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Ada Wells, MPT
Physical Therapist
Sports & Orthopedic PT Rehab Pilates

Suzanne Koval, MSPT
Physical Therapist
Women's Health Specialist

Marie Solórzano, PT
Physical Therapist
Craniosacral Therapy Manual Lymph Drainage

Marie Solórzano is a California Licensed Physical Therapist, who graduated from the Ecole Francaise de Kinesitherapie in Paris, France. Her work experience has taken place in France, Italy, and the US. She has extensive skills with different types of musculo-skeletal disorders.

Marie developed a sharp sense of light touch, guiding her to learn subtle techniques such as manual lymph drainage and cranio-sacral therapy. Manual lymph drainage helps restore or enhance the lymph flow. Cranio-sacral therapy assists the cerebro-spinal fluid rhythm within its membranes from the skull to the sacrum.

Besides her work, Marie enjoys spending time with her husband Luis and their two boys, Matias and Noé. Marie also enjoys dancing, photography, and cooking.

Una Stoddart is a Pilates-Trained Physical Therapist with a B.A. from U.C. Berkeley and an M.S. in Physical Therapy from New York Medical College. In addition to her training in Pilates and Physical Therapy, she also holds certificates in Body Rolling and Asian Systems acupressure and shiatsu from McKinnon Institute. She has also trained extensively in myofacial release techniques. Una specializes in working with patients who have had difficulty beginning or carrying out an exercise program due to pain or disability. She as worked extensively with clients suffering from osteoarthritis and debilitating neck and back pain. She believes that everyone can reap the benefits of participating in an active exercise program regardless of age, disability or pain level.
Una has taught courses on neck and back care, self massage techniques, infant massage and management techniques for those suffering from chronic pain. She has written several articles on parameters for exercise for people with serious medical conditions.
In her spare time she enjoys doing Brazilian dance and flamenco, martial arts, cycling and swimming.

Valerie Lawson Smith's background in sports psychology, as well as conditioning and training, coupled with 25 years of teaching Tai Chi, make her uniquely qualified to lead Pilates exercise - a true 'mind & body' discipline. In addition to her degree in Sports Psychology, Valerie is certified to teach Pilates through both the PhysicalMind Institute, and through ITT, Integrated Teacher Training of the Bay Area. She is also is Certified to teach T'ai Chi Chih by master and originator Justin Stone. Valerie has been teaching classes in Fitness, Dance, Gymnastics and Tai Chi since 1980, and she has specialized in teaching adaptive exercise for older adults. Valerie has extensive experience leading group mat and group Reformer classes in studios and athletic clubs, as well as one-on-one Pilates personal training.

Her goal in teaching is to provide a challenging yet safe workout, based on the classic Pilates exercises, and sound principals of biomechanics and physical therapy. Valerie's classes are both strengthening and restorative.

Valerie lives with her husband, Steve, and daughter, Simone, in Alameda. When not working or in school, they enjoy hiking, whitewater rafting, outrigger canoeing, swimming, and watching ML Baseball.

Evangeline Fitzpatrick
Pilates Instructor

Rian Tiernan, MA
Pilates Instructor Orthobionomy

Rian Tiernan, MA in Kinesiology, focused her research on biomechanics and motor development from adulthood to old age. Her thesis on the effect of Pilates on hip range of motion and gait kinetics in adults over 65 affords her a thorough understanding of human movement and the impact of aging on the body. Over the past 15 years she has studied a variety of massage & manual techniques as well, such as Reiki and Orthobionomy. Orthobionomy is a gentle positional release technique derived from Osteopathy. In addition, Rian is trained in Pilates through Turning Point Studios in Walnut Creek, CA, which focused on rehabilitation and injury prevention. The combined knowledge from her Master's research, her training in Pilates and experience using body work techniques such as Orthobionomy and Reiki allows Rian to develop unique programs for her clients.

In her free time, Rian enjoys going to Renaissance Fair with her husband, hiking and playing with her daughter Dhavin and her son McGreggor.

Daryl Bentley graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, with a B.S. in Human Development, and an emphasis in Nutrition. She also obtained her Teaching Credential in Education. In addition, Daryl is trained in both Pilates mat and reformer from Turning Point Studios in Walnut Creek, which focuses on rehabilitation and injury prevention. Her goal in teaching Pilates is to encourage each client to exercise consistently in a friendly and safe environment, utilizing the classic Pilates exercises. She enjoys integrating traditional Pilates props like the Ultra- fit Circle, Balls, and Exercise Bands into her mat classes.

Daryl has been teaching in academic settings with youth and adults for 26 years. She has contributed local publications, radio, and TV broadcasts on topics of nutrition that works, heart health, eating disorders, and weight control. Her audiences have been students, teachers, community groups, and health fair attendees.

Daryl lives in Alameda with her husband Gordon and daughter Alison. When she is not teaching Pilates, she enjoys snow skiing, kayaking, and yoga. She loves instructing Pilates because of the strength, balance, fitness, and improved posture benefits that her clients experience.