Our Instructors

Maria Sison-Wright, PT

Maria Sison-Wright is founder and director of Inner Core Wellness. She has been practicing as a physical therapist for 27 years with extensive experience in orthopedic, neurological and sport injuries. In 2004, she received her pilates certification under the tutelage of master teachers , Romana Kryzanowska, the world-renowned protégé of Joseph Pilates and her daughter Sari Mejia Santo in New York City.  Maria is a Level IV Teacher Trainer of Romana’s Pilates Certification Program and has also given several workshops across the country. She maintains a high standard of continuing education commitment through post-graduate rehabilitation courses and regular Pilates continuing education with master teachers. She is a fully certified MELT METHOD  instructor. Thanks to her strong interest in Classical Pilates and the MELT Method, she has been able to apply the MELT Method and  Pilates principles in her physical therapy practice with positive results from her patients. She believes in “w”holistic approach of physical therapy addressing the body as a whole, thus rehabilitating not only the specific injury but the overall well being of her clients. She is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association and Romana’s Pilates. Maria is a very passionate and active member of Medical Mission of Mercy USA which provides free volunteer medical services to the underprivileged in the Philippines every year.

Loren Shell

Loren Shell has always found joy in movement and exercise, as a young dancer and later as a runner. She discovered Romana’s Pilates while looking for continued educational opportunities after a career change from teaching elementary education to group fitness. Loren was referred to Inner Core Wellness by another Romana’s Training studio in Virginia Beach and completed the intense 1.5 year program in the Fall of 2020 under the mentorship of Maria Sison-Wright. Loren also has ACE Fitness certificates in Group Fitness and Functional Movement. Loren is so excited to continue working with Inner Core Wellness.

Sunhae More

Sunhae More has always been extremely passionate in the fitness industry. She loves learning about people’s movements and working to find the right workout for them. Her love with Classical Pilates began in 2017 and despite the challenges of numerous moves as a military family, she couldn’t stop Pilates. She has taken lessons around the world in cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Seoul, and Hiroshima; always dreaming to become a Classical Pilates Instructor. In 2020, she began working under Brenna Hosang, in Virginia Beach, and Maria Sison-Wright completing her certification as a Romana Instructor in early 2022. Sunhae is also a certified ACE personal trainer and Peak Pilates Instructor level 1. She is fluent in Korean and can teach in either Korean or English depending on the client’s preference.

Lori Popovich

Lori Popovich became a student of classical Pilates in 2003 in an effort to heal herself from a chronic back injury she sustained from participation in high school sports. Overtime, Lori learned to initiate movement from her core/powerhouse, using the classical exercises developed by Joseph Pilates, ridding herself of chronic pain and compensatory weaknesses. She attributes a significant percentage of her full recovery to consistently and persistently doing Authentic Pilates 2-3x a week taught from properly trained instructors. Lori was so inspired by the results (increased strength, mobility, stamina, control, improved posture from proper pelvic & spinal alignment), as well as by the dedicated instructors around her, she decided to become an instructor herself. In 2008, Lori became a certified Power Pilates Instructor following the rigorous 600 hours+ Power Pilates Comprehensive program which includes Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced Systems. In addition, she earned her Personal Trainer certification from ACE in 2013, including an Orthopedic Specialist certification, among others from the ACE, and furthers her knowledge through various continuing education courses. Lori also graduated from Boston College with dual degrees in Finance and Personnel Management. She enjoys the outdoors especially hiking and skiing.

Tamar Reisner

Tamar is a certified classical Pilates instructor and professional dancer based on the East Coast. She loves guiding her clients as they strengthen the connection between their body & mind through the practice of Pilates.

Tamar was certified through the Romana’s Pilates Teacher Training Program, a comprehensive and authentic classical Pilates training program handed down directly from Joseph Pilates to Romana Kryzanowska, Joseph Pilates’ protegé. Tamar has completed over 900 hours of rigorous training under the mentorship of Master Teacher Trainer and Level II instructor Cynthia Shipley and has worked with a number of Pilates studios in the mid-Atlantic region. Eager to keep learning, she often attends workshops and continuing education seminars to deepen her knowledge of the body and the Pilates method. When Tamar isn’t teaching or performing, she enjoys spending time with her two cats, Archer and Zuzu.