DEBORA WILL NEVER FORGET...
...that fateful Sunday morning when she was a college student, gearing up to study for midterms, and woke up in excruciating pain. She was nearly paralyzed - even a micro movement could light a fire up and down her leg - she lost sensation in her right foot. Days later, Debora underwent spinal surgery and within a couple weeks she was introduced to Pilates to rehabilitate from the procedure.
Although surgery provided an immediate solution for one herniated disc and saved her from being permanently paralyzed, Debora needed to find a way to live with degenerative disc disease and manage her other spinal conditions. Pilates gave Debora the confidence she needed to show her that her body would be functional once again; and provided tools to connect with her body and gain an ever-increasing awareness for her body’s needs.
After surgery, Debora was forced to take a leave of absence from her studies for a semester to rehabilitate before returning to the University of California, Irvine to complete her BS in Biological Sciences and graduate with her cohort - on time! With a passion for health research and service, Debora continued her studies at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where she earned a MHS in International Health, specializing in Global Disease Epidemiology & Control. Debora delved into a career in global health -- from conducting field research to study the intersection of sexual assault and HIV/AIDS in South Africa to advocating for child health in Pakistan -- but Pilates was never far from her mind.
As one who suffers from chronic pain, Debora understands the longing to move freely and confidently in your body. Practicing Pilates allows her to achieve these goals. Debora knows that the strength and functionality she has regained (and continues to improve) in her body is a testament to incorporating Pilates as a wellness practice. Pilates became her daily spiritual and physical habit -- A LITURGY -- and she believes her body is a testimony of God's sovereignty in her life.
Over a decade later, Debora decided to listen to that continuous nudge and completed the Polestar Pilates Comprehensive Program to become a Pilates Method Alliance (PMA®) Certified Pilates Teacher. As a Pilates instructor, Debora combines her experience and skills in health along with her desire to positively impact individual lives into technically sound yet approachable Pilates programs for her clients. Debora has worked with an array of clients with various health and fitness backgrounds and goals - from dads looking to gain strength & mobility to help their families with day-to-day duties to clients managing autoimmune diseases. She finds fulfillment in connecting clients with the true potential their bodies and minds possess. Debora hopes their commitment to practicing Pilates allows them to THRIVE IN THEIR BODIES every day, because Pilates can be done EVERY day by EVERY body.
She looks forward to connecting with you and co-creating a plan that will instill strength and vitality into your daily experience!