Our Teachers
Our Teachers are experienced and exceptional. What that means:
• We have a good eye to identify, assess and address structural issues, and the skill to articulate what we see in a way that makes sense.
• We are able to work with any body: athletic, frail, handicapped, shy or outgoing, young or old.
• We are positive and encouraging. We know that no matter where you begin, we will move you forward.
Susan Salk
Director and Teacher
Owner/Teacher studied movement from a young age. Never planning to dance professionally, Susan entered college as a pre-med student. She changed course, and holds a degree in Choreography and Performance from UCLA. She danced with two modern dance companies, taught movement in the LA Probation School System and was a grant writer and fundraiser for the Arts in LA. She studied Pilates, but it wasn’t until she met Master Teacher Ron Fletcher that she fell in love with the work. She teaches what she calls, “postural vitality”; creating live weight vs.dead weight. Susan has studied Pilates for 38 years; teaching for 30. Her teaching is committed to Pilates Method of corrective exercise, deeply infused with Ron Fletcher’s joy of movement and breath.
I am blessed to have these fine teachers working with me:
Stephan Miermont
Teacher
Stephan has a unique approach to the Pilates Method. He is a former Cirque du Soleil artist and an Olympic coach for synchronized swimming. He has 25 years of experience with a wide variety of expertise in the fields of health, sports and fitness. From this experience he developed a new fitness regime he calls Pylametrics. In addition to Pilates, he has been teaching this technique since 2004. A consummate professional, we are honored to have him teach at Pilates Palm Springs. He is available for home visits and Pool exercise
Paul Tomak
Teacher
Paul Tomak began his dance/fitness career at a very young age. He first studied dance at Lou Conte Dance Studio (now known as Hubbard Street) in Chicago and eventually received a ballet scholarship to Indiana University where he majored in Theatre & Dance. After college, he worked as a performer on Holland-America Cruise Line (Noordam) and traveled around the world for a year. Paul then moved to NYC and was blessed and privileged to be a working actor/dancer/singer. His credits include many National/International/Regional Tours, as well as numerous productions for Disney Theatricals and Disney Cruise Line. It was during this time that he and his friends also began to incorporate Pilates and dynamic strength training into their fitness routines. Paul also became one of the first instructors to teach Pilates Mat classes with New York Sports Club in Manhattan.
Certifications: Peak Pilates (LTA-NASM), CPT (AFAA/NASM), Group Exercise and Pilates Mat (AFAA/NASM) and CSA/Specialty Training (NETA).
Paul is also a Lululemon Ambassador.
Mandy Goss
Teacher
Mandy lives an active health-conscious lifestyle. Her interest in fitness and optimum strength led her to a career in Pilates. Working from the inside out, feeling connected and centered is her focus as a teacher. Mandy trained under Jill Cassidy, who studied under Romana Kryzanowska and Ron Fletcher. In 2013 she completed her certification program in Santa Monica focusing on the traditional New York style of Pilates. Mandy is always looking for new ways to incorporate this classical foundation into her own style. Teaching her clients to reach their optimal goals with a focus on injury prevention and correcting imbalances. She believes Pilate is for everybody.
Honey Frid
Guest Teacher
Honey Frid has been a dancer, choreographer and movement educator for over 30 years and her love for movement is reflected in her passionate teaching style. She completed her Pilates training in 1999. Since then Honey has trained and been certified in many movement modalities and methods and has traveled to New York, Israel, London and California, training with the world’s finest Teachers and creating a unique teaching style that encompasses her many years of study. For the past 8 years Honey has been growing her extensive knowledge of the Garuda method under the creator James D’Silva. Honey is one of the first trained Garuda teachers in North America. She is certified in Garuda Mat, Garuda apparatus, Garuda foam roller, and Garuda chair. Honey strives to help her clients feel excited about movement, most importantly her mandate is for each individual to discover a deep connection and awareness of their own body.
Brian Murphy
Teacher
Brian Murphy is a professional ballet dancer for over 30 years and a comprehensively Certified Pilates Instructor on all apparatuses for over 25 years. Brian credits the Pilates Method for keeping him injury free while being a high performance dancer. Pilates has had such a powerful impact on Brian’s life that he feels compelled to inspire others through the Pilates Method. His passion, infectious nature, and extensive knowledge has earned him multiple opportunities such as conducting Certification programs, educating PT’s and Athletic Trainers how to incorporate the Pilates Method in their practice, speaking and providing seminars in University settings, providing ongoing workshops for students and dancers, and more. We are happy to have him teach for us January to May.