Maria, a Miami native, was introduced to Pilates while in the dance program of the University of Florida 17 years ago. She loves movement and has been dancing since the age of 5. Maria studied the Russian Ballet Vaganova method with Maestro Vladimir Issaev and has performed with many local dance companies which include Arts Ballet Theater of Florida, Momentum Dance Company, Dance Now and Isadora Dance Ensemble. Her dancing skills have taken her to Ecuador for the Festival de La Mujeres and Madrid, Spain to dance for TV Station Antenna 3 where she danced with Latin artists such as Celina Cruz, Tito Puente, Luis Enrique and Oscar De Leon.

Maria attended New World School of Arts and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Florida. While in college she was exposed to many different styles of dance. In addition, as part of the dance curriculum she was required to take Pilates, Anatomy, Kinesiology, Laban Movement Analysis and Dance Injury Prevention. She enjoys studying the human body and how it functions and was inspired to take additional Anatomy Physiology I & II and Physics courses.

Maria has been a certified POLESTAR Pilates Practitioner since 2003. She has been trained on all apparatus to teach individuals and group classes. She also holds certification in Mat Pilates through the Physical Mind and has completed advanced training in Women’s Health, Pilates for the Spine and Pilates for Pelvic Power. 
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In addition, Maria works with clients of all ages including athletes, dancers, models, Cirque du Soleil performers, singers and alongside Physical Therapists in rehabilitation settings. She has been the Dance Director of Miami Shores Community Center for 9 years and has been teaching dance for 21 years to young children. For the last 4 years she has taught Pilates during a Summer Russian Ballet Intensive.
Maria continues to further her knowledge in movement and Pilates by taking workshops and attending conferences. Her passion and intention is to see her clients reach their full potential health.