Meet Our Staff

Junghee Kallander, Certified Pilates Instructor

Originally from Seoul, Korea, Junghee Kallander began her career in 1999 when she was certified by Romana Kryzanowska of "The Pilates Studio". In 2003, Junghee joined Power Pilates as a Teacher Trainer and co-founded and directed the first Pilates studios in Korea - Pilates Korea and Classic Pilates.

As a professional dancer in ballet, modern, jazz, and Korean traditional dance, Junghee has performed extensively in South Korea and the United States. One particular honor was to perform the "Hwakwanmu" at the Opening Ceremonies of the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul. Other accolades include being a soloist model in the "Classical Pilates Technique" DVD series with Dr. Peter Fiasca and Bob Liekens, as well as teaching the Pilates Method at various universities, academic societies, cultural centers, and corporations.

Junghee has an M.A. in Dance and Dance Education from New York University and a Ph.D. in Performing Arts from Kyung Hee University. After more than 10-years of teaching in New York City and Seoul, Junghee has relocated to California where she teaches at Body Awareness Pilates in San Clemente.

Connie Needham, Certified Pilates Instructor

Connie received her certification in 2007 in Pilates through Studio du Corps under the direction of Diane Diefenderfer, a master teacher in the Ron Fletcher method of Pilates. Diane studied under Ron Fletcher, a student of Joseph Pilates himself. She has undergone comprehensive training in working with a variety of clientele, ranging from young dancers to weekend warriors to geriatric fitness. Connie has worked in the entertainment industry both as a dancer and actress since the age of 12, and has been teaching dance for 15 years. She enjoys working with young dancers to improve their body awareness and focuses on training for injury prevention.

Connie's passion for teaching and her compassionate nature enables her to be successful working with all age groups.

About the owner...

Chrissie Morgan Sulkess is a licensed physical therapist with an extensive background treating orthopedic injuries and sports medicine; including working with the SCHS dance team and girls water polo team. Chrissie continues her love of treating athletes while adding an interest in women's health, craniosacral therapy, and visceral manipulation. Chrissie currently lectures yearly to the urology department of UCI Medical Center and well as functions as a teacher's assistant for continuing education courses of the Movement Balance System as developed by Shirley Sahrmann. She also lectures within the physical therapy community regarding shoulder rehabilitation and injury prevention. She opened Body Awareness Physical Therapy in Costa Mesa in 2000.

Chrissie's passion about bringing injury prevention and wellness to her community of San Clemente, where she lives with her husband and 2 beautiful children, lead her to open Body Awareness Physical Therapy and Wellness Center in 2004. Body Awareness Pilates Studio is a private Pilates Studio located within the Wellness Center. Chrissie works regularly with our certified instructors to continually provide growth and elevate the studio's ability to provide the highest level of instruction to our clientele. Her background in rehabilitating athletes and development of women's health programs are complimentary to what the studio has to offer.