Sana Vita Studio, Inc. | Chicago Pilates & Yoga Studio - Located in Chicago's West Loop & East Village

FOUNDER

Marilyn Glielmi-D'Andrea, Founder and Instructor

Marilyn Glielmi-D'Andrea holds a Master’s Degree in Exercise Science and Cardiac Rehabilitation.

Additional certifications in Yoga, Personal Training, Pre and Postnatal Pilates, Thai Massage, Muscle Activation Techniques, Functional Anatomy and Human Movement as well as numerous educational seminars and workshops including Anatomy Trains.

As Owner of Sana Vita Studio, Marilyn is passionate about working with individuals of all ages and fitness levels to help them reach their optimal level of function and health. Marilyn is dedicated to continually investigating growth, both for her and for those she has the opportunity to work with.

With extensive experience in both clinical and fitness settings, her expertise includes working in cardiac rehab at several hospitals in Chicago and personal training. She has lectured on various health and fitness related topics for numerous corporations in the Chicagoland area. Marilyn enrolled in an apprenticeship in 2000 and received her Certification in the Classical Pilates Method. Her knowledge base in anatomy and biomechanics assists her in assessing those she has the opportunity to work with. She is strongly committed to the philosophy passed down by Joseph Pilates and the power and the depth of the method he originally developed. Marilyn teaches both Ashtanga and Hatha yoga and believes that yoga brings qualities of clarity, mindfulness and peace into our lives. She is committed to empowering women and has worked with eating disordered women, assisting them in enhancing their body image and self-esteem, while focusing on internally motivated, empowering approaches to eating and exercise.

Joan lived 17 years in Hawaii, where she was an avid cyclist, hiker and swimmer. After returning to her native Chicago, she first found Pilates as a means to recover from a back injury. Now she uses Pilates to prevent further injury and boost health. She was previously employed as a Massage Therapist, rehabilitating clients with various injuries. She believes both her fitness and injury experience, as well as her massage therapy background, give her a broad perspective from which to share the Pilates method. Joan completed her comprehensive Pilates education in Chicago in a "mindful" classical style, which is derived from the teachings of Joseph and Clara Pilates and their students. This approach emphasizes movement modifications to meet individual needs, as well as applies challenge and variety to a workout. In her teaching, she aims to share the power of Pilates to transform lives.

Ellen Acuña began practicing pilates 7 years ago with the simple purpose of toning and strengthening her body. It was back pain (unrelated), however, that led her to increase her practice and knowledge of pilates. She became so enamored with pilates, she immersed herself as a student, ultimately completing the Body Arts and Science International Teacher Training Program. With her newfound strength, energy and pain-free lifestyle gained from pilates, Ellen strives to afford the same benefits to her clients. Another benefit is that Ellen is bilingual, speaking both fluent English and Spanish. When she is not teaching at the studio, she is still teaching, only this time she assumes the role of a high school Spanish instructor. Assisting her husband as he prepares his new venture as a restaurateur, Ellen has recently experienced a crash course in city policy and politics and became a Voter Registrar for Cook County in the process. We are sure you will enjoy Ellen’s sunny disposition, sense of humor and expertise as she helps you master the benefits of pilates form and function.

Helena Reynolds, Pilates Instructor

Helena Reynolds has been teaching pilates for over two years, in an array of different work environments, including all levels of private and group sessions on the equipment in Pilates Studios, corporate fitness, large group mat classes, and Pilates geared towards high-level athletes and professional circus artists. She is also a performing aerial artist, and Pilates has been a vital element in her strength and conditioning, as well as rehabilitation from performance related injuries. This experience has helped her to develop a personal understanding of how pilates can balance the body through both flexibility and strength, and she bring this knowledge to each pilates lesson. The 5 Stott principles of pilates are extremely important to her teaching style. By the end of each class it’s a goal of hers to improve their physical and emotional wellbeing – to open their collarbones and shoulders as well as their outlook!

As a dancer, actor, artist, musician, bicyclist and teacher,Teri is constantly striving to find harmony between strength, flexibility, knowledge and learning. Her inspiration comes from all art forms. She has been a student of yoga since the late 90's. As someone with deep compassion and an ability to connect with others, yoga is the perfect outlet for her to explore this further.

She is passionate about the ability to use yoga as therapy and for special needs. Yoga provides the opportunity to always bring lightness and humor, as well as, equilibrium with spirituality into one's practice. Teri believes yoga can provide a balance to the physical and emotional stresses of our environment and is committed to inspiring others, as she has been inspired, by this practice of mind, body and spirit. She is grateful to her many teachers including Steve Nakon, Tracy Pristas, Rhonda Kantor, Rita Knorr and Dorie Silverman.

Mary Fazio, Yamuna Body Rolling Instructor

Mary Fazio, is a Licensed Massage Therapist since 1982. She is Certified as a Trainer and Instructor in Yamuna Body Rolling and Certified in Yamuna Body Logic. Yamuna Body Logic is a one-on-one session which creates space in your body for better movement in everyday activities and a sense of well being. Effects of Body Logic are longer lasting than massage.

Mary Fazio developed an interest in massage while attending Southern Illinois University. After obtaining her BS i1981, she enrolled in the Chicago School of Massage Therapy. She successfully completed this course of study and began private practice Massage Therapy in 1982.

In 2002 she completed her training in Yamuna Body Rolling. As her interest deepened, she became a certified Level I instructor in Yamuna Body Rolling in 2004.

Our Staff aff