Meet the Team

Ali became the new owner of CDM Pilates in July of 2025. She received her Comprehensive Pilates Certification from the prestigious Gramercy Pilates NYC Certification School. Having studied both classical and contemporary choreography, Ali incorporates elements of each into her group classes and private instruction. She enjoys getting to know her clients, their goals and challenges, and how Pilates fits into their daily lives. Whether you wish to increase your balance and strength, improve your posture, work to prevent injuries, fight the aging process, or stretch to release stress, Ali’s personalized Pilates sessions are taught in a safe, fun and challenging manner to deliver your desired results

Teaching Pilates since 2013, Kristen is Nationally (NPCP)certified under Balanced Body Comprehensive training. She has trained numerous instructors over the years, showcasing her commitment to sharing her expertise. Kristen's fascination with human anatomy adds depth to her classes, emphasizing not just muscle engagement but also balance and stretching of opposing muscles.​ She is equally passionate about teaching athletic classes and about rehabilitation, drawing from her own injuries & experience in a PT center. She considers the Pilates practice as the optimal way to maintain a strong and balanced body, Her classes are characterized by creativity, with a constant infusion of new moves to challenge and transform the body, mind, and spirit. 

Beyond the studio, Kristen indulges in an active lifestyle, enjoying travel, yoga, barre, golf, hiking, SUP, snowboarding, gardening, and spin.  

Being a libra she is fond of balance in life! 

Karen is a Stott trained and certified pilates instructor who has been practicing pilates for over 15 years. Karen was hooked from her first introduction to pilates during a reformer session in a tiny gym closet.

Karen finds that Pilates facilitates a great mind-body connection, emphasizing strength and flexibility, while simultaneously being low impact on one’s joints. Karen believes that Pilates not only works to tone and strengthen your core, but also helps to support and lengthen your spine.

Karen and her husband are empty nesters who reside in Laguna Beach with their two long haired dachshunds and their rescue cat. Karen loves to travel and take adventures in their camper van. She hiked Half Dome in Yosemite and was able to check that off her bucket list last year!

Karen finds the benefits of Pilates are endless and loves sharing that joy with her students. She is excited to be a part of the awesome team at CDM Pilates!!  

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After working as a Group Fitness Instructor and already having an interest in Pilates, Renay felt drawn to becoming a Pilates Instructor. She earned her 500 hour Comprehensive Certification with Club Pilates and Group Fitness Instructor Certification with ACE. Her favorite part about teaching Pilates is interacting with people to work towards goals, while supporting their needs! When not teaching Pilates, you can find Renay at the beach, on nature hikes, cooking, and discovering new activities

​In 2022 I embarked on a transformative journey into the world of Pilates with comprehensive training, discovering its profound impact on both body and mind.Originally from Meridian, Idaho, I began taking Pilates classes when I moved to Orange County and immediately fell in love. I ventured into instructing, eager to share the newfound benefits with others. My passion for Pilates extends beyond mere exercise – it's a holistic approach to wellness that I enthusiastically bring to every session. Join me in unlocking the potential of mind-body harmony through the practice of Pilates, where my journey as an instructor in Orange County continues to evolve and inspire.

A powerhouse with a diverse background. From professional soccer player to a decade-long fitness model, McKenna’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. Her unwavering faith and tight-knit family of six sisters fuel her drive to continually elevate herself and uplift those around her. Growing up immersed in sports, McKenna developed a fervent passion for pushing her boundaries. Recognizing that true strength extends beyond the physical, she’s dedicated to instilling a mindset of resilience in every class she teaches. With McKenna, it’s not just about sculpting muscles; it’s about fortifying the mind and spirit, empowering you to conquer life’s challenges with unwavering determination.
Step into McKenna’s class, and you’ll emerge not only physically stronger but also mentally fortified, equipped to face whatever obstacles life throws your way

Kate, a proud Orange County native with a diverse background! Kate's journey began in volleyball, where she learned valuable lessons in teamwork and leadership. With a foundation in food science, she understands the vital connection between food and fitness.

Driven by a personal quest for self-improvement, Kate turned to Pilates to manage her scoliosis. The transformative impact on her life sparked a desire to share the joy and benefits of Pilates with others. Kate is comprehensively trained. Kate's focus is on improving posture, building strength, and sculpting Pilates bodies.

Beyond her fitness expertise, Kate is a music enthusiast who believes in setting the perfect tone for a great class. Her positive energy radiates in every session, leaving a lasting impact on her fortunate clients. Catch Kate's uplifting class every it's an experience you won't want to miss!

Alexa loves being a Pilates Instructor because she has a deep enthusiasm for movement, wellness and empowering others. 

She started doing Pilates while on a journey with her asthma and discovered Pilates helps her symptoms of asthma, due to the focus of breathing with the movements. After taking her first class, she was hooked and has loved it ever since!

Alexa’s goal is for each person to leave her class feeling stronger and refreshed, both mentally and physically.

Alexa loves living in beautiful California and outside of the Pilates studio can be found hiking, at the beach or reading.

Nealie is an adventure queen who loves Snowboarding, Water Sports, Pilates & Barre. She began her Fitness career as an Instructor teaching Aerobics and Dance and Earned 4 Certifications through Aerobics and Fitness Association of America then moved onto Snowboarding where she earned 3 Certifications through Professional Ski Instructions of America. She found Pilates and fell in love with the practice mostly because of the restorative nature and how it has helped so many people dealing with all types of injuries. She feels that the practice helps builds strength, balance, stability, mobility and flexibility through slow and controlled movements and a Mind / Body connection. She earned her Comprehensive Pilates Certification through Club Pilates!

Savannah grew up in Oregon, where she discovered her love for leading group fitness as the captain of her high school dance team. After an injury from her high-impact workout routine, she found pilates and was immediately drawn to its blend of controlled movement, mindfulness, and accessibility. With her dance background, pilates felt like a natural fit, and she quickly fell in love with the practice. In the fall of 2024, she pursued this passion by training to become an instructor with Precision Pilates. She’s excited to share her passion and energy in the studio, offering classes with fun music and an emphasis on mind-muscle connection! 

Jess is a Newport Beach native with a passion for Pilates!

She graduated from FIDM in 2014 with a degree in Marketing, and has been an amazing barre instructor since 2016. She is also a proud wife and mom to a beautiful 2-year-old girl.

Pilates became her go-to workout during her pregnancy—it was the only exercise that felt comfortable yet challenging. Postpartum, she dove right back in and it worked wonders for her balance, strength, and mental health. This journey inspired her to get certified and help others discover the magic of Pilates.

She has completed Comprehensive Pilates training from Precision Pilates, balanced body repertoire and is Barre trained and is thrilled to bring safe, effective, and fun Pilates classes.

Gabriella is a certified Comprehensive Pilates Instructor whose journey with Pilates began in childhood, working out to VHS tapes with her grandmother. This early exposure made Pilates her go-to workout, a passion she now brings to each class she teaches.

Gabriella strives to create a warm and supportive environment in her sessions, with a strong emphasis on building confidence among her students. She believes that practicing Pilates together fosters a powerful sense of community and personal growth.
Outside of Pilates, Gabriella enjoys spending quality time with her fiancé and playing with her three little nephews. As the youngest of four siblings, her family life is rich and vibrant, often a topic she loves to share. Her hobbies include knitting, spending time at the beach, and hosting dinners with friends.

Meet Ava—

 A certified reformer Pilates Instructor and Integrative Nutrition coach, Ava brings passion for holistic health to every session. Originally from Baltimore, MD, she played a variety of sports and explored different forms of exercise. It wasn’t until college when she found Pilates—and it was love at first stretch! Ava began to crave the slow pace, mindful movement, and body-breath connection Pilates provides.

With a background in holistic health and a daily meditation practice, Ava brings a grounded, intentional energy to every class. Ava believes Pilates benefits us far beyond the physical bringing in mental clarity, emotional balance, and an overall sense of wellbeing. She’s also pursuing her Bachelors degree in Psychology further deepening her understanding of the mind-body connection. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned mover, Ava’s classes are designed to leave you feeling strong, centered and energized.

Her favorite move to teach: 100s!

J

Tawnya has an endless curiosity of people and the body. Her love for fitness and healthy living has always been a way of life. Tawnya began taking Pilates in 2004. She was looking for a gentle yet effective approach to gain core strength, balance and longer, leaner more toned muscles - Pilates was it! She convinced several friends to go with her to Pilates, some even going on to become instructors. She realized it was time to become an instructor herself. Tawnya earned her certification as a Pilates Instructor through Club Pilates. Tawnya is known for balancing her cheerful encouragement with butt-kicking workouts, all the while keeping it fun. On a daily basis Tawnya is inspired by the changes she see's in front of her as she watches people build strength and make health a priority. She enjoys working with people, learning and continually pursuing to further her education in Pilates and overall health and wellness.