Cari Riis Stemmler
BBU Faculty, PMA CPT, CPT, Co-Owner of Paragon Pilates & Physical Therapy
While dancing professionally in Los Angeles, Cari started teaching Pilates in 1997. She has been a practitioner of Ashtanga, Hatha and Anusara yoga since 1996, and became a Certified Fitness Trainer (NASM) in 2002.
Cari now brings together the disciplines of dance, Pilates, yoga, and functional training to cultivate a well-rounded approach to fitness and wellness. A PMA Gold certified Pilates instructor, she currently teaches comprehensive Pilates instructor training courses & continuing education throughout the country as a faculty member for BBU (Balanced Body University) under the tutelage of Nora St. John.
As well, Cari teaches continuing education courses on integrating Pilates with Physical Therapy and special conditions with the fantastic women of Core Conditioning (Los Angeles). Cari presents at national Pilates conferences including Pilates on Tour and Pilates Meathod Alliance.
In 2004, she trained in Dance Medicine with the prestigious Harkness Center for Dance, and has lectured at National Dance Summits at the Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles. Most recently, she presented on the topic of Attaining Pelvic Stability in Dancers with Rhondi Miller at the Perpich Center for the Arts last fall. Cari has worked as part of the rehabilitative team for dancers for the past 6 years, both in Los Angeles and Mpls, and enjoys the process of helping a dancer regain the strength & motor control to return to dance stronger than they were prior to their injury.
Cari has performed professionally as a dancer in many venues doing both commercial and company work since 1992. After living and teaching in Los Angeles for a total of 12 years, she has recently returned to her home state and has opened Paragon with Rhondi. She also holds a B.A. degree in Cross-cultural Communication from the U of MN.
Paragon Pilates & Physical Therapy
5101 Vernon Ave. S. #2A
Edina, MN, 55436
952-405-9765