Featured Instructor : Marina Urbina

Featured Instructor : Marina Urbina
Marina at the Studio

Top Los Angeles Pilates Instructor Marina Urbina Shares Her Experience Teaching Mobile Pilates Classes for Chakra 5

While Chakra 5 is mostly known for yoga and meditation classes, did you know we also offer mat Pilates classes?  Marina Urbina is a Los Angeles native and grew up as a competitive gymnast. Fitness and health have always been a priority for her, but when she discovered Pilates in 2009, she instantly knew she had stumbled upon something truly transformative. Her love for the practice led her to follow her heart and become a certified instructor through the Pilates Technique Certification program, taught by Jill Cassady. Joseph Pilates once said: “Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness,” and Marina whole-heartedly believes in this statement. Her passion for the method, knowledge of technique, and positive attitude keep her clients motivated and focused on attaining their personal goals. We recently interviewed Marina about her experiences teaching Pilates in offices with Chakra 5 Yoga.

What is Pilates?
Pilates is a strength training workout, that helps you build a stronger core, increase flexibility, lengthen and tone the body.

How long have you been teaching Pilates and how long have you been working with Chakra 5?
I have been teaching Pilates for 7 years and working with Chakra 5 for 5 years.

What do you like best about teaching?
Seeing my clients progress and helping them feel better inside and out.<

What benefits are your Chakra 5 clients experiencing?
Gaining body awareness, building a stronger core, helping improve posture and increasing flexibility all while being challenged but having fun!

What are some of the challenges of teaching Pilates in a “mobile” capacity? What solutions have you come up with to address these?
The lack of apparatus is a challenge, but I use different props like blocks, hand weights, bands, and foam rollers to help them find the connection to their muscles.

What do you see in the future for Chakra 5 and Corporate Wellness?
Pilates classes becoming more regular!