Tonya was raised in San Francisco and received a B.A. in cultural anthropology from U.C. Berkeley. She began her movement career as a competitive gymnast, then danced professionally for fifteen years in New York City. She has appeared with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Donald Byrd, was a member of the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, Footprints Ensemble, and Amy Pivar Dances, performed in the International Tour of “West Side Story”, the National Tour of “Sesame St. Live”, and Sacramento Music Circus’ “The King and I”. She was introduced to Pilates over forty years ago as a young dancer, not realizing that her “Floor Barre” classes and post-injury rehabilitation were actually Pilates classes. Like thousands of other dancers initially introduced to Pilates after an injury or surgery, Tonya discovered that with Pilates training, she returned to rehearsals stronger than before her injury.

Tonya received her Comprehensive Pilates Certification with Nora St. John and Naomi Leiserson in 2004 at Turning Point Studios in Walnut Creek, CA. She is a Balanced Body Faculty Trainer (Certified to train Pilates Teachers), is PMA Certified, and Comprehensively Trained to teach mat, apparatus, and post-rehabilitation Pilates. She has thousands of hours of training, including advanced certifications in subjects such as Movement Medicine, Pilates for Back and Joint Pain, Scoliosis, Osteoporosis, Pre/Post Natal, Pilates For Golf, and Foot Care. Click for full bio.

Jessica received a B.S. from the University of Washington in Biology, where she competed on the long distance track team. A member of Actors Equity, Jessica has been seen in several regional and internet commercials, promotional videos, and heard in radio ads and other voice over projects. She was awarded a Bay Area Theatre Critics' Circle Award in 2006 for her performance as Annie Oakley in "Annie Get Your Gun and has produced two soul stirring vocal CDs. She received her comprehensive Pilates certification from Turning Point Studios, was mentored by Tonya Amos, and brings a wonderful enthusiasm to her work. She successfully integrates Pilates techniques into vocal and theatrical instruction, helping singers and actors manifest a depth and richness to their work that propels them to new heights.

Jessica is a Z-Health Master Practioner that combines the power of movement with nervous system support and retraining, and has certifications in Primal Reflex Release and ELDOA. With the ability to draw from various modalities to help best support students, her work improves pain, function and quality of life.

Jessica is a proud member of Grown Women Dance Collective.

All students are caring, talented, artistic, enthusiastic, and rooted-in-community. Intersectional backgrounds and various types of expertise means that deep mentorship in Pilates skills development paves the way to make solid impact on our communities. Trainers are working towards their Comprehensive Pilates Certification in partnership with Aspire Pilates Center, Balanced Body, Inc., and Grown Women Dance Collective.

Wren Amos

Abigail Armendaris

Ebonie Barnett

Ronnie Chambers (not shown)

Sara Martinez de Osaba

Breezy Powell (not shown)

Karma Smart

Cameron Turner

Zoe Klein

More info coming soon…

Wren has a Master of BioChemistry and has presented her research on plant biology to combat oil spill ocean toxicity at international conferences. She enjoys teaching science and movement courses for preschool, K-8, and college levels. She is Tonya's right hand developing and supporting educational materials for scholarship students, helps students navigate their certification journey, develops and teaches STEAM curriculum for community dance classes, and organizes community partnerships. She currently serves on a school board and is the Community Outreach Coordinator for an early childhood education program that focuses on social-emotional learning.

Jarrett Mobley is a dedicated fitness professional from Greensboro, NC. He has a B.A. from East Carolina University as a Health Fitness Specialist. With a passion for movement and post-rehabilitation work, Jarrett has been a personal trainer since 2018, gained valuable experience working as a physical therapy tech for two years,  and began Pilates teacher training in 2020.  He is a 4th-year Balanced Body Scholarship Student, studying and mentoring at Aspire Pilates Center to further his expertise in Pilates and functional movement.