Our teachers have gone through rigorous Classical Pilates certification programs under some of the best teachers in the country, as well as numerous seminars and workshops taught by top Pilates professionals. Each instructor has completed over 700+ hours of training, observation, and teaching, plus continuing educational workshops with the best teachers trainers.

Stella Sandoval

Studio Owner, Certified Pilates Instructor, Fitness Instructor, Mentor

Stella Sandoval

Stella Sandoval was born and raised in the Bay Area and has always had a passion for movement and fitness. In 2011, after undergoing a full hip replacement, she turned to Pilates as part of her rehabilitation. The method not only supported her recovery but also transformed her body, inspiring her to pursue Pilates professionally.

Stella completed the Metropolitan Authentic Training (M.A.T) Pilates Certification Program in 2013, training extensively under Master Teacher Trainer Dorothee VandeWalle with over 700 hours of coursework and examinations. She has continued her professional development through the Complete Pilates Method Continuing Professional Education with Chris Robinson and maintains ongoing mentorship with him. She also studied Kinesiology at the College of San Mateo and regularly pursues continuing education with various teachers closely connected to Joseph Pilates’ original lineage.

As the owner of UPPilates Burlingame, Stella is dedicated to teaching with a focus on precision, discipline, and client education. Her philosophy centers on helping clients understand the work and leave each session feeling challenged, invigorated, and motivated to progress. She also mentors instructors through continuing education, sharing her experience and commitment to the Pilates method.

www.stellarfit.com

Valerie

Certified Pilates Instructor

Valerie discovered Pilates in 2022 and fell in love with this powerful form of exercise. Inspired by a childhood spent dancing, she realized that Pilates was the ideal activity for her, combining strength, control, flexibility, and body alignment.

Eager to expand her knowledge of the Pilates method, Valerie decided to pursue certification as a Classical Pilates instructor. In 2023, she completed her comprehensive certification through Equinox Pilates. Valerie continues her studies by taking various workshops and regular sessions at UPPilates. She loves working with people and is passionate about helping her clients experience the life-changing effects of Pilates. After sessions with Valerie you will feel empowered, with a deeper awareness of your movement.

Along her Pilates training, Valerie holds an MA in Professional Communication from University of San Francisco and a BA in Journalism from Moscow State University.

Camille Santiago

Certified Pilates Instructor & Group Fitness Instructor

Camille Santiago has been a fitness enthusiast most of her life, but after an injury due to many years of high-impact workouts, she found herself looking for workouts that were less impactful and kept her safe while exercising. Shortly after, Camille took her first Mat Pilates class and loved it. She loved how it was a non-impact workout and how it made her sore in places she never felt before without feeling worn out. She continued to take Pilates while teaching Barre Fitness classes until she decided to make the move and commit to a Pilates Certification Training program with Equinox Fitness.

In 2022 Camille completed her training and earned her Pilates Certification from Equinox Pilates Comprehensive Training Program. Camille continues to by taking workshops at Metropolitan Pilates, weekly sessions with Stella and sessions & workshops with various visiting teachers. Workouts with Camille will invigorate you while teaching you how to move safely and pain-free.

www.movewithcamille.com

Gina Soberanis

Certified Pilates Instructor

Gina is a Classical Pilates instructor dedicated to helping clients feel strong, aligned, and empowered. Born and raised in San Francisco, she discovered her passion for movement during college, where yoga first ignited her fascination with the mechanics of the human body. Already an avid yogi and long distance runner, when Gina graduated from Gonzaga University in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Gina used her time to prioritize her health and fitness.

While her introduction to Pilates began with a semester-long mat course in college, Gina fully immersed herself in Classical Pilates in the fall of 2022. She was captivated by how Pilates uniquely challenged her and enhanced her personal workouts in ways no other form of exercise had before.

Eager to deepen her knowledge and skills, Gina began her apprenticeship in January 2023 with Metropolitan Pilates, led by Master Trainer Dorothee Vandewalle, under the mentorship of Stella Sandoval at UPPilates in Burlingame and completed her full certification in October 2024.

Gina currently teaches at UPPilates Burlingame and Equinox Beale Street and embraces a well-rounded, healthy lifestyle. She believes Pilates is a powerful tool for fostering both personal and collective wellness. Through her teaching, Gina strives to help clients connect with themselves, move intentionally, and cultivate strength, balance, and confidence. Her goal is to contribute to a stronger, healthier world—one session at a time. Gina believes that every body is a Pilates body!

Jessica Padilla, PT, DPT

Certified Pilates Instructor / Doctor of Physical Therapy  

Jessica first discovered Pilates while recovering from two major surgeries during graduate school—one for her knee and one for her abdomen. At the time, she was searching for a way to regain her strength and avoid another surgery. What she found in Pilates was more than just exercise—it helped her reconnect with her core, improve her posture, and feel more aligned and confident in her body. That experience was life-changing and inspired her lifelong dedication to the Pilates method.

In 2024, Jessica completed her Comprehensive Pilates Certification through the College of San Mateo. She continues to deepen her practice with advanced workshops at UPPilates Burlingame with Stella Sandoval, including studies with world-renowned teacher Dorothee Vandewalle. Her approach is grounded in classical Pilates, focusing on core strength, healthy alignment, and mindful movement that supports everyday life.

Jessica is also a licensed physical therapist, a Level 1 MELT Method Instructor, and an Advanced-Level John F. Barnes® Myofascial Release Therapist. She brings a gentle, informed, and personalized approach to each session—whether you're recovering from injury, dealing with chronic pain, or simply wanting to move with more strength and ease. Her goal is to help you feel balanced, supported, and at home in your body.

To learn more about Jessica and her Myofascial Release Services, please visit: Ocean Myofascial Release

Odessa Villanueva

Certified Pilates Instructor  

Odessa discovered Pilates after having children and quickly experienced its transformative effects—rebuilding strength, improving alignment, and restoring overall well-being. Inspired by these results, she pursued professional training and earned her Comprehensive Pilates Certification through the College of San Mateo.

Her curiosity and passion for deepening her understanding of the Classical Pilates work began while attending workshops and intensives at UPPilates Burlingame, where she was inspired by the precision, depth, and authenticity of the method. Since then, Odessa has continued her education in Classical Pilates and is working toward an additional certification through Metropolitan Pilates under Master Instructor Dorothee Vandewalle.

In her teaching, Odessa emphasizes functional movement, core stability, and mindful alignment. Her approach is both thoughtful and disciplined, grounded in the Classical Pilates system. She creates a supportive environment that challenges clients to move with intention and precision—building strength, control, and body awareness that translate into everyday life.

Whether guiding clients who are returning to movement, looking to enhance overall fitness, or seeking to optimize athletic performance, Odessa is dedicated to helping each person set meaningful goals, cultivate consistency, and develop sustainable, healthy habits that extend well beyond the studio.

Book: To book with Odessa, email uppilatesburlingame@gmail.com