In 1992, Sheila McKinnis, CPT received a BA in Dance from the University of North Texas. During her time of study at UNT she was introduced to Pilates as part of the curriculum. After graduation, she danced professionally and taught dance in the Dallas area for ten years before moving back to her hometown of Little Rock. In 2002 she rediscovered Pilates and decided to further her studies by earning a Matwork Certification from Powerhouse Pilates. Realizing how integrated the work on the equipment is in relation to the mat, she sought out a certification program that was comprehensive. Sheila is certified under Ellie Herman, author of Pilates for Dummies and owner of The Ellie Herman studios in northern California and New York. Sheila is a member of the Pilates Method Alliance