Every Step Counts

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After graduating from college, I focused on pursuing my dream of becoming a contemporary dancer.  In 2000, I became trained in classical Pilates under Master Teacher Carol Appel, a student of Romana Kryzanowska, who established one of the first Pilates teacher training programs in San Francisco, CA.  In the five years teaching under Carol’s mentorship, I had the opportunity to explore and refine my teaching of classical Pilates with a wide variety of clients in both one-to-one sessions and group classes.  I expanded my knowledge with continuing education courses in Preggo Pilates, Pilates for Osteoporosis, and fitness training, and later delved into NeuroKinetic Therapy and Holistic Lifestyle Coaching (CHEK Institute), broadening my perspective on applications, adaptations, and integrations of the Pilates method. 

Over the past 25 years, I have had the privilege of learning from legendary teachers and Elders, including Kathy Grant, Ron Fletcher, Lolita San Miguel, and Michele Larsson (a protege of Eve Gentry). I’ve also studied with master teachers like Carol Appel, including Rael Isacowitz (founder of BASI Pilates), Elizabeth Larkam, Sherri Betz, Dawn Marie-Ickes, and Jean Sullivan. With ongoing learning through conferences, workshops, online courses, and seminars I continue to build a wealth of knowledge, which informs my approach to teaching.

Some career highlights include working with cast members of Cirque du Soleil during the 2005 Corteo tour in SF and San Jose, CA; teaching pre-natal Pilates, dance, and art classes for the SFUSD Pregnant Minors Program at Hilltop High School in SF, CA; offering modern dance, ballet, and Pilates at Destiny Arts Center’s after-school program in Oakland, CA; and working with competitive divers at DiveLab in Novato, CA. In 2019, I lived in Abu Dhabi, UAE, teaching fitness and Pilates at two exclusive women’s gyms, primarily working with Emirati women. Returning to the U.S. just in time for the pandemic, I pursued an MS in Health and Wellness Management, adding and integrating new pathways of growth into my career.

Now, 25 years into my Pilates journey, the practice remains at the core of my physical and emotional well-being.  It has supported me through numerous challenges and continues to push me to grow, even as my body changes with time.  I am always exploring new ways to guide others on their own Pilates paths, helping them discover the transformative potential of this practice.

***Classical Pilates is a system of teaching in the tradition of the students that inherited Joe and Clara's studio in New York City. Also referred to as the New York or East Coast method. Classical Pilates is done on equipment produced to the specifications of the equipment Joe designed.  And most lessons and classes follow the order of exercises he created on the Mat and the Reformer.  Additional equipment in a classical Pilates studio will be more of the apparatus Joe created - the Wunda Chair, the Cadillac, the Ladder Barrel, the Small Barrel, the High Chair, and the Ped-i-Pole. Within the classical systems variation exists between exercise names and subtle differences, but the relationship to the original body of work is closely aligned. 

***In contrast contemporary Pilates, based on the classical movements, has been changed in some way. Changes are reflected in the exercises, make and style of equipment, sequencing of exercises, verbal cues, movement concepts, and inclusion of non-classical exercises. Contemporary Pilates embraces advancements in exercise science and interpretation of the classical exercises, and accepts new exercises into the system.  Some contemporary Pilates even fuses with other systems, techniques, methods, etc. While often great workouts and fun classes, there is a clear difference between classical and contemporary Pilates as training systems. A good student of the method will know the classical work and what within contemporary Pilates has value for their body.