Elizabeth Stafford
Senior Pilates & GYROTONIC® Instructor
Studio Manager (Portland Pearl District)
Pearl Pilates Studio Teacher Trainer (Portland Pearl District)
After moving to Portland in 2008 with her husband to raise their son, Elizabeth was looking for a career change that would give her more time with her family while keeping movement an important part of her life. Teaching Pilates felt like a natural fit. She became an instructor and began teaching throughout Portland, working with clients of all ages and abilities.
Over the years, Elizabeth has continued to deepen her knowledge through workshops in the Franklin Method® and Structural Integration, Pilates continuing education courses, and certification in the GYROTONIC® system. Her teaching emphasizes core strength, alignment, functional movement, and developing a greater awareness of how the body moves. Drawing on many years of teaching and a wide range of training and certifications, Elizabeth brings an experienced, thoughtful approach to movement that emphasizes breath, body awareness, strength, mobility, and function.
Elizabeth has been part of Pearl Pilates Studio for 12 years and has taught GYROTONIC® for the past seven. She sees both practices as tools for building a deeper connection to the body and supporting ease and confidence in everyday movement. She loves being part of Pearl’s warm, supportive community and is excited to bring her years of experience to the Pearl Pilates Teacher Training program.
Outside the studio, Elizabeth enjoys practicing Jiu-Jitsu and yoga, exploring Portland’s food and wine scene, traveling, seeing live music, spending time with friends, and snuggling with her family and two dogs.
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2009 Balanced Body® Mat Pilates Certification Course
2012 Balanced Body® Anatomy in Three Dimensions
2013 GRAVITY Foundation® Instructor
2013 Balanced Body® Reformer Certification Course
2014 Balanced Body® All Apparatus Pilates Certification (Chair, Cadillac and Ladder Barrel)
2015 Balanced Body® Orbit Certification
2016 Summit Professional Education Manual Therapy and Self-Care Techniques
2016 Momentum Pilates Certification Course (Mat and All Apparatus)
2017 Franklin Method® Fascia Training Course
2017 Franklin Method® Psoas: Beyond the Abdominals Course
2017 Northwest Center for Structural Integration Structural Bodywork Seminar
2018 GYROTONIC® Level 1 Certification
2018-ongoing GYROTONIC®