Get to know our Instructors
Stephanie Gasparo, Studio Owner
Stephanie has semi-retired and is no longer teaching at our Upland CA studio, and she remains studio owner as well as working with clients near her new home.
STOTT PILATES® Certified Instructor
Yoga Personal Trainer
Certified Meditation Teacher
Reiki Energy Healing
Stephanie has been teaching pilates and yoga since 2000. She is Stott certified in mat pilates, reformer, Cadillac, stability chairs and barrels. Stephanie’s training puts emphasis on optimal musculoskeletel performance in strength, flexibility and endurance, without risking injury or building bulk.
She has over 350 hours of yoga training and is certified through Yogafit. She is currently completing 500 hours of yoga training. Stephanie is trained in Reiki and enjoys the healthful benefits of energy healing. She has taught many strength training modalities but has found pilates and yoga to be superior for strength training, injury prevention, injury recovery and flexibility. Before she discovered her true passion for teaching the essence and principles of movement, Stephanie received her Bachelors Degree in law/paralegal studies.
Laura Crittendon, Studio Director
Owner ~ Blossoming Lotus Gyrotonic
Senior GYROTONIC® Certified Level 1 & 2 Instructor
GYROTONIC® "Specialized Equipment" Instructor
GYROTONIC® Applications for Dancers Instructor
GYROTONIC® Licensed Pre-Trainer
STOTT PILATES® Certified Instructor
Pilates Academy International Master Instructor Trainer
BarSculpt® Certified Instructor
Zen*ga Certified Instructor
Yoga Personal Trainer
Certified Aerial Yoga Instructor
Certified TRX Trainer
Certified Dance Medicine Therapist
Mindfulness-Based Meditation Facilitator
Reiki Master
Chi Kung / Breathwork Instructor
Vibrational Meditation & Sound Healing Practitioner
Myofascial Release Therapist
Physical Therapy Assistant
Hawaii Licensed Medical Massage Therapist
Laura has been working in the field of Mind-Body Movement & Therapy since the age of 17 as a Physical Therapy Assistant in Arcadia, CA. She graduated from the Hawaiian Islands School of Medical Massage in 1996 with 1250 hours of education, she was class Valedictorian for University of Hawaii class of 2002 (BS Psychology), and she studied Mind-Body Medicine at Saybrook Graduate School 2002-2004. Laura opened her own Pilates studio (along with her husband Steve) on the Big Island of Hawaii in 2003 where she began teaching Stott Pilates and Yoga in 2003, and Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis since 2005. She is Stott certified in mat Pilates, reformer, Cadillac, stability chairs and barrels. She is a past Pilates Master Trainer/Educator for Pilates Academy International in New York City. She is trained on all of the Gyrotonic Specialized Equipment as well as all levels of The Gyrotonic Work and is a past Gyrotonic Pre-Trainer (teaching the teachers of tomorrow). Laura has numerous additional certifications and advanced training including Specialization for Dance Medicine, Knee/Hip pre & post surgery, Lymphatic Drainage, Breast Cancer Care, and more. Laura has trained professionally as a dancer, performer, choreographer, and dance educator focusing on "injury prevention for dancers." Sessions with Laura focus on equal parts alignment, proper muscle/joint performance, skills training, problem solving, visualization, and (most importantly) having fun! Laura enjoys teaching her students that "never" is not an option, and that practice makes progress.
From Laura: I love transforming my client's lives with The Gyrotonic & Gyrokinesis Methods, while weaving in my vast and deep well of knowledge (both Eastern and Western) of Yoga, Breathwork and Chi Kung allowing me to offer my client's a depth of study and experience rarely found. I also teach a healthy dose of Contemporary Stott Pilates while utilizing my advanced skills as a manual therapist. My sessions are playful, educational, inspiring, and transformational. I believe that health comes from harmony of mind, body and spirit, and that exercise is a vehicle for self exploration, healing, wholeness, and joy. I am an avid life-long learner, and I take many continuing education courses each year. Ask anyone who knows me what I am passionate about, and they'll answer: Gyrotonic Pilates Dance and LEARNING. For me, teaching the joy of mindful movement is my life’s path and I look forward to sharing this gift with you.
"Therapist first, Movement Educator second."
You'll find Laura in the studio 6 days a week offering private, semi private, and group lessons in Pilates and Gyrotonic - along with Assisted Stretch Therapy, Intro to Gyrotonic Workshops and other therapeutic workshops.
Laura often has a two week waitlist for private lessons, and her few Pilates group classes are often full with a waitlist.
Steve Von Hargett
Co-owner ~ Blossoming Lotus Gyrotonic
STOTT PILATES® Certified Instructor
GYROTONIC® Certified Level 1 & 2 Instructor
GYROTONIC® "Specialized Equipment" Instructor
GYROTONIC® Applications for Dancers Instructor
Certified TRX Trainer
3rd Degree Martial Arts Certified Instructor
Onsen Technique Manual Therapist
Visceral Manipulation Therapist
Hawaii Licensed Medical Massage Therapist
Scoliosis Management Therapist
Shoulder care/rehab Specialist
Joint Replacement Rehab Specialist
"Pain Whisperer"
Steve's background is in the fine arts, and from an early age was the Prodigy of every art school he attended. He received a full scholarship to the Fine Art Program at Utah State University. Steve views movement and manual therapy as moving artwork. Steve, and his wife Laura, opened their own Pilates studio on the Big Island of Hawaii in 2003 where Steve began teaching Stott Pilates in 2004, and Gyrotonic since 2005. He is Stott certified in mat Pilates, reformer, Cadillac, stability chairs and barrels along with the highly acclaimed Stott Pilates Rehabilitation Program taught by Melanie Byford-Young, DPT. He is trained on all of the Gyrotonic Specialized Equipment. Sessions with Steve focus on proper biomechanical action along with "problem solving any issues in the tissues." Steve enjoys working with our aging population, helping his clients age with ease and mobility. He also specializes in working with clients with Scoliosis and TBI (traumatic brain injury), helping to improve function and quality of life. Steve is well versed in injury care and pre/post surgery care as he has successfully rehabilitated two full knee replacements, one hip replacement (back to teaching in 6 days), a shoulder rebuild, and multiple other knee surgeries due to being a bit "too active" with X-games sports his whole life (MotoX, Kickboxing, Surfing, Skiing, Snowboarding, Skateboarding). Steve says daily how much Pilates and Gyrotonic exercise have saved him. Steve's work is an excellent compliment to both Physical Therapy and other allied health care.
"Therapist first, Movement Educator second."
You'll find Steve in the studio 6 days a week offering private, semi private, and group lessons in Pilates and Gyrotonic - along with Assisted Stretch Therapy and Intro to Gyrotonic Workshops.
Mari Gamans
Pilates Method Instructor
GYROTONIC® Certified Level 1 Instructor
Mari, a California native, is an ex-professional dancer with over 20 years of teaching experience. She earned her BA degree in Dance from UC Irvine with honors, specializing in Performance and Teaching. It was at UCI that she was first introduced to The Pilates Method. Supplementing her dance classes with Pilates exercises made a huge impact on her dancing, improving her technique immensely, and she was hooked for life!
Soon after graduating from UCI, she completed the Pilates Method Teacher Training Program at Studio du Corps in Costa Mesa, California under the direction of esteemed UCI Dance and Pilates professor, Diane Diefenderfer. Upon completion of this training, she was invited to start her teaching career at The Ron Fletcher Company in Los Angeles. As a result of her apprenticeship and teaching hours there, under the sought after guidance of Michael Podwal, she was awarded an honorary Ron Fletcher Company Teacher Training certification. Mari continued to expand her teaching experience by working in several Pilates and Physical Therapy studios located in the Los Angeles area including Burbank, Studio City, Topanga Canyon, Silverlake and Los Feliz.
During this time, a colleague recommend that she try The Gyrotonic Expansion System, as she might find it even more complimentary to dance techniques than The Pilates Method. She took the advice. After only one Gyrotonic session, she fell in love with the movement discipline and knew she was meant to study it further and teach it to others. She completed the Gyrotonic Level 1 Teacher Training Course with Master Trainer Lisa Marie Goodwin and began teaching right away.
Additionally, Mari is a RYT-200 hour certified Yoga Teacher through Yoga Alliance. She teaches Yoga and Pilates physical education courses at Pomona College, as well as various styles of yoga at local private studios. She also serves as one of the lead educators for the Claremont Yoga Teacher Training Program.
Mari lives in Claremont with her husband, two kids, several cats and a dog. Although her performing days are mostly over, she finds an outlet for artistic expression through continuing to be student of dance. She is eternally grateful for the opportunity to help others feel strong, connected, graceful and empowered in their bodies by sharing with them her knowledge of these beautiful and beneficial movement methodologies.
You'll find Mari in the studio weekday mornings offering groups lessons in Pilates and Gyrotonic.
Cathie Bachelder
STOTT PILATES® Trained Instructor
Certified TRX Trainer
Cathie started practicing Pilates after a debilitating back injury 15 years ago and has been studying Pilates at Om Sweet Om ever since. After seeing first hand how the movement based exercises in Pilates brought healing and motion into her own spine, she decided she had to share the gift of Pilates with others.
Cathie is trained in Stott Pilates along with TRX. Cathie has also begun her GYROTONIC Method teacher training journey! She'll be offering Gyrotonic sessions early 2022.
You'll find Cathie most days in the studio (from morning until evening) offering private, semi private and group lessons. You may even have the chance to work with her as she is our active daytime sub teacher.
Fred Hernandez
Pilates Sports Center Certified Pilates Instructor
TRX Certified
Fred has always enjoyed exercises such as Boot Camps, P90X, Insanity and also jogging and bike riding. Someone suggested for him to take a Pilates class to stretch and strengthen the muscles because of a back injury.
He quickly started taking more Pilates classes and this became his favorite form of exercise because of the intensity of the workout while being low impact (unlike many of other exercises styles).
Fred received his Comprehensive Pilates Certification thru Pilates Sports Center which includes matwork, reformer, Cadillac, chair and ladder barrel. Fred is also certified in TRX, PSM (Pilates Suspension method) and HIIT (Tabata GX).
Fred loves to teach challenging classes to get his students out of their comfort zone by combining all types of class formats into one. Fred specializes in “Cardio Pilates” and is now teaching this format on the Pilates equipment here at Om.
You'll find Fred in the studio offering private, semi private and group lessons in the evenings and Saturday afternoons.
Karen Nelson
STOTT PILATES® Certified Instructor
After many years instructing in the health club and physical rehabilitation environments, Karen has specialized in senior fitness/wellness for over 25 years incorporating Pilates into their classes.
Trained in classical ballet during her youth the standard was set for furthering her knowledge of Pilates and received her training in both Mat and Reformer through the Stott Method.
Other certifications and education include AFAA (Aerobics and Fitness Association of America), Southern California School of Yoga Science, California Community College Teaching Credential, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Art and Design.
She enjoys her “down-time” with her 2 precious grandsons, gardening, cooking for anyone and everyone, traveling, and living as mindful and creatively as possible.
You'll find Karen in the studio as one of our Pilates substitute instructors.
Angelic
Reiki
Angelic is a certified Reiki Master practitioner, Pranic Healer, Psychic and NLP Life Coach. She specializes in energy healing and bringing into balance the mind, body and spirit, guiding others to truly see and step into their potential, inner light and divine purpose. Angelic helps others to identify and achieve their personal goals by coping with the issues that are causing them distress, anxiety, and pain. She takes great joy in the progress and success of her clients, and looks forward to helping you!