Teacher Bios
Carmel Trejo
Carmel Trejo believes that building awareness through movement is what brings about change in the body. Always in perpetual motion, she has a background in gymnastics, dressage, snowboarding, bodysurfing, yoga, and mountain biking. She particularly loves the synergy and correlation between Thai Massage and Pilates. She began practicing Thai Massage in 2001 and currently teaches classes at the International Professional School of Bodywork. She continually studies in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and recently co-wrote a Thai Massage book with Dr. Richard Gold. In 2007, she began training with Julian. Currently a trainer at the studio, Carmel also cares for clients through Thai Massage. This massage technique combines pressure point work with gentle stretching movements to rejuvenate the entire body.
Jessie Chatigny
Jessie Chatigny has been a student of movement her entire life. She has taught dance, gymnastics, surfing and rock climbing in the past, but it was only after she discovered Pilates that she felt she was truly supporting her body. After continuous Pilates training, she found she was better at all the things she loved to do! Certified by Julian through the PMA, she has been an instructor at J.L. Body Conditioning since 2006. She is also a grant writer. In her spare time, you can find Jessie at the beach.
Liv Isaacs-Nollet
Liv Isaacs-Nollet was born and raised in San Diego where she began dancing at the age of four. Her parents, Jean Isaacs and Patrick Nollet, are known for their work in the San Diego dance community, starting Three’s Company and Dancers in 1970 (now known as San Diego Dance Theater). Liv holds a B.F.A. in dance from the State University of New York at Purchase College and dances professionally with San Diego Dance Theater. She began doing and teaching Pilates in early 2007 and continues to learn through Julian and working with clients everyday.
Suzanne Wise
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 also lead her to yoga, African dance, kayaking, running, swimming and biking 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 has taken many continuing education courses through the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) and is PMA Certified. Aside from teaching body awareness through movement with Pilates she pursues her other passions, art and nutrition, and runs a raw food catering business, Wise Living Foods.
Ginny Kaufmann
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 in 2007 and continued on as an instructor until 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.
Renata Cortina
Renata Cortina was born and raised in Brazil where nature is a way of life. She grew up participating in many sports and has always enjoyed working hard in order to achieve a goal. In 2002, after she had her first child, she began training individuals as a personal trainer. In 2006, she decided she wanted achieve a higher level of certification and became certified through ACE (American Council on Exercise). In 2009, she began to train with Pilates and realized that Pilates was what she was missing in life. She decided that she wanted to share her new found awareness with her clients and began her training with what she considers the best Pilates training studio in San Diego., JL Body conditioning. She fell in love with Pilates and she believes Pilates is a life style change not an exercise routine. Renata loves to dance and enjoy life to the fullest. When she is not training, she is spending time with her husband, children and friends.
Susan Grant
Susan Grant-Legacki lives in Encinitas, Calif., and received her Balanced Body comprehensive pilates certification through J.L. Body Conditioning. Susan has been practicing pilates for six years, but decided to become an instructor after utilizing pilates to help her rehabilitate from a serious car accident two years ago. When she’s not teaching or practicing pilates, Susan, an avid triathlete, can most likely be found swimming, biking or running around North County. Susan received her undergraduate degree in communications and advertising at New York University, and her graduate degree in print journalism from the University of Southern California. In addition to teaching pilates, she is also features editor of LAVA Magazine, a national triathlon magazine based in San Diego.