Gabby’s heart is full, arriving at HEAL and getting to teach Pilates at 53. Little-kid Gabby had dance classes and soccer matches and swim meets, but felt awkward and anxious through all of that - comparing herself to her naturally-coordinated brother, noticing she was usually the one person in whatever-class not quite getting it.


Life kept throwing Gabby opportunities to reconfigure this narrative: college friends inviting her to their Samba troupe in New Orleans, a boss in NYC insisting she check out their martial arts dojo, a desk job interview in SF turning into a Pilates apprentice-trainer position. Gabby began to stop pigeon-holing herself as “bad at movement” & understand that she needed to move & that in a good-fit environment movement can bring immense peace and joy. The common denominator she credits for opting in to these experiences is getting lucky enough to be with a teacher that took time, made her feel welcome, & like they were exactly where they wanted to be.


In her late-20s, Gabby fell hard for Pilates on the other side of a back strain that no doctor could make better. After her first private session, she had pain relief, real knowledge of anatomy and 5 easy things to do at home to keep the pain away. Pilates has been a part of her life ever since. Gabby holds a soft spot for the many student-clients she’s met along the way who’ve confided their own fears and insecurities. What a healing moment when we get to share how normal all that is and begin to let it go.


Gabby has completed teacher’s training through both Ellie Herman and Balanced Body comprehensive programs, receiving her Balanced Body certification in 2024. She has over 7 years experience in group and private instruction, working under the tutelage of Madeleine Black protégé Georgia Kalnin at Third Street Pilates in SF and recently as an instructor at Club Pilates in Benicia. Her Pilates mentors also include Master Trainer Nancy Myers (co-owner at EHS Pilates), and Balanced Body Master Trainer Bridgette Brunner. After sustaining organ damage with postpartum surgery, Gabby discovered and partnered with surf therapy practitioners to continue to heal herself and help others manage chronic pain. She is a proud (and proudly awkward) newbie surfer and surf-skater, as well as a community member of Groundswell Community Project, Waves of Grief Collective, and the San Diego Pain and Trauma Institute. Her other accomplishments include surviving parenting (so far, we’re in the teen years), and being an accomplished documentarian with a film in the National Library of Congress.