Yuko was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan. She moved to the U.S. and received her B.S. in Athletic Training from California State University, Long Beach. She became a certified athletic trainer in 2018. She completed her Pilates certification with Dance Specialization through BASI. 

Yuko grew up dancing and had been working as an athletic trainer in professional and school performing arts settings for dancers and performing artists, providing Pilates exercises for fitness, injury prevention and rehabilitation for over 5 years. Additionally, she has been teaching Pilates to people who are going through chronic pain and injuries in physical therapy clinic. She has been learning about Women's Health and working with prenatal and postpartum women, as well as people who have pelvic floor issues.

She enjoys traveling, exploring new foods, and hiking to see waterfalls in her free time.

Lea has been teaching PT based Pilates since 2006.

Actually starting her career at The Cypress Center in the Pacific Palisades when she was just 18 while going to Santa Monica College. Working at the front desk she really enjoyed being a part of the administrative side of Wellness. As a host for BASI Pilates she was encouraged by her boss at the time to take the comprehensive teacher training course and she is forever grateful she did! Becoming a certified Pilates Instructor has branched into a most rewarding career for her.

Branching out into home sessions, gyms like Equinox, and boutique Pilates studios offering both private and group classes. She’s thrilled to be able to offer all of her services here at The Cypress Center.

Continuing her education with a Power Yoga Teacher Training with Bryan Kest in Tulum, Thai Massage + Restorative Yoga at The White Lotus Retreat Center, A2Z Massage School

in Santa Monica, and even more recently a Reiki course!

She’s currently exploring and offering the benefits of the Power Plate. Lea loves learning new techniques and styles but ultimately her niche is in pain management fundamentals thanks to her foundation in physical therapy pilates at a young age and seeing the benefits first hand. She has her own struggles with back pain and migraines so can easily relate to those who are overcoming obstacles.

You can expect to feel lighter, taller, stronger, and more flexible after your sessions. De-stressing and finding yourself rejuvenated is Lea’s goal for you through Pilates and Massage Therapy techniques.

When Lea isn’t busy working she loves traveling, going on adventures with her son and dog, having a fun date night with her hubby, or just hanging out watching the latest show or movie at home with her cat!

Samantha Wood, MPT, MBA, NPCT, RYT, is a licensed physical therapist, a National Pilates Certified Teacher (NPCT), a Yoga Alliance–certified teacher, and an associate faculty member for BASI Pilates. She has been a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) since 1997 and of the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) and Yoga Alliance since 2010. Her clinical expertise includes Pilates-based rehabilitation, yoga therapy, orthopedics, sports therapy, and functional rehabilitation.

Samantha received her bachelor’s degree in exercise science from USC in 1991, where she worked as a student athletic trainer with athletes from all sports, specializing in volleyball, football, and track. After graduation she worked as a fitness instructor for Golden Door Spa aboard Cunard cruise ships. Two years later she earned a master of physical therapy (MPT) degree from Western University of Health Sciences. She also holds an MBA from the University of Southern California (USC).

Sam has worked with many celebrities and professional athletes; while at HealthSouth in Arizona, she was the physical therapist for the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Coyotes, Phoenix Mercury, and Arizona Rattlers. In 2010, she was selected as the physical therapist for the EAS Unstoppable Tour, where her responsibilities included keeping elite athlete Sam Tickle in top physical condition as he completed his 30-sport, 30-city, 30-day journey.

​Sam began her Pilates studies in 2001 with Rael Isacowitz and has attended many of Isacowitz’s advanced courses, including the prestigious Legacy Program (Mentor, Master I, Master II and Honors). She created and teaches two advanced education courses for BASI Pilates: Pilates for Injuries and Pathologies (for Pilates teachers) and Pilates: Integration Into Therapeutic Practice (for rehabilitation professionals). She has been presenting those courses, in addition to offering other workshops and lectures at Pilates conferences around the world, since 2010. In 2018 she was a presenter at the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.

​Samantha has been featured in the Ask the Expert column in Pilates Style magazine and authored and modeled for an article entitled “Check In to (Injury) Rehab.” She also wrote an article about integration of Pilates into a physical therapy practice for Advance for Physical Therapists. Her first book, Pilates for Rehabilitation was released on June 30, 2018, by Human Kinetics and can be purchased online from Amazon or Human Kinetics.