Our Story and Core Values
Find out who we are and what we stand for. Our journey is built on trust, dedication, and a commitment to delivering exceptional results for every client.
Meet the Team
Marilyn D'Andrea
Owner
Marilyn has been helping people discover the transformative power of pilates ever since 2004. As the former owner of Sana Vita Studio in Chicago, my passion lies in helping individuals of all fitness levels achieve their wellness goals.With a Master’s Degree in Exercise Science and an extensive understanding of anatomy and biomechanics, I provide tailored, effective Pilates sessions that are both safe and empowering.My approach focuses on understanding your unique needs and goals, whether you’re seeking relief from chronic pain, recovering from an injury, or aiming to enhance your overall fitness. Each session is an opportunity to educate, motivate, and guide you toward better movement and improved well-being.Together, we’ll create a transformative Pilates experience that empowers you to live your healthiest, most vibrant life.
Angie Palomo
Instructor
Angie Palomo
Instructor
Angelica Palomo strongly believes in healing through nutrition and movement. She helps people with tight hips, muscle pain, and poor nutrition learn how to stretch, strengthen, and eat better — so they can feel better.For the past 9 years, Angelica has devoted herself to teaching Pilates, serving clients in Vernon Hills and Chicago. While completing her Dance degree at Columbia College Chicago, she fell in love with the practice. She began her training with Power Pilates and has since completed her mat, intermediate mat, and 600-hour comprehensive certification covering all apparatus.Her teaching methods are rooted in the work of Joseph Pilates and shaped by her own dance career — movement-based, systematic, and integrative. She believes that teaching the body to remember correct movement patterns builds a strong mind-body connection, making it easier to identify and correct imbalances at the right time. With consistent practice, muscle memory activates and this awareness can eliminate the compensatory weaknesses that lead to chronic injury.Angelica has also partnered with Purium, a whole foods-based nutrition company specializing in superfoods, allowing her to bring a nutritional dimension into her practice. She believes that just as a scar heals on the skin, the body has the potential to heal from any illness or pain.
Raven Thompson
Instructor
Raven Thompson
Instructor
A small river named Duden flows by their place and supplies it with the necesRaven is a Pilates and yoga instructor with over a decade of nursing experience, bringing a unique blend of clinical knowledge and mindful movement to every class. Her background as a registered nurse allows her to deeply understand the body, injury prevention, and safe, effective training for clients at all levels.She specializes in intentional movement that builds strength, improves mobility, and supports overall wellness — physically, mentally, and emotionally. Raven's teaching style combines the precision of Pilates, the grounding of yoga, and the compassion of healthcare, creating a supportive environment where clients feel empowered in their bodies.She's passionate about helping high-achieving professionals reconnect with themselves, reduce stress, and move with confidence.sary
Annette Gryniewicz
Virtual Instructor
Annette Gryniewicz
Virtual Instructor
Annette has been teaching Pilates since 2000, with training from The Frog Temple in Chicago and The Pilates Center in Boulder. She’s a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher, and also has Pregnancy/Postpartum certifications with Core Exercise Solutions. Her approach is grounded, encouraging, and deeply informed by decades of movement experience.Whether you’re just starting out, rebuilding strength, fine-tuning how your body moves, or just looking to feel more connected and capable, Annette brings curiosity, fun, and a whole lot of real-world know-how to every session.
Alexis Davis
Instructor
Alexis Davis
Instructor
Lexi has been practicing all forms of Pilates for the past two years, and what began as a curiosity quickly became a true passion. As a certified instructor, she now specializes in an athletic approach to classical Pilates—blending precision, power, and mindful movement.Pilates has helped Lexi develop strength, alignment, and a deeper awareness of how people move through life. She is committed to creating a welcoming space that’s open to all levels, where everyone can challenge themselves, grow stronger, and feel more confident in their bodies.When Lexi is not teaching, she can probably be found exploring new music, discovering amazing food spots, or geeking out over something in the world of wellness and tech.Let’s strengthen our core—and our community—together.
Gloria Lin
Instructor
Gloria Lin
Instructor
A certified yoga teacher and pelvic floor specialist, Gloria brings a deeply holistic approach to women’s wellness. With advanced training in hypopressives, Fisiom Yoga, and body alignment, she supports women—especially during the prenatal and postpartum journey—in reconnecting with their bodies. Her method combines mindful movement, deep core activation, and breathwork to restore core integrity, build functional strength, and promote lifelong resilience."My approach combines mindful movement and body awareness to promote safe, injury-free practice. Through intentional techniques, we awaken the mind-body connection, fostering sustainable, long-term results."
Stephanie Cantu
Instructor
Stephanie Cantu
Instructor
Stephanie Cantu began her fitness journey in college, where she became a certified group fitness instructor and taught a variety of classes, including TRX and weight training. She is a 200-hour certified yoga instructor and a Classical Pilates Apprentice Instructor.In addition to teaching, Stephanie serves as the Studio Coordinator for Better Posture Pilates, where she supports operations and helps grow the Yoga and Pilates community behind the scenes.Stephanie’s health philosophy centers on doing what feels good for both the mind and body, building supportive community, and using yoga and Pilates as tools for a grounded, healthy, and balanced life.Outside the studio, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, being outdoors, running, and painting.
