Timothy Zimmer - Owner/Senior Teacher
Tim has always had an aptitude toward flexibility and movement. This, combined with his long time interest in music, dance and performance, led him to enroll in the Department of Dance at Loretto Heights College in Denver, Colorado, under director James Clouser, in 1986. Fortunate to have studied with Mr. Clouser, whose approach to dance was rooted in teaching movement from a place of sound body mechanics, proper alignment, and awareness of proper joint function, these philosophies sunk deep into his understanding of how the body worked. All of these principles were brought back to the forefront in 1991 when he first began to study with Master Teacher, Ron Fletcher. In 1993, he and his wife, Sabra Blacklock Zimmer, became owners of one of the first Pilates studios in the Denver Metro area. Tim served on the first Board of Directors for the Ron Fletcher Company from 2000 to 2002, where he worked closely with Ron Fletcher and came to truly understand and appreciate the passion this Master has for the work to which he has devoted his life. Tim has primarily studied with Master Teacher, Ron Fletcher, who recognized him as a Senior Teacher in 2000, but he has also done hundreds of hours in continuing education with other professionals, both in and out of the Pilates field. Tim has well over 35,000 hours of teaching experience in the Pilates work, giving him a depth of knowledge not often encountered. He enjoys sharing his knowledge with new and old friends alike and pride’s himself on providing a friendly, educational and rewarding experience for each person who comes to him.
Sabra Blacklock Zimmer - Owner/Senior Teacher
Sabra grew up with a love for movement. Being drawn to the activities of gymnastics and dance from a young age, she has spent most of her life fascinated by how the body moves, from the experience of how it feels to the grace in how it looks. She became a member of the Department of Dance at Loretto Heights College in 1985, where she studied with James Clouser. His approach to dance and movement, which included a study of body mechanics, postural alignment and precisely aligned joint function, became the foundation of her understanding of movement. After earning her BA in Dance in 1988, Sabra studied dance and performance through various opportunities, including time spent in New York City and a year of travel with “Up With People”. In January 1991, after returning to Denver, Sabra met Master Teacher Ron Fletcher, and immediately realized the Pilates work and more specifically, Fletcher Pilates, aligned with her beliefs in the foundations of movement.
“From the first class of Ron Fletchers work I knew I had found what I was going to do for the rest of my life.”-Sabra Blacklock Zimmer.
Fletcher Pilates became her life career. In September 1991, she moved to Los Angeles, CA, where she taught at the original Ron Fletcher studio, “The Ron Fletcher Company,” created by Ron Fletcher in 1971 and learned at the feet of his protégés, Diane Severino and Michael Podwal. In 1993, after apprenticing for two years at Denver’s first and only Fletcher Pilates studio, Sabra and her soon to be husband, Tim Zimmer, became the owners. Sabra was recognized by Master Teacher, Ron Fletcher as a Senior Teacher in 2000 and was one of the principal creators of The Ron Fletcher Program of Study, the first teacher education program built around the life long work of this incredible Master, and the only program to carry Ron Fletcher’s endorsement. Sabra is a “teacher of teachers”, teaching workshops around the country, as well as, having been a presenter at both the Body, Mind, Spirit convention and the annual conference for the Pilates Method Alliance. She has more than 35,000 hours of experience teaching Fletcher Pilates, which has made her a highly sought after teacher. But more than anything, she loves that she gets to spend her life continuing to learn and share her passion with others.
Keri Merriman - Staff Teacher
Keri first came to the Pilates work in 1993. With a strong background in both gymnastics and dance, the work came naturally and she became fascinated by the intricacies of the movements and the study of body mechanics. She learned to teach through an apprenticeship with Sabra Blacklock Zimmer and began teaching in 1995. Keri has hundreds of hours of continuing education, primarily in Fletcher Pilates, but also with numerous other professionals, both within the Pilates field, as well as, other related fields. In 2000, she was recognized by Master Teacher, Ron Fletcher, as a Qualified Teacher and her thorough deliberate manner has earned her a faithful and loyal following. She loves her time at Pilates of the Rockies and enjoys most, teaching and learning from her students.
Kristi Baril - Staff Teacher
Kristi is a former competitive gymnast, who first found the Pilates work during her rehabilitation process for a broken knee. She has been a student of movement from as early as childhood and in 1999 entered into the apprenticeship program under the tutelage of Sabra Blacklock Zimmer. In 2000, she began teaching and has enjoyed the versatility it provides her in movement for her gymnastics students, as well as, her Pilates clientele and herself. As a professional gymnastics coach of 18 years, she utilizes her knowledge of Fletcher Pilates to create an environment for her gymnasts built upon correct body mechanics and precise movement patterns that sustains their strength in competition, while simultaneously protecting the stability and integrity of their muscle and joints. Kristi has enjoyed thousands of hours of continuing education in several related professions along with her extensive knowledge and experience with Fletcher Pilates. Kristi loves being part of the staff at Pilates of the Rockies. There is always more to be learned!
Barbie McLelland - Staff Teacher
Barbie McLelland came to the Pilates work and specifically, Pilates of the Rockies, by way of a life-changing event in 1995. Her daughter was involved in a serious automobile accident that challenged her to find rehabilitation avenues beyond what convention therapies offered. She has an extensive background in health and fitness, and was astonished and impressed by the profound changes that are possible with Fletcher Pilates. During the course of her daughter’s visits, Barbie decided to give the work a try for herself and instantly connected with the depth and precision that it brought to her movements. In 2004, she became a part of The Ron Fletcher Program of Study, under the guidance of Sabra Blacklock Zimmer and in 2005, she became part of the talented staff at Pilates of the Rockies. Barbie’s other passion is her practice as a licensed Massage Therapist, for which she credits Fletcher Pilates with enabling her to comfortably work in this physically demanding career for over 20 years. Barbie has thousands of hours in continuing education in Fletcher Pilates, as well as, other related fields and she brings that knowledge and insight to each and every client. Barbie loves being part of the community at Pilates of the Rockies and enjoys the ongoing opportunities for continued growth that it brings to her life.
Carol Chevarria
Athletic from a young age, Carol has always been involved and interested in health and fitness. She has been active in numerous sports, from horse back riding to baseball. Carol came to Fletcher Pilates, by complete chance, due to the serious injury of her son. She watched in amazement as her son made progress, above and beyond what the experts had thought possible. During the time that she was dealing with the new realities that her sons injury would mean for her life, she had stopped the activities that had once been such a big part of her life. The progress that her son made inspired her to experience the work for herself and it reignited her love for movement and personal growth. It has been 10 years since her first introduction to Fletcher Pilates, and she is now in her second year of an apprenticeship with Pilates of the Rockies, and loves each opportunity she gets to learn. “It(Fletcher Pilates) makes a difference! No matter how old you are, or where you come from, it changes you. It’s more than just exercise. It’s unique to each person. It’s using the quality of the body to enhance the quality of life.”
