Club Pilates

Bios

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  Maryann Thomson

  Pilates Instructor

  Born and raised in Costa Mesa, this mother of two is passionate about movement. Maryann, a former professional dancer, was introduced to Pilates while studying ballet and modern dance at The California Institute of the Arts. “We were required to take reformer classes to keep our bodies in top form.” After college and kids, Maryann turned back to Pilates for fitness and a career. She enjoys the technical aspects of teaching, where the slightest change in form can make a huge impact. “I love the effect moving your body has on the mind and body, it can solve so many of our emotional/physical problems!” She has her Pilates Certification through Orange Coast College in 2010, and is constantly furthering her education to keep her workouts fun and fresh. She most recently completed a certificate for Pilates for MS.

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  Nandini Basu

  Pilates Instructor

  Nandini was first introduced to Reformer Pilates in 2010. Very quickly she realized that she responded to the workouts in a way that she hadn't experienced with too many workouts and became hooked. Pilates became a key to unlocking mental, emotional, and physical wellness for Nandini. Having a background in training and development, Nandini brings the same spirit of learning and growth from corporate classrooms into the pilates studio. She hopes clients leave her classes feeling energized and motivated to keep coming back! Nandini also enjoys suspension training and yoga in addition to Pilates. She is originally from the midwest and is so grateful to have moved to California and found her way to Club Pilates! When you come to Nandini's classes be prepared to have fun, work hard, and laugh; hopefully with a hip hop beat in the background!

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  Shirley Karina

  Pilates Instructor

  Shirley discovered Pilates at the suggestion of her sister, a pilates instructor, to deal with neck and shoulder issues after multiple car accidents. After her first session sheI was hooked, As a gym rat and former bodybuilder, she was immediately drawn Pilates for challenging strength, building (and as we age, keeping) lean muscle. Shirley's classes are a mixture of traditional pilates combined with fitness and athletic movements. Her teaching philosophy is to keep classes fun and challenging so that you leave each class feeling both accomplished and aspirational. Shirley an Iowa native, has degree in Art/Graphic Design form the University of Northern Iowa. She is Pilates certified through Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, California. When she is not teaching or doing art, she loves spending time with her husband and her akita, Kenji.

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  Susan Johnson

  Pilates Instructor

  Susan was born with a passion for helping others. She was introduced to Pilates as a means of cross training when she was a competitive swimmer looking for an edge. After receiving her bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Barbara, she returned to her native Orange County and earned her Pilates certification from Orange Coast College. Also an avid yogi, Susan blends the practices of Yoga and Pilates, creating new depths to the movements during her balanced and challenging workouts. The ability to share her love of fitness and wellness, and to celebrate with students as they achieve their goals are among the many reasons why she enjoys teaching. Outside the studio Susan likes to take her baby boy on bike riding adventures.

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  Aryn Johnson

  Lead Instructor

  Aryn was introduced Pilates as a means of cross training when she was a competitive swimmer. After receiving her BFA in Graphic Design from University of Southern Mississippi, she earned her 500 hour Pilates certification from Club Pilates. Aryn loves Pilates because it improves balance and posture, eases body pains, and gives a better quality of life. When she is not teaching you can find her running, hiking, or reading a book.

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  Valerie Garrison

  Health and fitness has always been important in Valerie’s life. She had fallen away from it after High School as life took over but got back into running when her kids were first learning to ride bikes. Running behind them grew into running marathons and half marathons with her husband. Out of that she was always asked by friends how to stay healthy and active and after being home raising her kids for 17 years, working on and off for Starbucks, She finally decided to start pursuing her passion for health and fitness by becoming NASM certified. While she was finishing that certification Valerie was working at Starbucks right next door to Club Pilates North Center, She got to know Josie who set her up with her first class. Valerie loved it! She could feel the positive vibe from everyone who worked there right away and loved the the centering mind/body awareness of Pilates. As a runner who can get lazy with adding in strength training between runs, She could feel that Pilates was the perfect all in one package to keep the core strong and benefit many more years of running. Valerie decided to sign up for the teacher training so that she could share the amazing lifelong benefits of Pilates with others and be a part of helping others live their best life. She's excited to join the Club Pilates community and truly appreciates the support and welcome she has received.

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  Megan Hosseini

  Pilates Instructor

  Born and raised in Orange County, I have always been very active and committed to a healthy lifestyle. After becoming injured in my early twenties, Pilates became the best and now most preferred way to keep my body in shape. It has been without a doubt the core element to keeping my body functioning and feeling pain free. I lead a very holistic lifestyle and feel pilates aligns perfectly with that way of life. I believe wellness is not singular and is a combination of mind, body and soul. I love the way I am able to disconnect from the outside world and be in tune with body and breath while practicing Pilates. I am outgoing, open minded and always looking to have a laugh! Not taking life too seriously is very important to me, and will always do my best to create a welcoming environment for whatever your Pilates goals may be!