Program Faculty

Hilary Opheim NCPT

Program Director

I have been teaching Pilates for over 25 years. I found Pilates through my fitness career as a Group Fitness Director at a private club in Houston, Texas. I have always loved being active and moving. Pilates opened the door to move and heal for me. I then began my journey as a teacher.

I opened my studio in 2005 and began my teacher training program to give others the opportunity to become teachers. In 2019, I moved my studio to LA. I enjoy seeing my clients realize they can do more than they think possible, and to see and keep learning about themselves and their movement. I always see the positive side of life and movement in my clients.

I teach Traditional Pilates and am a graduate of the Heritage Training, a post-grad Pilates program on the work of Kathy Grant. I continue learning with the grad program Movement Science Made Simple, a program that joins current concepts in biomechanics, motor learning theory, and pain science with time-tested movement training strategies.

Davita Paul, MS CES NCPT

Associate Program Director, Kinesiotherapist

My approach to teaching Pilates comes from my dance and Kinesiology background. I have been teaching and practicing Pilates and movement studies for over 15 years.

I have a Master’s of Science degree in Kinesiology, specializing in Orthopedic Rehabilitation/Corrective Exercise, and Geriatric Exercise/active aging. I also have a BFA in dance performance, specializing in Ballet studies, as well as certifications in corrective exercise, and am NPCP certified.

In 2014, I founded a Pilates studio in Brentwood and created Davita Pilates Movement Therapeutics and the Ergonomics in Motion system in 2020. I focus on Pilates-based corrective exercise for chronic pain relief, active aging, sport-specific cross-training, dance science, and improving overall wellness through Pilates-based movement modalities.

Students work directly with the program director, Hilary Opheim, and the Associate Program Director, Davita Paul

Student Advisors are recent Grads and are available to students as mentors to help support student progress throughout the program.