Instructors
Sarah Smysor Panning, PMA®-CPT
As the owner of Pillar of Strength, Sarah is passionate about working with clients of all ages, abilities and conditions, and her classes are always challenging and tailored to meet individual needs. With patience, compassion and an emphasis on safety and alignment, Sarah guides clients to new levels of fitness and healing from chronic injuries. She strives to help all her clients achieve their best selves through Pilates and GYROTONIC® exercise.
Before owning her own studio, Sarah worked in the corporate offices of two of Colorado’s major sports franchises—the Rockies and the Rapids. A lifelong athlete herself, Sarah ultimately discovered the transformative benefits of Pilates and GYROTONIC® exercise. She began her career in 2001 at a PhysicalMind Institute certifying studio, where she trained clients and taught and mentored students. A firm believer in continuing education and specialized training, Sarah earned her pre- and post-natal certification from The Center for Women’s Fitness (2009), she is a Pilates Method Alliance Certified Teacher (2011) and a Pilates Sports Center Master Trainer (2012), and is a 2018 graduate of the prestigious Kathy Grant Heritage Training in Pilates.
Sarah first studied GYROTONIC® with Master Trainer Lisa Marie Goodwin in 2001 and completed her Level 2 GYROTONIC® course with Master Trainer Clyde Rae Jolie-Ashe in 2011. She has continued to grow her expertise in this specialized practice over the years with Master Trainers Juergen Bamberger and Angela Crowley. Sarah is certified in GYROTONIC® exercise for golf, and she loves working with other golfers to help enhance their performance on the course.
Megan McGregor
Growing up in Anchorage, Megan spent most of her time in the dance studio taking a wide range of dance classes and rehearsing. Megan began her career as an instructor as an assistant for her favorite dance instructor and she continued to teach dance classes as she earned her degree in Exercise and Movement Science at the University of Oregon.
After graduation, Megan began taking Pilates classes to battle the ill effects of sitting at a desk all day long. It didn’t take long for her to realize how beneficial the classes were, not only for her body but also for her state of mind. Because of this, she jumped at the chance to participate in a training when the opportunity arose, obtaining her Polestar Pilates studio certification in 2005. She’s been developing her skills and knowledge ever since, including getting her CoreAlign certification in 2010, her Muscle Activation Techniques® JumpStart certification in 2018 and becoming a Muscle Activation Techniques® Full-Body Specialist (anticipated) in September 2020.
Megan is honored to make her passion her career and is thrilled to work with clients and to help him or her experience and better understand movement and to appreciate both the physical and mental benefits of Pilates. She believes that through conscious and deliberate effort, you can work together to develop more efficient movement patterns for any body. Movement is necessary, both for the body and soul!
