Our Mission

 

 

At Axis, we strive to provide the highest quality training and environment for the practice of Classical Pilates and the Gyrotonic method. We are partners with our clients, assisting them to achieve their health and fitness goals for a lifetime. Classical Pilates and Gyrotonic are lifelong practices that greatly enhance a person’s quality of life. We are committed to the integrity of these methods, and guide our clients to practice them as the creators intended.

 
 

Equipment

 

Pilates

  • Fully equipped Classical Pilates studio

  • All GRATZ equipment

 

Gyrotonic

  • Pulleytower

  • Archway

  • Gyrotoner

  • Leg extension unit

 Teachers

Our team works together with our clients to offer them the best service and the benefit of our knowledge.

 
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Karen Washburn - Owner/ Director

Karen graduated from “The Work,” the highly selective program, where she worked with Jay Grimes.  She is a Teacher Trainer for Power Pilates.

Karen was certified in Gyrotonic And Gyrokinesis by Juliu Horvath, the creator of the methods.  She is an Authorized Pretrainer for both.

Karen opened Axis in 2003, the first Gratz equipped Classical Pilates and Gyrotonic studio in the city of Long Beach.  She strives to keep the quality and integrity of Pilates and Gyrotonic at the highest level. 

Karen’s passions are inspiring her clients, supporting her fellow teachers, and thriving in small business.  She has an undergraduate and Masters Degree in Dance from UCLA.

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Chris Clausen

Chris is a comprehensively trained Classical Pilates teacher. Chris continues to learn, practice, and share the classical Pilates method.

Chris was honored to graduate from the highly selective Classical Pilates Masters program “The Work” directed by Jay Grimes of Vintage Pilates in Los Angeles. Jay was a student and teacher in Joe Pilates’ New York studio.

Prior to becoming a Pilates teacher, Chris spent 20 plus years as a professional strength and conditioning coach. Chris was the Strength and Conditioning Coach during the era of the St. Louis Rams “Greatest Show on Turf”.

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Francesca Jandasek

Francesca’s training in the method is extensive.  She is an Authorized  Pretrainer for both Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis.

She has been teaching Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis since 2006, and has worked with Juliu Horvath, the creator.

Francesca has the fortune to share her love of movement by teaching Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis exercise to people of all ages, backgrounds, needs, and abilities. 

She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Dance Choreography from CSULB, and teaches at various universities in Southern California.

 

Fabiola Centeno

Fabiola Centeno is  a certified Gyrotonic Teacher at Axis, and has been with us since 2020.  Originally the south of Brazil, Fabi studied to become physical therapist,  and had her own clinic there for many years.  Inspired to make a life change, she moved to Italy.  While there, she discovered the beauty of Gyrotonic as a method that incorporates the entire being: physical, mental, emotional, and energetic.  She decided to focus her work exclusively on using Gyrotonic to help people.  She trained to become a teacher at Gyrotonic Roma.  After 10 years in Italy, Fabi moved to Southern California to continue her journey.  We are very lucky to have her!  She is trained in Gyrotonic Level 1, Level 11, Gyrotoner, and the Jump Stretch Board.