Our Team

Pilates People has experienced tremendous growth, largely due to the effectiveness and satisfaction a fully-integrated Pilates program produces. The staff now includes several highly motivated professionals, each of whom brings the same dedication to a science-based, humanly realized program which has helped to define Pilates People from day one.

Doreen Hall, PT
Owner
Doreen is co-owner of Pilates People, and has over 20 years of experience as a licensed physical therapist. Doreen has been teaching Pilates for 11 years, and has found that it is an invaluable tool for integrating awareness and facilitating the body’s innate ability to heal through movement. Doreen has a diverse backround in physical therapy with emphasis in manual therapy . Her clinical experience includes pre-natal and postpartum rehab, sports and orthopedic rehab as well as work with seniors. Doreen Graduated from Quinnipiac University in 1989, with a BS in Physical Therapy, and is an active member of the APTA and the PMA.

David W. Hall, M.S.
Owner - Pilates Method Alliance Certified
David is a graduate of San Diego State University in Exercise Physiology. His research study, "The Effects of Pilates Based Training on Gait and Balance in an Elderly Population" was published in the International Institute of Sport and Human Performance, and was presented at the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) national conference (Seattle, 1999). David is certified in the Polestar approach of Pilates training for rehabilitation. David worked in SDSU's Adult Fitness Program conducting maximal exercise testing and developing exercise prescriptions for adults of all fitness levels. He has over five years of experience teaching Human Anatomy and Dissection at San Diego State University and at Miramar College. These collective experiences allow him to bring a strong working knowledge of biomechanics and the musculature of the human body to every exercise session.

Selena Emma Di Paolo
Born and raised in San Francisco, CA, Selena is a classically trained ballet dancer. By the age of 16 she was teaching ballet to all levels, and at age 19 she moved to NYC to pursue a dancing career. While living in NYC she began doing Pilates for cross training and injury rehab and shortly thereafter, motivated by her passion for teaching and working with people, became a certified Pilates instructor through the Integrated Teacher Training Program run by Madeline Black in 2002. Following, she taught and managed a Pilates studio in the Berkeley, CA area.
In 2005 she moved to San Diego and worked for a Pilates studio in Encinitas, CA. Through this studio she obtained further certifications in both Mat Work and full apparatus equipment through the Long Beach Dance Conditioning (LBDC- Marie Jose) certification program. Her personal goal for her work is to help people become better connected to their bodies, with great emphasis on form, breath, core strength, and all over flexibility. Selena wants her clients to feel good, look good and see these improvements come from within.

 Suzanne Wise, B.A.
Suzanne Wise was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan where she began dancing at the age of four. Unable to continue dance in college due to injuries to her foot, she found an outlet through rowing and competed with Beach Crew at Cal State University Long Beach. Her passion for movement lead her to yoga, African dance, kayaking as well as competing in a triathlon, but it wasn't until she discovered Pilates that she found a connection to her background in dance. After graduating from San Diego State University with a BA in Painting and Printmaking, she completed her Pilates certification through Julian Littleford. She is also certified through the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) and takes continuing education courses throughout each year.
Suzanne receives daily gratification from being able to teach clients about the deep connection of the mind to the body.  She is a firm believer that only with the connection and awareness of breath, will the body then achieve optimal core strength and overall balance, strength and flexibility.  Aside from teaching Pilates, she pursues her other passions, art and nutrition, and runs a raw food catering business, Wise Living Foods.

Victoria Bennett, MS

Victoria has a Master’s Degree from Western Illinois University in Health Education and Wellness Promotion and a Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation Administration and Health Education. She is an NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) certified personal trainer and an AFAA (Aerobics and Fitness Association of America) certified aerobic instructor. Because of her diverse background, she is able to offer all of her clientele a variety of health and wellness services making her teaching technique beneficial to a variety of students.

 Victoria celebrates more than 20 years in the health and fitness industry. It all began at an early age, training with her older brother Donny. This was valuable time she spent with him, and today thinking about that time makes her smile. Victoria’s brother inspired her in many different ways throughout her life. Victoria’s passion and commitment to health and fitness to herself and for others continues today.

 For the past ten years, Victoria has been perfecting her Pilates Method practice, which she was first introduced to in 1983. After graduate school in 1998, she moved to Florida, and began her studies in the Pilates Method, and in 2001 received her full certification through Michelle Larsson’s Core Dynamics teacher training program.

 She is continuing her education in Pilates through her association with the PMA (Pilates Method Alliance) and other Pilates Method workshops. Her future educational pursuits include a degree in nutrition as a clinical nutritionist (CN), a certification in Health Education (CHES), and a PMA teacher certification.

Luisa Elizondo, PT
 

Luisa graduated from Fresno State University with a Masters in physical therapy in 1995. She has been a practicing therapist for 12 years. She has worked in San Diego hospitals within the acute care, in-patient rehab and outpatient orthopedic settings. Her primary experience has been within the outpatient orthopedic clinics, utilizing manual treatment, exercise and postural awareness to improve the function and wellbeing of her patients. Luisa began Pilates for her own enjoyment and self rehab after a back injury. Realizing the value, she became a Stott certified Pilates instructor to use the principles and exercise to help clients' needs.

Kelli Funkhouser, PT

 Kelli graduated with a Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1998.  She has enjoyed working in a variety of settings including Outpatient Orthopedics, Sports Medicine, Pain Management, Home Health, and Community Re-Integration since that time.  Kelli is Herdman-Certified in Vestibular Rehabilitation, the evaluation and treatment of vertigo and other balance disorders.  She has also studied holistic therapeutic approaches including Yoga, Pilates, and Myofascial Release.  Kelli has found Carmel Valley Physical Therapy/Pilates People to be the perfect place for blending traditional physical therapy with mind/body awareness and healing.

 Ginny Kaufmann, Pilates Instructor

Ginny Kaufmann has been a life-long devotee to the art of movement.  She grew up dancing and competing as a nationally ranked equestrian vaulter (a unique combination of dance and gymnastics on horseback) and discovered Pilates in 2002 to be the perfect complement to the physical demands of her lifestyle.   After graduating from the University of Southern California in 2007 with a BA in fine arts, she received her Pilates teaching certification from Julian Littleford.  Shortly after, she moved to Los Angeles to complete the professional designation fashion design program at FIDM.   Ginny recently moved back to the area where she continues her Pilates career and pursues her dream of launching her own swimwear line.  In her spare time, Ginny enjoys surfing, snowboarding, dance, and fashion.