Christine Ivy,
Studio Owner & Instructor
2nd Gen Teacher; Embodied Perspective Advocate, BASI-Dance Specialization Certified, B.A. in Dance Science, CSULB
Balance & Grace Pilates is the result of Studio Owner Christine Ivy's passion for using fitness as a tool to help clients connect with their best and most authentic selves. Christine is a Second Generation Pilates Teacher and a Lolita San Miguel Pilates Master. Originally mentored by Karen Clippinger and BASI certified with a specialization in Dance Conditioning, Christine has been training a diverse range of clientele through private, semi-private, and group pilates sessions since 2006. She has a rich background of teaching numerous styles of fitness including Pilates Mat, Indo-Row, Booty Barre, Group Reformer, and Group Fitness. She studied intensely with 1st Generation Elder Lolita San Miguel in a 2 year Pilates Master Mentor Program and subsequent Legacy Educator Training and maintained an active practice with Carola Trier's prodigy and "hybrid of the masters", Jillian Hessel between 2016-2019. Other studies include workshops and/or sessions with Wendy Leblanc-Arbuckle. Rael Isacowitz, and 1st Generation Elder Mary Bowen.
Drawing upon a background in dance performance and teaching, Christine enjoys working with a wide range of clientele including athletes, pre/post natal, elderly, obese, those with rehabilitation concerns, and those in the trauma community. With a B.A. in Dance, Dance Science from CSULB and a love for biomechanics and anatomy, she is well known by clients for her hawk-eyed ability to read and fine-tune the body as well as for using vivid imagery. Understanding that every body is unique Christine is able to quickly adapt to the needs of clients, regardless of age, level, or ability. She enjoys helping her clients reach goals with specifically tailored strategies. Christine understands that physical fitness is one piece of the puzzle towards creating a balanced life and she encourages clients to enjoy the process while embracing grace along the way. At Balance & Grace Pilates clients are able to, through challenging training coupled with empathetic coaching, experience transformative results. It is Christine's goal to see each of her clients discover and recover the best lives they were designed to live!
In 2017 Christine completed a year long thesis study of "Trauma, PTSD, & Pilates: Using Contrology in the Understanding & Healing of Trauma" and she enjoys opportunities to share this fascinating topic with the greater Pilates Community. Christine recognizes the importance of remembering our heritage and past while still evolving with the future of body-mind science in the field of Pilates.
Christine spent 2019-2020 in the Passing the Torch Mentorship with esteemed Master Teacher Wendy Le-Blanc Arbuckle where she delved deeper into the fascinating fields of structural integration and biotensegrity. Christine is always searching out new ways to bring fresh eyes to addressing the body and client with a whole body approach. A life long student and an embodied perspective advocate, Christine is excited about helping others become their best selves in every way. She is currently teaching select Group classes at Balance & Grace Pilates and is currently available for Private Sessions onsite as well as for Virtual Private Sessions online.
To request a consultation, workshop, or speaking engagement with Christine, please email the studio.
Studio Owner & Instructor
2nd Gen Teacher; Embodied Perspective Advocate, BASI-Dance Specialization Certified, B.A. in Dance Science, CSULB
Balance & Grace Pilates is the result of Studio Owner Christine Ivy's passion for using fitness as a tool to help clients connect with their best and most authentic selves. Christine is a Second Generation Pilates Teacher and a Lolita San Miguel Pilates Master. Originally mentored by Karen Clippinger and BASI certified with a specialization in Dance Conditioning, Christine has been training a diverse range of clientele through private, semi-private, and group pilates sessions since 2006. She has a rich background of teaching numerous styles of fitness including Pilates Mat, Indo-Row, Booty Barre, Group Reformer, and Group Fitness. She studied intensely with 1st Generation Elder Lolita San Miguel in a 2 year Pilates Master Mentor Program and subsequent Legacy Educator Training and maintained an active practice with Carola Trier's prodigy and "hybrid of the masters", Jillian Hessel between 2016-2019. Other studies include workshops and/or sessions with Wendy Leblanc-Arbuckle. Rael Isacowitz, and 1st Generation Elder Mary Bowen.
Drawing upon a background in dance performance and teaching, Christine enjoys working with a wide range of clientele including athletes, pre/post natal, elderly, obese, those with rehabilitation concerns, and those in the trauma community. With a B.A. in Dance, Dance Science from CSULB and a love for biomechanics and anatomy, she is well known by clients for her hawk-eyed ability to read and fine-tune the body as well as for using vivid imagery. Understanding that every body is unique Christine is able to quickly adapt to the needs of clients, regardless of age, level, or ability. She enjoys helping her clients reach goals with specifically tailored strategies. Christine understands that physical fitness is one piece of the puzzle towards creating a balanced life and she encourages clients to enjoy the process while embracing grace along the way. At Balance & Grace Pilates clients are able to, through challenging training coupled with empathetic coaching, experience transformative results. It is Christine's goal to see each of her clients discover and recover the best lives they were designed to live!
In 2017 Christine completed a year long thesis study of "Trauma, PTSD, & Pilates: Using Contrology in the Understanding & Healing of Trauma" and she enjoys opportunities to share this fascinating topic with the greater Pilates Community. Christine recognizes the importance of remembering our heritage and past while still evolving with the future of body-mind science in the field of Pilates.
Christine spent 2019-2020 in the Passing the Torch Mentorship with esteemed Master Teacher Wendy Le-Blanc Arbuckle where she delved deeper into the fascinating fields of structural integration and biotensegrity. Christine is always searching out new ways to bring fresh eyes to addressing the body and client with a whole body approach. A life long student and an embodied perspective advocate, Christine is excited about helping others become their best selves in every way. She is currently teaching select Group classes at Balance & Grace Pilates and is currently available for Private Sessions onsite as well as for Virtual Private Sessions online.
To request a consultation, workshop, or speaking engagement with Christine, please email the studio.
Maura A. Riley
Certified Instructor
Maura received her Bachelor' of Fine Arts Degree in Dance from California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, California in 1992. She has been teaching and practicing Pilates across Southern California for almost two decades with a diverse clientele. Maura has been teaching Pilates since 2007, received her NCPT certification in 2010, and as a former professional dancer, she developed a passion for Pilates right away.
Maura loves teaching and seeing her clients reach their full physical potential. "I love seeing my clients smile when they suddenly realize the strength they have gained through this practice." She strives to convey the limitless potential of the human spirit within her teaching method. Pilates has also changed her life in many positive ways. "My students continually challenge me to become a better teacher, I want to live up to it."
With the experience gained through teaching, Maura has gained many friends because of her trustworthiness and encouragement. Because of this Maura's clientele has continued to grow. Maura is also currently on staff at Cal Poly Pomona University with ASI and is proud to have been the first Pilates Instructor to introduce Reformer Pilates Group Classes to the curriculum.
Certified Instructor
Maura received her Bachelor' of Fine Arts Degree in Dance from California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, California in 1992. She has been teaching and practicing Pilates across Southern California for almost two decades with a diverse clientele. Maura has been teaching Pilates since 2007, received her NCPT certification in 2010, and as a former professional dancer, she developed a passion for Pilates right away.
Maura loves teaching and seeing her clients reach their full physical potential. "I love seeing my clients smile when they suddenly realize the strength they have gained through this practice." She strives to convey the limitless potential of the human spirit within her teaching method. Pilates has also changed her life in many positive ways. "My students continually challenge me to become a better teacher, I want to live up to it."
With the experience gained through teaching, Maura has gained many friends because of her trustworthiness and encouragement. Because of this Maura's clientele has continued to grow. Maura is also currently on staff at Cal Poly Pomona University with ASI and is proud to have been the first Pilates Instructor to introduce Reformer Pilates Group Classes to the curriculum.
Madyson Landon
PSC Certified Instructor
Madyson graduated from the University of California, Irvine where she earned her undergraduate degree in the Arts. She then went on to dance professionally while sharing her knowledge of the body through teaching dance. She later received her Pilates Certification at Studio Du Corps under the brilliant Diane Diefenderfer and Laura Hanlon, who were both mentored and taught by Pilates elders Ron Fletcher and Romana Kryzanowska. She developed a very classical foundation upon which she’s been able to build a solid and diverse teaching style. Her exclusive training on the nuances of Romana’s and Ron’s unique style of classical teaching enable her to share exercises exclusive to their repertoire. She enjoys working with bodies of all backgrounds with an emphasis on using Pilates to rehabilitate and prevent injury. She looks forward to further expanding her knowledge while continuing to explore the possibilities of Pilates
PSC Certified Instructor
Madyson graduated from the University of California, Irvine where she earned her undergraduate degree in the Arts. She then went on to dance professionally while sharing her knowledge of the body through teaching dance. She later received her Pilates Certification at Studio Du Corps under the brilliant Diane Diefenderfer and Laura Hanlon, who were both mentored and taught by Pilates elders Ron Fletcher and Romana Kryzanowska. She developed a very classical foundation upon which she’s been able to build a solid and diverse teaching style. Her exclusive training on the nuances of Romana’s and Ron’s unique style of classical teaching enable her to share exercises exclusive to their repertoire. She enjoys working with bodies of all backgrounds with an emphasis on using Pilates to rehabilitate and prevent injury. She looks forward to further expanding her knowledge while continuing to explore the possibilities of Pilates
Britney Perkins
PSC Certified Instructor
Britney is a certified Yoga Alliance and PSC Pilates instructor. Growing up as a dancer she has always been passionate about living an active lifestyle. Fifteen years of studying dance has given her a natural understanding of the body and proper alignment. As a yoga instructor her style is strongly based on alignment, which led her to pilates instructor training with the desire to learn even more about the body. Combining the grounding benefits of yoga, along with the strength building benefits of pilates, is what inspires her teaching today.
Britney Perkins
PSC Certified Instructor
Britney is a certified Yoga Alliance and PSC Pilates instructor. Growing up as a dancer she has always been passionate about living an active lifestyle. Fifteen years of studying dance has given her a natural understanding of the body and proper alignment. As a yoga instructor her style is strongly based on alignment, which led her to pilates instructor training with the desire to learn even more about the body. Combining the grounding benefits of yoga, along with the strength building benefits of pilates, is what inspires her teaching today.