Our Instructors
Julie Bayless
Julie is a certified in Pilates through the PhysicalMind Institute. Her background in dance includes ballet, jazz, modern, afro-haitian, folk and flamenco. She has also studied Alexander technique and yoga. She strives to teach her students to move with greater joy and freedom in a fun, supportive atmosphere, and encourages a thorough understanding of the principles of Pilates by using creative visualization. Julie enjoys tailoring her routines to her client's goals.
Monica Bowditch
Monica holds a Pilates certification for both mat and equipment from the Physical Mind Institute. She like to focus on proper body alignment through exercises which gradually increase in difficulty. Her reward as an instructor is watching her students get the benefits of Pilates work, increasing their strength and transferring their Pilates consciousness to their daily lives. Her very first involvement with organized fitness programs followed the birth of her first child so she has a special understanding of the challenges of entering a fitness class for the first time. She believes deeply in the holistic benefits of exercise.
Susan Brochin
Susan is a certified Yoga Instructor with the Ananda Yoga Teacher's Association and Yoga Alliance and is also certified to teach children's yoga with the Education For Life Foundation. As a runner and cyclist as well she understands fully the relationship of yoga to other kinds of physical activity. The dynamics of her adult classes vary from reflective and quiet to dynamic and fun. Interaction is encouraged to meet the needs of the students in the moment. When teaching yoga to older children (Middle School age), she keeps them moving constantly and with lively interchange. Susan believes the mind and body are deeply connected and that fitness is less about achievement and more about awareness.
Julie is a certified in Pilates through the PhysicalMind Institute. Her background in dance includes ballet, jazz, modern, afro-haitian, folk and flamenco. She has also studied Alexander technique and yoga. She strives to teach her students to move with greater joy and freedom in a fun, supportive atmosphere, and encourages a thorough understanding of the principles of Pilates by using creative visualization. Julie enjoys tailoring her routines to her client's goals.
Monica Bowditch
Monica holds a Pilates certification for both mat and equipment from the Physical Mind Institute. She like to focus on proper body alignment through exercises which gradually increase in difficulty. Her reward as an instructor is watching her students get the benefits of Pilates work, increasing their strength and transferring their Pilates consciousness to their daily lives. Her very first involvement with organized fitness programs followed the birth of her first child so she has a special understanding of the challenges of entering a fitness class for the first time. She believes deeply in the holistic benefits of exercise.
Susan Brochin
Susan is a certified Yoga Instructor with the Ananda Yoga Teacher's Association and Yoga Alliance and is also certified to teach children's yoga with the Education For Life Foundation. As a runner and cyclist as well she understands fully the relationship of yoga to other kinds of physical activity. The dynamics of her adult classes vary from reflective and quiet to dynamic and fun. Interaction is encouraged to meet the needs of the students in the moment. When teaching yoga to older children (Middle School age), she keeps them moving constantly and with lively interchange. Susan believes the mind and body are deeply connected and that fitness is less about achievement and more about awareness.
Tricia Conti
Tricia holds numerous certifications including Ananda Yoga for Higher Awareness Program, Yoga Alliance, IDEA, and ACSM. She is also a marathon runner and holds a black belt in karate. Her goal in teaching is helping her students experience yoga on a deeper spiritual level as well as a level. They learn to explore energy, an inner sense of well being and to include that experience in their daily lives. Her teaching style focuses on giving individual support and using uplifting affirmations to engage the mind and lift the spirit. She promotes a goal oriented approach.
Ocsana Girshfeld
Ocsana Girshfeld has international experience teaching Personal training, Pilates Mat, Aerobics, Dance, gymnastics, and nutrition. She received certifications for Personal Training, Aerobics, and nutrition though the University of Physical Education in Russia. She holds an MD in Choreography from Theatre Art University in Russia. Ocsana is an accomplished ballet dancer and gymnast. In the US, Ocsana completed the Personal Training Program at Foothill College. Ocsana has vast experience working both children and adults. Her personal training sessions combine Core Conditioning, Pilates, Strength training, flexibility, balance, and cardiovascular exercise to achieve your personal goal.
Karen Gottlieb
Karen is a certified through STOTT PILATES with her complete certification including mat, reformer, chair, cadillac and barrels. Karen also has training and extensive practical experience in injury rehab 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.
Matthew Griffin
Matt's personal training philosophy is to help others enjoy a fit, active lifestyle through improvements to their physical well-being. He likes working with women and men of all levels of fitness and goals ranging from weight management to specialty sports training. Matt wants to team-up with you to make your fitness to become a priority and sustainable for life. He is certified through NSCA and Foothill College. Personal training is his second career after a successful engineering career working with companies such as Intel and Rambus. His technical degrees were in Electrical Engineering with a BSEE from University of Kansas and an MSEE from University of California at Berkeley. He has coached basketball at the local junior high schools and YMCA boys/girls teams. Additionally his hobbies include golf, hiking, skiing and scuba diving.
Andrea Leber
Annie has over 20 years of dance experience, studying with the San Francisco Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and the Joffery Ballet. After receiving her BS in Ballet from Indiana University, Annie performed professionally with the Louisville Ballet. She has been a dance teacher and coach for all levels of ability from beginners to professionals. Annie was first introduced to Pilates as a result of a dance injury and has continued to study Pilates because of the personal benefits she has experienced. She believes that embracing ones imperfections and weaknesses is the best way to improve them. One of Annie's strengths is her ability to relate personally and sensitively to each client. She strongly believes Pilates offers effective conditioning for all ages, shapes and sizes. She holds the following certifications: Bachelor of Science in Ballet, Indiana Universtiy; Power Pilates Mat certified; Body Arts and Sciece Comprehensive Teacher Training certified.
Barbara Mendonca
Barbara has been a part of the fitness industry for over 15 years, having seen its ups, downs, and changing trends. This has matured her into a sensitive, unique and well rounded-trainer. She is ACE certified, with an emphasis on Biomechanics, specialized stretching techniques, Personal and group fitness training, and special population training. Barbara received her Pilates Equipment, Mat and Floor training through The Physical Mind Institute. She holds a Secure Horizons Certificate from Pacific Care enabling her to assess, teach aerobics, and personal train the special population. In a constant pursuit to offer up to date fitness training, Barbara regularly takes CEC to keep current with the fitness industry. Barbara’s mission is to create an environment/program for her clients to excel in reaching their goal through enhanced strength and mobility.
Lisa Mitchell
Lisa has a passion for Triathlons and Marathons which she has turned into her profession. She is an established personal trainer with a wide following in the Palo Alto area and has certifications in Group Exercise Instructor and Group Cycling with the YMCA. Enjoying fitness is the key to her approach coupled with a firm grasp of the technical essentials: her classes challenge and fulfill the participants whatever their starting level of fitness.
Ying Mitchell
Ying is one of the most popular and accomplished fitness instructors in the South Bay and has a leading reputation in the industry. She is true believer in fitness for all and works incessantly to make the benefits of strength and fitness training a reality for young and old alike. Ying is certified as a Group Exercise Instructor by the American Council of Exercise (ACE) and as a Health Fitness Instructor and Personal Fitness Trainer by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). She is also trained in Pilates Equipment by Stotts Pilates.
Tricia holds numerous certifications including Ananda Yoga for Higher Awareness Program, Yoga Alliance, IDEA, and ACSM. She is also a marathon runner and holds a black belt in karate. Her goal in teaching is helping her students experience yoga on a deeper spiritual level as well as a level. They learn to explore energy, an inner sense of well being and to include that experience in their daily lives. Her teaching style focuses on giving individual support and using uplifting affirmations to engage the mind and lift the spirit. She promotes a goal oriented approach.
Ocsana Girshfeld
Ocsana Girshfeld has international experience teaching Personal training, Pilates Mat, Aerobics, Dance, gymnastics, and nutrition. She received certifications for Personal Training, Aerobics, and nutrition though the University of Physical Education in Russia. She holds an MD in Choreography from Theatre Art University in Russia. Ocsana is an accomplished ballet dancer and gymnast. In the US, Ocsana completed the Personal Training Program at Foothill College. Ocsana has vast experience working both children and adults. Her personal training sessions combine Core Conditioning, Pilates, Strength training, flexibility, balance, and cardiovascular exercise to achieve your personal goal.
Karen Gottlieb
Karen is a certified through STOTT PILATES with her complete certification including mat, reformer, chair, cadillac and barrels. Karen also has training and extensive practical experience in injury rehab 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.
Matthew Griffin
Matt's personal training philosophy is to help others enjoy a fit, active lifestyle through improvements to their physical well-being. He likes working with women and men of all levels of fitness and goals ranging from weight management to specialty sports training. Matt wants to team-up with you to make your fitness to become a priority and sustainable for life. He is certified through NSCA and Foothill College. Personal training is his second career after a successful engineering career working with companies such as Intel and Rambus. His technical degrees were in Electrical Engineering with a BSEE from University of Kansas and an MSEE from University of California at Berkeley. He has coached basketball at the local junior high schools and YMCA boys/girls teams. Additionally his hobbies include golf, hiking, skiing and scuba diving.
Andrea Leber
Annie has over 20 years of dance experience, studying with the San Francisco Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and the Joffery Ballet. After receiving her BS in Ballet from Indiana University, Annie performed professionally with the Louisville Ballet. She has been a dance teacher and coach for all levels of ability from beginners to professionals. Annie was first introduced to Pilates as a result of a dance injury and has continued to study Pilates because of the personal benefits she has experienced. She believes that embracing ones imperfections and weaknesses is the best way to improve them. One of Annie's strengths is her ability to relate personally and sensitively to each client. She strongly believes Pilates offers effective conditioning for all ages, shapes and sizes. She holds the following certifications: Bachelor of Science in Ballet, Indiana Universtiy; Power Pilates Mat certified; Body Arts and Sciece Comprehensive Teacher Training certified.
Barbara Mendonca
Barbara has been a part of the fitness industry for over 15 years, having seen its ups, downs, and changing trends. This has matured her into a sensitive, unique and well rounded-trainer. She is ACE certified, with an emphasis on Biomechanics, specialized stretching techniques, Personal and group fitness training, and special population training. Barbara received her Pilates Equipment, Mat and Floor training through The Physical Mind Institute. She holds a Secure Horizons Certificate from Pacific Care enabling her to assess, teach aerobics, and personal train the special population. In a constant pursuit to offer up to date fitness training, Barbara regularly takes CEC to keep current with the fitness industry. Barbara’s mission is to create an environment/program for her clients to excel in reaching their goal through enhanced strength and mobility.
Lisa Mitchell
Lisa has a passion for Triathlons and Marathons which she has turned into her profession. She is an established personal trainer with a wide following in the Palo Alto area and has certifications in Group Exercise Instructor and Group Cycling with the YMCA. Enjoying fitness is the key to her approach coupled with a firm grasp of the technical essentials: her classes challenge and fulfill the participants whatever their starting level of fitness.
Ying Mitchell
Ying is one of the most popular and accomplished fitness instructors in the South Bay and has a leading reputation in the industry. She is true believer in fitness for all and works incessantly to make the benefits of strength and fitness training a reality for young and old alike. Ying is certified as a Group Exercise Instructor by the American Council of Exercise (ACE) and as a Health Fitness Instructor and Personal Fitness Trainer by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). She is also trained in Pilates Equipment by Stotts Pilates.
Leslie Rusinak
Leslie is a certified Pilates instructor in mat, standing and apparatus. She completed her training with PhysicalMind Institute with Tom McCook and has trained with Forrest Yoga Teacher Kristin Goldsmith at Center of Balance. An experienced Respiratory Therapist and asthma educator by trade, Leslie enjoys motivating and encouraging confidence through personalized instruction and individual assessment. Her intention is to help clients improve postural awareness and develop efficient, healthy movement patterns for everyday living. Through Pilates and an active lifestyle, she has experienced her own healing from a chronic shoulder impingement and brings energy as well as motivation to help others experience freedom of movement. Leslie’s philosophy is to be patient with yourself as you work toward a goal; persevere as hard work is necessary to generate transformation. Judge yourself kindly and honestly. She believes “Visualization” manifests change.
Heidi Schmitz
Heidi is a Certified Personal Trainer and Pilates Instructor. She also has a background in Industrial/Organizational Psychology that previously led her to a career in Human Resources. She believes that we are all meant to be healthy - in the mind, body and spirit. Like happiness, fitness is a lifestyle choice. Heidi's training style is always to focus on the clients’ positives and working from there. She feels that training should be about teaching the client so they can ultimately apply what they have learned into their daily life. Her sessions include variety, challenge, and fun, with stress on good form. Heidi feels is it important to build physical strength as well as mental strength. Her true love is running, and to help others reach their fitness, athletic and/or life-long goals. She quotes “Life is a gift, not a given right...”
Barbara West
Barbara is one of the principal trainers at Fit From the Core™. She also teach classes in cycling, Pilates / stability ball and treadmill. She holds certifications from Johnny G Spinning, in Precision Cycling, Turbo Kickboxing, Body Pump. She also holds a BS in Finance and is certified as a Personal Fitness Trainer by AFAA after completing a Personal Training course at Foothill College. Barbara became a group exercise instructor to develop her interest in exercise science, health fitness and body conditioning. She excels in providing clients with a dynamic workout that moves them directlyand effectively to achieving their health and fitness goals. Barbara's training sessions are always invigorating, fun and help to relieve the body of tension and anxiety built up from life's daily activities.
Terri Yamamoto
Terri has A PHD in Human Perception, she combines a sharply focused intellect with a deep commitment to the pursuit of excellence in fitness. Innovation is the key to Terri's approach as she aims to define and facilitate the fitness benefits - she calls them "usable gains" - that bring real enhancements to people's lives. Terri is a highly qualified instructor holding ACSM, ACE and NASM for Personal Training, and Polstar for Pilates Equipment Training certifications.
Phillip S. Young
Phillip is a dynamic fitness professional with a wide assortment of skills in General Fitness, Weight Reduction/ Management, Toning/ Sculpting/ Body Building, Working with Type II Diabetic Populations, Older Populations, Minor Rehabilitation, and Athletic Strength and Conditioning. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Kinesiology and is working towards a Mater's degree in Recreation Administration. He is also a nationally certified Strength and Conditioning Coach, a First Aid/ CPR/ AED Instructor and a competitive athlete (he took Bronze in the Blue Belt Division at the 2007 orld No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu Tournament as a White Belt). Phillip's versatile style of training can offer different intensity levels ranging from motivational to stress relief to hardcore.
Heidi is a Certified Personal Trainer and Pilates Instructor. She also has a background in Industrial/Organizational Psychology that previously led her to a career in Human Resources. She believes that we are all meant to be healthy - in the mind, body and spirit. Like happiness, fitness is a lifestyle choice. Heidi's training style is always to focus on the clients’ positives and working from there. She feels that training should be about teaching the client so they can ultimately apply what they have learned into their daily life. Her sessions include variety, challenge, and fun, with stress on good form. Heidi feels is it important to build physical strength as well as mental strength. Her true love is running, and to help others reach their fitness, athletic and/or life-long goals. She quotes “Life is a gift, not a given right...”
Barbara West
Barbara is one of the principal trainers at Fit From the Core™. She also teach classes in cycling, Pilates / stability ball and treadmill. She holds certifications from Johnny G Spinning, in Precision Cycling, Turbo Kickboxing, Body Pump. She also holds a BS in Finance and is certified as a Personal Fitness Trainer by AFAA after completing a Personal Training course at Foothill College. Barbara became a group exercise instructor to develop her interest in exercise science, health fitness and body conditioning. She excels in providing clients with a dynamic workout that moves them directlyand effectively to achieving their health and fitness goals. Barbara's training sessions are always invigorating, fun and help to relieve the body of tension and anxiety built up from life's daily activities.
Terri Yamamoto
Terri has A PHD in Human Perception, she combines a sharply focused intellect with a deep commitment to the pursuit of excellence in fitness. Innovation is the key to Terri's approach as she aims to define and facilitate the fitness benefits - she calls them "usable gains" - that bring real enhancements to people's lives. Terri is a highly qualified instructor holding ACSM, ACE and NASM for Personal Training, and Polstar for Pilates Equipment Training certifications.
Phillip S. Young
Phillip is a dynamic fitness professional with a wide assortment of skills in General Fitness, Weight Reduction/ Management, Toning/ Sculpting/ Body Building, Working with Type II Diabetic Populations, Older Populations, Minor Rehabilitation, and Athletic Strength and Conditioning. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Kinesiology and is working towards a Mater's degree in Recreation Administration. He is also a nationally certified Strength and Conditioning Coach, a First Aid/ CPR/ AED Instructor and a competitive athlete (he took Bronze in the Blue Belt Division at the 2007 orld No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu Tournament as a White Belt). Phillip's versatile style of training can offer different intensity levels ranging from motivational to stress relief to hardcore.