Colleen Ferguson had her first exposure to Pilates while studying classical ballet growing up in Simsbury, CT. The change she experienced through a regular Pilates practice brought a new level of stability and strength not only to her dancing but to all her athletic endeavors. This transformation sparked her interest in Pilates as a profession. After graduating from Westmont College in Santa Barbara she spent a year traveling and living in South America where she studied ballet at Julio Bocca and earned a living teaching private clients while residing in Buenos Aires. Upon her return to Santa Barbara she completed the BASI comprehensive certification in 2009 and started working at La Playa Pilates.
Colleen went on to get the esteemed Romana Pilates classical certification, traveling between LA and NYC for a year. Colleen is also extremely active in the international wellness community; after training a private client in France for six months she and travel blogger Georgia Hopkins co-founded the wellness pop up series, "it's healthy here," through which Colleen has trained clients in pop-up locations around the world including Berlin, Portugal, Cote Basque and numerous locations along Australia's eastern coast. Colleen has also been invited to guest teach at the Maderas Village in Nicaragua and Aro Ha wellness retreat in New Zealand. She now has a wellness retreat business called Beautiful Nomad which hosts retreats around the world. Her love for travel, surfing, hiking, dance, cooking and yoga along with her diverse Pilates background complements her integrative approach to health and well-being.
cOLLEEN fERGUSON owner
Tom Oksner has been practicing Pilates since college, when he was lucky enough to find the original method, through Romana's Pilates. He eventually became an instructor because of how good Pilates makes him feel everyday, and his desire to pass on the tremendous benefits of Pilates to his clients.
A graduate of the renowned Romana's Pilates training program in New York, he recently completed a second certification from The Pilates Studio Brasil, with Ineila Garcia. In addition, he has been lucky to train with some of the finest instructors in the world including Cynthia Shipley, Sari Mejia Santo, Jay Grimes, Trish Garland and many others.
Tom's teaching is individualized for each client, imbued with his enthusiasm and love of the Pilates Method. He enjoys seeing the life enhancing changes the Pilates Method brings to clients of every age and ability. Pilates has made him realize what ease in the body is truly worth.
TOM OKSNER
Marlene came to Pilates via a performing arts career. She practiced Pilates religiously as a dancer to rehab injuries and build a stronger body. Marlene attended the Highschool of Performing Arts in NYC and later graduated from the Professional Children’s School. She apprenticed with the Dance Theatre of Harlem and later studied various dance techniques at the Alvin Ailey School. She was a guest artist for the Alvin Ailey Community Education Program. She continued to perform with regional dance troupes while expanding into musical theatre and eventually television with roles on shows such as “One Life to Live” and “Law and Order.”
Marlene had a stint in the corporate world and found her way back to teaching Pilates due to her father’s illness. When he was hospitalized she witnessed how much “rehab” he was lacking. She helped him recover due to her deep knowledge of trust of how Pilates heals the body.
Marlene revels in seeing the incredible results her clients have from a consistent Pilates practice. Pilates not only aids them physically but she’s also noticed how it fosters confidence and mental acuity. It truly transcends to every aspect of their lives.
When not teaching you can find her underwater. She is a scuba and rescue diver. Her other passions include working with animal rescue and foster organizations and of course attending live theatre whenever she can !