Erica

After playing volleyball from seventh grade through college, Sweat Well Studio owner and lead instructor Erica Obando discovered Pilates in 2010 and quickly fell in love. While pregnant with her first child, she decided to pursue instructor training in 2011. Erica trained with local Pilates guru Chris Tam, who studied under Sebastien Lagree, and went on to teach at Chris's first Alameda studio until its closure. In 2023, she expanded her expertise by earning a barre certification through Barre Body and a yoga certification through Breathe for Change. Since 2011, Erica has taught small-group reformer and springboard classes at boutique studios, as well as private and duet sessions. Most recently, she has been offering a unique blend of barre, Pilates, strength, and yoga at her home studio, Freedom Barre + Wellness, in El Sobrante, both online and in person. Erica is excited to branch out with a brick and mortar studio and looks forward to connecting with community members and bringing Pilates, barre, and low impact strength training to El Sobrante.

Alex

With five years of experience performing in a San Francisco–based dance company and minor training in the Dunham Technique, Alex brings a strong foundation of core strength, stability, and balance to her practice. Eager to find a fitness modality that mirrored these fundamentals, she discovered Pilates, where body sculpting, posture alignment, and the powerful connection between mind and body come together. Alex has trained through internationally recognized Barre Body for her mat Pilates certification.

Evee

Coming soon

Sue

Sue is a certified classical Mat Pilates and SRT instructor. Her classes are high-energy, with fun playlists and plenty of laughs. She has an eclectic taste in music, featuring everything from ’80s rock and ’90s R&B to early 2000s pop and Afrobeat. Outside the studio, Sue enjoys curling up with a good book or taking walks around her neighborhood.

Hannah

Hannah is a Pilates Instructor and Therapist specializing in body awareness, breath work, and the mind–body connection as pathways to healing. Her work is rooted in creating safe, accessible spaces where individuals - particularly those from marginalized communities - feel empowered to slow down, attune to themselves, and explore what their bodies are capable of. She believes that consistent practices of embodiment and self-trust enable individuals to advocate for themselves more confidently and take up space, especially in environments not designed with them in mind. Hannah’s approach to movement is grounded, mindful, and intentional. Each session balances purposeful challenge with affirmation, alongside moments of softness, reflection, and self-love. For her, movement is not about pushing through; it is about listening, responding, and honoring the body’s messages. As a multiracial Japanese and Mexican-American woman, Hannah spent over 30 years learning that her body was never betraying her - it was always protecting her. Through slowing down and cultivating self-trust, she became aware of long-held misalignments, pain patterns, and areas calling for growth. This deeply healing process inspired her to teach, supporting others on their own journeys of reconnection and self-discovery.

Megan

Megan started her fitness journey at 11, working out to fitness television icons like Denise Austin and Gilda Janklowicz on TV during her summer break from school and renting workout VHS tapes to do on weekends. After 20 years of teaching fitness and 14 of Pilates she’s just as enthusiastic. Focusing on how the body moves and curious in how each individual muscle informs the whole, Megan’s approach is about assisting with each clients understanding of what they’re body is capable of and finding more joy in their movements. Our bodies should be a joy to inhabit and fitness should be a fun and interesting celebration of our bodies unique expression and experience!

Wendy

Wendy is thoughtful, insightful, constructive, nurturing and analytical instructor who develops a personal connection with each individual student. Wendy tailors a personal and individual program which enables every student to "Find Their Own Beat" and succeeded in this high intensity exercise program. She enables her students to become healthy which in return impacts their mental health success!