About Us
Valentin
Our Founder
Valentin has long been passionate about the power of movement and fitness. In 1984, she began teaching professionally after earning valuable experience in the worlds of ballet and competitive aerobics. She was also affiliated professionally with prestigious companies such as Nike and Reebok.
After a long mentorship, Valentin became a Balanced Body Master Instructor in 2004. In November of that same year, she opened her first Pilates studio in Northern California. Today, Valentin has more than 37 years of experience in the fitness world, with the last 20 years specifically devoted to Pilates. She is committed to sharing her knowledge, experience, and passion with others.
After a long mentorship, Valentin became a Balanced Body Master Instructor in 2004. In November of that same year, she opened her first Pilates studio in Northern California. Today, Valentin has more than 37 years of experience in the fitness world, with the last 20 years specifically devoted to Pilates. She is committed to sharing her knowledge, experience, and passion with others.
Her International Experience
Since 2005, Valentin was a regular presenter of Balanced Body Pilates on Tour. Additionally, she has traveled throughout the world—including India, Italy, England, Germany, Korea, Israel, and Turkey—to provide ongoing educational credits to other instructors. Valentin has also been fortunate to learn from some of the world’s most renowned teachers, including Lolita San Miguel, Alan Herdman, Julian Littleford, Tom McCook, Karen Clippinger, Eric Franklin, and Brent Anderson.
Her Clientele
Valentin’s clientele includes an impressive range of people and ages. For many years, she has worked with athletes of all levels, including all-American swimmers, cyclists, golfers, dancers, ranked tennis players, and even NFL players. Since 2014, she has been teaching Pilates to seniors—a population with whom she loves to work. Having experienced two hip replacements herself, Valentin understands the challenges that accompany these types of procedures and how they affect the hip, back, knee, and entire body.
About Pilates
Pilates is a unique method of body conditioning named after German fitness guru, Joseph H. Pilates. The Pilates method provides strength without building bulk or tension and combines breathing techniques, stretching, muscle control, and mental concentration.
Joseph Pilates designed this method over 80 years ago for the rehabilitation of dancers and exercisers, with a focus on strengthening the core musculature, namely the “powerhouse” and postural alignment. Misalignments and weaknesses are corrected, leading to increased strength, efficiency of movement, flexibility, balance, and total mind-body integration.
How is Pilates different?
Pilates is invaluable not only as an overall fitness program but also as an important addition to professional sports training and physical rehabilitation programs of all kinds. Pilates lends itself to all fitness levels, from pre-and post-op clients to exercise novices and elite athletes.
Lasting results are achieved through the use of proper form, combined with the mechanics of the equipment and the total concentration of the participant. The exercises are performed on spring-driven machines. In all cases, each movement involves total integration of the total mind and body performed with the flow, centering, and control.
Unlike many other forms of exercise, Pilates does not emphasize duration or multiple repetitions. Instead, the goal is to create a balanced body—one that is agile and structurally sound. Top athletes use Pilates training during the off-season to improve their performance and enhance their post-injury rehabilitation.
Lasting results are achieved through the use of proper form, combined with the mechanics of the equipment and the total concentration of the participant. The exercises are performed on spring-driven machines. In all cases, each movement involves total integration of the total mind and body performed with the flow, centering, and control.
Unlike many other forms of exercise, Pilates does not emphasize duration or multiple repetitions. Instead, the goal is to create a balanced body—one that is agile and structurally sound. Top athletes use Pilates training during the off-season to improve their performance and enhance their post-injury rehabilitation.
Benefits of Pilates
Practiced faithfully, Pilates yields numerous benefits. Many students report that attending regular sessions has made their bodies feel well-balanced, stronger, and more toned. Pilates can be simultaneously gentle and challenging, but either way, it is extremely effective. It teaches both the physical and mental balance that is required for other aspects of your life.
Pilates can also be a wonderful supplement to your current exercise program. Benefits include:
- A balance between strength and flexibility.
- Improved strength and flexibility of the back and leg muscles.
- Improved core strength, posture, and balance.
- Decreased stress and exhaustion.