Maria brings more than 20 years of experience in health and wellness as a licensed social worker, mental health and wellness practitioner, and a comprehensively certified Pilates instructor. With a deep understanding of how depression, anxiety, and life stressors impact us, she is passionate about using Pilates to integrate mental and physical well-being. Maria believes in the power of breath and movement to help people feel stronger, less stressed, more connected, and simply better in their bodies—because regardless of what else is happening in life, we feel better after Pilates!
Her social work background gives Maria a unique perspective in working with women, men, and young adults of different ages, abilities, experiences, and goals. Her client-centered approach meets people where they are, using Pilates as a springboard for building mobility, strength, confidence, and holistic wellbeing.
Maria discovered Pilates in 2007 after the birth of her second son, when Mat Pilates became an important part of her own physical and mental wellbeing while raising two sons under two. Her practice continued through another pregnancy and postpartum period and eventually expanded from the Mat to the Reformer and full Pilates apparatus.
Maria brings a strong focus on biomechanics, functional movement, and total-body strengthening for health and longevity throughout life. She is passionate about supporting clients navigating medical conditions, injuries, cancer, migraines, physical limitations, and challenges with movement, balance, and coordination, as well as those preparing for or recovering from surgery, including knee and hip replacements. She also loves a more athletic Pilates style to elevate fitness. Her approach emphasizes alignment, stability, mobility, and intentional movement that supports strength and joy in everyday life.
She has a particular interest in working with women through pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause, recognizing the significant physical and emotional changes that accompany each stage. Working with men, she enjoys helping increase flexibility and mobility, while building integrated strength.
Maria’s teaching style is warm, inclusive, and energetic. She believes Pilates should be accessible, adaptable, and fun while helping clients develop a stronger, more connected sense of health and wellbeing—elevating both mind and body.
Maria earned her Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University, graduating summa cum laude, and her Bachelor of Social Work from Georgia State University, graduating magna cum laude. She completed a comprehensive 500-hour Pilates instructor training program through Club Pilates. Maria is also a part-time instructor at Georgia State University and a consultant in the nonprofit sector. She is originally from Mendoza, Argentina, and loves cooking, blending her own diverse roots for clean, healthy, and easy nutrition, reading biographies, loves history, is devoted to her family and raising her sons, and her CavaDoodle, Lundy.
