STAFF

Owner:
Kendel PinkKendel Pink has a gift for serving people with compassion, patience and imagination.  This service is evident in her work and numerous testimonies.

Kendel has 20+ years of experience training clients from athletes to those who suffer from a lifetime of chronic pain.  She received her Pilates Certification in 1998 from Long Beach Dance Conditioning from Master Teacher, Marie-Jose Blum.  With her education focused on biomechanical movement of the body, Kendel was lead to the therapeutic side of  Pilates after a personal accident debilitated her for 7 years.  She is a Level 1 Certified Instructor in the Gyrotonic Expansion System and continues to pursue education in specificity for sports, athletics and the healing arts.

Kendel is a published author, contributing to the popular book called Healing Multiple Sclerosis by Ann Boroch.

As a presenter, Kendel is able to give lectures on the healing ability of the body in a fun and interesting way.  Her workshops include “Biomechanics for the Athletic Rider” and “The Genius is in the Details.”

Kendel is a faculty member with Balanced Body University and is currently teaching course curriculum at Long Beach Dance Conditioning, providing teaching and mentoring of students in the certification process.

As a servant to her community, she has given many hours to teaching exercise classes for P.E. at elementary schools and for local athletic teams all over Orange County.  She is a wife and mother.

Instructors:
Kate PorathKate  Porath has had a lifetime of training in classical ballet, jazz, modern dance and Pilates. She studied at West Coast Conservatory of Dance for 10 years and trained at the Lorenzo De’Medici in Florence, Italy.

Kate has had 7 years of Pilates training. She received her certification from Body Arts and Science International under the direction of Rael Isacowitz, and holds a Bachelor of Arts from Point Loma University, San Diego. She has been a Pilates instructor in Southern California for 5 years, having previously taught classes at Point Loma University for 2 years. Kate has maintained a loyal private clientele and is a popular instructor for events and seminars.

A life of immersion in the art of physical movement has given Kate a unique academic and practical depth of knowledge. Her intuitive sense of the physiological needs of the body combine with her genuine care for individuals. Her students experience a warm environment that fosters the optimum in the healing and strengthening powers of Pilates.

                                             
Stacy Cunningham- After her first Pilates class in 2008 Stacy realized she had found her true calling.  She decided to become a Pilates Instructor and is passionate about helping her clients achieve both personal and physical goals through the work of Joseph Pilates.
Stacy received her Certification from Long Beach Dance Conditioning, under the direction of  Master Teacher, Marie-Jose Blum. Stacy also holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Arizona.
Growing up on the East Coast Stacy developed a passion for health and fitness as a field hockey player for 7 years.  She is compassionate, and dedicated to all who love or are interested fitness.  Stacy works with her clients to develop personalized lessons with a focused approach to the Pilates Method.  “I take pride in my knowledge of the human body and love helping my clients discover the strength they have within.”

Testimonials

I was involved in a serious accident over 4 years ago while responding to a fire. I was off work for 6 months with my injuries which included bulging discs in my neck and lower back and a fractured sternum.  I went to traditional therapy and returned to work after my sternum healed. I still experienced pain and stiffness in my neck and back and weakness in my left leg and right arm.  My neurologist and orthopedist both recommended Pilates.  I was desperate to find something that would bring me back the quality of life I enjoyed before my accident.  As well as be able to finish my career in the fire service with full retirement.

I began Pilates with Kendel over 2 years ago and began seeing results that I could never obtain through traditional therapy. She incorporated floor, ball and Thera-band exercises, breathing techniques and foam roller work to strengthen my core and elongate my spine to take the pressure off the bugling discs. Without this program I don’t know if I could have continued working in the fire service. I now am able to enjoy activities such as snowboarding, mountain biking, and surfing again, thanks to Kendel and Pilates.

Captain Dave Viar- Santa Ana Fire Department

I am a registered nurse, suffering from chronic pain. The pain has increased over the last 13 years. The use of my legs has reduced, to the point where I knew I would be in a a wheelchair soon.  I began a plan to walk 10 more years, I have gone through physical therapy and have had numerous injections in my spine, all have helped to reduce my pain and medications.  It wasn’t until I was introduced to Kendel and her amazing instruction and resistance training program she has for the pain patients- then I knew I would make my goal.  To me Pilates was a class for people who wanted a tight body “by summer”, not for someone in pain.  Working with Kendel has really changed my mind.  She targets her instruction for the pain patient, teaching me form and function of proper body mechanics that is gentle on my body but has lasting results! Over the course of a few months I have made great strides and am much stronger!  I now walk with less stress and pain- there’s even a bounce in my step!  I know with Kendels help, instead of my 10 year goal, I will be walking the rest of my life!

Carmen L.

I was referred to Kendel about a year and a half ago by my chiropractor.  I was dealing with neck, shoulder and nerve pain related to a bone spur and stenosis in my cervical spine.

My experience with Kendel and Pilates has been a blessing in disguise.  My posture has remarkably improved and I am running pain free and clear from any nerve impingements.  Most who run with me cannot believe that its me coming in the distance because my gait and mechanics have improved so much- I am a believer!

I am new to Pilates and believe it will enhance the quality of my running while increase my longevity.  I am just beginning to grasp the mental aspects of Pilates and the depth of the work.

The most imortant aspect of my experience has been my relationship with Kendel.  She has a passion and heart in what she does and she challenges and stretches me figuratively and literally.

As an instructor, Kendel is on the cutting edge of her profession.

Mike K.- Ultra- Marathoner

You’ve changed my life! And I’m not saying that lightly!  By the time I reached you, I was in a constant state of back pain.  I could no longer wear high heels, I ached in my shoulder  blades, and I had back and neck spasms that were so bad I couldn’t turn over in bed at night!  I was reasonably fit for having done Pilates and cardiovascular training for the past 30 years. In general, the harder I worked, the more aches and pains I had.

At first, I was skeptical about your exercise program.  It seemed too easy and I might have quit had I not brought a physical therapist to a session with me.  She told me “you really knew your stuff” and that she would be learning Pilates herself.

You told me I wasn’t engaging certain muscles in my tush- four other instructors had also told me that but I just couldn’t isolate it!  They all gave up on me. You didn’t!  You tried different positions, different cues until I finally got it. It wasn’t easy- And it still isn’t easy!  but you watch me each session until I get into the correct muscles.  Other instructors commented that my arms were crooked. However, they didn’t suggest any exercises to correct this condition. Today I can say they hang down straight thanks to your instruction.

For the first time in 30 years, I no longer have a dull ache in my mid back and neck- when I learned to play golf, you said you could help me with my game- and you have! I have cut 4 strokes from my score!  I really like the confidence I have now to hit a good clean fairway shot.

What separates you from all the other Pilates instructors is your genuine concern about my well-being.  You taught me how to carry myself through daily activities. You went to my car and showed me how to sit properly in my car.  You taught me how to walk correctly, stand correctly, exercises to do as homework and update them as needed.  Pilates with you is not just a 2 hour a week program, it’s a lifestyle.

All in all Kendel, I credit you for the fact that physically I feel better than I did 30 years ago. And I look better!  Thank you from one of your many appreciative fans.  My husband just walked by the computer and commented that my testimonial was too long.  He suggested I simply write, “I’m one sexy woman now.” M.

Jobs

We are always looking for the best and the brightest teachers to work within the Studio 3 Pilates family. Compassion, humility and knowledge is what we consider most valuable to support our students through the joy of Pilates/Gyrotonic.

If you are interested- please send your resume to kendel@studio3pilatesinc.com and/or call 714-632-2822 for an interview.