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Faculty -
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Thalia Thomas
Owner of Studio Soma
BFA in Dance, Certified Pilates
Instructor,
Certified Massage Therapist
Born and raised in Sydney,
Australia, Thalia began teaching Dance at the age of 12 and Pilates at the age of 16. After graduating
from Sydney's high school of performing arts, Mc Donald College in 1990, she moved to the States to
attend California State University, Long Beach. Thalia danced with
choreographers of the Merce Cunnigham Company, Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre, Limon
Dance Company and many more. She has performed throughout The States,
Australia, Europe and Canada. Her performing and choreography credits range from the stage to
television.
In 1991, she acquired her Pilates
Certification, and in her senior year in college, she was asked to set up
Pilates programs in three major chiropractic office in Orange County. She
taught Pilates at Orange Coast College, Long Beach City College and Golden West
College. She also taught Pilates to members of the US Olympic team,
members of the “NFL," “NBA” and members of the “Laker Girl” squad.
Upon graduating in 1996, she moved
to Los Angeles and acquired yet another Pilates certification from Romana
Kryanowska (one of Joseph Pilates students)
and her Massage Therapy Certification. For the next seven years, she
directed numerous Pilates programs in Los Angeles and became an examiner for
the New York Pilates certification course.
Thalia has taught Pilates to the cast of
“Lion King," “River Dance” and other Broadway musicals. She has taught
Pilates courses at UCLA and physical therapy departments across the city, and
her expertise has been called upon by professional actors and singers.
Most recently she was invited to train the Physical Therapists on Dance
technique in preparation for the new USC Dance Medicine program. Her
massage certification gained her resident massage positions with the Los Angeles
cast of "Lion King ," "Gumboots" and Hubbard Street Dance of Chicago. Thalia
directed the Pilates and injury prevention program to the cast of "Wicked" at the Pantages
Theatre in Los Angeles. She also teaches injury prevention to the NBA.
Over the past 22 years of teaching Pilates, Thalia has had the fortune of working with numerous expecting mothers. This experience, coupled with endless
hours of research and continuing education courses in pregnancy fitness,
has given her both the knowledge and confidence required to teach pregnant
woman Pilates through their entire 10 month term.
Currently. Thalia is
developing dance injury prevention programs in Pasadena Schools and directing
Musical Theatre workshops and camps for children.
Her greatest
accomplishment is her daughter Makala Rae Thomas and her son Theodore Alexander
Thomas who teach Thalia how to be
patient and strong!
 Thalia teaches
the following at SOMA:
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Pilates
Mat Classes
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SomaSculpt
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Prenatal Pilates
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Monday Night
Cardio Boogie
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Pediatric Pilates and Kids Dance Theatre events.
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In home. office and school dance and
Pilates programs.
Thalia is also the
Director and Examiner
of official Pilates East Coast Certification Course at SOMA
Traditional Pilates
with Eric Hopkins -
Senior Certified Pilates Instructor
and Certified Massage Therapist
Born and raised in Los Angeles, California,
Eric was first
introduced to Pilates in high school as a rehabilitation method for treating his
knee injury. Eric was so impressed with the Pilates Method that he decided to
become an instructor and received his certification in 1998 from the official
East Coast Certification program lead by
Romana Kryanowska. Eric’s 12 years experience as a Pilates Instructor and
dancer was called upon by the Pilates Studio of Los Angeles where he was the
head of Pilates education and teacher training.
Eric specializes in pre- and post-
surgery rehabilitation and is committed to helping clients on their journey back
to health. To book a private or semi-private Pilates session with Eric,
call Soma for an appointment. To
book a private Pilates session with Eric, call (310) 289-9043.
Eric also teaches SomaSculpt on
Saturdays at 11am!
Traditional Pilates
with Jessica Schatz
Certified Pilates Instructor and Certified
Massage Therapist
 Jessica first began studying
Pilates 20 years ago as part of her rigorous dance curriculum. After a
successful dance career in San Francisco, she came to Los Angeles and began the
pursuit of Pilates instruction as part of furthering her knowledge of injury
rehabilitation.
Jessica’s expertise lies in her immeasurable knowledge and
awareness of each unique human body, how it moves, and what it needs to be more
efficient, stronger, and healthier. She takes pride in her ability to empower her clients to
reach for those goals and ultimately see and feel a major difference in bodies
and minds. She is fortunate to have studied intensively with Thalia Thomas and
was certified in the Traditional East Coast style under the tutelage of Dana Santi; a protégé of Romana Kryanowska.
To book a private Pilates session with Jessica call (310) 289-9043.
Jessica
teaches the fundamentals of Pilates Mat work on Saturdays at 10am at Studio
Soma.
Traditional Pilates
with Denise White - Senior Certified Pilates Instructor
Dancer and fitness professional Denise
White, has been teaching as a Certified Pilates for over 9 years. Denise makes
sure the client grasps a strong foundation Pilates so they succeed in reaching
their overall fitness goals. Her classical training and commitment to the pure
Pilates method has given her the experience needed to develop rehab programs for
people with injuries and also challenging the most healthy and elite dancer and
athlete. 
“Every body that passes through my hands
is different therefore every session I teach is different. I am dedicated to
providing my clients with what they need whether it is strength, pain relief or
just a great workout! No matter what, the client is guaranteed satisfaction.”
Traditional Pilates
with Terri Fernandez
Certified Pilates Instructor
In 2000, Terri discovered Pilates as a way to achieve her
health and fitness goals, as well as ease the daily stresses of the corporate
world. Five years later, Terri became certified and decided to spin a new career
out of her love for the method.
She left the Human Resources industry completely and has never
looked back. This career change has enabled her to achieve a healthy life/work
balance and she enjoys sharing her passion and respect for the method with
others. Terri was also certified in the
Traditional East Coast
style under the tutelage of Dana Santi; a protégé of Romana Kryanowska.
Terri is also the assistant to the director of Soma and
her experience both in front and behind the scenes, is such an asset to the Soma
Family.
The Pilates Method
with Rodrick Covington
Certified Pilates Instructor
Rodrick
Covington comes with an infused Fire with great energy from NYC. After
graduating from SUNY PURCHASE ACTING CONSERVATORY where he discovered Pilates 8
years ago , he is a professional working actor/singer/dancer who has performed
on Broadway in such shows as
The Lion King, Fosse, Drumstruck, Pippin and other off Broadway shows. Rodrick's
film and television talents awarded him roles in shows such as Law and Order CI,
The Dave Chappelle Show, and films- Mask Of the Ninja and Three Verses.
After realizing the importance of taking care of his own body,
he dedicated the next chapter of his life to strengthening others through
physical fitness.
He is a hardcore instructor that will maximize your full body
potential creating long lean muscles fusing the mind, body, and soul into a
session. After each session he specializes in a back stretch that will
have your body craving for more!
Currently Rodrick is on the East Coast working, on his craft
however Soma will always be is West Coast home!
 Traditional Pilates
with Angie Lieuw - Certified Pilates Instructor
 Angie Lieuw began Pilates back in 1997 along with several
disciplines of Martial Arts including Shaolin Kungfu, Wushu and Krav maga.
After practicing both Pilates and Martial Arts for almost a decade, she now is a
certified teacher through the East Coast Pilates Method and Martial Arts coach. Angie is recognized by her students, clients and
peers as a fitness enthusiast and she always tries to incorporate the
disciplinary aspects of her Martial Arts training into her teaching methods.
Recommended by
Studio Soma
Massage Therapy  With
DAYO
Certification in Massage Therapy
from the Institute of Professional Practical Therapy.
Dayo is
a certified in Massage and Physical Training. He offers both chair massage
and table massage. Whether it’s a 15 minute power "squeeze" on his massage
chair or a therapeutic table massage in the comfort of your home, Dayo has the
ability to tap into your tension areas using innovative sports rehab techniques.
He is available for office and home visits. To make an
appointment with him and for more information call Dayo on (323) 969-0817.
Pole Dancing With Gabrielle Arianela Gumbs
(Independent Instructor)
Contrary to clichéd stereotypes, pole
dancing is more like an athletic art form which is empowering to both the mind
and body. This class will build your self esteem and confidence. Unleash your
inhabitations and let your sensuality guide you. You will work the muscles of
the legs, gluteals, upper body and abdominals. You never know, you may even
learn a few party tricks for private use only! All levels. Private sessions and
pole dance parties are available.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
For more information, class schedule and
registration, visit
www.aphroditestripnpole.com.
Or call Gabrielle on (818) 631-5718
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Gabrielle Arianela Gumbs,
uses her experience as an actress and dancer and her background in Kinesiology
to teach other women this fun and fantastic movement. She trained with
Sheila Kelly of S-Factor fame, and was one of her original instructors when she
opened her first studio. Later, Gabrielle went off on her own, developing her
own style of teaching exotic dancing. As an instructor, she loves watching the
metamorphosis of her clients as they go through their own journey in class. She
has been seen on Oprah, Vh-1’s-‘Rock Bodies’, Inside Edition, Univision’s
–‘Control’, Q Televisions "On Q Live!" as well as in ‘Woman’s Own’ Magazine and
Teeze Magazine. Gabrielle has a B.S. in Kinesiology, the study of movement, with
an emphasis on Athletic Therapy.
We could not keep Soma
open for business if it were not for our amazing clients, friends and family.
Below is just a small
glance at WHY we are SOMA!
Thank you so much to all
including those not listed below for your devoted commitment and support.
We love you so much.
Jane
Anderson ~ Tess Ayers
Nancy and Chris
Athanassopoulos
Armand ~ Terri Barto
~ Margarita Beziatis
Danski Blue ~
Chris and Jasmine Brown ~ Erika Brunson
Alexander, Tina and Joseph Caruana
Erasmo
Cervantes ~ Cathleen Collins
Jenna Cooper ~ Stephan
Lipofsky
Lola Elmo ~
Jeff Denton ~ Dimitri ~ Jean Daly ~ Suzanne DeBois
Debbie Drimmer ~ Amy
Gallagher ~ Gabrielle Gumbs ~
Helen Gazis ~ Feldbaum
Family
Chelsea Fields ~ Dane
Findley
Jim Kohn ~ Carol Fenelon ~
James Ferris ~ Jenna Flexner
George Freeman ~
Eric Henney ~ Judy Hilsinger
Warwick Hutton ~ Michelle
and Gavin
Elissa Kravitz ~
Jen Jones ~ Tony Koursaris ~ Lia
Liaros ~ Mr. Lieuw
Paula Kent Meehan ~ Karen
McDonald
Donna Massetti ~ Constance
Meyer
Wendall Mazer-Doell ~ Gail
McMullen ~ Cuttino Mobley ~ Catherine Olim
Sue Nelson ~ Merle Siegel
~ Roxanne Steiny ~ Parminder Nagra ~ Rebecca Sattin
James Stenson ~Troy,
Theodore and Makala Thomas ~ Shelley Silveri
James Stenson~
Ed and Nikki Thomas ~
Jessica Pierce ~ Larry Paciotti
Don Watson ~ Danielle
Winter ~ David and Erin Zabel
The Cast Of "Wicked"
Class Schedule | 