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Sofie discovered Pilates in 2000 when it was first introduced to me as a form of therapy to build core strength and restore physical equilibrium .What was intended to be a different exercise method turned out to be much more. I became addicted in the way it made me feel. While I have been physically active all my life, with competitive swimming at national level in France, recreational running and as a Spinning instructor, Pilates has transformed my physical health. My passion and commitment eventually led me to become an instructor. I studied and received my Pilates certification at the Marshall Eklund Stott Pilates certification center. I further my expertise to include training for people with injury and the population with special needs. I am eager to share my knowledge and enthusiasm for Pilates with others and help them experience the joy of body/mind consciousness.

Luisa graduated from Fresno State University with a Masters in physical therapy in 1995. She has been a practicing therapist for 12 years. She has worked in San Diego hospitals within the acute care, in-patient rehab and outpatient orthopedic settings. Her primary experience has been within the outpatient orthopedic clinics, utilizing manual treatment, exercise and postural awareness to improve the function and wellbeing of her patients. Luisa began Pilates for her own enjoyment and self rehab after a back injury. Realizing the value, she became a Stott certified Pilates instructor to use the principles and exercise to help clients' needs. Luisa finds Pilates on equipment to be extremely therapeutic for those suffering from chronic pain or recovering from an injury and/or surgery. Pilates is helpful for people who have been discharged from therapy yet continue to have needs

Aulani has been an athlete/dancer from an early age. She studied hula with famous hula masters in Hawaii and participated in track and gymnastics during the early years. After receiving her BA in dance from California State University, Long Beach, Aulani became a professional dancer and performed in several musicals such as Kismet at the Los Angeles Music center, as well as San Francisco, Kansas City, St Louis and Salt Lake City. Other musicals that Aulani performed in were, A Chorus Line, and a national touring company of King and I starring Yul Brynner. Besides the musicals, Aulani has performed in several television shows and movies. In addition, Aulani has taught dance for several dance studios across the United States including Joe Tremaine’s Dance Center, Debbie Reynolds Dance Studios, Stanley Holden Dance Center among many others. In addition to the dance studios, Aulani has taught for several colleges/university including, California State University, Los Angeles, California State University, Long Beach, University of California, Irvine, and Cal Arts to name a few. Presently, Aulani is a full-time professor of dance at San Diego Mesa College where she has been teaching since 1989. Aulani brings to Pilates by the Bay over 30 years of teaching and professional dance experience, a BA and Masters in Dance, as well as the world-renowned Stott Pilates certification.

Pilates by the Bay

A Pilates studio with new state-of-the-art Stott Pilates equipment. The studio consist of three Stott V-2 Max Plus machines, four Stott stability chairs, a Stott Cadillac, and various small equipment, to practice and master more than 500 exercises designed to uniquely balance, strengthen and stretch the entire body.

Pilates by the Bay is conveniently located in Liberty Station/NTC Promenade. Exit off Rosecrans either from Interstate 5 or the 8. The studio is literally 10 minutes from La Jolla, UTC, Pacific Beach, Clairemont and Mission Bay, Mission Hills, Kearny Mesa, Downtown and in the heart of Point Loma. The studio is 15 minutes from Del Mar, Solana Beach, Carmel Valley, Rancho Santa Fe and surrounding areas. There is ample parking in the lot across the building. From Rosecrans west, you would turn left on to Roosevelt and park in the lot on your right. Pilates by the Bay is in the same building that US Karate Academy is located. For detailed driving directions click onto our contact link.

Pilates by the Bay offers cost effective equipment classes as well as highly personalized private lessons to meet your physical fitness needs. Pilates Equipment classes allow most people to take multiple lessons a week with a more budget-friendly approach. Group classes provide a nice community atmosphere, which promotes fluidity and learning of the Pilates technique.

What is PILATES?

Pilates is a uniquely precise, intelligent,
and innovative approach to body-
conditioning designed by Joseph Pilates,
which will dramatically transform the way
your body looks, feels, and performs. It was originally designed for physical rehabilitation that was influenced from a combination of bodybuilding, yoga, Zen, gymnastics, dance, and other forms of physical exercise. Later, it became a means of physical training for people of all levels and all walks of life, including athletes and dancers. Pilates is a gentle, non-aerobic exercise method that does not stress the joints or the heart. Its slow, controlled approach means that it gives much longer-term results and is especially recommended by medical specialists for those with back problems. When you focus on the details of each movement it improves concentration as well as coordination. Pilates encourages flowing movement with precision and control, eliminating the need for countless repetitions.

PILATES benefits

Women and men from all fitness backgrounds may benefit from

the balancing effects of Pilates because:

It is most notably beneficial for its core stabilization, but the work also integrates flexibility, strength, balance, and overall toning.

The deep postural muscles that support the spine are specifically strengthened to dramatically improve the posture and relieve back pain.

It builds strength without excess bulk, creating a sleek, toned body with slender thighs and a flat abdomen, developing a longer, leaner appearance.

It teaches body awareness, economy of movement, precision, and control.

It builds strength from the inside out, rebalancing the body and bringing it into correct alignment, preventing further degradation of joints and joint pain.

It increases energy and assists in improvement of activities of daily living.

It increases bone mass counteracting or guarding against the effects of Osteoporosis or Osteopenia.

It eliminates the typical aches and pains of aging.

It relieves unwanted stress and tension, as well as being fun and beneficial for you.

Professional dancers have known the benefits of Pilates for decades.
Top athletes use it for strength, flexibility, and injury prevention.
Hollywood celebrities and supermodels use it to maintain beautiful physiques. No matter what your age, condition, or training level, it will
work for you. Indeed, physiotherapists, osteopaths, chiropractors, and doctors now recommend Pilates as one of the safest forms of exercise available.

HISTORY OF PILATES

Joseph Pilates was born near
Düsseldorf, Germany in 1880. He was a sickly child, plagued with rickets,asthma, and rheumatic fever. His drive to overcome these ailments led to the practice of bodybuilding,gymnastics, diving and other physical pursuits. He studied Eastern and Western forms of exercise and philosophies and was greatly influenced by ancient Grecian and Roman regimens.

In 1912 Joseph Pilates traveled to England. When WW1 broke out, he along with other German nationals, were interned in a camp on the Isle of Man. While there, he taught and practiced his physical fitness program. It was in the camp that he began devising apparatus to aid in rehabilitation of the disabled and sick. Pilates is credited with assisting many who had succumbed to the influenza epidemic of that time and helping others recover from wartime diseases. After the war, Joseph Pilates returned to Germany where he was incited by the government to train the new German Army. Recognizing the implications of this, he decided to leave for America. On the way he met Clara who soon became his wife.

In 1926 Joseph Pilates and Clara set up the first Pilates studio in New York. A varied and diverse population frequented the Studio, including the elite of New York society, circus performers, gymnasts and dancers. It was particularly the dance community and luminaries such as George Balanchine, Ted Shawn, Martha Graham and many other lesser-known dancers who truly recognized the value of this work. They embraced the work and what it could do for their bodies, either for rehabilitation or for enhancing performance.

Over the course of his career, Pilates developed over 600 exercises for the various pieces of apparatus he invented. His guiding philosophy in creating the apparatus and the movements was that the "'whole" must be exercised to achieve good health. Using springs and pulleys, which create progressive resistance, the equipment helps in producing muscle contractions that simulate functional muscle action. At the same time the stabilizing muscle groups are encouraged to work isometrically to maintain correct positioning and alignment.

It is important to mention that Pilates regarded his method, which he called "Contrology" as a way of life and a path to total health rather than merely a series of exercises.It is without question that Joseph Pilates was ahead of his time. One need only look at the boom in popularity this method is experiencing, now regarded as probably the fastest growing fitness trend in America. Then consider that although he dreamed of seeing his work embraced by the general public, Pilates died a disillusioned man, little known other than by a relatively small number of people.

Sam has always had a passion for fitness and the physical and emotional benefits of an athletic and fit body. She started herfitness instruction career in high school where she taught a cardio kickboxing class and Mouserisize (children's fitness class) at her local gym. She is an avid runner and was looking for a form of strength and flexibility training to complement her cardio routine when she discovered Pilates. Sam received her certification in July of 2007 and has since been teaching mat, private, and group sessions at several studios throughout San Diego. In addition to Pilates and running, she is always eager to try something new; including hip hop dance classes, spinning, yoga, kickboxing, surfing, skateboarding, wake boarding, and snowboarding. She loves the results she has gained through Pilates and is excited to share her journey and knowledge with others.