Staff

At Equilibrium Fitness, we understand that there is more than one way to teach, and each of our Pilates Trainers is accomplished at tailoring their teaching and the Pilates repertoire, to each student's style of learning. All of our Trainers have unique styles and approaches to teaching Pilates. This benefits the client in being able to work with a variety of teachers, or allows you to choose a Trainer that is a particularly good fit. All teachers have been comprehensively trained in the Beginning through Advanced Pilates repertoire and all key apparatus, and are skilled at coordinating personalized Pilates workouts that will benefit each individual. Our primary concern is your safety and wellbeing, and teachers are well versed on how to modify and tailor a program for different levels of fitness and for those who currently have or are recovering from injury.

PHYLLIS DOUGLASS (Principle Trainer, Owner) is a Nationally Certified Pilates Trainer (CPT) through the Pilates Method Alliance, a Post Rehabilitative Breast Cancer Exercise Specialist (Pink Ribbon Program), Certified TRX Suspension Trainer, and certified Master Sound Healer utilizing Himalayan Singing Bowls. Phyllis teaches primarily in the Classical Pilates tradition focused on the original Pilates Method as developed by Joseph Pilates. She has studied through apprenticeship and intensively with Siri Dharma Galliano, Peter Fiasca, and first generation Pilates elders Jay Grimes, Kathy Grant, Mary Bowen, and Ron Fletcher. She received her Pilates certification through the teacher training program at Long Beach Dance Conditioning & Movement Academy with master teacher, Marie Jose Blom-Lawrence, and studied with Rael Isacowitz (BASI), among others. She sustains her education and training with yearly study through conferences, and workshops. Mindful that the concept of Pilates is that the body functions holistically, her objective is to restore the body to a place of balance physically, mentally, and spiritually!

Teaching since 1988, she has an extensive background in dance; performing and teaching professionally throughout the United States, Middle East, and Europe. She holds a M.F.A. in Dance from California Institute of the Arts, and a B.S. in Education with a minor in Biomechanics from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. She shares her life with a wonderfully supportive husband, and beautiful daughter.

Phyllis brings to her teaching an intuitive focus and deep knowledge of the kinesthetics of movement, and movement analysis. She teaches privates, semi-privates, Pilates Circuit Training, Spring Board, and Classical Pilates Mat.


HEATHER BAK-JENSEN HEATHER BAK-JENSEN completed her training through Body Arts & Sciences International (Rael Isacowitz), and has an extensive dance and fitness background including Triathlon competition and marathon running. Heather completed her third marathon this year and will be competing in her 4th marathon in Spring of 2009. She will be co- leading a running group that meets at the San Dimas park and Ride this Fall. Heather enjoys Mt. Bike riding at Marshall Canyon and lap swimming. Heather teaches private and semi-private sessions.

FRANCINE HERNANDEZ is a Certified Body Arts and Science International (Jennifer Pearlstein Reigle) Pilates Trainer, a Pilates Method Alliance Certified Pilates Trainer (CPT), and has a Pre-natal/Post-partum Specialist Pilates certification. She is a graduate from UCSB where she completed her B.S. in Biopsychology and also pursued classes in Nutrition, Health, and Mediterranean Cooking. Her hobbies have always kept her active and have included swimming, hiking, Middle Eastern dance, and swing dancing. Francine is also a Certified Restorative Yoga and Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor. She teaches private and semi-private sessions in both Pilates and Yoga. Francine gives her best to her clients by offering a focused, challenging, and balanced practice.

RICHARD HOWARD has been a long time dancer and has been practicing Pilates since 2004. He first looked into Pilates for its therapeutic applications and for a deeper understanding of the human body. Recently, he completed the Long Beach Dance Conditioning program for his teacher training certification, and is attending school towards a major in nutrition. He looks forward to helping people find a deeper awareness in their minds and bodies.

CHRISTINE IVY came to Pilates with a background in Dance and Musical Theatre. She received her B.A. in Dance from CalState University, Long Beach. Her studies there included four years of intensive Pilates training with Karen Clippinger. Soon thereafter, she completed her Pilates teaching certification through Body Arts & Sciences International (BASI). Her certification includes a Dance Conditioning emphasis. Christine currently teaches privates, semi-privates, Pilates Mat, and Spring Board classes. She also teaches dance at Santa Ana High School.

VICKY LEBLANC completed the teacher training program at Long Beach Dance Conditioning Studio & Movement Academy (Marie Jose Blom Lawrence), and is a Pilates Method Alliance Certified Pilates Trainer (CPT). She has completed training and classes specializing in alignment and correctives, and is currently working toward a career in Radiology. Vicky teaches privates, semi-privates, and Spring Board classes.

BECKY LEHMAN is a Certified Body Arts and Science International Pilates Trainer. Becky loves FOOD and specializes in weight loss and nutrition. She received her culinary arts degree through the California School of Culinary Arts in Pasadena, CA in December 2004. Becky also owns and operates her own pastry business, "HeavenSent Cakes & Pastries" in Upland, CA. She also enjoys marathon running, hiking and dancing. Becky is passionate about bringing the balance, focus, strength and agility that Pilates provides to her clients for a higher quality of life and is available for private and semi-private sessions.

MAURA RILEY Maura attended California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, California and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance in 1992. Maura completed her BASI Pilates training in 2007, and is a Pilates Method Alliance Certified Pilates Trainer (CPT). She combines her extensive dance background and training with her BASI education, creating a balanced, and challenging workout.

Her love of Dance and Pilates has provided her the opportunity to combine her knowledge in these fields to helping people reach their fitness goals. Pilates has changed her life in many positive ways. Maura has been a teacher with Equilibrium Fitness since 2003. She teaches privates, semi-privates, Pilates Mat, Cardio Dance, and the BOSU & Ball Workout.