MAT & SPRINGBOARD PILATES

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Cali is trained in Mat Pilates, Springboard Pilates and certified Senior Fitness Instruction. In Cali’s Pilates classes, you can expect a full body flow of movements that focus on mobility, strength and mind-body connection. Outside of class, she is likely reading, listening to Taylor Swift, or grabbing a coffee and taking a long walk outside!

PILATES & BARRE

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Sami is a Philadelphia area Pilates instructor with over 2 years of experience. She is known for creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all levels, balancing challenging exercises and effective modifications. Clients can count on energizing playlists featuring all the latest hits, sprinkled with oldies-but-goodies to keep the vibe fun and motivating. You’ll leave class feeling uplifted and ready to take on the rest of your day. 

YOGA & SCULPT

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Mary is a 200-hour yoga teacher and certified barre instructor with a love for movement! With a background in dance, Mary’s classes infuse traditional yoga postures with invigorating flows. Off the mat, you can find Mary at happy hour, walking around the city, or at home with her cats!

PILATES & BARRE

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Liv has always been passionate about intentional movement and the joy it brings. She danced competitively from age 6 to 18, which sparked her love for barre and eventually led her to Pilates and Pilates springboard, where she connected with its mindful, purposeful approach. Outside the studio, Liv works as a pediatric speech-language pathologist at a special needs school in Berwyn. She’s excited to bring her love for movement to The Pilates and Wellness Studio and looks forward to guiding others on their wellness journey.

MAT & SPRINGBOARD PILATES

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Amina has completed her comprehensive training with BASI Pilates and brings an understanding of movement, alignment, and mindful practice to every session. She is passionate about creating an inclusive and empowering environment, offering modifications and challenges tailored to each individual’s needs.

Her curated playlists set the perfect tone for a rejuvenating and dynamic class, ensuring that every Tuesday evening leaves you feeling balanced, strong, and refreshed. Beyond the studio, she’s a matcha enthusiast, an avid reader, and a lover of hiking, strength training, and quality time with her family, friends, and dog.

MAT & SPRINGBOARD PILATES, YOGA

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​​Emily is a Mat and Springboard Pilates instructor. She is trained in a range of modalities including Pilates, Yoga Sculpt, and Restorative Yoga. Her classes are grounded in breath and above all, seek to provide a space where you can find joy in movement.

MAT PILATES & YOGA

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Nadia Lofton has been a yoga teacher in the Philadelphia area for 6 years. Her classes are rooted in the principles of functional mobility, seamlessly blending flowing sequences with dynamic mobility drills, conditioning and a light hearted approach. Nadia received her certification from Maha Yoga in Philadelphia. When she isn’t in the studio she can be found at the rock climbing gym or hiking with her dog. 

MAT & SPRINGBOARD PILATES

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Karen has been a passionate professional in the fitness industry for over 30 years. Her Pilates journey began in 1998, when she started training in the Classical Method. She completed 700 apprentice hours with Janine Gallatte, a Romana-trained teacher, before advancing her studies with Power Pilates, earning her certification as a Comprehensive Pilates Teacher.

In 2007, Karen opened Urban Front Pilates in Philadelphia, where she cultivated a vibrant community of Pilates enthusiasts. Though the studio is no longer in operation, Karen continues to share her expertise and passion for Pilates through private sessions, group classes, and teacher training.

In 2009, Karen became a Power Pilates Teacher Trainer and Regional Director of Education for Pennsylvania and New Jersey. By the spring of 2011, she had been promoted to Senior Teacher Trainer with Power Pilates.

In September 2018, Karen had the privilege of attending Bob Liekens' first LEAP training in the United States. A close friend and mentor since the beginning of her Pilates career, Bob personally invited Karen to participate in this program. She successfully completed the training and continued her professional development.

In February 2019, Karen earned her Teacher Trainer credentials with The Pilates Standard (TPS). In addition to her Pilates expertise, Karen studied movement anatomy with the renowned Irene Dowd. Karen remains dedicated to teaching Classical Pilates and training the next generation of teachers through TPS, ensuring the continuation of Bob Liekens’ legacy.

MAT PILATES

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Raven first began practicing yoga and pilates in January 2020, right before the world shut down. Seeking a third space outside of home work after two years of social isolation, she began taking classes in 2022. Pilates classes and the community of people involved quickly became an important, irreplaceable part of her weekly routine, and she enjoyed not only the physical benefits, but the enormous positive impact on her mental health. Raven trained with Power Pilates to receive her Core Mat I certification and also completed a 200-hour yoga teacher training through Breathe for Change. She also holds a Bachelor´s degree in Spanish and Master´s in Latin American Studies and teaches kindergarten during the day. She is excited to bring  her teaching skills, love of reggaeton music, and growing appreciation of planks to classes at The Pilates & Wellness Studio. 

YOGA SCULPT

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Elise Gao is a yoga instructor with over 4 years of teaching experience. Trained in vinyasa flow and expanding into yoga sculpt, she guides her students with a philosophy centered on kindness—both to the body and the self—as a pathway to discovering one's inner strength.

When she's not on the mat, Elise is pursuing her law degree and cherishing moments with her pets: her goldendoodle, Sandy, and cat, Patty.

Elise's goal is to create a welcoming environment where practitioners of all levels can honor their bodies while challenging themselves to grow. Her classes blend mindful movement with empowering energy, helping students connect with their strongest selves through compassionate practice.

YOGA

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Jessie is a Philly yoga instructor with certifications in Vinyasa, Yin, and Aerial yoga. She has also completed a Leadership Training in Yoga of 12 Step Recovery. Jessie is passionate about guiding students towards a deeper connection with their bodies and minds. Particularly, her Yin classes focus on long, sustained holds, inviting students to use their breath to sink deeper into poses. This creates a space to practice stillness, allowing the mind to quiet and the body to release tension. Her classes are a judgement free zone welcoming all levels, shapes, and lifestyles. When not teaching, Jessie can be found hanging upside down from a trapeze, perfecting her crochet skills, and working ‘Go Birds!’ into her daily interactions.   

BARRE

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Christina is a barre instructor with 2 years of experience and 20 years of dance experience. She loves providing a welcoming environment for all levels and creates challenging classes so that you can walk away feeling strong and proud. Outside of barre, she is a holistic health coach, specializing in gut & hormone health and loves trying new recipes, taking long walks with her fiance, and spending time in the sun!