Pilates Heights

Elizabeth is the founder of Pilates Heights (est. 2005) and has been teaching Pilates since 2001.  In both her classes and individual sessions, Elizabeth guides her students through the map of their bodies – uncovering hidden strengths, taking control of weaknesses and improving overall mobility and strength.

Like many Pilates instructors, Elizabeth was first exposed to Pilates while rehabilitating from a dance-related injury. Through this profound, healing experience she was moved to spread the word and went on to receive her formal Pilates training and certification from the Ellie Herman Studios/SF in 2001.   Thanks to Bernal Yoga studio owner, Savonn Wyland, Elizabeth started the Pilates program at Bernal Yoga in 2002 where she continues to teach a very popular Saturday morning Pilates mat class.

Elizabeth feels fortunate to have worked with inspiring, knowledgeable and influential mentors over the years and continues to update her approach to teaching on a regular basis.  Her comprehensive teaching style is influenced by her passion for all things movement as a former dancer, athlete and dedicated yoga student.  When not teaching or practicing Pilates and running a studio, you can find Elizabeth in a yoga or dance class, walking the hill or simply learning how to be a human like everyone else ~

Janine Fondiller is a pilates teacher and educator who has been teaching in San Francisco since 2000. Her teaching is inspiring, informed and impassioned, drawing on her many years of experience as a dancer, athlete, aerialist, and yoga teacher. She has led Pilates teacher trainings in the U.S. and Korea, and is a faculty teacher for Balanced Body University. Janine specializes in teaching challenging and dynamic classes, and in offering sessions with a focus on rehabilitation and conditioning.

Ilana came to Pilates via physical therapy for an old, yet lingering, pelvic injury. She quickly came to appreciate the enjoyable 1-hour physical tune-up offered in a Pilates session.  Ilana's teaching is influenced by her background in yoga, dance, and martial arts as well as her current studies in Shiatsu massage and Chinese medicine. She encourages her students to find joy in movement with a focus on alignment and sustainable movement patterns. Sessions with Ilana focus on developing strength, flexibility and body awareness with the aim of educating students in taking care of their bodies throughout daily activities.  Ilana received her Mat certification from Sanchez Street Studios in 2008 and her equipment certification with EHS Pilates.

Hobbled with injuries after decades of running, Suhl started pilates in 2002 and was amazed at her increased flexibility, strength and alignment after just a few sessions.  She continues to run injury-free, and most recently ran the 2011 SF marathon.    Suhl has since completed the pilates certification program at Sanchez Street Studios in San Francisco.  She believes that body awareness is the key to making changes, and strives to bring the “aha” moment to her clients.   Suhl enjoys working with both athletes and less active adults rediscovering their body awareness. 

Certified as a Pilates instructor since 2000, Tiffany Parish brings a lifetime of dance to her unique and personalized training method.  Dancing since age five and first teaching at age thirteen, she has an extensive background in dance, yoga and aerial arts.  Tiffany began studying Pilates in 1991 while completing her B.F.A. in choreography and dance at California Institute of the Arts.  She also studied abroad at London Contemporary Dance School.  While still dancing - performing throughout the U.S. and internationally -Tiffany continued her training in classic Pilates, as well as, specialized areas of instruction including rehabilitation, pre/post natal, and athletic conditioning.  She completed her Pilates certification under renowned instructor Ellie Herman and furthered her mastery under leading teachers Jillian Hessel, Jennifer Stacey, and Ron Fletcher.

Always current with the latest techniques and findings in Pilates and fitness, Tiffany regularly introduces new challenges while maintaining her strong foundation.  With her lifelong passion for teaching, Tiffany celebrates each client's unique positive qualities.  Her personalized sessions impart a deeper understanding of one's body and how it functions.  This diligence not only inspires confidence and well-being, but ignites the beauty within.  Your mind has a back door; open it, go play outside...

Melissa is passionate in her belief in the power of Pilates as a source of strength and stability. Her training approach is personalized, energetic, and cohesive, focused on helping clients overcome specific weaknesses and discover their body’s inherent strength.

Melissa first experienced the benefits of Pilates in 1996, under the guidance of Elizabeth Larkam at St. Francis Dance Medicine. There she was able to overcome a year of pain and neurological dysfunction following a serious car accident. This amazing personal healing experience led her to begin formal Pilates teacher training. She received her certification at the Ellie Herman studio in 1997, and went on to study rehabilitation with Jane Edwards and Lizz Roman, two extremely talented practitioners of the Janda Method of neuromuscular re-education. She has continued to deepen her knowledge and expand her training repertoire by studying with respected teachers such as Eric Franklin, Marie-José Blom, and Mary Bowen, to name only a few.

Melissa considers Pilates to be a powerful tool for health and healing, and has found it invaluable in her own recovery from breast cancer and various significant sports injuries. By providing a challenging and rewarding experience for her clients, Melissa observes the positive results of Pilates every day. When not training she enjoys spending time with family, hiking, camping, snowboarding, and loving life on the Bay!

Alisa Clayton is from San Francisco and has trained as a professional dancer for 25 years.  In her transformation from student to teacher she completed her training with Stott Pilates and graduated in the spring of 2005. Alisa continues her education of Pilates and other modalities by taking workshops and classes regularly. She credits Pilates as one of the most effective therapies she has experienced in her rehabilitation of body, mind, and spirit for health.