MEET OUR TEACHERS

  • A woman with long brown hair, wearing a white sleeveless top, smiling, against a black background.

    ABIGAIL ALLEN, OWNER, DIRECTOR & PILATES TEACHER

    • Been teaching Pilates, Yoga, and fitness for over 30 years

    • Fletcher Pilates Qualified Teacher

    • BASI Pilates Teacher

    • RYT 200 Certified

    • Loves her cat, Stella

  • A smiling woman with blonde hair and blue eyes wearing earrings and a light gray top outdoors.

    AUBRIE POLITO, PILATES TEACHER

    • Aubrie’s Pilates journey started in high school, practicing Mari Winsor’s mat work videos on her living room floor. In college, she continued her practice, first taking mat classes, and then transitioning into private sessions. She fell in love with the way the movement felt in her body, and loved that she never got bored! 

    • Aubrie completed the BASI Pilates comprehensive teacher training in 2010. 

    • Following her Pilates training, she went on to complete teacher trainings in both yoga and barre classes. 

    • She teaches both Pilates and Elementary School, and has two young sons. She loves spending time at the beach, going for hikes, reading, and family fun.

  • CORINNE SCHWARTZ, PILATES TEACHER

    • BA in Dance Science from California State University, Long Beach

    • ABT Certified Teacher and BASI Comprehensive Pilates Teacher

    • Began practicing Pilates at age 11

    • Has taught at studios throughout California

    • Studied under Karen Clippinger and assisted with Pilates courses

    • Works with dancers, athletes, teens, and adults

    • Focuses on strength, movement, and the mind-body connection

    • Creates a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment

    • Enjoys nature, cooking, and adventures with her family and pup

  • A woman sitting cross-legged on a black bench surrounded by fitness equipment, smiling at the camera, wearing a black tank top and black workout pants.

    ELSE GREEN, PILATES TEACHER

    • Else has taught movement, health, behavioral change, and group fitness for 16 years.

    • BASI Pilates Comprehensive Teacher

    • RYT 200 certified

    • TRX certified

    • Additional certifications in spin and embodied breath work

    • In addition to teaching, Else enjoys running, reading, tending to her kind hearted dog, and spending time with her four daughters, “…Who continue to awe me.”

  • FARNAZ FATEMI, PILATES TACHER

    • Began Pilates on the Reformer in 2009 to build strength before knee surgery

    • Balanced Body Reformer Instructor

    • Currently pursuing Comprehensive Pilates Certification through Balanced Body

    • Inspired by her teachers and the passion and curiosity of her clients

    • Published poet and experienced writing teacher

  • KY RUSSEL MA, PMA-NCPT, MASTER INSTRUCTOR: BALANCED BODY EDUCATION

    • MASTER’S DEGREE IN KINESIOLOGY FROM SAN JOSÉ STATE UNIVERSITY

    • PMA-NCPT

    • MASTER INSTRUCTOR: BALANCED BODY EDUCATION

    • HAS TAUGHT EMBODIED STRESS MANAGEMENT AS A KINESIOLOGY FACULTY MEMBER SINCE 2016

    • FORMER PROFESSIONAL DANCER AND CIRCUS PERFORMER

  • MICAELA GARDNER, PILATES TEACHER

    • Born in Tucson, Arizona, and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico

    • Blends classical Pilates work with a hybrid approach and variations in group classes

    • Certified to teach Pilates mat work post-rehabilitation

    • Pilates Certification from Body of Work, San Francisco, 1997

  • LEAH MACCARTER, PILATES TEACHER

    • Completed comprehensive Pilates training through Balanced Body at Agile Monkey in 2019

    • Certified to teach Reformer, Mat, and one-on-one sessions

    • Draws inspiration from Pilates, yoga, CrossFit, and running

    • Helps clients connect movement and body awareness to everyday life

    • Enjoys the wilderness, petting dogs, and dreaming about future travels

  • MARIA WALSH, APPRENTICE PILATES TEACHER

    • Completed Balanced Body Reformer and Mat Teacher Training through Balanced Body Education

    • Brings a calming and empowering teaching style to her classes

    • Helps clients feel centered, strong, nourished, and confident in their bodies

    • Has been a Dance for Parkinson’s Teacher for the past 9 years

    • *An apprentice Pilates teacher is a trainee learning to teach Pilates. They are currently enrolled in a Pilates Teacher Training program. They receive direct supervision and mentorship from a fully certified and experienced teachers 

  • ALLY TORRES, APPRENTICE TEACHER

    • Grew up in Sacramento, CA, and developed a love for basketball at a young age.

    • Her passion for sports led to a growing interest in fitness and wellness.

    • After the birth of her son and her father’s Parkinson’s diagnosis, she was inspired to pursue her passion for health and fitness.

    • Earned her Sports Medicine certification.

    • Currently enrolled in the Balanced Body Teacher Training Program.

    • Focuses on helping clients improve their strength, alignment, mobility, and overall well-being.

    • Brings a compassionate and dedicated approach to helping others feel their best.

      *An apprentice Pilates teacher is a trainee learning to teach Pilates. They are currently enrolled in a Pilates Teacher Training program. They receive direct supervision and mentorship from a fully certified and experienced teachers 

  • JENN HOLZ, APPRENTICE TEACHER

    • Jen Holz is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT), Certified Holistic Health Coach (CHHC), and Balanced Body Apprentice Instructor with nearly 20 years of experience teaching yoga.

    • With a background in dance and physical therapy, Jen has always been passionate about movement and how the body can heal, strengthen, and grow.

    • After becoming a mom of three boys, Pilates became an important part of her own journey, helping her rebuild strength, improve alignment, and reconnect with her body.

    • Her classes combine mindful movement and functional strength in a warm, welcoming environment where clients can feel strong and supported.

    • Outside the studio, Jen enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, exploring the coastline, skiing, cooking, and working on interior design projects.

      *An apprentice Pilates teacher is a trainee learning to teach Pilates. They are currently enrolled in a Pilates Teacher Training program. They receive direct supervision and mentorship from a fully certified and experienced teachers 

  • ANDREA FARKAS, APPRENTICE TEACHER

    • Andrea Farkas is a Pilates Apprentice Teacher who has completed Mat 1 and Reformer 1–3 training through Balanced Body. She is also certified in prenatal/postnatal, yin, and kids yoga.

    • A former dancer and performer, Andrea found Pilates essential in recovering from injuries and rebuilding strength, mobility, and range of motion. She enjoys supporting people through different stages of life and believes mindful movement can help build both physical and inner strength.

    • After years of traveling internationally with her family, Andrea is excited to put down roots in Santa Cruz. In her free time, she enjoys meditating in nature and watching musicals with her teenage child.

      *An apprentice Pilates teacher is a trainee learning to teach Pilates. They are currently enrolled in a Pilates Teacher Training program. They receive direct supervision and mentorship from a fully certified and experienced teachers