Erina is a passionate Pilates teacher and instructor trainer at West Side Studio. With over 26 years of experience in the fitness industry, she discovered her love for Pilates at the age of 40 and has never looked back. Her extensive training at Unopilatesschool, Shiftyou, and various workshops, along with her background in gymnastics and ballet, have shaped her expertise in human movement. Erina's personalized teaching style focuses on improving posture, flexibility, and strength in a unique and effective way. Through her dedication to transmitting the technique and philosophy of Pilates, she helps her students achieve physical and emotional goals, promoting a higher quality of life. Reformer Pilates has been an integral part of Erina's life for the past six years, fueling her passion for this transformative exercise.
Mata is a Reformer Pilates Coach at West Side Studio. Hailing from the lively city of New York, Mata has found a home in Lisbon for almost two years, bringing their passion for fitness and Pilates to the studio. Fitness and Pilates have always been a significant part of her life. Mata's journey with Pilates spans over five years as a dedicated student, which led to her completing an intensive 300-hour classic Pilates Reformer teacher training course. As a former fitness bikini competitor, fitness has been an integral part of her life since 2015, fostering discipline and a strong work ethic. The opportunity to combine her love for fitness and Pilates as a coach at West Side Studio is a dream come true. Her classes aim to cultivate strength, balance, and a deep connection to our bodies.
Meet Sofia, whose innate aptitude for physical activity started at an early age, finding happiness and fulfillment in performing motor skills and exploring the body through movement. From dance and gymnastics to her degree in Physical Education and Sports, Sofia's love for Fitness became a driving force, dedicating over 20 years as a Personal Trainer and group class instructor.In 2009, Sofia took her first Matwork Pilates training and began her teaching journey. However, it was through the transformative experience of training on the reformer that she truly realized the power of Pilates in enhancing the quality of life for its practitioners. Firmly believing in the proven benefits of Pilates for promoting health and well-being, Sofia passionately advocates regular practice, respecting both the structural principles of the modality and the unique individual differences of each person she guides.
Meet Devy, a certified French Yoga teacher who embarked on her yoga journey with a 200-hour Hatha Yoga training, followed by a 100-hour Prenatal Teacher Training in Hong Kong, where she resided for over a decade. Beyond the physical exercises, she is deeply passionate about sharing yoga as a way of life, emphasizing its profound impact on mind-body balance through the artful fusion of breath, movement, and meditation. Devy firmly believes that Yoga has the power to positively transform lives, inspiring a deeper connection to oneself and the world. In 2021, Devy taught Hatha yoga classes at Anhao Reformer studio in Hong Kong, where she also discovered the undeniable benefits of Pilates after welcoming her son into the world. For Devy, Pilates and Yoga form a seamless synergy, creating a holistic practice that nurtures overall well-being and encourages exploration of the body's full potential. Her creative classes beautifully blend the grace and flow of yoga with the precision and control of Reformer Pilates, offering a harmonious and transformative experience for all who join her classes.
Oriana Jiménez is a French and Venezuelan professional ballet dancer who started her dance training under Nina Novak, a prima ballerina of the Ballets de Monte Carlo. She was then accepted into the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow, Russia. After completing her training and graduating, she moved to Lithuania and danced as a soloist with the Lithuanian National Ballet. A few years later she decided to pursue teaching dance and obtained her teaching certificate for professional dancers from the Royal Academy of Dance in London. She later moved to Vietnam where she worked as a ballet master at the Vietnam National Ballet for several months before creating her own dance structure. She now lives in Lisbon where she works as a dance teacher and freelance ballet dancer.Oriana believes that while discipline and rigor are important, the sense of community and the bonds we create through dance are just as important in order to improve your physical skills. Body and mind are so closely knit that both have to be trained and nurtured so that results can be made visible.
Eloise Hazlewood is a STOTT pilates instructor and professional ballet dancer, living in Lisbon. Born in Australia, Eloise began practicing pilates from the age of 14 to compliment her dancing and to prevent injuries. After moving to Amsterdam at 17 to study at the Dutch National Ballet academy, she graduated and travelled internationally, performing with the Norwegian National Ballet, Royal Swedish Ballet, Novosibirsk State Ballet Company and the Portuguese National Ballet Company. During time off from dancing due to COVID, Eloise took the opportunity to nurture her passion for pilates, studying and successfully getting certified as a STOTT pilates instructor. Eloise strongly believes in the power of movement, loves to help others get in touch with their own bodies, and push them to achieve things beyond capabilities they knew they had. Open, friendly and approachable, her classes are an encouraging environment, where everyone can feel at ease. Join a mat work class with Eloise to leave feeling energised and ready to take on the world.
Lua Carreira is a Portuguese dancer, co-founder of EmFim- Associação do Artista, and artist member of ZABRA, a transdisciplinary and experimental movement between art, technology and science based in Lisbon. As a freelance dancer she highlights works with Benvindo Fonseca, Tupac Martir, Filipa Peraltinha, Nélia Pinheiro, and Pedro Ramos. She started her career as a professional dancer at the Ballet Junior de Genève (Switzerland), followed by Compagnia Egri Bianco Danza (Italy) and studied at the Portuguese National Conservatory of Dance.Recently, her creative work shifted on a multidisciplinary approach that aims to deconstruct the performative body through the exploration of new technologies. Since 2022, she has been a resident artist at Desvio space, where she began to develop her work in performance. She carried out the 2022 Performance Cycle, as research between body and object and premiered the pieces “Unmanned Space Probe”, “SAL” and, “Ethereal Scent”.Lua received a scholarship in professional training in dance from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and Gestão dos Direitos dos Artistas and was nominated for the dance prize at the 2022 National Exhibition of Young Creators in Portugal with the piece, Kind of Blue, which was financially supported by the Gulbenkian and DGArtes.
Embarking on her fashion journey as a designer, Aude encountered significant stress and tension in her life as an entrepreneur. Despite trying various natural and holistic methods to find relief, it wasn't until a chance encounter with Kundalini Yoga in Bali that she experienced a profound revelation. The practice became her guiding light, leading her to live peacefully and confidently with heightened awareness. This pivotal moment marked a transformative turning point, inspiring Aude to intensify her Kundalini practice and eventually transition away from fashion to fully dedicate herself in the teachings of Kundalini Yoga.Under the guidance of esteemed masters, including Guru Jagat, Harijiwan, Guru Dharam, and Siri Sat, Aude pursued comprehensive training at RAMA Mallorca and the School of Karam Kriya. Her journey didn't end there, as she further expanded her expertise in yoga by training with acclaimed master Paul Grilley in Yin Yoga and Strech’Yin. The unique fusion of this gentle practice with Kundalini Yoga brought a particularly intriguing dimension to her offerings. Today, Aude is passionately devoted to sharing the benefits of Kundalini Yoga and Yin Yoga, enriching the lives of her students with wisdom, tranquility, and empowerment.
Meet Florence, a Franco-Portuguese choreographer and professional dancer with an impressive dance career. Her training at the renowned conservatory of Paris and the "Paris Centre/Rick Odums" school encompassed Modern-Jazz, Contemporary, and Hip-Hop styles. Beginning her career as a TV show dancer in France at just 17, Florence soon joined the prestigious group "Génération Latina" and danced for celebrated artists like Ricky Martin.Dance led her across the globe, from Lebanon and Morocco to Venezuela and Mexico, where she honed her skills in Latin dances. Now an accomplished Professional Choreographer and art director, Florence's creative genius comes to life in cinema, music videos, sports, fashion, and more. Collaborating with renowned names like The Russo Brothers, Amir, Zazie, Black M, Chloé, Stade Français Paris, PSG, and many others, she continues to leave a mark in the world of dance.Multidisciplinary, passionate, and radiating positive energy, Florence's dynamic presence will infuse a little "je ne sais quoi" into your day, transforming your body and mind with her artistic touch.
Meet Nathalie, a fitness professional with a passion for the Lotte Berk Method exercises. Originally from France and now residing in London, she stumbled upon this effective method that completely reshaped her body—discovering new muscles, gaining toning, and achieving a leaner silhouette with a flat stomach. In 2010, she became certified in Barre from the renowned Lotte Berk Studio in London, followed by another Barre certification from Exhale New York.For over 12 years, Nathalie has been sharing her expertise and leading Barre classes in prestigious locations across London, including the Lotte Berk Studio in Chelsea and Notting-Hill, as well as at Le Tigre Yoga Club and Studio A in Paris. Her method incorporates unique exercises at the ballet barre and on the floor, sculpting arms, legs, lifting the butt, and strengthening abdominals, offering a full-body workout experience.In Nathalie's classes, you'll be pushed to your limits and then find balance as each hard-worked muscle is followed by a soothing stretch. Suitable for all fitness levels, her sessions aim to help you achieve a lean and toned physique, leaving you energized and revitalized.
Joana's dance journey began at the age of 4, embracing the beauty of ballet before discovering her true passion in contemporary dance, particularly Jazz. Her dedication led her to learn from some of the best, instilling in her the determination to pursue her dreams relentlessly.Today, Joana is a multi-faceted fitness professional—a dancer, a certified Personal Trainer, and a Pilates instructor. Throughout her career, she graced the stage alongside famous artists, performed in TV shows, movies, theaters, and even a prestigious cabaret in Saint Tropez, leaving a mark in the world of dance.As an instructor, Joana empowers women through High Heels and Feminine dance, allowing them to find their voices and embrace their inner sensuality. She also believes in the transformative power of Pilates, considering it one of the best programs for dancers and everyone alike. Through her guidance, she equips individuals with the tools to lead a healthy and fulfilling life, prioritizing physical and mental well-being.