Meet the Teachers
Luz Guillen
Studio Owner and Pilates Teacher
Luz Guillen, a native New Mexican, has a BA in Dance Modern Contemporary from the University of New Mexico. She went on to dance professionally in NYC where she taught, choreographed and performed various genres of dance. She has performed works by Martha Graham, Takehiro Uyema, Henning Rübsam, and Cecilia Marta. During her time in NYC she furthered her knowledge of the body and became a Pilates Teacher. Luz trained and completed her Pilates instruction with Roberta Kirschenbaum, owner of Rolates Pilates at the original site of Joseph Pilates Studio. Luz was fortunate to receive further Pilates instruction by visiting instructor Alessandra Magalhães (Brazil). She furthered her knowledge of the body by continuing education courses with Irene Dowd on the anatomy of the spine course, hip, and shoulder. Currently, Luz continues to deepen her knowledge of Pilates with mentor Siri Galliano, a student of Romana, Yoga master, and Pilates master extraordinaire. In addition to her mentors, Luz has been able to further her Pilates education by taking workshops with various Pilates teachers such as Mary Bowen, Michael King and Malcom Murihead, Phoebe Higgins, Michelle Larsson, among others.
In addition to Pilates, Luz is a trained Level 1 and 2 teacher of the MELT Method created by Sue Hitzmann. Luz is able to incorporate the MELT Method as an additional treatment for her clients to further their awareness of fascia hydration with this hands-off bodywork.
Currently, Luz is studying under Robyn Avalon learning a contemporary form of Alexander Technique. Alexander Technique is a study of the quality of self to enhance one's being in any activity they wish to engage. This study works kinesthetically with the client to draw attention to the nervous system so that we have access to choice in our quality of self. She is very much engaged with this study and adding this useful technique to her Pilates practice.
When Luz was pregnant she began practicing and teaching prenatal Pilates. She learned the value of having Pilates prepare her for birth and the benefit of Pilates in postpartum. She is certified by the Pilates Method Alliance as of 2018. It is her wish to empower women and anyone who wishes to better their bodies.
Certifications:
Recognized as a national certified pilates instructor through the National Pilates Certified Program (Previously known as the Pilates Method Alliance), I have been well trained and educated about the body from personal experience and advanced learning. I completed a 600 hours pilates training with second generation teacher, Roberta Kirschenbaum. Under her guidance, I have taught pilates in New York City at the original studio of Joseph Pilates, Rolates Pilates. I had the unique opportunity to train, teach and observe bodies of all conditions. With my dance background, anatomy study with Irene Dowd, and further education with second generation pilates teachers, my eye and understanding of the body has been well trained. My own personal injuries of sciatica, low back pain, hip and ankle issues is what drew me to the Pilates work. I learned to take control of my body and I am proud to continue sharing the Pilates work as a third generation Pilates teacher.
Maureen (mo) Gorman (she/her)
Pilates Teacher
Maureen (mo) Gorman MFA, is dedicated to many movement modalities. She is a dancer, pilates practitioner and yogi. mo cultivates joy through teaching clients to get in touch with their body knowledge as an enroute for autonomy and authenticity. As a pilates instructor, mo is trained in both classical/contemporary methods. She received her classical pilates mat, reformer, chair, and Cadillac certifications from Jodi Stern in Rochester, NY in 2014. Later in 2018, mo, received her Basi informed reformer certification from Michelle Pritchard who is formally trained under Karen Clippinger and Rael Isacowitz. mo is drawn to pilates for its emphasis in skill building, ultimately preparing practitioners for graceful aging. Her physical practice journey led her to yoga where she received a 200hr certification from Yoga for a Good Hood in 2020. mo enjoys yoga philosophy for its ability to change a person’s outer world through introspective mindfulness practices. This knowledge informs her educator lens. mo’s greatest and oldest love is dance. mo is an adjunct professor and has taught to dance majors from Nazareth college, SUNY Brockport and Alfred University.
Ben Galassi
Pilates Teacher
Ben Galassi was born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and has been studying the art of movement from a very early age. He began dancing and martial arts in primary school, which he still does to this day. He began his Pilates training under Suzanne Gutterson in 2018, and has trained with prominent figures in the Pilates community such as Kevin Bowen and Raymond Kurshals. He is also currently training in both the GYROTONIC® method as well as the Alexander Technique.
Ben is also an avid rock climber and has fused his extensive background in sports and movement into his Pilates to focus on helping his clients gain the strength and flexibility required to keep living an active and healthy lifestyle, from improvement in performing day to day tasks to attaining a higher level of excellence in their sport/fitness endeavors.