Therapists & Instructors
Zeina GrifoniPhysical Therapist |
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| Zeina received her Masters degree in Physical Therapy at Samuel Merritt College in Oakland, California in 2002, and her Pilates Instructor Certification with Ellie Herman in 2004. She has since continued her Pilates training to include pre and post-natal pilates, pilates for Osteoporosis with instructor Sheri Betz PT, and has become a Pink ribbon Certified instructor for breast cancer rehabilitation through the Pink Ribbon Program and instructor Doreen Puglisi, as well as studied rehabilitation for breast cancer survivors with Suzanne Martin DPT.
In September 2005, she opened her own practice, Synergy +. Her main focus is outpatient orthopedics, ranging from post-op rehab to sports related injuries. She specializes in orthopedic care, sports rehab, physical fitness, exercise programming, and overall health and wellness. Zeina has always wanted to help others through her work. This desire has led her from a world of teaching and participating in sports, to rehabilitation. Zeina started teaching gymnastics at the age of 15, and has been teaching everything from scuba diving to swimming to circus arts ever since. Opening Synergy +, is a dream come true for her, as it allows her to harness her energy, her athletic background, and her education into one discipline. Zeina currently performs with a San Francisco based circus troupe, Velocity Circus. In her free time she enjoys playing with her two little boys, hiking, mountain biking, ballroom dancing, as well as participating in off road adventure races and mini triathlons |
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Maria Ismen Apprentice Pilates Instructor |
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Maria has always led an active lifestyle and loves to ski, hike, play violin and many other outdoor activities. She ran competitively in a few long distance races and marathons, but had to stop due to low back pain. She turned to ballroom dancing, and practiced Pilates in order to enhance her dancing and keep her body pain free. Since Pilates has greatly helped Maria and she also enjoys helping others, she decided to change careers and become a Certified Pilates instructor. Having suffered and worked through neck and back pain due to scoliosis, spinal instability, and the extreme demands associated with violin playing and endurance sports, she has a great understanding of how to help others physically and mentally through Pilates. Additionally, Maria brings an emotional sensitivity and compassion that developed through her volunteer work at hospitals and in drug and alcohol rehab programs. She finds Pilates to be another way of helping people to live healthier, fuller lives, and is thrilled to be part of that process. Maria is sure that her decision to change careers will help to keep herself healthy as well as provide a way to share what she has learned with others. |
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Mary RussellCancer Exercise Specialist |
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A native from San Francisco, Mary s experience in movement therapy began with her training in ballet and contemporary dance. Her passion for anatomy and biomechanics provided the foundation to complete her B.A. in Physical Education/Dance from San Diego State University. She danced professionally after college, but came to realize she preferred teaching to performing. She went on to earn comprehensive certifications in Personal Training from The American Council on Exercise and in Pilates from Pilates Academy International of New York. She also holds an advanced certification as a Cancer Exercise Specialist from The Cancer Exercise Training Institute of Oregon. Prior to coming to Synergy+, she worked as an independent Pilates instructor at a private studio as well as physical therapy and chiropractic clinics in San Francisco and Marin. Mary brings her expertise in working with cancer survivors. She uses this knowledge to design customized fitness programs for individuals living with the health challenges and side effects that accompany cancer treatment and recovery. In 2006 she created the Pilates Movement Therapy survivorship in collaboration with The Marin Cancer Institute, Élan Fitness Center and To Celebrate Life Breast Cancer Foundation. |
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- - SYNERGY+ Physical Therapy & Pilates Studio |
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