Staff

Amy M. Griffin, MS, PT - President & Lead Physical Therapist

Amy M. Griffin, MS, PT is a Physical Therapist with advanced training in Vestibular and Balance Rehabilitation. She has also completed her instruction to become a certified Pilates instructor.

Her clinical experience was initiated during a mentorship clinical rotation for Vestibular and Balance Rehabilitation in the fall of 2001. Since this time she has been working with patients who suffer from vertigo, dizziness and balance impairments to reduce their symptoms, decrease their risk for falls and increase their independence.

Working with patients with vertigo, dizziness and balance impairments is a passion for Amy. She became personally invested in understanding the vestibular and balance systems after her father suffered 3 severe head concussions. Once healed from his injuries, he was left with a multitude of symptoms that are commonly present with vestibular impairments. His doctors were unable to explain his symptoms. During her clinical rotation, she met a doctor who gave her research articles that provided her and her father with the answers. What's more is that the knowledge and skills Amy learned during her rotation gave her the tools and resources to help him. She has since been passionately determined to provide others with similar problems the same resources, tangible validation and effective treatment for their life altering symptoms.

Amy has since taken several courses from leading clinicians in the field of Vestibular and Balance rehabilitation. She is actively pursuing advanced competency Herdman certification in Vestibular and Balance rehabilitation. Amy successfully completed part 1 of her competency course in the spring of 2006 and is now certified in the treatment of Cervicogenic Dizziness. She will receive her competency certification upon successful completion of part 2 of Dr. Herdman's competency course in the spring of 2009. Amy's areas of highlighted interests are: Post Concussive Syndrome (following mild traumatic brain injuries), BPPV (positional vertigo) and other causes of vertigo, dizziness and imbalance associated with peripheral and/or central vestibular hypofunction/dysfunction, pre-season and post concussive assessment for return to sport screening assessment for athletes, as well as fall prevention for seniors.

Prior to relocating to Ventura, CA from Las Vegas, NV in the spring of 2003, Amy practiced physical therapy at an out-patient neurological rehabilitation clinic where she initiated Vestibular and Balance rehabilitation program development. One year after settling in Ventura, she developed a Vestibular and Balance rehabilitation program for a local physical therapy clinic. In October of 2007 she ventured into private practice. It was a risk she was more than willing to take in order to enhance her practice for the benefit of her patients.

Bonnie Sessions, Senior Pilates Instructor

Originally from Seattle, Bonnie grew up in the fitness industry, her father owning and operating athletic clubs. She was a competive swimmer, has raced bicycles and has raced in many triathlons and 10k's. Continuing her love of fitness and working to help people, she graduated from college as a fitness specialist in 1991 and became an ACE Certified Personal Trainer that same year.

Relocating to California in 1991 she began her business as a Personal Fitness Trainer and in 1996 began her formal Pilates training. Studying and becoming certified in different methods, her tireless search for self-improvement and further education has led her to Body Arts and Science International and she became BASI certified in 2002.

On staff as a Senior Faculty member, she travels internationally and nationally teaching BASI Pilates Teacher Certification courses. Bonnie developed the city of Ventura's first Pilates Studio, which she owned and operated successfully for many years. She continues to maintain a busy practice in Ventura and Ojai, California.

• BASI Certified Pilates Instructor
• PMA Gold Certified Pilates Instructor
• ACE Certified Personal Trainer
• LWV Certified Fitness Specialist
• AA Degree in Marketing
• Active member of BASI, IDEA and PMA

Holly Cannon, Pilates Instructor

"I first encountered Pilates in 1988 as a young dancer at The New World School of the Arts in Miami, FL. It was part of our daily training with Deborah Salkov, who studied under Joseph Pilate's protégé Romana Kryzanowska. I always enjoyed it, but didn't realize the full value of the method until I suffered a minor back injury a few years later that ultimately interrupted my performing. I turned to Pilates for rehab and pain relief, and ultimately was made aware of my own negative postural patterns that were the source of my injury. The renewed sense of balance, strength, and functioning that I acquired at this time would inspire my desire to learn more.

I was able to complete my Pilates certification in October 1996 at the Pilates Center in Boulder, CO. This was a year-long comprehensive and rigorous training program that involved over 900 hours of examining and teaching each and every Pilates exercise. The Pilates Center has been labeled "The Harvard of Pilates Teacher Training Programs", and prides itself on teaching the classical Pilates method.

I feel a tremendous passion for teaching the method, and genuinely connect to each of my clients and their goals. This is something I take very seriously, and I am always seeking to advance my skills and knowledge base in ways that will enhance my teaching. I have explored a variety of venues for over 15 years that would include several classes in yoga, and workshops on the Alexander technique and the Feldenkrais Method. Since my certification I have taught in a wide variety of settings, both group and private lessons. When I am able to help people feel more educated and in control of their movement patterns it gives me a tremendous sense of accomplishment.

As a busy mother of 4 beautiful children my own morning practice has been indispensable to the clarity and energy that motherhood requires. I hit my mat religiously every single morning, in the early quiet hours, for my own Pilates workout. Because of the meaning it holds in my own life, I cannot help but want to share my enthusiasm by way of teaching.

Here at EQUILIBRIUM I am excited to offer my knowledge base in traditional Pilates. Additionally, I am thrilled to be influenced by the BASI Pilates Method and the physical therapy expertise of the clinic."