Meet Our Team

Ariel Lehaitre, MSPT, Owner & Founder of Pilates Sante

Ariel is a highly experienced Physical Therapist and Polestar Certified Rehabilitation Specialist with over 20 years in Pilates-based therapeutic exercise. She holds a B.S. in Clinical Exercise Physiology and an M.S. in Physical Therapy from Boston University.
A former pre-professional ballet dancer, Ariel trained with the School of American Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Injuries led her to discover Pilates for rehabilitation, which not only supported her recovery but inspired her transition to professional salsa dancing and international instruction.
In 2008, Ariel founded Pilates Santé, now over 15 years strong, to provide a more integrated approach to healing by combining physical therapy and Pilates. Her clinical focus is on correcting muscle imbalances, improving motor control, and restoring functional movement so clients can return to their active, pain-free lives.
A dedicated educator, Ariel recently launched Clinical Instructor Academy, a sister business to Pilates Santé. This program trains Pilates instructors to deliver safe, clinical-based sessions tailored to clients with a wide range of various musculoskeletal conditions. She also continues to offer specialized workshops and mentorships, and previously served as a Polestar Pilates Mentor (2011–2016). Her additional certifications include CoreAlign, Pilates for Osteoporosis, the Oov, and Scoliosis adaptations.
Outside her professional life, Ariel enjoys learning, holistic nutrition, meditation, and being a proud single mom to her 11-year-old daughter.

THERESE VOELKER
​MPT

Therese earned her B.S. in Biology & master's degree in physical therapy. She has over 25 years of experience in Pilates, orthopedics & manual therapy-based private practice.
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Her focus is on the correction of faulty mechanics & muscle imbalances, core strength & improved functional mobility. She is a nationally certified Pilates Teacher & certified Polestar Rehabilitation Specialist. 
Therese has extensive training in CoreAlign & Oov therapeutic exercise systems & enjoys sharing this work with her colleagues & clients.

CHRISTINE ZAFIROPOULO
PTA, Pilates Instructor

Christine received her B.S. degree in Kinesiology/Physical Education at Fresno State University, A.S. degree in Physical Therapy from De Anza College and is a certified Polestar Education Rehabilitation Pilates instructor. 

​She has over 20 years experience with a wide variety of areas that include rehabilitation orthopedics and Pilates, aqua therapy, and personal training. She also worked as a corporate physical therapist assistant where she implemented injury prevention, ergonomics, treatment and exercise programs.
In her free time she enjoys spending time with family, trail running, mountain biking, swimming and snowboarding.

CRISTINA WALSKI
​Pilates Instructor

An active equestrian, Cristina’s passion for Pilates began over 15 years ago as a way to enhance her riding and support the physical demands of her life with horses.
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This led Cristina to teach the classical work of Joseph Pilates and earn accreditations from Balanced Body and STOTT Pilates. 
​Cristina is also a certified Personal Trainer and Functional Training Specialist through the
​American Council on Exercise.

GABBY ORTANEZ
Pilates Instructor

Gabby started her movement journey back in 2013 with the TRX suspension trainer in the Philippines. After seeing the importance of functional and bodyweight training, she moved to the Bay Area and pursued her career in fitness.

​She is currently a NASM certified personal trainer, Lagree fitness instructor, and a Polestar Pilates certified instructor. Her style involves a body-neutral, enthusiastic, and safe approach to movement that meets
​you where you are.​

FERNANDA TOMASI
​Pilates Instructor

​Fernanda is fascinated by the beauty and complexity of the human body. She earned her BS degree in Physical Therapy at the Federal University of Londrina in 2009 and MS degree in Cardiovascular Rehabilitation at the University of Brasília.

​Her journey with Pilates began when searching for treatment for fibromyalgia and was taken by how its methods improve body awareness and the understanding of movement, reflecting on daily life and well being. She became motivated to share this newfound skill and became a certified Pilates instructor.​

TRUPTI PATEL
Pilates Instructor

Trupti's love for mindful movement exercises began 22 years ago when she discovered the benefits of Pilates after a pregnancy with resulted in chronic back & hip pain.

​Though she had tried other forms of pain management and rehabilitation, none of those provided the long-lasting relief she got from following a regular Pilates exercise regime.
Now, Trupti is a comprehensively trained and Club Pilates certified Pilates instructor with 5 years of teaching experience.

Her goal always is to help clients create a strong foundation for movement so they can better function in their daily lives & activities.
Trupti has certifications from Barre Above and TRX suspension training. She has personal experience working with clients with spinal conditions. She has a deep-rooted passion to work with athletes who need to recover from injuries or correct muscle imbalances.​

MAIA DAU
Pilates Instructor

Maia received her B.S. in biological sciences from the University of Southern California, where she also studied dance and competed for the triathlon club team.
This highly active lifestyle led her to find and fall in love with Pilates.

​She appreciates how the Pilates method takes great consideration for muscular stability and the functional movement patterns of everyday life.
She used many of its techniques in her work as a physical therapy aide before becoming a Pilates instructor.

SHARON SEITZ
​Pilates Instructor

​Sharon is a dedicated Pilates instructor with over a year of experience in guiding individuals toward improved health and well-being. She received her certification through the Club Pilates Teacher Training Program, where she was offered extensive hands-on training during her certification process and mentored by a variety of experienced Pilates professionals.

With a strong passion for helping others, she creates personalized and engaging sessions that cater to the unique needs of each client. Sharon believes in the transformative power of Pilates as a holistic approach to fitness, emphasizing strength, flexibility, and mindfulness.

In addition to her dedication to Pilates, Sharon enjoys baking as a hobby, finding joy in creating delicious treats and experimenting with new recipes. She has been practicing Pilates for almost 20 years, which enriches her understanding of the practice and enhances her ability to connect with her clients.
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​Committed to fostering a supportive and motivating environment, she strives to inspire clients to achieve their health goals and embrace a balanced lifestyle.

SARAH WILLARD
Pilates Instructor

Sarah has always had an interest in dance and exercise. In her spare time she took tap and jazz dance lessons and participated in local theater.  She then became interested in Pilates. When a family member was suffering with chronic pain, she was inspired to take it to the next level.

In 2020, she bought her own reformer and enrolled in the Pilates certification program at West Valley College. Once she was certified she began teaching group and private lessons in the South Bay Area. Sarah has learned through Pilates that exercise does not have to be rigorous in order to be effective.
She has helped numerous people improve their posture and reduce their pain. 
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Sarah’s mission is to increase awareness of the benefits of Pilates throughout her community. She believes Pilates is good for overall health and quality of life.

AMITY RETUTA
Apprentice Pilates Instructor

Amity is a Pilates instructor in training, currently completing her Comprehensive Teacher Training through Balanced Body at the College of San Mateo. Before discovering Pilates, she spent several years working as a veterinary nurse, where she developed a strong foundation in compassionate care, patience, and attention to the body’s needs.

Her own journey with Pilates began as a way to build strength, restore mobility, and find balance. Over time, it became much more — a source of clarity, resilience, and overall well-being. That personal transformation inspired her to begin teaching and support others in their own healing and growth.
Amity’s teaching style is supportive, restorative, and centered on meeting clients exactly where they are. She’s especially passionate about women’s health and committed to ongoing education to provide thoughtful, informed care.
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​As an apprentice at Pilates Santé, Amity is proud to be part of a team that values personalized support and mindful movement.

Office & Administration

CHRISTINA PAVLOVIC
Operations Director

Christina has worked as a healthcare administrator for over four years prior at a family-owned physical therapy clinic back in her birth country, Canada. With over 10 years of client services experience, her goal of making your day just a little brighter is always her top priority!
Christina is responsible for studio & staff management, marketing specials & the behind-the-scenes of Pilates Sante. ​In her free time, Christina enjoys walking with her  miniature American Shepherd named Panda & discovering all the many different flavors of tea in the world!

DANIELLE KOLMAN
Office Manager

Danielle Kolman worked at Pilates Sante from 2018-2019 with Tiffany. She has now returned alongside Christina as Office Manager. Danielle is responsible for managing client schedules & resolving any billing inquiries you may have!
In her free time she enjoys spending time with her daughter and many animals who keep her busy. 

KATE
Digital Marketing Coordinator

Kate brings over a decade of marketing experience to her role at Pilates Sante, where she manages marketing, social media, and YouTube initiatives, and works alongside the administrative team to support the front office.
When she's not at the studio, you can find her with her nose in a book or her feet on a local hiking trail. Kate is a lifelong learner and loves all of the opportunities for education and growth at Pilates Sante.
​Between the complimentary workshops, her knowledgeable colleagues, and all of the wonderful clients who come from so many walks of life, there is something new to learn about every day!

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