Meet Susan, a passionate and dedicated Pilates instructor with a deep-rooted love for mind-body movement and helping others. With a background in childhood education, Susan cultivated an early interest in Pilates that began classically when she was a dancer in college. Fast forward a ‘few’ years, and Susan found her way back to the practice - as a personal endeavor to find balance and alleviate stress. Inspired by the transformative power of the practice, she pursued comprehensive training and certifications, becoming a fully certified instructor who is now sharing the benefits of Pilates with others.

Susan’s teaching style is characterized by a warm and nurturing approach that creates a safe and inclusive environment for all students. Whether working with beginners or seasoned practitioners, she tailors each session to meet individual needs and objectives, combining precise alignment cues with creative variations to challenge and inspire. Her deep understanding of anatomy and movement mechanics allows her to guide students in developing core strength, flexibility, and body awareness.

Susan is dedicated to empowering her clients on their wellness journey - helping them discover the joy and transformative power of Pilates in their lives.

When not at the studio, Susan can be found traveling the world, in the kitchen, playing with her dog and spending time with her husband and three sons.

Mary and her husband Tim moved to San Clemente in 2020 after a 30+ year retirement from

public education. She has adult twins, both of whom live in Orange County; daughter an RN and

son a letter carrier. She also has a beautiful senior beagle, Simon Joseph.

Mary’s journey to Pilates began after having a knee rebuilt, complete with cadaver ACL and

multiple screws in 1998. Pilates was started as part of the physical therapy workout. The

reformer and other apparatus made working out fun, focused on core building while lessening

stress on the joints. She was hooked!!! After 25 years as a student of Pilates, Mary began her

training to become a Comprehensive Certified Pilates instructor and has never looked back.

When getting total knee replacement (other knee!) in December 2022, Pilates again allowed for

a smooth recovery and sustained total body health, allowing a quick return to daily life and

activities. Mary is excited to share her love of teaching, fitness and experience with you! She

truly believes Pilates is for EVERY body.

Mary is a passionate reader, golfer and traveler and of course, PILATES enthusiast!

Monique was born and raised in Southern Orange County and loved everything about a

healthy lifestyle, participating in dance, gymnastics, and tennis along with team sports.

She graduated with her BS in Biochemistry from Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo and

moved directly into therapeutic and diagnostic business to drive improvements in

healthcare. Continuing her love for sports and movement, she found Pilates and fell in

love, embracing the proven benefits of Pilates. 

As she continued her journey, she was drawn to the wellness and self-care advantages

of yoga.  Improvements in strength, balance and flexibility greatly improved her Pilates

practice.  Monique found better sleep and calmness due to the mental health benefits of

her practice.  

With her passion for Pilates and yoga, she strives to connect mind, body and spirit for

all. Monique is focused on correct and precise movements to get the most benefit from

her clients’ practice. Her love for movement and breath blends beautifully in training. If

she is not in the studio, she can be found on the water in Dana Point, on her boat,

dinghy or paddle board along with her husband, David and her furry tri-colored Aussie,

Lacy Blue.

Laura is a former elementary school teacher and holds a B.A. in Biology from CSULB and a Master in Education from Concordia University, Irvine. 

Pilates has been a part of her life for over 18 years. Finding the connection to mind, body, and breath was a life changer. She began practicing pilates and teaching elementary school in the same year. Pilates allowed her to stand, squat, and keep up  with littles all day long. Her pilates education is through Balanced Body under the guidance of Kelly Leonardi. You can expect a fluid, upbeat reformer class with plenty of variations to exercises with emphasis on body alignment. 

While still in the classroom, Laura became a certified kids yoga instructor. Incorporating breath to movement with elementary students led her to pursue a trauma informed yoga teacher training. This led to becoming a full time, trauma informed yoga teacher. She is certified in yin, gentle and vinyasa yoga. She became certified in restorative yoga under the direction of Judith Hanson Lasater. She incorporates traditional reiki into all restorative classes. Laura believes that yoga is for all people and all ages and classes focus on functional and safe movement  while also connecting to breath, to body, and to spirit.

Laura loves to practice pilates and yoga, read, and spend time with family and friends.

Lupus led me to Pilates in my early 30's. I had to give up jogging as my joints started swelling, although there was no pain. But something was obviously wrong. It took 4 years to get a diagnosis, most doctors turned me away, "You're too young to have health issues." Learning how important it is to be your own advocate, I stood my ground saying, "I'm here now, so I don't end up like those in your waiting room." A wonderful strong willed nurse overheard me, and ushered me into a room. I will always be grateful for Nurse Nancy!

I need movement, period. If I don't move, I feel like the Tin Man. I was introduced to Pilates in the form of a dvd at home. Not even knowing if I did it correctly, I felt amazing after! I could FEEL the blood circulating in every joint, I felt fluid, I felt tall, I felt great!  I was referred to a private instructor who showed me proper form and all apparatus equipment. I was hooked and haven't looked back. Although I welcome all forms of exercise, Pilates is my "go to". I love that you can do it every day, adjust as needed based on how I feel that day, and I am in control of my body. I do my best to stay in front of the additional autoimmune issues I've inherited over the past 20 years and Pilates makes me feel like I can stay ahead! Note - I don't take any medication :)

After spending all my adult years in the corporate world, the stresses of Covid was my wake up call, cue the addition of Sjogrens Syndrome and Scleroderma to my resume. I decided to leave my Construction Accounting job and focus on getting my certification full time. This new community is something that took me by surprise. The positivity, support, encouragement, it just falls into your lap. It leaves me speechless that this is my new work environment, these are my new co-workers. I am surrounded by clients that want to get better, be better, do better. And I am SO excited to help them with that.

Suzie was introduced to the Pilates method while she was a classical ballet dancer with Ballet Pacifica. She realized the benefits right away with improved flexibility, alignment awareness which helped her balance, and helped to keep the rest of her body in shape during her 15 year career dealing with hamstring, ankle, and arm injuries.

Suzie Loved the work!  Pilates was a perfect segway as a career after her dancing years; so, she was certified with the Physical Mind Insititute in Colorado back in 2021.  She spent a few years there in a small mountain town, working with the outdoor community of skiers, snowboarders, mountain bikers and dirt bikers. They loved finding their center of balance and being able to transition from winter to summer sports easily.  

Through her continued education, she has been certified with golf protocols, breathing techniques, dance conditioning and stress relief.   

Suzie loves the water, so she returned to San Clemente to surf over ten years ago.  Pilates has helped many of her surfer friends with shoulder issues, knee and low back pain.  She has created a surf protocol which keeps her strong as well.  

Suzie is so excited to be working in the area and looking forward to meeting everyone at South County Fitness!  

Shelby is originally from Las Vegas NV, where she first taught pilates and earned her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiological Sciences from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She then moved to California for school and graduated with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine- San Marcos for Health Sciences.

With over 8 years of experience teaching Pilates, Shelby is certified in Functional Range Conditioning (FRC), TRX, Kettlebells, Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS), Battle Ropes, and Trigger Point Therapy. She also holds Pelvic Floor Certification from Herman and Wallace, specializing in prenatal and postpartum care, urinary incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse.

Shelby combines her expertise in Pilates and fitness to support a wide range of clients, from everyday individuals to athletes. Outside of work, she enjoys mountain biking, Pilates, weight lifting, camping, running, hiking, rock climbing, and traveling. She is eager to help clients stay active and achieve their wellness/pilates goals.

Stacy has lived in beautiful San Clemente for the past 17 years. She is married and has three active children. Her family enjoys athletics and her kids play softball, football, and baseball..  Stacy graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and  went on to receive a California Teaching Credential (K-8).  She worked as an elementary school teacher and created and managed her own tutoring business for many years.  Stacy believes that it is important to create lifelong healthy living habits that will ultimately allow us to age gracefully and minimize injuries and pain.  

Stacy was introduced to yoga 25 years ago and her practice became her passion.  Yoga was a great way to improve strength and mobility while clearing her mind.  As a result, she became yoga certified and has been teaching for the past 12 years at local studios and city-wide programs.

After tearing her rotator cuff and spending time in physical therapy, Stacy was introduced to Pilates.  Pilates was highly recommended for Stacy to fully rehab her shoulder injury.  She loved Pilates because it incorporated many aspects of her yoga teachings.  After practicing Pilates for 4 years, she took the plunge and became a Comprehensively Pilates Certified instructor

Pilates and yoga both focus on strengthening the core, improving balance, building muscle tone, and perfecting alignment.  Stacy feels that these are important foundations to keep our body healthy and happy.  Both activities help improve low back and hip pain, improve balance and stability, and maintain an upright torso.  All of these will help keep our body moving and allow our mind to rest.