Our Team

Pilates People has experienced tremendous growth, largely due to the effectiveness and satisfaction a fully-integrated Pilates program produces. The staff now includes several highly motivated professionals, each of whom brings the same dedication to a science-based, humanly realized program which has helped to define Pilates People from day one.

Doreen Hall, PT
Owner
Doreen is co-owner of Pilates People, and has over 17 years of experience as a licensed physical therapist. Doreen has been teaching Pilates for 10 years, and has found that it is an invaluable tool for integrating awareness and facilitating the body’s innate ability to heal through movement. Doreen has a diverse backround in physical therapy with emphasis in manual therapy . Her clinical experience includes pre-natal and postpartum rehab, sports and orthopedic rehab as well as work with seniors. Doreen is currently teaching the “Walk Tall” program for osteoporosis prevention and management to seniors in San Diego. Doreen Graduated from Quinnipiac University in 1989, with a BS in Physical Therapy, and is an active member of the APTA and the PMA.

David W. Hall, M.S.
Owner - Pilates Method Alliance Certified
David is a graduate of San Diego State University in Exercise Physiology. His research study, "The Effects of Pilates Based Training on Gait and Balance in an Elderly Population" was published in the International Institute of Sport and Human Performance, and was presented at the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) national conference (Seattle, 1999). David is certified in the Polestar approach of Pilates training for rehabilitation. David worked in SDSU's Adult Fitness Program conducting maximal exercise testing and developing exercise prescriptions for adults of all fitness levels. He has over five years of experience teaching Human Anatomy and Dissection at San Diego State University and at Miramar College. These collective experiences allow him to bring a strong working knowledge of biomechanics and the musculature of the human body to every exercise session.

Karen Holtzman-Schwartz
Karen grew up in Orange County, California where she began studying dance. She continued her dance training at the University of Utah, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and workshops throughout the country. She studied ballet, jazz, and ballroom, specializing in Modern. She received her bachelor's degree in dance from UNLV.

While completing her degree, Karen began using the Pilates method to enhance her dance training and rehabilitate injuries. She studied with Dolly Kelepecz and enrolled in a certification program through UNLV. After graduating she moved to Portland, Oregon where she taught dance and pilates mat classes. She has completed the comprehensive Pilates certification from UNLV and continued training through D.K. Body Balancing Method and Body Design in Newport Beach, CA

Daniella Olave, B.S.
Daniela is a Pilates instructor with a respected background in professional ballet. She has recently chosen to retire from her ballet career in order to teach Pilates full time and share her love of movement. She has been trained in the mat and apparatus work and has received her education from the Stott Pilates Trainers program.

Daniela's dance career began with the California Ballet School in 1982. During the summer of 1992, Daniela was accepted to New York City's Joffrey Ballet School trainee program. From 1993 to 1996 she attended the University of California Santa Barbara and received a Bachelors of Science degree in Geological Sciences. While at the University, Daniela continued her professional dance career by joining the Santa Barbara Festival Ballet Company. Upon finishing her Bachelor's degree in 1996, she returned to San Diego to perform with the California Ballet Company as a company member. Daniela also worked with the California Ballet School as a ballet instructor for ages ranging from young children to adults.

Jessica Gradhandt, B.S.
Jessica attended her first Pilates class in 2000, and after just one session, was hooked by its strengthening and centering benefits. While working as a Physical Therapist Aide in northern California, she made a commitment to Pilates as a career. In 2003 she received her Pilates Instructor training for both mat and apparatus work from Nora St. John at Turning Point Studios in Walnut Creek, California and has consistently furthered her study through continuing education classes. As a certified instructor, Jessica enjoys working with post-rehab clients as well as those looking to round out their fitness routine. In addition to Pilates, she practices Tai Chi and yoga, and enjoys cycling, hiking and kayaking. Jessica also holds a B.A. in International Management and Proficiency in Spanish from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota. Jessica is currently assisting in program development, and teaching of the continuing education program for Pilates People in San Diego.

Jonni Garro
Jonni Garro began studying Pilates fifteen years ago as an injured dancer. She completed her certification through Julian Littleford in January 2005 and taught in multiple studios in New York City until returning to California in 2006.
Along with Pilates, Jonni has studied various disciplines and forms of movement including Alexander Technique, Butoh, Suzuki, yoga, ballet, tap, and ballroom dancing. She brings her knowledge of these forms of movement and her experience with the body into her teaching to inspire her students to find joy in all movement as well as encouraging them to push their minds, bodies, and spirits past of what was thought possible.
Jonni is a forever performer and continues to pursue her first love, dance.

Chantal Davis, BA, LMT
Chantal is a massage therapist, trained at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, where she is currently enrolled and pursuing a masters degree in Oriental Medicine. Chantal received her massage certification in 2006, and her B.A.in Sociology from Arizona State University in 2000. Chantal is also studying Cranial Sacral Therapy, and has been trained in the Egoscue Method, a method which focuses on relieving pain in the body by correcting misalignment through exercise.
Massages available include Swedish, Thai, Shiatsu, Deep Tissue, and Tui Na. Chantal likes to incorporate aspects of each of these modalities into her massages. Chantal has been practicing yoga for 8 years. She is always interested in continuing to further her scope of practice. Her interest in massage and Chinese Medicine was fueled by her desire to help others feel better through a holistic philosophy.

Miranda Tysor, LMT
Miranda is a Licensed, Massage Therapist, trained at National Holistic Institute in the Bay Area, where she had extensive training in several modalities such as, Swedish, Deep Tissue, Pregnancy, Sports Therapy and Trigger Point Therapy. She received her Certification in 2000 and was Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork by NCTMB in 2005. She is also an active member of the International Massage Association.
Practicing for over 7 years, Miranda strategically customizes each therapy session according to her clients needs. Her mission is to inform and educate her clients of their bodies healing potential facilitated through Massage and bodywork. Her hope is that each client will adopt and commit to an overall holistic lifestyle program.

Kim Hollinger
Kim has worked as a licensed Massage Therapist for the past 8 years, specializing in Deep Tissue Massage, Sports Specific Massage and Medical Massage. Her interest in Holistic care began while working at Children’s Hospital, during which time she was involved in a clinical study evaluating the effects of Holistic Therapies on Critically ill newborns. The beneficial effects of massage on the newborns was very impressive and caused Kim to re-evaluate where she could make the most impact helping others. She left the conventional healthcare arena and has found her work in Massage to be both mentally stimulating and emotionally rewarding. She has studied massage at International Professional School of Bodywork, Pacific College of Oriental Massage, Natural Healing Institute and Vitality. She is also a Yoga teacher and enjoys teaching her clients poses that they can do at home to help with their problem areas and to enhance their overall well being.