Susannah Steers

At the heart of Moving Spirit, director Susannah Steers is an experienced Pilates practitioner, dancer, dance teacher and a movement enthusiast. She believes in fluid, balanced and organic movement, however it is manifested: in sport, dance or day to day living. In her work, she endeavours to inspire people to find a sense of themselves in their movement and to support them in finding the means to move in whatever way inspires them.

Susannah began her life-long career in movement on the dance floor. A graduate of Les Ateliers de Danse Moderne de Montreal,  Susannah has an extensive background in modern dance, most specifically in Limon/Graham techniques.  As a teacher  and choreographer, Susannah has  led the modern dance programs at  major dance academies in both BC and Ontario, and has worked with dance students across Canada.  She   is enthusastic about encouraging self-expression through movement and continues to  facilitate workshops in dance composition, improvisation and creative movement.  

As a dancer, Susannah discovered the many benefits of Pilates training. She apprenticed in the Pilates method of exercise under the tutelage of Dianne Miller and earned her teacher's certification in 1996. Since that time, she has been active in the Pilates community: Susannah was a member of the founding board of directors for the Canadian Pilates Association, chaired that organization's education committee, and served on committees working to develop standards for professional excellence. She participates regularly in mentoring and peer review projects and has given workshops for teacher training programs at several Pilates studios in the Lower Mainland.

Over the years, Susannah has continued her studies in movement with further training in anatomy, craniosacral therapy and fascial facilitation, Pilates, functional conditioning, contact improvisation, dance and alternative movement practices.  These ongoing studies have contributed to the evolution of Susannah's integrated approach to movement training and conditioning. Her work has been influenced by some very special mentors and teachers. Foremost among these are: Howard L. Jones (PT), Linda Rabin, Peter Bingham, Marie-Josee Blom and Dianne Miller. Susannah maintains and seeks out connections with a wide spectrum of professionals to explore multi-disciplinary approaches to issues in movement, health and the arts.

In her own personal movement repertoire, Susannah enjoys (or has enjoyed in the past) hiking & dog walking, trail running, martial arts (taekwondo and aikido), dance and contact improvisation, competitive swimming, diving, alpine and cross-country skiing and other activities. 

Guest Instructors

From time to time, Moving Spirit Pilates employs the assistance of guest instructors. These fabulously talented teachers are all fully-trained, experienced professionals who share a perspective of whole body integration in movement.  Some of our past guest teachers include: Kim Keays, Amy Kiara Ruth, Tracey Clark, Olivia Thorvaldson, Sandra Acton, Carrie Abresch, Elizabeth Burke, Sarah Moore and Maria Johanneson. We are pleased to continue our association with instructors at the forefront of the field.