Meet Our Expert Pilates & Yoga Teachers
11 Experienced Instructors. 500+ Hours Training. Passionate About Your Progress
Meet Our Expert Pilates & Yoga Teachers
11 Experienced Instructors. 500+ Hours Training. Passionate About Your Progress
At Body-Stream, our teachers are the heart of everything we do. Each of our 12 instructors brings over 500 hours of comprehensive training, years of experience, and genuine passion for helping you feel at home in your body.
What makes our teaching team special? We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all instruction. Our teachers have diverse specializations – from rehabilitation and physiotherapy to dance conditioning and prenatal work – ensuring you receive expert guidance tailored to your specific needs.
In our small group classes (maximum 8 for reformer, 12-15 for mat), our teachers can truly see each client, provide individual corrections, and modify exercises during class. This personal attention is what transforms a good workout into a practice that genuinely changes your body and life.
Why Body-Stream Teachers Stand Out
Comprehensively Trained, Not Just Certified
Every Body-Stream instructor has completed 500+ hours of comprehensive Pilates training – not weekend certification courses. Our team includes teachers trained in:
- Classical Pilates
- STOTT PILATES®
- Polestar Pilates
- BASI Pilates
- Iyengar Yoga (Junior I)
This depth of training means they understand not just exercises, but the principles, anatomy, and therapeutic applications that make Pilates truly transformative.
Specialized Expertise When You Need It
Our teaching team includes:
- A doctor of musculoskeletal medicine
- Physiotherapists specializing in movement rehabilitation
- Pre and postnatal Pilates specialists
- Professional dancers with decades of experience
- Teachers specializing in injury recovery and chronic pain
- Mindfulness instructors
- Registered Ortho-Bionomy® practitioners
Whatever your specific needs – rehabilitation, pregnancy, athletic training, pain management – our teachers are ready to help you.
Genuine Care & Personal Attention
Our teachers don’t just instruct – they truly care about your progress. They remember your name, your concerns, your goals. In every class, they:
- See each individual client
- Provide hands-on corrections
- Modify exercises to your needs
- Challenge you appropriately
- Celebrate your progress
This personal attention is only possible because of our small group sizes and our teachers’ genuine investment in your success.
Our Teaching Team
Our teachers come from around the world – Barcelona, Mexico, Finland, New York, Netherlands – bringing diverse movement perspectives.
Despite different training backgrounds, they share Body-Stream’s core philosophy: helping you feel at home in your body through movement.
Patricia Velasquez - Co-Owner & STOTT PILATES® Instructor
Certifications: STOTT PILATES® Certification, National Certified Pilates Instructor NCPT, Barre Concept® Certification, Bachelor in Accountancy
Background: 20+ years professional dance career, studied at the National Ballet of Mexico and has a Bachelors in Accountancy
Patricia founded what is now known as Body-Stream in 2015. Her personal experience recovering from dance injuries through Pilates informs her compassionate, individualized teaching approach. She specializes in helping clients feel at home in their bodies again, whether recovering from injury or getting back in shape.
Languages: English, Spanish, Dutch
Alexander Bakker - Co-Owner & Polestar Pilates Comprehensive Instructor
Certifications: Polestar Pilates Comprehensive Certification, Classical Pilates Certification
Background: Corporate training & coaching, personal back pain journey
Alexander discovered Pilates when seeking relief from chronic back pain. The profound transformation he experienced inspired him to become a teacher. His coaching background and humor create a relaxed, motivating atmosphere where clients feel comfortable challenging themselves.
Languages: English, Dutch
Rachelle Philip - Classical Pilates Instructor
Certifications: Classical Pilates Certification, Master in Media and Performance studies
Background: Ballet, modern dance, Graham technique, basketball
Rachelle believes good exercise is the foundation for a happy life. Her diverse movement background – from classical ballet to team sports – gives her versatile teaching skills. She’s known for her enthusiasm and dedication to helping each client become their best version.
Languages: English, Dutch
Monica Limnell - PhysioPilates & Polestar Pilates Comprehensive Instructor
Certifications: PhysioPilates Certification, Polestar Pilates Comprehensive Certification, Physiotherapy Degree
Background: Finnish physiotherapist, Classical Pilates mentorship with Cheryl Franks
Monica uniquely combines physiotherapy expertise with comprehensive Pilates training. Her specialization in pre and postnatal Pilates makes her invaluable for expectant and new mothers. She teaches deep body-mind connection and helps clients find their fullest potential.
Languages: English, Finnish, Dutch
Annabel Garriga - Classical Pilates Mat & Iyengar Yoga Instructor
Certifications: Classical Pilates Mat Certification, Iyengar Yoga Certification (Level 2), Bachelor in Chemistry
Background: From Barcelona, Spain
Annabel is certified in both Classical Pilates Mat and Iyengar Yoga, giving her unique perspective on alignment and body awareness. She has also completed the STOTT PILATES® reformer education. She devotes tremendous personal attention to her students, seamlessly guiding everyone from beginners to experienced practitioners.
Languages: English, Spanish, Dutch
Daphne Yannakakis - BASI Pilates Comprehensive Instructor
Certifications: BASI Comprehensive Certification, The Heritage Training™ Graduate, National Certified Pilates Instructor NCPT, Registered Ortho-Bionomy® Practitioner
Background: Competitive springboard diver and coach
Daphne brings extensive training and a wealth of knowledge to her classes. Her focus on precision, motor control, and mastering foundations ensures advanced work progresses naturally without injury. She discovered Pilates while dealing with her own back and hip pain.
Languages: English
Leonie Seebregts - STOTT PILATES® Instructor
Certifications: Doctor of Musculoskeletal Medicine, STOTT PILATES® Certification
Background: Medical practice treating musculoskeletal conditions
Leonie uniquely combines medical expertise with Pilates instruction. She understands that recurring injuries often stem from disturbed movement patterns, and uses Pilates to retrain proper movement. Her goal: moving pain-free.
Languages: English, Dutch
Christie Partelow - Polestar Pilates Comprehensive Instructor
Certifications: Polestar Pilates Comprehensive Certification, Reiki 1 Certification
Background: Professional Dancer since 2005: Netherlands Dans Theatre, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens
Christie brings decades of professional dance experience, injury and illness recovery, and years of close work with physical therapists and private Pilates instructors to her teaching. She’s worked with clients of all ages and abilities – from high-level training needs to recovery from disease. Christie believes movement is medicine, and she invites and welcomes all to come exactly as they are.
Languages: English
Anthoula Chatzidionysiou - Polestar Pilates Comprehensive & Classical Pilates Mat Instructor
Certifications: Polestar Pilates Comprehensive Certification, Classical Pilates Mat Certification, Bachelor in Finance and Accountancy
Background: Discovered Pilates during burnout
Anthoula discovered Pilates when experiencing burnout and learned how to move with precision and be fully present. For her, Pilates is more than a workout – it’s a skill you bring into daily life. She helps clients reconnect with their bodies and live healthier lifestyles.
Languages: English, Greek, Dutch B2
Isa Hoornsman - Polestar Pilates Comprehensive & Classical Pilates Instructor
Certifications: Polestar Pilates Comprehensive Certification, Classical Pilates Certification
Background: Dance training, passionate about movement
Isa discovered Pilates during dance training and immediately recognized its power. After practicing, she always feels so aware of her body – and now wants to share this feeling with others. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and she helps clients progress toward challenging exercises with new insights.
Languages: English, Dutch
Rachel Friedman - BASI Mat Pilates Instructor
Certifications: BASI Mat Pilates Certification, Human Rights Lawyer
Background: Former human rights lawyer, 15 years of Pilates practice
Rachel discovered Pilates while recovering from a back injury and practiced for 15 years while working as a human rights lawyer. Rachel brings empathy from personal experience with injury and pain, methodical precision from her legal background, and deep understanding of how Pilates supports both body and mind – especially for professionals dealing with stress and desk-related postural issues.
Languages: English
Anouk van Midden - Polestar Pilates Instructor
Certifications: Certified Trippleshape Barre Instructor, Certified Vinyasa Yoga Instructor, Masters of law
Background: Former immigration rights lawyer. She has also completed the Polestar Pilates Comprehensive education. Discovered Pilates’ healing power when struggling with scoliosis-related back pain during her dance training.
Anouk’s personal experience with how Pilates could heal, when other movement methods couldn’t, inspired her to pursue comprehensive Polestar Pilates training on all equipment.
Languages: Dutch, English
The Body-Stream Teaching Approach
- We See Every Client - Our small groups (max 8 for reformer, 12-15 for mat) ensure every person receives individual attention. You're never just a face in the crowd.
- We Modify in Real-Time - Our teachers can adapt exercises during class based on what they observe. If something isn't working for your body that day, they'll show you an alternative.
- We Focus on What You CAN Do - We never want clients leaving class thinking about their limitations. Our teachers help you discover what your body is capable of - often surprising yourself!
- We Meet You Where You Are - Complete beginner? Recovering from surgery? Advanced practitioner? We have teachers who specialize in exactly what you need.
- We Bring Passion & Energy - Our teachers genuinely love what they do, and it shows. They bring enthusiasm, warmth, care, and energy to every single class.
Questions About Our Teachers
How do I choose which teacher to try first?
Book any class that fits your schedule! All our teachers are excellent and can work with all levels. If you have specific needs, please contact us for guidance.
Can I request a specific teacher?
Yes! When you book online, you’ll see which teacher is leading each class. Many clients have favorite teachers, while others enjoy variety.
Do teachers teach both mat and reformer?
Most of our teachers are certified in both mat and reformer. When you view the schedule, you’ll see which teacher is leading each specific class.
What if I have a specific injury or condition?
Arrive 5 minutes early to your first class so your teacher can discuss your needs. For significant injuries, we recommend starting with private sessions.
Are any teachers available for private sessions?
Yes! All our teachers offer private sessions. Contact us to discuss your needs and we’ll match you with the most appropriate teacher. Private yoga sessions are available with Annabel.
Do teachers speak English?
Yes! All our teachers speak English fluently. Several also speak Dutch, Spanish, Finnish, or Greek.
Ready to Experience Expert Instruction?
Our 12 passionate, highly-trained teachers are ready to help you feel at home in your body.
