Teachers
Iovana Velasquez
Studio Director/Comprehensive Pilates Instructor/dance Movement Psychotherapist
After 8 years directing Body Alliance in Brixton, in 2016 Iovana set up Studio One Pilates & Movement in order to expand a variety of quality classes that can be joined by the whole community.
Iovana constantly practises and experiments different disciplines to support her thorough teaching. With a dance background and practices such as the Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais, Dance and Yoga, among others. She incorporates the best of each into her Pilates teaching to protect, improve and balance one’s body as well as provide remedial support for those recovering from injuries.
Putting together 25 years of movement experience and her PILATES Foundation® UK comprehensive teacher training, Iovana provides a deep understanding of human anatomy to best approach each individual body and injury. Iovana designs comprehensive and bespoke exercise programmes for each client. She teaches how to move mindfully which she believes it is an important path towards physical and mental recovery from any type of injury or trauma.
“Awareness is key. A connection between body and mind brings about a healthy mobilisation for people of any age with any level of pain, fitness, stiffness or mobility.”
After teaching for more than 15 years at various studios in London, Iovana has now settled in South East London where she combines her work as a Pilates teacher and the practice of her latest studies as a Movement Psychotherapist.
Luisa D’Ambrosio
Comprehensive Pilates Instructor
Luisa’s movement practice stems from dance and theatre : She trained in dance and physical theatre in Italy and then in the UK at Trinity Laban. She has worked as a dancer and physical theatre performer for many international choreographers and dance companies. Her interest in understanding body mechanics and training for performance led her to study pilates and somatic technique .
Luisa completed her mat-work pilates training in 2002 with Pilates Foundation UK. She started to work at the Place in the same year as a teacher in the adult learning and participation and the young dancers programs as well as on the CAT program, specialising in training adolescents and preparing them for vocational dance training. In 2013 she trained as a studio and reformer teacher with Balance Body and since then she has been working as a Mat-work and Equipment instructor in several studios in London. Luisa has a strong interest in anatomy and physiology and she uses a range of somatic approaches in order to address clients individual needs and promote kinaesthetic awareness, mobility and strength.
She works as a movement teacher in drama and dance colleges in London teaching movement fundamentals and body conditioning as well as working as a movement director and choreographer.
Paola Hurtado
Comprehensice Pilates Teacher
Paola has been teaching Pilates for over eight years and still loves the method just as much as when she first began. After experiencing the many benefits of Pilates firsthand, she decided to pursue instructor training and completed her Comprehensive Pilates Course with Alan Herdman.
With a strong interest in rehabilitation and functional movement, Paola has also completed specialised training focused on spinal surgery recovery and various back conditions. This expertise allows her to work confidently with clients managing back pain, postural issues, or recovering from injury, ensuring that each session is safe, supportive, and tailored to individual needs.
Paola enjoys working with clients both one-on-one and in group settings. She regularly attends workshops to continue learning and to bring fresh ideas and techniques into her classes. Her goal is to help every client achieve their personal fitness objectives while improving strength, flexibility, and confidence in their movement.
Passionate about the connection between body and mind, Paola hopes to inspire her clients to discover just how transformative Pilates can be for overall wellbeing.