Our Team
All Bella Forma Pilates instructors are highly skilled pilates professionals who each bring their unique talents to your sessions. We encourage you to benefit from different Bella Forma Pilates instructors who have all completed the most rigorous certification programs.
Gina Axelson, owner & instructor
Gina began her pilates journey at the urging of her younger sister, Patty, and like most people was hooked on pilates from the very beginning. After years of private instruction and a desire for a career change, Gina left her corporate job in 2001 and completed her first pilates certification with Cathleen Murakami of the PhysicalMind Institute. At the same time she completed the UCSD Extension professional certificate for Exercise Science & Physiology while becoming an ACE certified personal trainer. In 2002 she opened her first pilates studio, GP Pilates of Pacific Beach, which allowed her to fuse her love of pilates, people and business. In 2004 she jumped at the opportunity to be certified by Pilates Master Teacher, Kathy Corey, of West Coast Pilates and started the long process of creating her second studio, Bella Forma Pilates which opened in August of 2006. She continues her pilates education by attending annual conferences, is PMA Certified, and is grateful for all the people and joy pilates has brought to her life. Gina is currently enrolled in the BASI Pilates Certification program and lives in Encinitas with her husband and son.
Alison, Instructor
Alison is a native of Southern California and has had a passion for dancing since the age of four. She completed her bachelor's degree in Dance and Liberal Studies at Loyola Marymount University in 2000. It was after a dance injury during her senior year that she discovered Pilates and its healing benefits. She received her Pilates Certification in 2001 through Long Beach Dance Conditioning Center, under the direction and mentorship of Marie Jose Blom. She is committed to helping her clients' maximize their potential, while paying close to attention to their health and fitness goals, emphasizing good body mechanics, Pilates form and technique.
Angelique, instructor
Angelique is a native of Southern California and a graduate of UC Irvine. She began dancing at age 5 and continued to dance and teach professionally for more than 20 years. Introduced to pilates after a hip injury, she became fascinated with the intricacies and complexities of movement. She pursued her pilates certification through PhysicalMind Institute in New York in 2003 where she received her primary training with master teacher Elizabeth Gillies. Profoundly influenced by Ms. Gillies dedication to rehabilitation and innovation, Angelique strives to instill a clarity and deep understanding of the work to her diverse clientèle. Through intuitive cuing and a meticulous eye for form and proper body mechanics, she provides a unique experience for each client and their personal needs and goals. Her second certification was completed through the BASI Pilates program in 2008. Angelique finds inspiration from her many amazing and devoted clients at Bella Forma.
Anne, instructor
Anne graduated from Texas Christian University and quickly joined the corporate world. Throughout Anne's life she has been highly involved in swimming, marathons, and yoga, so when she heard about Pilates she was immediately curious. Anne began practicing Pilates in early 2005, and got certified by KORE Pilates in La Jolla, California. After receiving her certification she decided to leave a successful career in order to dedicate more time towards Pilates. Anne has a real passion for seeing her clients reach their own personal goals while realizing the multiple benefits of Pilates. She also enjoys traveling around the world, hiking, reading, and spending time with her husband and son.
janice, Certified apprentice instructor
Janice has a Bachelors degree in Food Science and Nutrition from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She worked for many years in medical sales before leaving the work force to raise her two children. An avid runner and biker, Janice found Pilates in 2002 as a way to complement those activities and to prevent injury. She fell in love with the practice of Pilates and was amazed at the changes she saw in her own body. Encouraged by her instructor at the time, she pursued her initial certification through PhysicalMind Institute and began teaching mat classes immediately. She has since completed her comprehensive certification through Balanced Body University and feels so fortunate to be doing something she is passionate about every day.
jenn, instructor
Jenn has been practicing Pilates since 1998 and knows from personal experience how beneficial it can be. In her early 20s she was injured in a car accident that left her with whiplash and three bulging disks. To help with her rehabilitation Jenn began doing Pilates three times a week, and after just six weeks she noticed great improvement in her strength and flexibility. Most exciting was the decrease of pain in her lower back and neck. This experience inspired her to train to become a Pilates instructor. In 1999 she enrolled in the PhysicalMind Institute’s certification program under master trainer Cathleen Murakami, who was to become her mentor for the next decade. Jenn completed the PhysicalMind certification the following year and in 2003 she received a second certification in the Pilates technique through Long Beach Dance Conditioning. Jenn has experience working with a wide variety of clientele with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, as well as those who are rehabilitating from injuries or surgery and mothers pre- and post-natal. She is also a licensed massage therapist, a certified Gyrotonic instructor and Gyrokinesis apprentice, and has completed the first phase of the Yamuna Body Rolling certification. Jenn was born in Walla Walla, Washington, and moved to California at the age of 12. She has lived in Encinitas since 1999.
Kathleen, Instructor
Kathleen has been a certified personal trainer and Pilates instructor for over 30 years instructing clients from all over the world and walks of life including single and working moms, corporate executives, teenagers, seniors and professional golfers and athletes. She loves to help others understand their own individual movement patterns enabling them to get better results in less time by using the most efficient way in which to move their bodies. Kathleen provides detailed instruction, and can help you "connect the dots" by encouraging focus, commitment and attention to your posture in day to day movements so that it becomes second nature. She helps you identify and build on your strengths while inspiring you to accept and work with your challenges so that you can be more effective in everything that you do in life. Her perceptive nature and attention to detail, enhances the body, mind and spirit of her clients. Kathleen is also the Owner and Founder of Pagnini Pilates , LLC as well as the author of a new DVD called "Pilates and Chocolate — LA DOLCE VITA".
Susan, Instructor
After a life-long commitment to nutrition and fitness, through teaching aerobics and running, Susan was introduced to the Pilates Method in 2002 while living in Santa Barbara, California. She immediately became hooked on Pilates and continued to practice for the next six years. After moving to Carlsbad, California and semi-retiring from a career as a paralegal, she finally had the opportunity to pursue her passion for Pilates in the form of a new career. Susan completed the rigorous Body Arts and Science International Comprehensive Teacher Training Program in May 2008 and received her BASI certification in Spring of 2009. Her passion for Pilates has given her a personal goal to help her clients become better connected to their bodies so that they not only feel good, they look good, while also enjoying all the benefits continued movement brings to one’s everyday life.
Tamsin, Student Instructor/Studio Manager
Tamsin is performing her student teaching and observation at Bella Forma Pilates to complete her Pilates certification through MiraCosta College. She has been practicing Pilates regularly for several years in addition to practicing yoga for nearly a decade. She completed yoga teacher training in the Anusara style through Yoga Del Mar, under the guidance of Certified Anusara Instructor Geri Portnoy. Tamsin has extensive knowledge of anatomy and physiology. She is a Holistic Health Practitioner specializing in Jin Shin Acutouch and CranialSacral Therapy and teaches massage and Oriental Medical Theory at IPSB College. She is currently completing coursework towards becoming a Registered Dietician. In addition to her extensive background in holistic health, Tamsin is an up-and-coming entrepreneur and was last year’s recipient of an SBA award for her business acumen. She teaches sustainable business practices at MiraCosta College, and acts as a consultant to private businesses on that topic as well as on social media marketing.
