Shana Lord Ellingsen, an elite level gymnast, retired from gymnastics to begin a career as a dancer and acrobatic performer.  Shana performed for several world renowned companies including Cirque du Soleil.   She was trained in Pilates by STOTT and "BASI" (Body Arts & Science International).  She has also attended several continuing education workshops including the Teachers Intensive at The Pilates Center in Boulder, CO (the Harvard of Pilates).  Pilates has always been a part of Shana's injury prevention regimen.   She has worked at several Chiropractic offices and Pilates Studios in the Los Angeles area. Pilates is part of her everyday life.  Shana believes that “from stunt performers, to golfers, to dancers, and even business professionals; Pilates is for everyone." 

Gia Paladino has followed an atypical path to Pilates instruction.  As an attorney and writer she discovered Pilates as a means to maintain physical and mental health and to balance the stresses of work, family and fitness.  She felt the power of Pilates was so transformative that she decided to share it and began Melrose Pilates in the studio formerly known as Nyce Bodies Pilates.  She received her instructor training from Shari Nyce, in the BASI (Body Arts Science International) method.  Gia believes that mind- body fitness is the key to happiness.

Courtney Rackley has been teaching Pilates in the Los Angeles area for several years.  She received her certification from the PhysicalMind Institute and has continued her education in Pilates and movement instruction.  Courtney’s instructional technique focuses on the positive energy derived from pushing one’s body to the next level.

Abbe Rowlins was born in London and grew up in Los Angeles studying modern dance with renowned instructor Winnifred Harris.  She is an avid believer in the adaptability of the Pilates method to achieve clients’ goals.  She is keenly interested in movement and the human body.  She completed her certification through Master Trainer Ivan Dahl and has been teaching Pilates in the Los Angeles area since 1998.   She continues her education in mind-body fitness through additional training courses in Pilates as well as Yoga.