Pilates classes intermittently over the next 13 years but remained unsatisfied with the quality of instruction and the techniques employed during class.

A move to Austin in 2010 led her, through word of mouth, to Vicki Hickerson and back to the classical system. Under Vicki's excellent instruction, Alia became certified in both Beginner and Intermediate Mat and then the Comprehensive system in July 2010.

Body Springs Studio's small battalion of passionate and gifted instructors continue to inspire and teach Alia. By observing them, she has learned that the student is the greatest teacher and the body's wisdom, given time and dedication, will reveal itself.

Brittany Gleason has been a devoted student of the Pilates method for over a decade. She claims fitness is her most expensive habit, but also her best investment!

Brittany recently completed her Master's degree in Exercise Physiology at the University of Texas at Austin -- during which she interned at the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries at New York University's Hospital for Joint Diseases and worked with local Austin orthopedic sports medicine clinic, Sports Performance International. Her exposure to sports medicine and common injuries makes her confident that athletes of all levels can benefit from quality Pilates instruction, both for general conditioning and injury prevention/rehabilitation.

Brittany’s fitness favorites include Pilates, dance, yoga, and thanks to living in Austin -- running (or jogging, depending on your standards)! While always excited to try new activities, she will never take Pilates out of the mix. Brittany was introduced to the Classical Pilates Method in 1998 at the Virginia Governor's School for the Arts, and she continued her education at the Pilates Center at Goucher College while earning Bachelor's degrees in Chemistry and Dance. Upon moving to Austin, she joined the Body Springs family first as a student and later as a Power Pilates comprehensive certified instructor.

Chrissy Borskey joined Body Springs Studio in April of 2003 with the hope of relieving chronic lower back pain. After only a few months she noticed a significant difference. Nearly two years later and she is pain free. In addition, she has benefited from the overall benefits Pilates provides a body, including stronger abdominal, lower and upper back muscles and a more energized lifestyle.

Chrissy, eager to share her positive experience with others, received her certification in the Classical System through Power Pilates of New York.

A native of San Antonio, Chrissy has lived in Austin since 1996. In addition to her commitment to Pilates, Chrissy works for a technology trade association as the Texas director of legislative and public affairs.

Chrissy is honored to be part of the Body Springs Studio team and is excited to continue developing her Pilates experience so she can then share her knowledge with others!