About Us
A DIFFERENT KIND OF PILATES STUDIO
About Our Company
Founded by master trainer and wellness expert Darci Brawley in 2009, Pilates on Purpose is a boutique studio offering Pilates, yoga, and other mindful movement practices, all with an emphasis on physical and mental well-being.
What is Pilates?
The Pilates method of exercise was invented by Joseph Pilates in the 1930s. While Joseph treated soldiers in World War II, he realized that his methods of stretching and strengthening improved the overall health and recovery of the soldiers without overexertion. This combined with his rearing by a prize-winning gymnast father and a naturopath mother lead to his philosophy of attaining and maintaining physical and mental perfection.
What is Pilates?
The Pilates method of exercise was invented by Joseph Pilates in the 1930s. While Joseph treated soldiers in World War II, he realized that his methods of stretching and strengthening improved the overall health and recovery of the soldiers without overexertion. This combined with his rearing by a prize-winning gymnast father and a naturopath mother lead to his philosophy of attaining and maintaining physical and mental perfection.
Why Pilates on Purpose?
Joseph inspired the philosophy of “Contrology.” Key to the practice of this philosophy is the mind and body connection. Exercising in this way creates intention and purpose for each movement and then as one movement flows into another…Hence the name PILATES ON PURPOSE.
Being mindful of where a movement initiates and the supporting muscles of each exertion help in more effectively working the muscles. One is now using the mind and body in concert!
There is power in the ability to move the body with balance and fluid movement. Now consider the breath. Realize the power of the mind’s ability to control respiration whereby slowing metabolic processes…We can slow the heart rate, reduce stress, lower blood pressure, resulting in slowing the aging process! Are you hearing me?
Pilates is a functional response to the demands of your daily life: "Use it, or Lose It"
The Reformer machines have spring resistance that can be supportive in movements that a person would not normally be able to execute or resistive when desiring to further tax the muscle. This allows more flexibility in being able to accommodate clients of extremely varied physiques and skill levels. This is very different than working with weights that provide a fixed resistance. The Reformer Pilates equipment stretches, varying the load throughout the exertion. This constant change resembles how our body works every day.
In Pilates, your mind and body work together to focus on the quality of movement, not just the quantity. Quality is achieved through focusing on abdominal contraction and postural stabilization. The control one gains through the practice of these techniques is amazing. The results are a stronger, taller posture, looking more youthful, less or no back pain, improved mobility, and flexibility, ability to get up and down from the floor, bend over tie your shoes, pick up your golf ball… and don’t forget that bucket list of adventures awaiting you!
With over 600 exercises in Pilates, it is no wonder people rarely lose interest. Pilates on Purpose offers a wide variety of apparatus to only extend the enjoyment of this practice: convertible trap table, reformers, electric chair, half a barrel, ballet bar, and more. The possibilities and variations are endless!
Why Pilates on Purpose?
Joseph inspired the philosophy of “Contrology.” Key to the practice of this philosophy is the mind and body connection. Exercising in this way creates intention and purpose for each movement and then as one movement flows into another…Hence the name PILATES ON PURPOSE.
Being mindful of where a movement initiates and the supporting muscles of each exertion help in more effectively working the muscles. One is now using the mind and body in concert!
There is power in the ability to move the body with balance and fluid movement. Now consider the breath. Realize the power of the mind’s ability to control respiration whereby slowing metabolic processes…We can slow the heart rate, reduce stress, lower blood pressure, resulting in slowing the aging process! Are you hearing me?
Pilates is a functional response to the demands of your daily life: "Use it, or Lose It"
The Reformer machines have spring resistance that can be supportive in movements that a person would not normally be able to execute or resistive when desiring to further tax the muscle. This allows more flexibility in being able to accommodate clients of extremely varied physiques and skill levels. This is very different than working with weights that provide a fixed resistance. The Reformer Pilates equipment stretches, varying the load throughout the exertion. This constant change resembles how our body works every day.
In Pilates, your mind and body work together to focus on the quality of movement, not just the quantity. Quality is achieved through focusing on abdominal contraction and postural stabilization. The control one gains through the practice of these techniques is amazing. The results are a stronger, taller posture, looking more youthful, less or no back pain, improved mobility, and flexibility, ability to get up and down from the floor, bend over tie your shoes, pick up your golf ball… and don’t forget that bucket list of adventures awaiting you!
With over 600 exercises in Pilates, it is no wonder people rarely lose interest. Pilates on Purpose offers a wide variety of apparatus to only extend the enjoyment of this practice: convertible trap table, reformers, electric chair, half a barrel, ballet bar, and more. The possibilities and variations are endless!
Why Pilates on Purpose?
Joseph inspired the philosophy of “Contrology.” Key to the practice of this philosophy is the mind and body connection. Exercising in this way creates intention and purpose for each movement and then as one movement flows into another…Hence the name PILATES ON PURPOSE.
Being mindful of where a movement initiates and the supporting muscles of each exertion help in more effectively working the muscles. One is now using the mind and body in concert!
There is power in the ability to move the body with balance and fluid movement. Now consider the breath. Realize the power of the mind’s ability to control respiration whereby slowing metabolic processes…We can slow the heart rate, reduce stress, lower blood pressure, resulting in slowing the aging process! Are you hearing me?
Pilates is a functional response to the demands of your daily life: "Use it, or Lose It"
The Reformer machines have spring resistance that can be supportive in movements that a person would not normally be able to execute or resistive when desiring to further tax the muscle. This allows more flexibility in being able to accommodate clients of extremely varied physiques and skill levels. This is very different than working with weights that provide a fixed resistance. The Reformer Pilates equipment stretches, varying the load throughout the exertion. This constant change resembles how our body works every day.
In Pilates, your mind and body work together to focus on the quality of movement, not just the quantity. Quality is achieved through focusing on abdominal contraction and postural stabilization. The control one gains through the practice of these techniques is amazing. The results are a stronger, taller posture, looking more youthful, less or no back pain, improved mobility, and flexibility, ability to get up and down from the floor, bend over tie your shoes, pick up your golf ball… and don’t forget that bucket list of adventures awaiting you!
With over 600 exercises in Pilates, it is no wonder people rarely lose interest. Pilates on Purpose offers a wide variety of apparatus to only extend the enjoyment of this practice: convertible trap table, reformers, electric chair, half a barrel, ballet bar, and more. The possibilities and variations are endless!
Darci Brawley, Founder
Darci Brawley is a certified Pilates Instructor with more than 15 years experience in rehabilitation, apparatus work and Allegro through Balanced Body and Polestar Education. She is a is also a certified Personal Trainer through IDEA and AFA and a certified group exercise instructor.
Darci received certification in 1995 for Pilates Post Rehabilitation and apparatus Balance Body and Polestar education, and certification in 2002 for Pilates allegro reformer with Polestar education.
Darci has since continued her Pilates education through Stotts, Polestar, and the Physical Mind Institute. She has spent the last five years coupled with a physical therapy group using the Pilates methodology for rehabilitation for MS, and various spinal and orthopedic injuries.
Skye Madsen
Skye is a fully certified Stott Pilates instructor with a special emphasis on athletic performance, weight loss, pre and post natal, and rehabilitation. She exudes an absolute love for Pilates and fitness and is incredibly passionate about helping others become healthy, fit & reaching their highest potential.
While immersed in fitness and wellness in college she has continued her voracious appetite for learning which is why she is constantly challenging her clients (or as she likes to call them, family) giving them the highest results possible. Scoring a 97% on a very demanding test out process, Skye was invited to be a Stott Instructor Teacher Trainer.
Since first becoming a Stott Pilates instructor 8 years ago, she has transformed many bodies, and many say lives as well. Skye has spent 8 years teaching at top Pilates studios and has been involved in fitness for 12 years, as she began teaching in high school. Skye truly feels fortunate to share the gift of Pilates each day, and is so happy to be a part of the POP team!
Felicia Amaya
Felicia is a fully certified Pilates instructor whose focus is on providing students with a creative, vibrant, and flowing full-body workout that can be modified for people in all walks of their Pilates practice. She was first introduced to Pilates in high school after having practiced classical and contemporary ballet since age six. Felicia can say with confidence that Pilates has become an integral part of her being, and she is mentally and physically stronger because of its incredible influence in her life. She feels Pilates is a divine and challenging practice of movement that compels people to become hyperaware of who they are mentally and what they can do physically.
Felicia graduated from the University of California, Irvine where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature with a minor in Communications. She has a true passion for health, mental + physical wellness, and a love of movement. She truly feels that when it comes to Pilates, there is no knowing it all; there is only lesson upon lesson upon lesson and the students she has had and will have the honor of teaching are her continuing education. Helping others move with greater ease is what she lives for and it is her greatest belief that the body, mind, and soul should be treated as a whole with the utmost respect.
Bianca Beach
Bianca began her Pilates journey in 2019 when she needed rehabilitation for her sciatica. She completed the Comprehensive Program at BASI Pilates Newport Beach, and is currently an Apprentice there to deepen her knowledge of the body. Bianca has been with Pilates on Purpose since June of 2020, and has a passion for teaching to heal and to align the body to live the fullest life possible! She will also be graduating Chapman University in Spring of 2022 with a BFA in Theatre Performance, and was accepted into the Graduate Program to earn her Master’s in Leadership Development.
Julie Leigh
A 200 hour-RYT through Yoga Alliance, Julie Leigh has been teaching yoga for 11 years and Pilates for more than a year. She has practiced yoga for 21 years, practiced Pilates for 10 years and has a background in gymnastics and cheerleading. A graduate of the Pilates Certification Program at Orange Coast College, Julie also graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce from the University of Virginia.
Julie has been fortunate to learn from teachers all over the world. She was originally drawn to yoga while she was living in London, far from a family support network and raising newborn twins. After a traumatic birth experience left her in the ICU, Julie needed something that would help her recover physically and mentally. She credits yoga for not only helping her build a stronger body, but also helping her experience increased mental clarity and mindfulness – striving to live each moment of life fully present and aware.
In addition to her vinyasa yoga training, Julie has completed a number of intensive college-level anatomy, physiology, nutrition, kinesiology, Pilates and sports medicine courses as well as yin yoga training with Paul and Suzee Grilley. She has studied yoga with notable teachers including Dharma Mittra, Kino MacGregor, Kathryn Budig, James Brown, Bryan Kest, Baron Baptiste, Shiva Rea, Matt Giordano and Diana Christinson. Julie was trained in mat Pilates, reformer, cadillac, Wunda chair, ladder barrel and spine corrector by experienced Pilates instructors and Orange Coast College professors Delyer Anderson Coffman and David McMahan.
Julie has a strong background in partner work. She cheered in high school and at the University of Virginia, and taught for Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) both in the United States and Japan. While working at an international public relations firm in Chicago, she also coached Northwestern University cheer and judged the national high school and college UCA competitions on ESPN. Julie has trained with some of the best acro and cirque performers in the country in acro and hand balancing, and she and her acro partner have taught workshops and performed exhibitions at various events in Los Angeles and Orange County. Acro yoga has challenged her to explore the boundaries of physical strength and flexibility, all while requiring the development of a deep trust and creative partnership with another person.
Dilara Ergun
Dilara graduated from Polestar Pilates school in Istanbul where she went on to work as an instructor for two years. She started her fitness journey as a means to become more competitive at her favorite sport: volleyball, where she played and coached at the professional level for twenty years. In Turkey, Dilara was introduced to CrossFit where she competed and coached for six years. She followed her passion for sports and fitness to complete a Master’s in Kinesiology at Istanbul Marmara University before moving to the United States.
When she’s not in the gym or studio, you can also find her racing motorcycles and skydiving.Dilara is passionate about helping her clients reach their best self. Her goal with each person is to create an individualized workout program according to their specific needs. She finds great joy in helping empower people in their fitness plan and everyday life . She believes that Pilates is an endless sea of wellness that aligns mind, body, and soul.