Cathleen Murakami - Bio

Movement is the center of Cathleen Murakami's life. Cathleen majored in dance at the University of Washington and practiced the Wu style of Tai-Chi at the Seattle Kung-Fu Club for nearly a decade.

She went on to instruct aerobics, funk and strength training in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Cathleen has specialized in the Pilates technique since 1991.

After an apprenticeship at the prestigious Alan Herdman Pilates Studio of London, Cathleen returned to the US to develop and coordinate Pilates programs at both the Rancho la Puerta and The Golden Door Spas. She pioneered the Pilates mat and equipment program for both the Santa Barbara Athletic Club and the Honolulu Athletic Club. Her company, SynergySystems®, has produced five DVD’s in Pilates mat work and her workshops have been filmed for distribution by the Healthy Learning corporation. Her book Morning Pilates Workouts was published in late 2006.

Cathleen continues to be a popular presenter on the fitness convention circuit where she is invited back annually to instruct. She introduced Pilates to the fitness audience in 1994 at the World IDEA 1994 in Las Vegas. Cathleen served on the IDEA Mind Body Fitness Committee from 1995-2002 and holds certifications from ACE, ACSM, Alan Herdman, Physicalmind and Long Beach Dance Conditioning and has completed training with the Tim Miller Ashtanga Yoga Center in Encinitas and Erich Schiffman of Sacred Movement in Los Angeles (Hatha).

She is certified in GYROKINESIS®, GYROTONIC® and has completed the GYROTONIC® Level 2 training exclusively taught by Juliu Horvath, founder of the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM®. Additionally, Cathleen has completed the GYROTONIC® for Golf as well as the shoulder, pelvis, & spine rehabilitation courses taught by physical therapist, Paul Horvath (Juliu’s brother) utilizing the GYROTONIC® methodology.

Instructing Pilates instructor certification courses since 1993, she was one of the original certifying instructors for Physicalmind. After resigning from Physicalmind, Cathleen became the only studio authorized to offer the Advances in the Pilates Technique certification course pioneered by the renowned Marie Jose Blom, which she facilitated for seven years. Now offering the SynergySystems® Pilates Instructor Certification in unique and easily accessed weekend workshops, Cathleen continues to offer one of the most comprehensive and thorough trainings available in the Pilates field today.