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Douglas Evans
Douglas Evans is the Founder and
Director of Pilates Westwood. He has extensive training and
over 13 years of experience in Pilates (PMA Gold Certified),
Gyrotonic® (private instruction with Juliu Horvath, Inventor),
Functional Core Training (private tutoring with National Academy
of Sports Medicine Faculty) and Orthopedic Massage (Hendrickson
Method). Douglas draws from these disciplines to design
a program to help people from all walks of life achieve their
goals of balanced posture and movement. He enjoys nurturing
the progress of both clients and the staff of Pilates Westwood.
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Marina
Baroni
Marina holds a degree in Dance along
with an extensive theatrical background. She has 10 years
experience as an educator in self-care including exercise,
stretching, relaxation, body alignment and body mechanics.
She is a certified Massage Therapist and has been trained
in the Alexander Technique both in Europe and the United States.
She is certified in Gyrotonic® through L.A. Body Kinetics
and in Pilates through The Physical Mind Institute. Marina’s
approach to helping her clients realize vibrant health is
based on the core belief that through self awareness anybody
can change those physical and mental habits which are obstacles
to well-being. At Pilates Westwood, she offers Alexander Technique,
Pilates and Gyrotonic® sessions, either separate or combined
according to each individual’s specific goals and needs.
Marina is currently studying Ayurvedic Medicine. |
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Sonia
Berezovsky
Sonia has been a certified teacher/trainer since 1997, and she
offers sessions in Gyrotonic®, Pilates, and Feldenkrais.
She holds a B.F.A. in dance from NYU. She has worked with professional
ballet dancers while working at White Cloud West in San Francisco,
and she has worked with the elderly and with those with injuries
while working in physical therapy and chiropractic offices.
She became involved with this work through her intrigue and
curiosity invoked by her recovery from a dance injury. |
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Lihi Berzak
Lihi is a sports enthusiast and
has been working out and playing sports since she was a child.
Certified in Pilates from Performing Arts and Physical Therapy,
she has experienced teaching Pilates, both as a workout and
as a form of rehabilitation. Having worked with physical therapists
and chiropractors, and dealing with her own injuries, she gives
special attention to points of weakness, and sees both posture
awareness and stretching as inseparable parts of life. Lihi's
teaching involves both hard work and relaxation; it concentrates
on being powerful and in control of the body through the mind.
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Clint Bigham
Clint's background is in professional golf. He began studying
Rudra yoga after a repetitive strain injury occurred in practice.
He went on to study dance and body conditioning at UNLV and
is certified in Pilates, NIA® and the ArtForm® system. Clint
also holds a BA in international business from USD and is currently
enrolled in the Feldenkrais Guild of North America where his
movement awareness classes are taught to actors at the La Jolla
Playhouse. |
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Sher Borrell
Sher Borrell has been studying
and Teaching pilates for the last nine years. Upon receiving
her dance degree from U.C Irvine, she was mentored and certified
as an Aline pilates instructor by Tracy Fitzpatrick at Aline
Studios Inc. in Costa Mesa, CA. She went on to become a certified
GYROTONIC and GYROKINESES instructor while dancing with the
Nanette Brodie Dance Theater. Sher has performed, studied and
instructed nationally and internationally providing her the
opportunity to work with people of various training needs. Whether
it be professional athletes, dancers, seniors, children, and
those with with physical limitations, Sher enjoys creating unique
workouts for each individual. |
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Susan Lynn Bragg
Susan discovered the Gyrotonic
Expansion System® after injuries from a car accident led
her to explore numerous healing modalities and exercise systems.
A joy to execute, the system’s beautiful spiraling movements
work on many levels to gently release restrictions in the body
while simultaneously increasing strength. Her extensive experience
in acting, ballroom dance, horseback riding and martial arts
add to her overall understanding of movement. Warm and fun-loving,
Susan enjoys her ability to combine Gyrotonic® with the
energy work of Reiki to open her clients (ranging from beginners
to professional athletes) to new levels of strength, vitality
and health. |
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Angela Brunson
Angela Brunson is an accomplished
marathon and ultra-marathon runner. Angela is also active in
rock climbing, mountain biking, yoga, and ice hockey. She discovered
core training as a way to further develop her athleticism. After
training with Douglas Evans for over a year, Angela placed in
the top three of every race she entered. As a result, she looks
forward to sharing her secret for success with others. Her running
background allows her to effectively communicate with other
endurance athletes. Angela offers a variety of strength and
core exercises in order to help clients attain their fitness
goals. She received her personal trainer certificate from the
National Academy of Sports Medicine.
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Jay Bulloch, L.Ac. M.T.O.M.
Jay Bulloch holds a Masters Degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine, and is a
certified Pilates and Gyrotonic instructor. He has been teaching physical training
and Martial Arts since 1988, and Pilates and Gyrotonic since 2000. Jay's lifelong
interest in martial arts and healing has lead him to study various modalities of
training and medicine which include Acupuncture, Herbology, Nutrition, Tui Na
(Chinese Body Work), Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Pilates, and Gyrotonic. After many
years of dedicated study and training, Jay has a solid foundation in both the
Eastern and Western approaches to physical training and healing and is able to
customize an exercise and health regimen to suit any individual's needs, lifestyle,
and personality. Jay works with people who have chronic pain issues or injuries,
athletes training for peak performance, and people who have busy, stressful lives
who want to stay in shape and live healthier lives. |
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Madeleine Butcher
Madeleine Butcher is a graduate
of NYU School of the Arts (Dance). She has appeared on-Broadway
and off, in films and TV. A lifetime student of Ballet and acting,
Madeleine has taught ballet to toddlers and adults, improvisation
and playwriting to at-risk teens and for ten years, has been
a member of Cumulus, a Los Feliz dance company. In 2000, Madeleine
was introduced to Pilates and immediately recognized it as the
foundation of her early Modern Dance training. She is certified
through Power Pilates. |
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Marni Rosenthal Chaikin
Marni is a certified Stott Pilates
Instructor. She has completed courses in Mat,
Reformer, Cadillac, Chair and all Barrel equipment.
In addition she is pre and post natal certified
through Jennifer Gianni's Fusion Pilates. Marni was
first introduced to pilates in 1995 while studying
dance at the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU. She
graduated Cum Laude from NYU in 1999. She is a
professional dancer and a member of the Ptero Dance
Theater Company and has just recently begun working
towards a Masters in Dance at Cal State Long Beach.
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Sara Davis
Ohio native Sara Davis is certified in Acupressure, Shiatsu,
Deep Tissue, Swedish and Pregnancy massage. She looks to combine
these modalities into a treatment unique and individual to each client.
A long time practitioner of yoga and meditation, Sara received her teacher
training from Santa Barbara Yoga and Santa Monica Yoga with an emphasis
on Yin, Restorative, Hatha Yoga and Mindfulness meditation.
Sara has a passionate commitment to promoting health and wellness in all
people and she is very excited to add her energy to the eclectic talent
that makes up Pilates Westwood. |
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Jason Deyo
Personal Trainer, Nutritionist |
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Sheetal Gandhi
Sheetal Gandhi is a professional
dancer and choreographer and has performed and created with
Cirque du Soleil and Broadway, and danced with companies across
the U.S. and internationally. She is also currently a fellow
at UCLA, pursuing her Master of Fine Arts degree. Sheetal was
introduced to Pilates in 1991 after sustaining several serious
injuries from dancing. Sheetal received her Pilates certification
Turning Point, Walnut Creek, CA in 2001 and has joyfully been
teaching the Method ever since. Sheetal has a high awareness
of the subtleties of the body, building strength and balance
in her clients from the inside-out. |
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Chelsea Gilbert
Chelsea developed an interest in Pilates
though her personal rehabilitation from dance related injuries.
She studied anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology extensively
at UC Berkeley, from which she earned a B.A. Chelsea believes
that Pilates is a fun and effective technique for helping her
clients achieve the core strength and muscle balance necessary
for optimal functioning. She has a special interest in working
with individuals with Fibromyalgia, recovering from injuries,
or who desire to maintain life-long health and pain-free living.
She is currently a professional modern dancer and is working
on her Masters Degree in Psychology, with an emphasis in mind/body
research. |
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Julie Herbolich
Julie Herbolich holds Pilates certifications
from three intensive teacher training programs: Power Pilates,
in New York, Absolution in West Hollywood and Long Beach Dance
Conditioning. She has an extensive background in therapeutic
exercise and has worked in physical therapy clinics designing
programs for clients with injuries and working extensively with
pregnant and post-partum women. Julie is well versed in the
classical Pilates method and uses a systematic and integrated
approach with her clients focusing on fitness, flow, balance,
precision and core strengthening. Julie holds a B.A. in Communications
from Pepperdine University. |
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Laura Jane Kartzke
Laura began practicing therapeutic
massage in 2001, after leaving a career in commercial photography.
She completed advanced training in Therapeutic Bodywork at IPSB,
Culver City, finding challenge and inspiration in holistic therapies.
Laura has a passion for natural pain relief through hands-on
healing, and uses her extensive training to help treat the body's
various injuries, postural deviations, and repetitive stress
patterns. Her repertoire includes Deep Tissue, Sports Massage,
Neuromuscular Therapy, Myofascial, Pregnancy, Lymphatic, and
Thai Yoga.
After healing a chronic back injury, Laura added Pilates and
Core Training to her practice. Her approach empowers her clients
to find strength and balance through conscious movement, increasing
body awareness and relieving painful stress patterns. |
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Anthony Manniello
Anthony is a Sports/Orthopedic
Massage Therapist and Performance Enhancement Specialist Trainer.
Anthony has worked with the Los Angeles Avengers Arena Football
Team for two years and as Team Massage Therapist for Track Club
LA since 2000. Training clients include marathon runners, martial
artists and general body toning and strength training. The addition
of subtle energy work has deepened his skills and serves to
increase movement in children with Cerebral Palsy. Personal
achievements include finishing a 50K Trail Ultra-Marathon and
an Iron Man Ultra Distance Triathlon in 2004. Anthony is currently
studying for a Master’s in Chinese Medicine.
Anthony is also a trainer with "Adventures In Exercise"
which is a weekly group that explores unique exercises and
fitness fun for participants of all levels and ages. Read
more at AdventuresInExercise.net
or on MySpace |
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Meghan Pickrell
A dancer since the age of 7, Meghan has been teaching movement and Pilates since 2002. She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance from University of Colorado – Boulder where she studied all forms of dance, movement analysis, Bartenieeff Fundamentals, anatomy and Pilates. Meghan was then certified in Pilates by Carole Amend from the AIM Academy and has taught Pilates on both the East and West coasts. Her specialties include working with low back pain and she has also worked with Chiropractors and Physical Therapists as part of her Pilates training. Meghan is currently earning her Master’s Degree in Kinesiology at CSUN. |
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Jennie
Schindler
Jennie’s inspiration to teach
Pilates and Gyrotonic came from her amazement at the increased
flexibility and stamina that she experienced from these methods.
Jennie’s approach to teaching is to balance strengthening
along with stretching to maximize the body’s muscle
capacity. By drawing from Pilates and Gyrotonic, she incorporates
an effective workout that invigorates and lengthens the body
to achieve improved posture. She concentrates on bringing
everyday movement patterns into better alignment. Jennie completed
her Pilates certification through a specialized school for
Physical Therapists in Pilates. She can work with any body
type and incorporates modifications and adaptations for clients
based on their limitations. She completed her training in
Gyrotonic through L.A.Body Kinetics. |
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Laurie
Sefton
Laurie Sefton has been teaching Pilates and Strength Training
for over 15 years. She holds a BA in Dance from UCLA. She is
certified by the American College of Sports Medicine and has
been an active member of IDEA since 1994. She is a certified
Pilates instructor with the Physicalmind Institute, however,
she teaches both “Santa Fe” and “New York”
style Pilates. She is a member of the Pilates Method Alliance. |
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Leslie
Helene Siegel
Leslie holds
a Master of Fine Arts degree in Dance. Certified in 1992 by
the original Insititute for the Pilates Method, Leslie has 12
years teaching experience in Pilates. In her 12 years of teaching,
Leslie has studied and taught a wide array of movement disciplines
and she brings all of this knowledge and practice into her teaching.
Leslie’s teaching is based upon a patient, dedicated approach
to freeing the mind and body from habitual patterns that block
free expression. She has helped hundreds of individuals make
positive body and life changes including professional athletes
and dancers, weekend warriors, senior citizens, and non-exercisers.
At Pilates Westwood, Leslie offers private and group training
in Pilates, Yoga, & General Flexibility. |
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Eric Shah
This Southern California native is an alumni of
California State University Long Beach. In addition
to being a professional classical dancer, instructor
and choreographer, Eric is now working in the fields
of Physical Therapy and Body Conditioning using the
certified techniques of Pilates, Gyrotonic, Body Code
and Massage Therapy. He has had the opportunity to
utilize his craft locally and internationally by
working alongside groundbreaking professionals in the
United States and in Europe. Eric is also the Founder
and Artistic Director of Los Angeles Ballet Theatre, a
new contemporary ballet company. |
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Myara Sherwood
Myara began her life’s journey as a modern dancer and natural activist.
After graduating with a double major in Dance and Communications from
Emerson College in Boston, MA, Myara moved back to her sunny hometown of Los
Angeles. Combining her knowledge of fitness, movement and health, she
ventured into a career of journalism, writing for Fit Yoga Magazine.
Elevating her knowledge of mind and body awareness to the next level, she
dove into a Pilates certification course at Pilates Sports Center (PSC). A
division of Sports Club LA, PSC incorporates the modern principles of
exercise science and spinal rehabilitation to make the Pilates repertoire
safer and more effective. Offering private and semi-private personal Pilates
sessions, Myara continues to work with a diverse demographic of celebrities,
teens, elders and injured clientele. |
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Yelena Shor
Yelena's lifelong exploration of
how body alignment, body mobility, and body conditioning are
connected to mental clarity and overall well-being made her
a passionate enthusiast and dedicated teacher of Gyrotonic®
Expansion System. Her teaching is informed by her studies in
Kinesiology(CSUN) and Anthropology(USC) as well as Tensegrity™,
dance, yoga, and Decroux' Corporeal Mime |
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Denise Specchierla
Denise has been committed to physical
fitness her entire life from competition to recreation. She
completed her education at California State University, Northridge
with a B.A. degree in Kinesiology, certification as an athletic
trainer and a Masters degree in Physical Therapy. Her knowledge
of Pilates,human anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics enables
her to design a safe and effective program tailored to meet
your physical needs and abilities. Denise received her Pilates
certification from Center Studio. |
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Julie Stone
Julie Stone has been a fitness
instructor and personal trainer for health clubs, studios and
private clients for 18 years. She taught aerobics, body sculpting
and weight training in Rome, Padova, and Milan, Italy as well
as Los Angeles. A growing interest in body alignment and physical
integrity led Julie to discover Pilates. After training at Long
Beach Dance Conditioning, she became a member of the Pilates
Method Alliance and worked in chiropractic settings. Julie's
style of detailed communication and close attention during private
and semi-private sessions has helped people of all ages and
levels of physical fitness: Achieve better posture and lengthened
muscles, enjoy more energy, experience pain relief, gain better
balance and improve flexibility and an overall healthier way
of life. |
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Rachel Whiting
Pilates, Gyrotonic Instructor
Rachel Whiting comes to the instruction and practice of Pilates and Gyrotonic® movement therapy
as a natural result of and complement to her career in dance. Rachel was introduced to these
rehabilitative and preventative techniques while attending Juilliard. As a dancer and faculty
member at the Merce Cunningham Dance Studio, she found that the depth and simplicity of the work
were a vital component to the understanding of body mechanics, and developing a strong, injury-free
body. Rachel is certified in Pilates through Amy Anderson of Colorado Center for Physical Therapy
and Polestar Education and in Gyrotonic® from Master Trainer Lisa Marie Goodwin and the Gyrotonic®
Ladder apparatus with Master Trainer Debra Rose. In additin to teaching at Pilates Westwood,
Rachel is on the staff of the Dance Wellness Lab at Loyola Marymount University. Rachel focuses
her attention on movement therapy and body conditioning using the rehabilitative aspects of both
Pilates and Gyrotonic® Rachel has a growing enthusiasm to work with people of varying needs,
using her wealth of movement and dance knowledge. |
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Lana Underwood
After graduating from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts , Lana began her pilates training with Power Pilates teachers who studied under Roman Krazanowska, a protégé of Joseph Pilates. She gives credit to the classical system of Pilates for her teaching abilities and her workouts that are challenging and fun. She feels that Pilates is the absolute best foundation for every other form of fitness and movement. Lana is also an avid yogi.
"What I love so much about Pilates is that it is the absolute best foundation for every other form of fitness and movement. Since taking up Pilates, my yoga has improved tremendously. The stamina that I have gained from Pilates is amazing. I have never felt better in my life" |
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Andrea Speir
Certified Pilates Instructor |
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Daniela Escobar
Certified Pilates Instructor |
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Leslie Turner
Certified Pilates Instructor |
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Kathleen Carman
Certified Pilates Instructor
Before beginning her Pilates career, Kathleen toured Europe, the Middle and Far East as a professional dancer with many different companies. In 1985, Kathleen began studying with instructor Elizabeth Jones. Ms. Jones used the Pilates method to rehabilitate herself after two back surgeries from a broken back. Kathleen began teaching at the Physical Conditioning Center under Ms. Jones and gained considerable training in using Pilates exercises for rehabilitation. She was certificated in 1994 from the Physical Mind Institute in Sante Fe. Kathleen’s work with scoliosis patients was published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics |
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