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TORONTO, July 23, 2008-
STOTT PILATES® extends its enthusiastic congratulations to Master Instructor Trainer
PJ O’Clair, the owner, president and educational director of New England-based Northeast Pilates,
who has been honored with the 2008 IDEA Program Director of the Year Award for outstanding achievement in
fitness.
Presented annually by the IDEA Health and Fitness Association, the world’s largest membership
organization of health and fitness professionals, the award recognizes a fitness professional who is a healthy
role model, demonstrates professional commitment through community and industry involvement, inspires staff
through creativity and leadership, and influences active and underactive people to commit to a healthy
lifestyle through successful, creative and diverse programming. O’Clair received the award at the
IDEA World Fitness Convention held in Las Vegas from July 8-12.
O’Clair has more than 25 years of experience in the fitness industry and for 10 years has been a
Master Instructor Trainer with STOTT PILATES, training and certifying instructors in the
STOTT PILATES method.
A sought-after instructor and educational workshop presenter, she is featured and has been actively involved in
the development of more than 25 STOTT PILATES DVDs including the recently-released consumer title Prenatal
Pilates on the Ball and the professional title Breast Cancer Rehab on Equipment. She has been published
in PilatesStyle magazine as well as the IDEA Fitness Journal, and counts fashion designer Sigrid Olsen among her
many Pilates clients.
A native of the Boston area, O’Clair established Northeast Pilates in 1998. Today, with locations
in Boston, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Maine, Northeast Pilates is New England’s largest offering
of STOTT PILATES certification, education, and programming for Pilates instructors and enthusiasts of all levels
and ages.
“Teaching is my passion – I have always found it incredibly meaningful to unite people for a
bigger purpose like health and wellness, including the many charitable causes I actively support through
fitness initiatives,” said O’Clair, who has a keen interest in Pilates instruction for aging
adults, breast cancer patients and pre- and post-natal women. “I feel blessed to have received this
level of recognition from the fitness community.”
“PJ is a gifted and inspiring fitness professional who has made tremendous contributions to Pilates
and to the broader world of fitness and health,” said Lindsay G. Merrithew, co-founder of STOTT PILATES
and its President and CEO. “This award recognizes the talent, energy and sheer excellence she brings to
her passion for fitness and models so admirably for others.”
Adds Moira Merrithew, co-founder and Executive Director of Education at STOTT PILATES, “PJ is such
an important part of our education team. Her creativity, enthusiasm and passion make her a joy to work with and
an excellent and talented instructor.”
“PJ is an incredibly talented and versatile program director and business owner. She has been one of
IDEA’s top presenters for many years and has also been an IDEA State Representative,” said Peter
Davis, CEO of IDEA Health & Fitness Association. “PJ is one of those rare individuals who can do it
all in the fitness industry – she can teach, create new programs, lead and manage. We are proud to have
her represent IDEA as the 2008 Program Director of the Year.” |
About STOTT PILATES
STOTT PILATES, a subsidiary of the Merrithew Corporation, is the only full-service organization of its
kind providing high-caliber pilates education, videos and equipment worldwide. Founded in Toronto in 1988 by
Lindsay G. Merrithew and Moira Merrithew, the company’s mission is to promote the benefits of mind-body
fitness worldwide. Visit www.stottpilates.com
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