Instructor Profiles


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.

Vicki Hickerson

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, Gretchen 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.

Gretchen High

 

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.

 


In April of 2003, Chrissy Borskey joined Body Springs Studio 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!

Chrissy Borskey
 


Tobie Funte began teaching aerobics, step aerobics and body sculpting classes while attending the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Upon graduation, Tobie began a career in the financial industry. She moved to Austin in 1999 to expand her opportunities as a financial advisor. Tobie has always had an interest in physical fitness and was introduced to Pilates in 2003 as an accompaniment to her cardio workouts. She immediately began to experience a change in her body, with a leaner physique, increased strength, stamina, and improved stability.



Tobie Funte

With the opportunity to leave the corporate world, Tobie decided to expand her knowledge of Pilates and was introduced to the Classical System of Power Pilates. In 2006, Tobie began her training with Power Pilates when she became certified to teach beginner mat classes. She obtained her intermediate mat certification in early 2007. Tobie decided to become a fully certified Power Pilates instructor through a comprehensive, 600-hour training program which utilized all of the principles and apparatus of the Pilates system.

Tobie is excited to share her enthusiasm and knowledge of the classical Pilates method at Body Springs Studio. She encourages you to experience the Power Pilates systematic and integrative approach to Pilates training. This movement-based system can result in an energized, strong, and pain-free body.		  


Originally from central Texas , Robyn Courtney was introduced to Pilates in 2003 as an alternative to circuit station workouts while living in Boise , Idaho . She moved back to Texas in 2005 with her husband and two beautiful daughters; where she continued her Pilates workouts. She started mat sessions at a Power Pilates affiliate in Austin where she began to learn the differences in Pilates methodology. Robyn found the Classical System gave her better results after just six weeks then she had achieved in over one year of previous workouts.


She realized Pilates was more than just a workout; for her it was an overall mind and body connection. She learned a systematic approach to Pilates that not only strengthens the core but also tones every muscle in the body. She decided to expand her knowledge of Pilates by becoming a certified trainer in the Classical Power Pilates Method. She became certified to train mat classes in 2006. Robyn continued her training to become a fully certified Power Pilates instructor in the fall of 2007. She is excited to continue her education with the many workshops that Power Pilates offer.

Robyn invites you to empower yourself with the systematic classical approach of the Power Pilates regime at Body Springs. You are not just learning the workout; you are Returning to Life. Pilates teaches you how to make every movement you make come from your core: be it walking, running, swimming, riding a bike, or even getting up out of bed. “One of the major results of Pilates is gaining the mastery of your mind over the complete control of your body”. Joseph H. Pilates




Robyn Courtney