NIGEL SAMPSON
NIGEL SAMPSON, Co-founder
Nigel moved from Adelaide, Australia in 1991 to be immersed in the emerging health/fitness scene in Los Angeles. While working in an Australian restaurant, he also started accumulating certifications in the fitness industry and settled in as a personal trainer at the historic Los Angeles Athletic Club. While there he became proficient in fitness testing, weight management and senior health rehabilitation. After discovering Pilates in 1996, he moved his focus to learning the art and science of this incredible method.
In the late 90’s he worked in the Physical Therapy settings using Pilates as a rehabilitative tool, while also branching into the entertainment industry. In 2000 he opened Whole Body Method on Beverly Blvd and today WBM has settled in Mid-City and is the most established studio in Los Angeles.
Nigel holds 7 mind/body certifications including Pilates, Yoga and Gyrotonic. His interests include non-traditional healing, Ayurvedic science, nutritional formulation, business management, and mind/body practices.
When not at WBM he spends time in the great outdoors and at WBM’s retreat casa in Joshua Tree, CA.
JENNIFER MAXWELL
JENNIFER MAXWELL
After breaking her leg, ankle, toe, and dislocating her shoulder playing Rugby at UC Berkeley, Jen turned to Pilates in 2012 as a form of rehabilitation. Finding that Pilates made her stronger, more energized, and in tune with her body she fell in love with the benefits. Jen feels Pilates helped her not only regain muscle that atrophied but also build long, lean muscle, while improving her posture and strengthening her core.
While changing careers from Paralegal to Accountant Jen continued her Pilates practice until she realized she needed to teach Pilates and share it with others. Wanting to help clients through Pilates, whether it be rehabilitation from an injury or live a healthy lifestyle, she tries to help clients achieve their goals while also educating them on form and connecting to their bodies.
When Jen is not in a Pilates studio she can be found hiking, traveling, or finding new delicious restaurants and foods to try. Jen is committed to helping clients live their best life and strongly believes “little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking”. If you haven’t already, try Pilates and see what happiness it can bring to your life and body!
JORDAN ELIZABETH
JORDAN ELIZABETH
As a third generation L.A. native, Jordan has been exposed to and inspired by the local fitness scene since childhood.Growing up, one of her favorite fitness guru’s was Richard Simmons. “I’ve always loved his enthusiasm, humor and compassionate heart with his clients. I still do.Plus, he’s a riot!” With 21 years of working in film and television, Jordan kept her body fit by taking pilates.While doing her own stunts, she suffered many injuries that were consistently healed through pilates.Upon discovering this, she enrolled in the Whole Body Method certification program.She found a deep love of helping people connect with their bodies.With a spirit of fun and tenderness, Jordan has found her calling in teaching.
LISA CULLEN
LISA CULLEN
Growing up in Hawaii, being active and enjoying the outdoors has always been a big part of Lisa’s life. Whether it be hiking mountains and trails or swimming in the ocean, to focused activities like Tae Kwon Do and rock climbing, Lisa has always enjoyed the physical aspects and mental clarity fitness and a healthy lifestyle offers.
Always being interested in finding new activities to try, Lisa found Pilates through a friend who was an instructor at a local studio. After regularly taking classes and seeing the improvement to not only her physique, but her understanding of the body, she decided to take it to the next level.
Lisa has gotten certified through Whole Body Method and has focused her attention on the way anatomy and pilates works together to create a strong, focused, healthful practice that can enhance the health and longevity of the body. Lisa’s classes are challenging and fun with a focus on precision and technique as well as a connection to the different muscle groups being targeted during each exercise. She is encouraging and energetic and would love to help you feel healthy, happy, and invigorated after each workout.
MICHELLE LAMEH
MICHELLE LAMEH
Michelle worked in the corporate world for eight years following her graduation from UCLA, until she decided to direct her energy toward her true calling of guiding others toward healing by connecting with their body. Michelle began the practice of Pilates in college and later used it as a tool to decompress from the daily stresses of the corporate world, until she made the decision to pursue a career in Pilates and get her certification. Michelle believes that as an instructor, she has the opportunity to guide individuals toward a better quality of life through Pilates by participating in the simple joy of movement and linking these movements to everyday life.
Alongside her intuitive love of health and wellness, Michelle is an LA native and has grown up in the epicenter of the wellness industry. As an instructor, Michelle has a healing and centering approach with her clients. Her goal is for clients to walk out of the studio feeling grounded. She feels the effect Pilates has on a person’s body can be life altering, and is honored to help her clients learn to listen to their body.
MIMI UMIDON
MIMI UMIDON
Since the moment I learned to crawl, I don’t think I’ve ever stopped moving. Growing up in California, I quickly realized that fitness is essential to getting the most out of an active outdoors (or indoor!) lifestyle. In school, I played field hockey, soccer and softball, and as if that was somehow not enough, I ran 2 miles every day. I’ve been a practitioner of yoga, Cardio Barre, Gyrotonics and CrossFit training, all of which have terrific benefits, but I have found Pilates to be the best method for attaining genuine whole-body fitness and acquiring a healthy body awareness. I have an extensive education in nutrition and love to share this knowledge with my clients as a complement to the Pilates results. In addition to helping others achieve their fitness goals, I put what people have called my “infectious enthusiasm” to use as a successful infomercial hostess and actress. My core belief and my approach to Pilates is that fitness, like life itself, should be fun.
NICOLE ANCIETO
NICOLE ANCIETO
Nicole grew up in LA and completed her Bachelors in Movement Sciences in San Francisco. Since 2012, she has moved back to LA and has gained extensive experience in a physical therapy clinic-- learning the ins & outs of rehabilitation and therapeutic exercise as well as insurance details and keeping the office up and running. Nicole gained her Pilates certification at Whole Body Method and uses a detailed approach to client care, drawing on her knowledge of the human body and Classical Pilates. She has experience teaching nutrition and leading seminars in wholeness and wellness. She enjoys being outside under the warm sun and among the bright colors in the garden. You can either catch her cruising the city on her long - board, food tripping, or practicing her calligraphy or water color painting.
CYNTHIA CONRAN
CYNTHIA CONRAN
I have been a lifelong advocate of wellness, physical fitness, and health, and discovered Pilates in London, UK around 19 years ago. As an ex-professional equestrian, I spent years riding, training and teaching both horse and rider and with that territory comes many spills!
I found Pilates to be the one discipline that helped me to address any lingering pains and stiffness from my previous occupation, which ultimately guided me to pursue a career as a classical Pilates instructor. The connection of body and mind make Pilates the ultimate experience for your wellbeing and I am excited to share it with clients.
I am also a very blessed mother of 3 beautiful daughters and 2 cheeky kitties and when not in the studio, I spend my time hiking, sailing, and of course, riding!