Who We Are

Marika Molnar, is a highly respected physical therapist known around the world for her expertise in the evaluation, treatment, and prevention of dance injuries. Through her work she has developed a sophisticated understanding of movement and healthy functioning of the human body as well as sharp observational assessment skills. She is the director of Westside Dance Physical Therapy a private practice in New York specializing in the rehabilitation of dance injuries. She was the President of the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science; the Director of Physical Therapy Services for the New York City Ballet; and a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal for Dance Medicine and Science for which she has written several articles. She is considered to be a pioneer in the field of Dance Medicine. She has lectured and taught not only in the U.S. and Canada, but also in England, Israel, Japan, and Mexico. She is Clinical Advisor for the Physicalmind Institute®, where she has presented several workshops on osteoporosis and more recently a Gait Analysis Workshop. She not only has Pilates equipment in her offices, but also a complete set in her home, including a Pink Cadillac!

Lauren Piskin, Director of NY Certification

Lauren Piskin has her Masters in Dance Education and Fitness Management. Practiced Pilates since 1983. Certified by PMI in 2001. Current Studio Owner with staff of four teachers. Previously worked for Clinical Advisor Marika Molnar PT at West Side Dance. Has worked for the Institute as a Certification Administrator, Transmittal Teacher and Model. Trained Amy Poehler and Will Arnett for Blades of Glory film (2007). Taught Olympic figure skaters Judy Blumberg, Sarah Huges, Emily Huges. IDEA presenter (1990). TV shows: Monthly appearances on Joe Franklin and CBS in their fitness segments.

Forbes Magazine, Fitness Programming 1982-84
CBS Inc. National Fitness Coordinator 1984-89
U.S. Figure Skating Association Gold Medalist 1974
Choreographer U.S. Olympic Figure Skaters 1990-2009

Maria Leone, Bridge Progam Director

Maria Leone opened Bodyline LA Fitness Studio, located in Beverly Hills, in 1998. She is a certifying teacher for PhysicalMind. With over eighteen years teaching clients and a decade of experience teaching professionals, Maria is known throughout the country as the “teacher’s teacher”. She is PhysicalMind certified and holds additional certifications from PMA and ACE. IDEA has recognized Maria as a Master Trainer. Maria also holds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and she calls upon that training to inspire her Pilates instruction. She has been featured on Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood and CNN, and featured in Shape, People, Health and PilatesStyle magazines. In addition to running her studio and seeing clients full time, Maria travels for speaking and guest teaching engagements at trade conventions and world-renowned spas, including the Pilates Method Alliance’s and IDEA’s annual conferences, and the Golden Door and Red Mountain spas. Maria also has starred in the DVD series, Pilates On the Go which is geared to clients. As seen in Allure, Elle and Fitness Magazines, Pilates on the Go has garnered accolades as one of the best, most well-rounded programs for a challenging full-body workout. Featured on QVC, the Pilates On the Go DVD series is now available on Target.com and from Balanced Body.

Yuu Fujita-Toews, PhysicalMind Instructor

Yuu Fujita-Toews is originally from Kyoto, Japan where she began her professional classical ballet training at Yoshiko Inoue ballet school when she was 6. Yuu was also a member of Kyogei musical company and toured all over Japan. In 2001, she received a performance award and BA in Dance from Hunter College, CUNY. She taught ballet for children at Ballet Tech and Pilates workshop for ballet dancers in Japan. Yuu has studied kinesthetic anatomy with Irene Dowd, Shelly Studenberg, and Lisa Love as well as Yoga, Alexander Technique, Yamuna body rolling, Eric Franklin Method, and Thai Body Work. She is studying now with Dr. Martha Eddy in Somatic Movement which is deepening her knowledge of BMC and Laban. She is featured on the Institute’s Standing Pilates‚ DVD. She also dances with C.Eule Dance Company and Sachiyo Ito & Co. PhysicalMind certified, Yuu recently taught Evolution 201 at the Transmittal for Certifying Studios. She is honored to work with Joan Breibart and excited to be a part of the PhysicalMind Institute.

Julia Shanbrom, General Manager

Julia Shanbrom has worked in health and wellness since 2002. She has been employed by Montefiore Hospital; the Mayor’s Office; and the NYC Department of Health in operations and project management in the areas of mental health, substance abuse and domestic violence. In 2008, she co-founded Reel U films whose mission is to distribute documentaries to schools, churches and libraries. She is now in charge of operations for the Institute. Julia has a B.A. from Skidmore College (2002) and a Masters degree from Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health (2007).

Joan Breibart, Founder & President

Joan Breibart, Founder of the PhysicalMind Institute, started the Pilates boom in 1991 when she organized The Institute for the Pilates Method which introduced the first Pilates certification program; the first Pilates Matwork video, “Working out the Pilates Way”; the first Pilates encyclopedia, Reformer Exercises; the invention of the patented Mini Reformer, a collapsible home use machine and numerous other innovations including a new Chair now marketed as the Mve. The Institute’s courses deliver the most evolved professional training today. Their latest innovations are Standing Pilates, Circular Pilates, and a wearable resistance system called Tye4®. In addition, she is co-founder with Meredith Luce MS, RD, LN of Diet Directives, a weight loss program that is compatible with Pilates principles: less is more. Prior to 1991, Breibart spent 10 years in publishing and 20 years in the beauty/hair business. She has the edited and authored numerous books among them is Programmed Marketing (1971); Standing Pilates (2005); and Body Biz (2006). She is a graduate of Barnard College.