Mighty Instructors

You’ll love classes or 1-on-1 sessions with these great instructors.  All our instructors are Pilates certified, and many are trained personal fitness instructors.

Lina Restrepo, Owner

After noticing the subtle differences in her body from Pilates, Lina developed a growing interest in body mechanics. Through Pilates training at Body of Arts and Science International (BASI), she learned body awareness and how day-to-day activities affect our overall posture.  Her goal is to help each client find their own awareness and improve their posture and overall level of fitness. Lina has always been a fitness fan and loves to keep her clients motivated with fun and challenging classes.

Victoria Lambayan, Owner

After discovering that two bulging discs were responsible for her back pain, Victoria turned to Pilates for rehabilitation. She had a successful recovery using the Pilates method. Two corporate jobs and a lot of desk sitting, and the pain returned.  She left her corporate job to pursue her passion for the Pilates method and a healthier life.  She is BASI certified, practices and teaches Pilates in the hopes that her knowledge can enhance and transform the lives of her clients. She is also an NASM certified personal trainer. Victoria enjoys working with clients of all ages and fitness levels.

Danielle Posvar

Danielle is from southern Orange County where she grew up dancing, and spending as much time in the water as possible. College opened her eyes to the world of fitness, but it wasn't until after she graduated that she became more engrossed in the fitness industry. Danielle has received her ACE Group Fitness Certification, NASM Personal Training Certification, has been a Master Trainer for a national fitness format, and was a cast member of Beachbody's Turbo Fire infomercial fitness videos. Danielle studied with Master Teacher and founder of BASI Pilates, Rael Isacowitz. Danielle loves the precision of pilates, and the results cross-training with pilates can provide. She enjoys seeing people taking care of their bodies and their minds.

Sara Downs

Sara began her Pilates practice in 2003 in San Diego, California after graduating with a degree in Economics. She is certified through the Pilates Method Alliance and also holds a certification from Pilates of La Jolla. After realizing the corporate world was not her calling Sara moved to San Francisco to pursue her practice full-time. Sara has instructed in a variety of environments, from classroom atmospheres to one-on-one personal training. All the while, Sara cultivated and maintained a reputation as a highly proficient and dynamic instructor. With a life-long background of varied athletic pursuits, to include soccer, swimming, gymnastics, and figure skating, Sara has competed at numerous state-level and national level competitions. With this experience, Sara understands full well the importance of a strong core and well centered body alignment.

Kristen Norman

Kristen first studied Pilates in 2001 at the Stott Pilates center in San Diego. She completed another certification with Julian Littleford in 2005, and has a personal training certification from ACE. She has worked with a wide range of clientele from the elderly and injured to professional athletes. She also brings knowledge of herbal medicine, nutrition, and energy healing. In 2010 she launched Bench Busters, a website promoting injury avoidance programs for athletes to do at home. Kristen's love for integrative health and medicine has brought her to the Bay area to pursue an interdisciplinary degree from UC Berkeley, where she will study various social aspects of medicine. Classes with Kristen will challenge you to push yourself, stay inspired for health and have fun!

Nicole Fosberg

Nicole was introduced to the Pilates Method while studying dance at the age of 12. Pilates has been a way of life ever since. She has studied under various master teachers such as Rael Isacowitz, Karen Clippinger and Susan Salk, which has given her a vast repertoire and an expansive knowledge of the work. She is also certified through the Pilates Method Alliance, the national accrediting organization.

Cassandra Palo

Cassandra found Pilates after receiving her Bachelor's degree in Creative Writing from the University of North Texas in 2004. She completed her certification with Power Pilates in NYC in 2006. She returned to college in 2009 to study Anatomy and Physiology from the perspective of a Pilates Instructor. Her passion for imagery and interest in biomechanics makes her classes fun and intense. Her goal is to empower and inspire her clients.

Brie Backus

Brie fell in love with Pilates while working in sales for the fitness industry in Southern California. She had the privilege of being exposed to numerous styles of exercise and movement, and loved the transforming effects that Pilates has on both the mind and body. She was trained and certified through STOTT Pilates, and decided to share her passion for the practice by leaving the sales world to teach Pilates full time. She loves the rewarding effects of seeing her clients gain strength, stability, coordination, flexibility and overall body awareness. To Brie, the studio is her "happy place," and want to share that enthusiasm with you. She strives to make every workout challenging and fun, and hopes that Mighty is your happy place too!

Rebecca Chatfield-Taylor

Rebecca believes exercise is essential for both physical and mental health, and strives to give her clients a workout that is challenging and fun. After years of working in advertising and fitting in workouts whenever she could, Rebecca realized that teaching fitness and helping others with their fitness goals was her true calling. An avid runner for years, Rebecca experienced first hand how core strength and proper postural alignment can benefit all types of sports activities. She first tried Pilates as a student in 2001, and has been a fan ever since. She is certified in The Bar Method and in Pilates from The Pad Studio in San Francisco. She particularly enjoys the precision of movement in Pilates, and that after a session, her clients feel more flexible, stronger, inspired and hopefully sweaty!

Allison Erickson

Allison received her Pilates certification from Integrated Teacher Training and has taught dynamic group equipment classes throughout SF. She will help you condition your body to improve flexibility, build balance and strengthen your core. Allison’s background includes a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from San Francisco State University and hands-on experience in sports medicine clinics. She focuses on encouraging body connection by bringing inner and outer awareness to you and creating dynamic, fluid movement. She has developed a unique teaching methodology by incorporating her experience with tough and challenging but rewarding workouts.