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 program which has helped to define Pilates People from day one. We offer both Pilates for fitness and Pilates for rehab. To learn more about our physical therapy and rehab programs please visit us at www.carmelvalleyphysicaltherapy.com, or call us at (858) 847-0044

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 12 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.

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.

Luisa Elizondo, PT

Luisa graduated from Fresno State University with a Masters in physical therapy in 1995. She has been a practicing therapist for 14 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.

Karen Turner, MS, PT

Karen has been in the physical therapy industry for over 17 years; 13 years as a licensed physical therapist.  Her background is diverse as it all started in the fitness industry at age 16 teaching aerobics and personal training a variety of clients, then becoming a massage therapist.  Seeing that injuries were widespread, Karen wanted to pursue more knowledge and background on treating and preventing injury.  This led her to physical therapy where she obtained her Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy at Chapman University in 1997.  Since then, she has been busy working in San Diego outpatient orthopedic settings where manual therapy is the focus.

Along the way, Karen became a Pilates enthusiast in the early 1990’s.  She was exposed to Pilates while being a regular guest instructor at Rancho La Puerta fitness spa.  Later taking more Pilates classes with and learning from instructors trained under the Long Beach Dance Conditioning program.  Karen has also incorporated the basic Pilates principles into her physical therapy treatments.  Integrating the healing touch with functional training is very powerful and successful in controlling pain.

Currently, Karen is pursuing her Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy with a Manual Therapy emphasis through the University of St. Augustine, which is the first physical therapy school here in San Diego!  Karen never stops learning and is eager to help her patients gain control of their health.

Bios Coming Soon!

Jeremy Nelson Physical Therapist

Holly Walker, Pilates Instructor

Nicolette Mullen, Pilates Instructor

Contact Pilates People at (858) 847-0055