My Story & Approach to Movement

My path to Pilates is rooted in a deeply personal journey of bodily healing and recovery. Through Pilates, I have gone from being almost physically bedbound to a healthy, active lifestyle. My physical restrictions were a major reason I had to stop teaching. Years of compensatory practices led my body to a point where I could barely turn my head while writing on the board or lean down to help students. After navigating lifelong struggles with hypermobility, managing chronic pain and confronting major body image and physical challenges following a breast cancer diagnosis, I sought a movement practice that offered true somatic restoration. Following a 20-year career as an award-winning elementary school teacher in Oakland public schools, I transitioned my passion for education and human development into the art of rehabilitation and somatic movement. Today, as a fully certified Pilates instructor specializing in 1-on-1 clinical and rehabilitation-focused sessions, my primary motivation is helping clients find their own path to somatic alignment, renewed strength, and physical resilience.

My approach to movement is deeply educational, goal-driven, and highly individualized. Just as I once designed custom lesson plans to meet the unique developmental needs of my young students, I now meticulously tailor each Pilates session to your body’s specific structural needs, chronic pain, recovery goals, or somatic journey.

This work is deeply informed by my own personal journey with hypermobility, marked by lifelong experiences with dislocations and subluxations. Even prior to my breast cancer diagnosis and subsequent lymph node surgeries, I struggled with severely reduced mobility—particularly in my right shoulder. To heal, I had to reconstruct my understanding of shoulder mechanics from the ground up, successfully restoring full function through a meticulous, joint-by-joint approach to muscle, fascia, and movement rehabilitation. Today, I bring this firsthand clinical knowledge to my clients, developing specialized movement protocols designed around the distinct structural requirements of hypermobile bodies.

My approach integrates ongoing study in hypermobility, biotensegrity, and fascial anatomy—including the work of Tom Myers (Anatomy Trains). Recognizing the complex nature of hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS), I bring a thorough understanding of common comorbidities like MCAS and POTS, as well as general nutritional support to foster a truly holistic practice. Above all, I am dedicated to helping you rebuild stability and strength, empowering you to harness your mobility safely, effectively, and with lasting confidence.

My Training & Lineage

I hold a 400-hour comprehensive Pilates certification, providing me with a deep foundation in classical movement and equipment-based rehabilitation. To continuously refine my craft and honor the pure classical lineage of Pilates, I began training with 2nd generation Pilates elder Christy Crowley in 2023. I continue to study with her as my master teacher, bringing her profound, lineage-based wisdom, precision, and depth of practice directly to my work with you.

Who I Work With

Whether you are navigating hypermobility (such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome/EDS), recovering from injury, managing chronic pain, or seeking a trauma-informed, mindful connection with your body, I am here to partner with you. Together, we will cultivate somatic strength, restore functional movement, and empower you to take full, confident ownership of your physical wellness and movement journey.

A Compassionate, Collaborative Approach

A lifetime of navigating the medical system—often feeling overlooked—has instilled in me deep empathy for those facing complex health challenges. My goal is to be the practitioner I once searched for: someone who proactively researches your condition and collaborates closely with your broader care team to build a truly safe, integrated plan.

In my clinical practice, I bring proven, successful experience in supporting clients through:

And a range of other structural and recovery needs.