About The Staff – Full Body Pilates

About the Staff…

DAYSE TARAKDIAN

Born and raised in Brazil where she studied ballet at Vera Bublitz Dance Company and School for 10 years, Dayse performed in numerous presentations as a main character, soloist and in the ballet corps. In 1999, she moved to the United States and performed with various dance companies including La Danserie, San Pedro City Ballet, Media City Ballet, Les Ballets Persian, Motion Tribe, Glory of Christmas, Disneyland, City Ballet of Los Angeles, and Namah Ensemble (Persian, Modern, Flamenco USA, Canada and Europe tour). In addition, Dayse performed with Brazil, Brazil Show (special solo Samba Ballerina), Costa Victoria Cruise Lines, and performed samba dancing for many different groups and restaurants all over the United States.

Dayse has taught ballet in both New York and in California, for more than 20 years. She has appeared on TV shows such as Telemundo LA, NJ and Miami, the KTLA Morning News in Los Angeles, Univision LA, and The CW11 in New York. Dayse also performed with New York Theatre Ballet, Leggz Dance Company, Ballet for Young Audiences, as well as the Margot Fonteyn Academy.

Dayse is certified in Hatha Yoga by Full Circle Yoga, and in Polestar Pilates by Orange Coast College. She is a member of PMA and is CPR certified by the American Heart Association and is also Zumba certified.

The studios where Dayse has instructed Ballet and Pilates include Prana Pilates in Costa Mesa, Body Design in Newport Beach, Soul at Home in Tustin, Capistrano Academy of Dance, Triad Pilates in Irvine, Debi’s Dance Studio in NY, Dance Source in NY, LA Fitness, Gold’s Gym, CA Elite Dance, Total Woman Gym in Brea, Dance precisions, Dr. Brown Chiropractic, Momentum Dance, Full circle yoga in Yorba Linda, The Loft Pilates in Brea, Private Fitness in Anaheim Hills, Triad Pilates in Newport Beach, Pilates on Purpose in Costa Mesa, Pilates in the Canyon in Orange, and Tustin Hills Pilates. She currently teaches at Love Pilates in Huntington Beach, Full Body Pilates in HB, and Escape Pilates in Costa Mesa. And if that weren’t enough, Dayse is also an apprentice in Gyrotonic Suspension System at Orange County Gyrotonic at Old World Village in Huntington Beach.

Beginning her training and practice in both Yoga and Pilates approximately 8 years ago changed her life: Dayse fell in love! Her passion is to help people discover their purpose in life and to feel healthy and happy.

SANIO GOMES FERREIRA

Sanio was born and raised in Brazil where he discovered and developed his passion for helping to bring health, happiness and quality of life to people of all ages. He graduated in 2015 from the renown Physical Therapy School at FMU, (Faculdade Metropolitanas Unidas, Sao Paulo) earning a degree in Physical Therapy and several certificates in Pilates and Yoga.

In addition to personalized training instruction, Sanio also has created health programs for corporations and specializes in treating different pathologies and syndromes. Since 2002, he has been a Hatha Yoga Practitioner and Instructor. Besides teaching Iyengar, Kuvalayananda and Kuruntha yoga to adults, Sanio has certification and experience teaching Yoga to children. Eager to broaden his knowledge, Sanio became certified in Pilates mat and apparatus in 2011.

Sanio has taught at Pilates at Club Pilates, Villa Park and Tustin, Tustin Hills Pilates, and Kineticore PT in Irvine. He currently teaches at Love Pilates in Huntington Beach, LA Fitness, and is working with private clients with physical therapy and body mechanisms at Full Body Pilates and Movement Therapy as well as at Gyrotonic Studio at Old World Village, Huntington Beach. Sanio is currently an apprentice of Gyrotonics as well.

JESSICA VARGAS

As a previous dancer I enjoyed the benefits of expression through motion. Pursuing my passion, I studied and graduated from the Orange County School of the Arts. A short time after my graduation, I faced a seemingly impossible battle with Lyme disease contracted from a hiking trip. The disease left me with rheumatoid arthritis that overtook my entire body. During this time I found even the simplest of movements and range of motions to be difficult, painful, and severely limited. That essence of mobility and freedom of expression through dance, and all of the years I had dedicated in the pursuit of that passion, had instantly vanished before me.

I found refuge in Pilates to regain my range of motion and self confidence. Through the practice I have come to realize what a miraculous machine our bodies are! I find it deeply moving to empower others no matter what stages they are in life, whether it be an elite athlete, stay at home mom, or someone battling the everyday tolls of life and routine. Pilates can give you the tools to be the healthy functioning human being you want to be. I believe in the healing and self care benefits of Pilates and look forward to sharing my knowledge and experience with others.

CHRISTINE GOLDHAMMER

Christine is originally from St. Louis, Missouri, and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Missouri. Her professional career encompassed work in bookkeeping, jewelry making, and medical billing, before she ventured on a path of education. She has worked in education for 20 years for non-profit youth development organizations as well as being a classroom teacher. In addition to her professional work, she continues to devote much of her time to professional volunteer activities, serving on several Boards of Directors. Passionate about helping others achieve growth and strive for their goals, she has developed curriculum and trainings for non-profit organizations devoted to youth development and women’s leadership development.

Christine first discovered Pilates in 2010 after developing issues with her lumbar spine. She quickly recognized the value to her physical well-being as well as overall health through improved alignment and core strength achieved through the Pilates method. After realizing great benefit through her continued personal practice, she felt a need to share Pilates with others and sought to learn more. Christine is currently working toward a Pilates Instructor Certificate through Orange Coast College. She hopes to help others on their journey to strengthen their mind and body through the Pilates method.

MELISSA BANICK

Melissa was born and raised in Austin, TX. She is classically trained in ballet from Ballet Austin Academy. Her experience continued behind the scenes as a backstage coordinator during productions of Ballet Austin’s professional and apprentice companies. She also served to mentor adolescent ballet students from all over the country while they studied their passion and adjusted to life in a new city. Melissa united her love of movement with teaching while managing The Good Space Pilates & Yoga Studio in Houston, TX. While acting as Operations Manager of The Good Space, she was privileged to observe master teachers such as Melody Morton, Carolyne Anthony, Kevin Bowen, and Zoey Trap. Seeing these masters of their craft at work in the studio stirred a deep desire within Melissa to find her own voice as a teacher. In 2013, she began teaching Booty Barre, an upbeat class combining elements of dance, Yoga, and Pilates, and the following year, she took part in her first Pilates Mat teacher training through Peak Pilates. A cross-country move in 2015 relocated Melissa to Costa Mesa where she began working as an Area Manager and behavior specialist for non-profit company Project Independence. Her tenure here opened her eyes and heart to the challenges facing adults living with developmental disabilities, and she was motivated and inspired by each client who exemplified resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. Melissa also continued to teach group fitness classes in Orange county with Cooper Life. In the fall of 2020, Melissa dived deeper into her Pilates education, enrolling in the Orange Coast College Pilates Instructor Certificate Program. She completed the comprehensive program in the summer of 2021 . Melissa’s positive, energetic, and inclusive teaching style is appreciated by all who take her classes.

AMELIE HUNTER

For the past twenty years, I served as a full-time Dance Professor and director of the Pilates Instructor Certification Program at Orange Coast College. That’s right—I taught Dayse, Erika and Jessica Pilates! (I had to drag Dayse into our Pilates program from my ballet class.) In addition, I have a private practice in Redlands and Orange where I focus on building a holistic approach to health and longevity through movement. As a dancer in the MFA Dance Program at NYU, I was fortunate enough to be introduced to Pilates by Kathy Grant, a first generation Master Pilates Teacher. I have also studied with Master Teachers Jillian Hessle and Karen Clippenger. I hold certificates in Polestar’s Post-Rehabilitation and Allegro programs, Gyrokinesis and numerous Tai Chi for Health programs.
I have just retired from my academic career and am eager to begin my next chapter of sharing with others the joy and healing power of movement.

KARIN PAINTER

Karin has been a yoga, sports, and health enthusiast her whole life. While she practiced Mat Pilates it wasn’t until an injury awoken her to the power of Pilates. Inspired by the rehabilitative effects of Pilates Karin’s goal is to help others feel confident and ultimately live better lives.

Karin is a Tustin native who has worked in the corporate world for the last 30 years leading and coaching cross-functional teams across the US. It has always been her dream to be in the bodywork field and she is now jumping in to make that passion a reality. As a lifelong learner, Karin works with others to find their best self and will encourage you to breathe deep, center, and live your best life.

JODI MIKKELSON

Jodi Mikkelson has an extensive background in the dance and fitness industry. Her dance training began at the age of 15 with ballet, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, and tap, leading her to a dance scholarship at Jimmie DeFore Dance Center in Costa Mesa. She was eager to break into the professional dance world, therefore she continued her training in Los Angeles at The Edge PAC, Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio, Tremaine Dance Center, and became a teacher assistant at the Tremaine Dance Conventions. Jodi has appeared on stage, TV, and radio as well as a dancer for the NBA’s Clippers Spirit and LA Lakers. Her professional dance career has taken her to Japan, Korea, Germany, and Bosnia for the Armed Forces Entertainment. During this time, she was teaching dance classes and competition choreography for various studios and high schools in Orange County.

Pilates was introduced to her as a cross-training early in her dance career. Jodi was Pilates certified in 2003 through Studio Du Corps in Costa Mesa under the direction of Diane Diefenderfer and the Ron Fletcher Method where she attended several master classes with Ron Fletcher. She began teaching regularly and opened her own Dance, Pilates, and Fitness studio in 2004 (Higher Ground Dance and The Pilates Body of OC). To broaden her knowledge, Jodi completed a second comprehensive Pilates Certification in 2012 with BASI (Body Arts & Science International) under the mentorship of the founder, Rael Isacowitz. Other certifications include Zumba, Booty Barre, Hip Hop Hustle, Jillian Michaels BodyShred, and AFAA Personal Training. After closing her studio in 2016, Jodi has been enjoying a career as a licensed Real Estate Agent while entering her 20th year teaching Pilates. To top it off, she stays connected to her dance roots by judging high school dance competitions throughout the year.

SUNSHINE WROBEL

Sunshine Wrobel is an Orange County native, who earned her bachelors in Molecular and Cellular Biology at University of Arizona. Her background includes medical device sales along with physician and hospital management. Her passion for patient care and improving patient outcomes by maximizing their resources to care inspired her to once again help people in a more hands on way. Teaching people how to access their body on a deeper level and preventing injury are what inspire her most when communicating with her clients.

Sunshine is currently enrolled in the Pilates Instructor certificate program at Orange Coast College. Her path back to school came after being a stay at home mom to her young children. Motivated by getting back into shape during the pandemic her passion for Pilates was reignited by her trainer who encouraged her to teach in his busy gym. Being an instructor was secret passion she never had time for in her busy life prior to children. So with the help and support from her husband and family she is able to balance school, work, and life.

MAUREEN PRICE

Maureen is a native Californian and loves living in the Golden State. She and her family have called Orange County home for some time now. After spending most of her professional career working for a computer software company in both training and customer service, Maureen is embarking on a new career in the growing field of Pilates.

Maureen’s Pilates journey began with taking Pilates mat classes and later adding Pilates reformer classes to her practice. She liked that Pilates provides a low-impact, whole-body exercise practice that promotes better body alignment and balance while building more strength and flexibility in both the body and mind. The more Maureen practiced, the more she wanted to know, going deeper into what Pilates was, where it was from, and what it meant to her. This led her to pursue the Comprehensive Pilates Instructor Certificate at Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa, CA. Maureen believes movement is like medicine and loves that Pilates can benefit everyone by giving confidence and control of the body, and a sense of physical freedom.

Upon completion of the Pilates Certificate at OCC in May of 2024, she plans to take the National Pilates Certification Exam. She plans to continue to expand her Pilates knowledge by taking workshops and continuing education courses in the future.

Maureen is excited to become part of the Orange County Pilates instructor community and is looking forward to sharing her passion in helping others get moving, improve their strength and flexibility, and leave their class session feeling energized.