OUR TEAM

HEIDI STRONG

Before discovering Pilates, Heidi enjoyed a successful and rewarding graphic design career for over 25 years. But years of sitting at a desk for 8-10 hours a day were taking a toll on her body. Increasingly poor posture slumped, and sore shoulders, tight and sore back and hips caused her to seek a fitness method to help correct her physique. She had heard the buzz about Pilates transforming bodies and decided to try it. Inspired by the immediate changes in her own body after practicing just three times a week for only one month, she was hooked! After completing an intensive Pilates comprehensive apparatus certification program through a Physical Mind Institute master trainer in Petaluma, she shifted gears from her design career and opened Pilates Napa Valley in May 2007. Heidi is indeed stronger than ever and loves training clients of all ages and fitness levels who thrill at feeling and seeing their bodies and lives improve through the mind-body fitness methods of Pilates.

KELLY RENDA

Having suffered from pain and dysfunction in most of her body at one time or another, Kelly brings patience and compassion to her Pilates instruction. Kelly was first introduced to Pilates in 2000 through her mentor on the east coast, where she was born and raised. Kelly was sold after being able to "wake up" her core muscles that she didn't even know existed and even experiencing a significant decrease in pain and increase in strength! Kelly is certified in mat Pilates, Reformer Pilates and is a Personal Trainer. She has taught at gyms, wellness centers, and spas on both coasts and loves incorporating the underlying principles of Pilates into all her clients' workouts. After recently having a life-changing breakthrough, Kelly has seen first-hand the power we all have to heal and feels it is her life's calling and passion to help others needlessly suffering in pain. Her journey prompted her to write a book, Allowing Wellness (releasing in 2021). With her unique hands-on muscle release and retraining methods, combined with her Pilates knowledge, she's able to teach clients how to listen to their pain - learn its message and release it - and empower them to get back to the ease and grace of movement as it was intended.

BRI BENSON

With a background in personal training, Bri's first introduction to Pilates was while training for a competition, and she instantly fell in love! Fast forward two kids and a fire career later she rediscovered Pilates, completed her certification and hasn't looked back! Not only has she gained flexibility and strength, but Pilates has relieved years of neck and back pain from her other career as a paramedic - lifting patients and fighting fires wearing heavy gear. Like all of us, Bri can't get enough of the reformer! But when she's at home practicing on the mat, she loves to have her tiny rescue chicken Peeps joins in :) Check them out on instagram @peepspilates!

HANNA STRONG

Hanna comes to the studio with almost 20 years experience in hospitality. Ranging from restaurant management to retail sales at lululemon, she has developed a strong mind for business and problem solving. Changing gears from her most recent venture in tax accounting, Hanna is ready to prioritize health and happiness over the daily grind, and take advantage of her new work perks! ;-) Some of you may recognize Hanna as a familiar face - she is Heidi's daughter, and is looking forward to helping mom keep the studio running smoothly and building the business! Hanna is very excited to join the team and get to know all of you, so if you see her at the front desk, stop by and introduce yourself!

ELIZABETH ROBERTIS

Elizabeth first discovered Pilates in 2005 when she was looking for a way to get fit or her wedding. She fell in love with the practice and realized not just the fitness benefits, but also a difference in her posture, alignment, body awareness and better sleep. When her son was born, life got busy with work and family, but she returned a few years later after a ski injury to train with Heidi. Heidi encouraged her to complete the comprehensive training course hosted at PNV in 2022, and Elizabeth has loved diving into teaching! Although she has a passion for the Classical method of teaching Pilates, Elizabeth is excited for the perfect blend of Contemporary and Classical practice taught at Pilates Napa Valley.

SUNYE VASQUEZ

Sunye (pronounced Sunny) was brought into her Pilates journey in 2006, through physical rehab and relief from her own injuries, and immediately fell in love! She is certified through Club Pilates and Power Pilates, and is currently going through BASI teacher training. She is a firm believer in the power of movement while having fun while doing it, and enjoys sharing her passion with everybody, at any age! She seeks to engage her students, while helping them to reach their individual fitness goals... To her, there's nothing better than seeing the smile of satisfaction on a client when they feel themselves connecting and getting stronger! Pilates has changed Sunye's life - both physically and mentally, and she can't wait to share her magic with all of you!

NANCY GOOD

Nancy’s love for the Pilates method began following back surgery in 2007 when she sought to rehabilitate and regain her strength and flexibility at PNV. She found the method so effective, she soon began her comprehensive teacher training through the Physical Mind Institute method, certified, and began teaching at PNV in 2008. Her personal experience and dedication show in her instruction and attention to our client’s individual needs and goals. Nancy offers dynamic classes on Pilates apparatus based on the eight Pilates principles: centering, concentration, control, precision, breath, flowing/efficient movement, and alignment. She integrates these principles to develop challenging, motivating, and results-driven workouts for clients of all ages and levels.

SHAUN FARNSWORTH

Shaun's love of rhythmic movement became his path to fitness. An opportunity to teach and train aerobic instructors led him to teach in Germany and Switzerland for several years. Back in the states, his career as a professional dancer continued his passion. As he has gotten older, his search for functional exercise made it clear that Pilates was the natural next step. The idea of a form of exercise that includes core strength, flexibility and rhythmic movement inspired Shaun to get certified to teach Pilates. His approach is a little more athletic with a dash of laughter and good humor... "If you can't laugh while you're crying, what's the point?"