OUR INSTRUCTORS
Vera
Vera owns and manages Esprit de Core Pilates Studio. She discovered Pilates during her time practicing law. Vera was initially drawn to Pilates as a way to build tone and flexibility in her body after long days of sitting at a desk. After a foot injury that turned into chronic foot pain, she realized that Pilates is also a powerful and gentle healing and rehabilitation tool. Vera made the decision to leave the legal world because she wanted to find meaningful work in which she could help people to feel healthy and comfortable in their bodies. She decided to pursue Pilates as a career, and has never looked back.
Vera completed the PhysicalMind Institute's Pilates training program in 2005, and is a certified Pilates instructor. Her passion is to help clients improve postural and body awareness, and develop efficient, healthy movement patterns for everyday living.
Since completing her certification, Vera has continued to study with Lizz Roman, Sherri Betz, Elizabeth Larkam, Yamuna Zeke and others, to keep learning new skills and to continue to learn to use the Pilates Method to help clients with rehabilitation after injuries and related to aging, as well as osteoporosis and osteopenia. Vera has also studied yoga, meditation, reiki and hypnotherapy.
Vera completed the PhysicalMind Institute's Pilates training program in 2005, and is a certified Pilates instructor. Her passion is to help clients improve postural and body awareness, and develop efficient, healthy movement patterns for everyday living.
Since completing her certification, Vera has continued to study with Lizz Roman, Sherri Betz, Elizabeth Larkam, Yamuna Zeke and others, to keep learning new skills and to continue to learn to use the Pilates Method to help clients with rehabilitation after injuries and related to aging, as well as osteoporosis and osteopenia. Vera has also studied yoga, meditation, reiki and hypnotherapy.
Dana
Dance, fitness and balanced good health have always been Dana’s passions, and in 2004 she realized the culmination of these things in Pilates. Dana believes Pilates meets today’s clients’ desire for a more thoughtful approach to exercise, fulfilling the client both mentally and physically. She appreciates the accessibility of this fluid form of training for all ages and fitness levels, and enjoys adapting the workout toward her clients’ specific needs. Dana's philosophy is "Nurture yourself by achieving 'inside-out' good health, so that you may have unlimited energy for your passions." She believes that Pilates is both a proactive and reactive tool for doing this. 
Holley
After overcoming chronic pain from scoliosis, old injuries and poor posture, Holley's mission in life is to help others develop a better relationship with their bodies. In 2006, she became a massage therapist. And soon after added yoga, functional movement, corrective & therapeutic exercise and finally, Pilates, to her toolbox. Holley recently relocated to the Bay Area from Texas, where she taught chiropractic patients how to feel better in their bodies by developing healthy and functional movement patterns. She also served on the board of directors for a local nonprofit, FitAbilityTX, providing fitness opportunities to community members living with disabilities. When she's not teaching, she enjoys kayaking, dancing, cooking, traveling and volunteering at Second Harvest. She is a mother of 2 children and 3 dogs. 
Amity
Amity uses her dance training and performance background to create a fun and challenging approach to each session. She began practicing Pilates as a dance student in 2005 and was amazed at the changes it made in her body. Inspired by the strength she gained and improvement in not only her dancing, but her daily life, she decided to pursue teaching alongside dance. Amity has been teaching since 2010. She graduated from Rutgers University with a B.A. in dance and a minor in psychology in 2012. She completed the comprehensive Pilates teacher training through Balanced Body in New York and is also PMA certified. Amity specializes in injury prevention and chronic pain management. Amity's philosophy is that every client deserves the chance to work in a judgment-free environment where they receive the support and tools needed to understand not only their body, but themselves. These things are necessary to the process of making positive lifestyle changes that have a lasting impact |
Amber
Amber began teaching movement while in middle school, helping new dance students learn fundamentals and technique for tap, jazz, and ballet. Breaking down movements and building awareness of body positioning through years of dance experience translated naturally to Pilates. Amber enjoys working with people, listening and helping others gain mobility and strength. She believes everyone benefits from Pilates and can apply it to everyday living. Amber is STOTT trained in Mat, Reformer, and Cadillac/Tower apparatuses and is eager to learn, grow and teach. When Amber is not at the Pilates studio she is busy driving around her two teenage kids, volunteering at their public schools, practicing Pilates and dancing at a local studio. She loves reading, cooking, sunshine and mountain air. 
Smadar
Smadar first became interested in Pilates when she started experiencing back pain. She was amazed to learn that Pilates can heal injuries and improve posture, and was happy to see how Pilates helped improve her own back pain. In 2011, she was certified as a Pilates Mat Instructor and taught in Israel before moving to California in 2013. Smadar completed the Stott Pilates instructor training, and is a certified instructor through Stott Pilates She is a mother of two and enjoys staying active with Pilates, hiking, and yoga. "I am very passionate about helping others enjoy the benefits of Pilates." Karen
Karen is a certified Stott Pilates trainer with her complete certification including mat, reformer, chair, cadillac and barrels. Karen also has training and practical experience in injury and pre- and post natal exercise. Karen's background also includes gymnastics and dance training. She grew up in Los Altos and earned her BA from UC Santa Barbara. She has been teaching Pilates since 2000. |