Cathy Redifer
I'm Cathy, the owner of Align Pilates. I began my own Pilates journey as a student in 2013. After having my first child, my back felt HORRIBLE. A co-worker suggested I try Pilates with her, and I've never turned back. Within days, I felt better. I quickly became obsessed and knew Pilates needed to be part of my life. I got my certification from Balanced Body in January of 2016, and have been a student and a teacher ever since.
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Align Pilates was born during the Covid-19 pandemic. Many people needed to move to stay sane, thus, I began doing virtual and in-person private sessions. As the pandemic slowed down, the tiny business moved into a space that was formerly my family's brewery. Equipment was purchased, then clientele grew, and then the team grew.
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The team that started as just me has grown to an incredible NINE member team. The coaches at Align fell into my life and into the business at exactly the right moments. I could not be more blessed with these people, and feel the same about our clients. Align is a special place because of the people and the positive attitudes of the people there. The coaches and clients constantly build each other up, both physically and mentally.
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Pilates is great, but bodies need more. Our hearts need cardiovascular exercise. Our joints and bones need strength and resistance training. That's why Align is built the way it is. It's the perfect place to receive a well-rounded workout.
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I hired people for the strength and cardio. Pilates is MY wheelhouse. So, in my opinion, there is never too much knowledge to be had. Networking with other instructors, picking their brains, taking workshops, and asking questions is what makes the Pilates community so special.
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I have my comprehensive certification, which means I can teach on multiple Pilates Apparatus'. That's why we offer Mat, Tower, Reformer, Chair, and Circuit.
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My passion and belief in the Pilates method is huge. I truly believe that Pilates is for EVERYbody. Come take a class. You won't regret it.
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IG: alignpilates_cathy
Kat Whisler
People often ask how I got into fitness, but it's a longer story than you'd expect...
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When I was 7 years old, I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. But it was my family's cheesy motto of "I have CAN-cer, not DONT-cer" that brought me right into fitness as soon as I was cured.
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From volleyball to swim, track and dance, I was so excited to have my health back and I wanted to do it all!
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in 2007, after running my first marathon, I decided to get certified in my favorite kickboxing class to change up my cardio routine. Teaching group fitness led me to personal training and the rest is history!
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I completed both the ISSA & NASM Personal Trainer certification in 2008, plus specializations in Women's Health, Nutrition, and Youth Fitness, as well as countless other group fitness courses as well as the Club Pilates certification.
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I competed in NPC Bikini for 5 years and loved sharing my "Cancer survivor to competitor" story with others in hopes that it helped them feel empowered to take charge of their own health and fitness goals.
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Now, as a mom, I'm just trying to balance my fitness while still enjoying life.
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I LOVE helping people feel confident in their own bodies and believe fitness goals are more than just a scale number.
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I believe you can reach your goals, and I'm excited to help you do it!
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IG: @keepfitwithkat
Francisco Cardenas
In 2011, I stepped foot into a gym for the first time and started exploring what fitness was. The first couple years I followed a bodybuilding approach and later dove into CrossFit, as the variety and functional approach hooked me. After a few years, I discovered a more functional approach to bodybuilding and conditioning that focused on consistency, mechanics, and longevity and I have not looked back since.
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I was born and raised in Yakima, Graduated from CWU, and currently work with Q Home Loans helping people with their home lending needs.
Clover Newman
Clover is a biological mom of 2, and a mom in love to 3 more for a total of 5 incredible young adults
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She began developing a passion for personal fitness in her early 20's (yup, just the other day!), and started by independently lifting weights and running. She continued running pretty much exclusively after her kids were born by strapping them in the stroller, putting on some music, and loved the movement and mental break from the day.
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Clover then fell in love with group fitness classes. The idea that you show up and do hard things together, push through, encourage each other, and show up for each other was awesome. She obtained her group fitness certification and and has taught various group fitness classes and yoga for over 10 years.
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She loves to balance cardiovascular, strength, and flexibility into a functional training plan that can be challenging and FUN for wherever any individual is on any given day.
Meghan Braun
I am lucky to help Align in the back office with administration and scheduling. I graduated from CWU in 2013 with my degree in Public Relations and love to help people! Besides administrator duties at Align, I also work for a fund investment group, I own my own event planning company (Twenty-One Event Company) and I am a full-time momma to a spunky 4-year-old. I was convinced to do a class at Align and instantly fell in love with the instructors, fellow classmates and the feeling of community.
I was born in Hawaii and lived all over the world before coming to Yakima, I graduated from Eisenhower High School. I love traveling and see the world. Training has always been a part of my life from sports to work. I became a CPFT in 2021 to pursue a passion I've always had. I am certified through IFBB for Personal Training and Basic Nutrition. I am currently attending J3 University and Lane Norton's Advanced Nutrition Program to provide even better services to my clients. I love seeing the joy on people's faces when they reach fitness goals they never thought possible for themselves. Recently, I obtained a Pain Free Performance Specialist Certification.
Mike Nielsen
I have been active all my life through sports and dance. In 2015 I began weightlifting and fell in love with it. I have been working on and off since then but in 2020, I found myself in the toughest season of my life with my mental health at the lowest point it's been. I went back to the gym to help deal with the anxiety and depression I was living in and I haven't left since. My love for weightlifting slowly progressed from just working out to help cope to learning all things health and wellness and being as strong as possible. I'm passionate about helping people find their best self, mentally, physically, emotionally and to love the body they live in.
Annalee Lund
Heather Liles
Hi, I'm Heather, a Physical Therapist Assistant from the Yakima Valley. I have a passion for helping people heal. I am Barbell Rehab Method certified, and have been practicing and licensed as a PTA since 2008 working in many different settings. I began the journey to become a Pilates instructor in 2022 and am excited to share my knowledge of the body and Pilates with others. I'm looking forward to expanding my knowledge and understanding of working and training the female athlete.
Amy Myers
I'm Amy! I love all things fitness related and have fallen in love with Pilates and HIIT it makes my body feel and move better! Movement has been both therapeutic and healing for me and I hope to share my love for movement with others. After taking Pilates for two years regularly, I'm so excited to join the Align team as an instructor and be part of the of an incredibly supportive and encouraging group of dedicated teachers!
Robb Paul
Robb Paul
I am Robb Paul.I have about amazing wife and 2 boys who are completely different but incredible in their own ways. I am a commercial insurance broker and owned a personal training gym for 7 years. I am certified in person training, weightlifting, powerlifting, rowing, and sports nutrition. I understand that every body is made differently and while the basics are the same, movements vary slightly for everyone. My goal as a trainer is to focus on the compound lifts first because they are the most efficient, hitting all the major muscle groups and most of the minor muscle groups as well. I will help you get stronger and build muscle composition.
Lauren Thomas
Once a private client, now a Pilates enthusiast! Lauren first stepped into the studio 3 years ago as a curious beginner and walked (literally 3 miles a day) her way into a whole new lifestyle. By day, she's a high school college prep teacher; by night, she swapping desks for reformers and commanding the core curriculum in the studio.
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Her Pilates journey began with a few one-on-one sessions with Cathy, and before long, she was hooked-line and spine, and hundred! What started as a way to unwind after wrangling teenagers all day turned into a genuine love for mindful movement, connection, and a space where she gets to follow directions for once (students, take notes!)
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Lauren is also a proud fur mama to two adorable pups who keep her grounded. Now in the process of earning her Pilates Certification, she is excited to share her passion with everyBODY - one teaser, plank, and pun at a time. Come flow with her and prepare to roll up to your best self!
Liz Brockes
My name is Liz and I am a local to the Yakima Valley, I grew up an athlete and have always had a passion & heart for fitness. I’ve been doing hair for the last ten years, and I have struggled finding exercise that worked & benefited my worn body from the hair industry. When I moved back to Yakima in 2024 I decided to give Pilates another chance when I was a whopping 25 weeks pregnant. I instantly fell in love with how it made me feel & how truly anyone could do it. After giving birth and settling back into classes I had really considered pursuing a route in teaching. After speaking with Cathy, I was signed up for my first course and the rest was history. While I welcomed a quick second pregnancy I was so thankful to have Pilates from the beginning this time around. I always tell anyone and everyone they can do Pilates. It’s so low impact & made to help align and strengthen your body. I’m really excited unfortunate for this path to teach at Align, and can’t wait to slowly finish my courses & work with all different people from different backgrounds on the reformer.
Emma Degoyer
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