HEIDI STONE BLACK

Owner - Master Instructor in the Fuerza Method

“PILATES WORKS, AND I’M SO HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO SHARE IT WITH EVERYONE.”

I took my first Pilates class when I was 16 years old after struggling with sciatica from a skateboarding injury. At the age of 21 I decided to join the family business and began training under the guidance of my sister, Amy, at our original studio in San Diego, CA. After completing my training, I went on to own my own studio in Torrance, CA. I am an intuitive teacher and I absolutely love to help my clients accomplish their goals in a fun way. My special interests are in injury prevention, prenatal, scoliosis, back and neck pain, as well as shoulder dysfunction. Outside of Pilates, I am a fiber artist, designing yarn, hats and other wearables. My husband Ben and I have 3 rescue dogs, a flock of hens and are the primary caregivers to my father-in-law.

CYNDEE GRACE SAVOY

Owner - Master Instructor in the Fuerza Method

Cyndee is the Founder of Fuerza Pilates and a Master Teacher in the Fuerza method. She specializes in making athletes better, stronger and faster through exercise and nutrition. She has over 30 years experience teaching Yoga and Pilates, and is a Health Coach. She came to Pilates after years of Yoga and a broken spine. She is familiar with pain and will help you break through pain patterns in the body and mind. She will gently challenge you to go beyond what you might think possible. She has developed a rigorous and athletic interpretation of the Pilates Method. Cyndee loves to travel — who knows where she will be teaching from.

MARGIE

Comprehensively Trained Instructor, ACE, TRX, Bhodi, JNRI Certified Life Coach, Integrated Movement Specialist

“THIS IS YOUR LIFE; LIVE IT TO THE FULLEST.”

I’ve been in fitness for over 20 years. In those years, I have reinvented myself many times. I have found that everyone has a strength or a quality that shines. Mine has always been to help others find that strength inside them. Life is about facing fears, going outside of your comfort zone, and becoming the best you. Since there is only one YOU, I want everyone to see you shine. I love to challenge myself physically, intellectually, and emotionally. I am willing to throw myself off a mountain bike, design a website or create a new fitness program; whatever it takes to grow. Challenge yourself and see what happens. Your potential is endless and the reward is an experience-filled ride!

I made it my mission to help others define and achieve their goals. My love of the outdoors drove me to discover ways to increase strength, endurance, and performance. My passion for helping others drove me to seek out ways to structure training programs accessible to any person, regardless of their ability, mobility, or level of activity.

AMY MARIE PELLY

Master Instructor in the Fuerza Method

Amy Marie Pelly was trained in Pilates through The PhysicalMind Institute, and in Yoga through the Cloud Nine Yoga Training Program. Amy has been teaching Yoga and Pilates for over 20 years. She specializes in postural reeducation, repetitive stress injuries, scoliosis, and core strengthening for low back pain. Her approach to training is through problem solving; she observes unhealthy postural/movement patterns and then teaches her students how to make corrections to reverse the problems. Through this process her students are able to achieve greater strength, mobility and postural awareness. Her students often report a significant decrease in physical discomfort and many are completely pain free. Amy continues her education on a regular basis to remain on the cutting edge in the Pilates and fitness industry, and has successfully completed the PMA (Pilates Method Alliance) exam. Amy loves to travel, and seeks out Pilates classes wherever she goes in order to broaden her scope of practice and share her newly learned techniques.

ANNA

Balanced Body Trained Instructor, White Cloud Studio Training, Pendleton Pilates Studio Training, ACE, BS

“EVERY DAY IS A NEW BEGINNING. TAKE A DEEP BREATH, SMILE AND START AGAIN.”

My love of movement and exercise started at the young age of 6 years old through dance and sports. That passion drove me to get certified as a group fitness instructor right out of college—not a job, but for the pure joy of being an inspiration to others to move with me. Through my desire to learn more, I discovered Pilates and was hooked on the first day. I became a Pilates instructor in 2001 and am fully trained in Mat, Reformer, Chair, and Trapeze/Cadillac. Pilates is an exercise that integrates the mind and the body; in practicing Pilates you feel calmer, taller, and stronger than you’ve ever felt to the core. It’s an exercise, with the right instructor, that actually becomes harder the longer you practice…in a good way! Outside of the studio, I’m with my two daughters traveling, selling real estate or doing any DIY project you can think of!

ARLANA AYLWARD

PMA Certified Instructor

Arlana is a Southern California native. She exuberates the love and passion for life so synonymous with the culture and attitude of the region. She has an extensive sports and cross-training background and is an avid runner. Arlana was introduced to Pilates as a result of a personal injury from running. Pilates helped rehabilitate her while developing proper core strength along with the flexibility and mobility her body desperately needed. Soon after, Arlana left her career in corporate finance in pursuit of her dreams to teach Pilates. Arlana became a Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) certified Pilates instructor in 2008. A year later Arlana opened and operated a private studio for 9 years in downtown San Diego. Arlana’s love and commitment for Pilates has only grown over the years with special training on the care and prevention of injuries, pre-and post-natal work, and she is currently pursuing a degree in Nutrition and Fitness. Arlana enjoys spending time with her husband and two children exploring the outdoors, hiking, biking, and running.

GAIL

Balanced Body Trained Instructor, OTR/L, BS

As an Occupational Therapist for 25+ years, I’ve promoted health and wellness in my clients of all ages. I have always been fascinated by what our bodies and minds can achieve given our individual talents and imperfections. The wellness I seek is found in the delicate balance of adapting to the constant challenges in life, not necessarily achieving a static state. Pilates perfectly reflects the balance of movement and stability in our bodies and lives and has been a perfect addition to my therapy practice. I began taking Pilates classes in 2015 when I realized how little core strength I had, even though I was running half-marathons. I found that Pilates was more enjoyable and sustainable than running and I was excited about the changes in my day to day life as a result: I had better breathing, flexibility, total body strength, coordination and endurance. In my free time I hang out with my husband, 2 dogs, 2 adult daughters, or work on watercolor paintings.

JORDAN

Pendleton Pilates Trained Instructor, Certified Health Coach, Certified Personal Trainer

Jordan, a graduate from the University of Cincinnati with a major in Exercise Science, has a rich background in dance and Pilates. Having been a competitive dancer for 14 years at Just Off Broadway, she discovered Pilates at the age of 10 as a means to improve core stabilization, body alignment, and flexibility. Under the mentorship of Alexis Weaver and TheraPilates, she honed her skills before advancing her Pilates knowledge at Pendleton Pilates, where she obtained her certification as an instructor in 2020. Following her graduation in 2023, Jordan pursued additional certifications in Health Coaching and Personal Training, with the aim of creating a welcoming environment that nurtures the holistic well-being of individuals’ minds, bodies, and spirits.

ALYSSA LOCATI

aka Spreadsheet Queen

Alyssa has been the acting admin for Fuerza Pilates for over 10 years. She has mastered the art of dealing with all of the business operations that would give any one of us a major headache. Making her an invaluable asset to our team. While you may not ever see her in the studio, she is always working behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly.