Westwood Pilates Instructors
Daniela Escobar
Owner and Lead Instructor
A lifelong mover, Daniela discovered her passion for movement at the age of five when she began dancing. She went on to perform professionally for over two decades before transitioning into teaching as a dance instructor and personal trainer. Her journey led her to the Pilates method, initially drawn by her dance background but ultimately falling in love with Classical Pilates. She found it to be the only system that truly transformed her body, making her stronger than ever before.
Daniela holds a Bachelor's degree in Physical Education, where she focused her final research on the impact of Pilates on posture, using experienced instructors as study subjects. She earned her first comprehensive Pilates certification in 2006 and spent years mentoring trainees while continuing to refine her own teaching. In 2015, she graduated from the prestigious Pilates Master’s Program, The Work, at Vintage Pilates under the direction of first-generation teacher Jay Grimes.
Known for her dynamic, detail-oriented, and challenging teaching style, Daniela has extensive experience working with clients of all levels, from professional athletes to older adults. Her deep understanding of the method and commitment to excellence make her a sought-after instructor. She is the founder and owner of Westwood Pilates, where she continues to share her passion and expertise with the community.
Nathalie Gonthier-Thomas
Instructor
Nathalie is a certified instructor through Jill Cassady’s Pilates Technique, Inc. She first discovered the benefits of Classical Pilates after her pregnancy. From her first private session, she was amazed at how quickly Pilates helped her recover strength, flexibility, and balance and also at how good it made her feel, mentally and emotionally, relieving the physical strains of a busy day.
As she was exploring new careers after years of sitting at a desk job in front of a computer, she started to see a possibility for change in becoming a Certified Pilates Instructor. During her Certification training process she discovered a passion for teaching. She enjoys the social interaction with her clients; getting to know them personally, listening to them, working with them to overcome their fears and helping them with their unique goals without injury.
Her goal is to challenge clients at a pace at which they can comfortably grow and progress, so they feel great regardless of age, gender or physical fitness level.
With her body changing as she ages, Nathalie is constantly learning and growing in the practice of Classical Pilates. Feeling ever stronger, fitter and pain free is what she wishes to share with her clients while staying true to Joseph Pilates’s method.
Francine Rodrigues
Instructor
Francine received her Bachelor's degree in Physical Education from PUCRS in Brazil in 2012. After working as a swimming teacher for a while, she found her true calling in Pilates.
In 2011, she completed her first certification program in Mat Pilates, and later received a comprehensive Pilates certification in 2015, both from Power Pilates. Subsequently, she earned a Specialist certificate in the Pilates Method in 2017 and a Master’s degree in Human Movement Sciences in 2019, both from UFRGS in Brazil. Francine has participated in numerous conferences, workshops, and seminars related to Pilates in Brazil over the last decade.
To further her studies and seek new challenges, she moved to Los Angeles and now calls Westwood Pilates her home. Francine's main goal is to introduce as many people as possible to Pilates to help them benefit from this transformative method.
Independent Instructors
Bobbi Green
Bobbi Green has had a lifelong interest in health and fitness. She was introduced to Pilates in college and was immediately fascinated with a new way of exercising that challenged her both mentally and physically. A few years later after moving to Los Angeles, she decided she wanted to pursue her passion for Pilates and make a career change from the music industry.
Bobbi holds a certification in Power Pilates and has been teaching Pilates for over 11 years in Los Angeles. She has spent 8 of those years teaching Pilates in a physical therapy setting. In this environment, she works with clients with many types of injuries and customizes their workouts according to their abilities and personal athletic goals. Bobbi also enjoys and has extensive experience working with seniors and is well versed in classical Pilates. Bobbi's goal is to help people of all ages and levels of physical fitness achieve better posture and elongated muscles, gain more energy, experience pain relief, improve flexibility and overall health.
Asayo Yi
Asayo discovered Pilates when she decided to return to classical ballet upon graduating from University. Realizing that her body needed extra training to meet the demands of dancing, she started taking Pilates, and immediately fell in love. Together with a better understanding of her own body and overall strengthening, she realized she was able to use her body more effectively than she ever had in all the years of dancing as a child and teenager.
Excited about this new discovery of movement and body awareness, she studied with Marie-Jose Blom at Long Beach Dance Conditioning and became a certified Pilates Instructor. She enjoys sharing her love of movement with clients of all ages and fitness levels, including those with physical limitations and injuries. Asayo continues to further her education in both contemporary and classical Pilates to meet the demands of a variety of clients.
Ali Bragard
Allison (Ali) Bragard has studied yoga, massage and Pilates since she was a teenager and she is passionate about how we can truly transform our bodies and our lives through these disciplines. In 2001 she took her first Pilates class and was instantly convinced that “this is what the body is meant to do to stay strong, lean and healthy.” Since then she studied classical Pilates intensely and completed, in 2004, her Comprehensive Pilates Training through Power Pilates in Los Angeles.
She has been teaching since then in studios in California, Australia and France, teaching people of all shapes and sizes, ages and backgrounds. From teenagers to 91 year olds, she has seen how Pilates can truly make a difference. She is thrilled to be at Westwood Pilates, where she approaches her classes with a love for Pilates, a sense of humor, and a desire to help each person find their center, enabling them to live a healthier and happier life.
Regina Santos
“I believe that what one thinks, says and does, has a powerful effect in who they are and what is possible in their lives.”
Regina Santos is movement specialist and behavioral change coach who bases her comprehensive practice on the ideology of “getting centered”, often found in the Pilates method. She helps people get strong & mobile, rehabilitate injury, mitigate pain and minimize stress by teaching them to increase core awareness and integration using the classical Pilates method. Furthermore, she coaches people to optimize the core connections in their minds (and even spirits!) so they can create more fulfillment in their personal and/or professional lives.
A UCLA Graduate, Regina boldy left a successful executive career over twelve years ago, and has since earned credentials from Pilates Technique, the National Academy of Sports Medicine, the International Coach Federation, the Coaches Training International, and is also a Yoga Tune Up® Practitioner. She has taught over 1500 group mat Pilates classes alone, and today, you might find her having fun leading group mat Pilates and barre classes for a premiere global fitness brand. She also enjoys concerts, hiking with her dog, and cooking food for friends and loved ones.
2076 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
info@westwoodpilates.com | (310) 446-1720
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