Our Philosophy & Staff

Heather Obleada’s passion for movement has led her through a career of dancing, choreographing and teaching. She grew up performing with The Charleston Ballet, received her B.A. in Dance from Radford University and continued her studies with The Alvin Ailey Dance Theater and Martha Graham School in New York. She taught ballet, choreographed, and developed the modern dance program with Jami Masters in Charlotte, NC and danced professionally with Brouseau Danceworks and American Dance Art. She graduated with her pilates certification from Body Awareness in Atlanta, GA and with her yoga certification from The Bodhi Tree En Yoga Teacher Training program in Charlotte. Heather’s lifelong passion paved the road to Iron Butterfly Pilates, which she founded in 2005. Iron Butterfly has since dedicated itself to being a place for everyone, from professional athletes to busy moms, to find their Strength from Within.

Anabel is originally from Austin, Texas where she grew up dancing from a young age. She holds a BFA and M.A. in Dance Studies from Florida State University where she had the pleasure of studying dance science and a variety of somatic practices, including Pilates. She also holds a minor in Biomedical Physics, which serves to support her understanding and implementation of kinesiological principles. After years of practicing and teaching Pilates through the lens of her dance practice, she became a certified Mat and Reformer instructor through Balanced Body and is currently pursuing her comprehensive certification. She is excited to bring her positive energy and passion for Pilates to the Iron Butterfly team.

Allison grew up in Ellicott City, Maryland, a suburb of Baltimore. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Mary Washington in Virginia and Master of Business Administration from Loyola University Maryland. After years of playing competitive sports including lacrosse in college and running marathons and half marathons, Allison was looking for a form of movement that incorporated the entire body and made her feel good both mentally and physically. After discovering Pilates and all the amazing benefits it provides, she knew she wanted to be able to bring all the joy she finds from Pilates to others. Allison completed her comprehensive Pilates’ training through Balanced Body. She is extremely grateful to be part of the Iron Butterfly team and has been so fortunate to be able to work with amazing clients who she gets to help not only get a great workout in during class, but also feel better in their everyday lives.

Dorie was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She danced professionally in New York and California and toured the US and Japan, with The Joffrey Ballet, Cleveland Ballet, and the touring company of Jesus Christ Superstar.  As the rigors of professional ballet took a toll, she shifted her focus, working in theatre, film and television as a performer and teaching ballet, injury prevention and conditioning for dancers. Dorie holds certifications in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) and Power Pilates systems. Her classical training in Pilates,  combined with her continued studies of science in the field of dance conditioning and cross-training,  fuels her passion and fascination with the human body’s ability to move, remember, change, heal, and grow.

Dr. Erin Toy graduated with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from The University of North Carolina in 2010. During her graduate years, her research focus was on Pilates Based Physical Therapy. Dr. Toy began teaching Pilates in 2007 and continued her 900-hour certification with The Pilates Center during the completion of her graduate program. Dr. Toy shadowed under another Pilates Based Physical Therapist and soon realized the unlimited potential patients receive from the addition of Pilates to traditional Physical Therapy. It is Dr. Toy’s mission to assist patients in realizing their true physical potential, which in turn will promote healing, and the restoration of health.

Katy Payne grew up in Sparta, New Jersey, where she was an avid athlete on the tennis, ski, and track team. East Carolina University brought Katy to the south where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Merchandising. Upon graduation, Katy landed in the banking industry, where she pursued a full time career for almost two decades. An unfortunate spinal injury, followed by spinal surgery, led Katy to Pilates. After years of taking Pilates classes, and seeing the benefits both physically and mentally in her own body, Katy decided she was ready to share those benefits with others. She decided on a career change and became comprehensively certified with the Pilates Academy International, headquartered in NYC. She also holds certifications in Balancepoint Barre and Core Reform Smart Movement. Katy brings to Iron Butterfly Pilates her positive energy, a love of Pilates, and a passion for teaching. Katy’s loves are her husband Randy, his boys Reed and Ryan, her two fur babies, Louie and Cam, golfing, running, and playing tennis.

Health and fitness were at the forefront of Joelle Herman’s childhood competing in gymnastics, dance and track.  She earned a bachelor’s degree in Health Education and a minor in Exercise Science from Virginia Tech and holds a Bachelor of Nursing degree from Radford University.  After years of teaching many forms of group exercise, Joelle discovered Pilates to help her rehabilitate an injury while training for triathlons.  Recognizing the beauty of the Method and its holistic approach to movement helped her complete her Pilates mat certification in 2011 followed by a 500 hour comprehensive equipment Pilates training program from Balancepoint Pilates in 2014. That same year she became a National Certified Pilates Teacher (NCPT) – a prestigious international certification recognized for its high standing credentials.  The quote by Anthony J. D’Angelo, “Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow” is why she values continuing education to improve as a Pilates teacher.  Joelle’s knowledge and energy allows her to create a unique Pilates program for each of her clients to help them obtain their ultimate fitness and health goals.  She loves cooking, spending time with her husband, two children and dog Ripley.

Julianna traded life on a farm to become a dancer and aerialist. She discovered Pilates during her dance training at the University of Utah, where she received her MFA. Julianna enjoys the lifelong movement possibilities within the form. She is a National Certified Pilates Teacher (NCPT) and graduated from The Pilates Center in Boulder, CO. Currently, Julianna is studying to become a physical therapist.

Kathy started practicing Pilates after a car accident in 1999 when she discovered that it not only helped her recover from her injuries, but stretched and strengthened her body like no other exercise before. After many years as a client, she decided to leave her job in pharmaceutical sales and train to be an instructor. In 2009, she got her Stott Pilates Level 2 Certification in Matwork, Reformer, Cadillac, Stability Chair and Barrels. She also has a certification in Injuries and Special Populations, which includes pre and post-natal clients.

Born and raised in both Indiana and Florida, Kathy was an avid tennis player and diver on her school teams. She remained active throughout her college years at Florida State University, where she received her B.S. degree in Communication with a minor in Advertising. She is excited to be a part of IBP family and loves to help clients on every level to achieve their health and fitness goals. In her free time, Kathy enjoys surfing and skiing with her two sons and husband, and spending time with her fur baby, Henry.

Kim Chapple grew up in South Africa where she attended the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, receiving her bachelors degree in Sport Science and her honours degree in Biokinetics. She was introduced to Pilates during her internship year at a Sports Rehabilitation Clinic and has been hooked ever since. She lived in London, England for 7 years where she taught Pilates full time while continuing her Pilates education through the BASI method. Kim moved to Charlotte in June 2013 and is excited and honored to be apart of the IBP family.

After years of dancing professionally and teaching for Bodiography Contemporary Ballet in Pittsburgh, Lauren Suflita Skrabalak brought her knowledge and passion for movement to Charlotte. Originally from upstate New York, her dance training led her to the University of Utah where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ballet. Realizing the benefits of Pilates to her own training, Lauren gained her Pilates Mat certification through PowerHouse Pilates and is currently working towards her apparatus certification through Balanced Body University. Most recently, she earned her Master of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, is an Adjunct Professor at Winthrop University and is also part of the faculty at the Charlotte Ballet Academy. Lauren is proud to be a part of Iron Butterfly Pilates ™ and the mission it upholds.

Stephanie was born and raised in Ohio where she grew up as an athlete, competing in volleyball, basketball, and softball. She found her love for physical therapy after enduring a season ending injury. Stephanie graduated from Ohio State University with a Masters in Physical Therapy, later moving to North Carolina in 2009. She’s now practiced PT for 18 years and later discovered Pilates after having her boys. Now almost 5 years later Stephanie is combining her passion for helping others with her understanding of how the body moves, changes, and heals.

An athletic scholarship for Ice Hockey landed Tarraneh at St. Norbert’s College in De Pere, Wisconsin. She graduated with her degree in biology with a concentration in biomedical science.  Tarraneh, “T” is a CrossFit L1 and CrossFit Gymnastics certified coach, a personal trainer, and nutritional advisor.  T also has extensive management experience, which along with her driven personality, brought her to Iron Butterfly.  T is excited to be part of the family as a studio receptionist.

Kaitlyn, or Kat, received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Winthrop University in 2020 and is currently indulging her love for words by pursuing a Professional Writing Certification at Trident Technical College. Kat’s creative and driven  spirit led her to Iron Butterfly where she enjoys being our Social Media Manager and helping with various tech-related tasks. When Kat isn’t creating for Iron Butterfly, she is embracing her love for animals as a Pet Stylist, while dedicating time to her artistic endeavors. Kat is always eager for new experiences and fills her free time with travel, fitness, gardening, and spending time with friends and family.