Our Team
Vanessa Dominguez
Meet Vanessa, the owner of Tabula Rasa Pilates and sole instructor the first two years in operation:
“As a former classical dancer, Pilates was a natural fit as my body matured. In addition to Psychology and Education, I studied Anatomy and Dance at the University of California, Berkeley, and obtained my Masters in Counseling Psychology and Dance Movement Therapy from Antioch University, New England.
I obtained my initial Pilates Mat Certification in 2002 from Infinite Dynamics Pilates & Gyrotonic and pursued continued certifications from FRA/AFAA in 2005, 2007, 2009, and a comprehensive 450 hour Teacher Training Program with Pilates Collective San Luis Obispo in 2021 to become proficient on the Universal Reformer, Cadillac/Tower, Stability Chair and Spine Corrector/Barrel apparatus. I was also a Registered Dance Therapist and a member of the American Dance Therapy Association from 2005-2008. I provided private Pilates personal training and taught group Pilates classes for fifteen years on the East and West Coast, then took a brief hiatus to further my professional career as a counselor, educator, and University Administrator, pursue my PhD and have a baby.
My partner and I are both local to the California Central Coast, moved away for our professional careers, and were able to return home in 2020 after the birth of our daughter to be closer to family. We created a yurt in our backyard in 2021 - a dream we’ve always had and are taking the first steps back toward health and fitness by sharing our Yurt Pilates studio with our community.
My purpose when working with each new student is to meet their individual goals. No two people are the same…and the range of goals our students have vary from weight loss to flexibility, from balance to endurance, from completely alleviating back pain to de-stressing and finding a sense of peace. Whatever YOUR goal might be, we welcome the opportunity to listen to your unique story and help you take one step closer to a more fulfilled sense of fitness and well-being.
I look forward to the chance to meet you soon!”
~ Vanessa
Kay Garvin
Let’s meet Kay. She was born and raised in Northern Japan.
She studied Japanese literature at Tsurumi University in Tokyo. Upon graduation, Kay became certified through AFAA as a group exercise instructor and through NFPA as a personal trainer. She managed one of 60 facilities for NAS (Japan/Nippon Athletic Service), a national fitness chain.
When NAS sent Kay to Los Angeles for professional development, she fell in love instantly with the blue skies, nice weather, and seemingly endless opportunities! Los Angeles is where her journey in the USA began. Kay obtained her Pilates Certification from Retrofit School of Pilates in Santa Monica. She worked as an on-demand personal trainer and instructor at various gyms and studios in Los Angeles including Gold’s Gym Venice, Sports Club LA, Bay Club, Equinox, and even aired in infomercials. Then in 2022 she moved to Nipomo, Ca and began the second leg of her fitness journey.
“Ever since I was little I struggled with my weight. I have always had to discipline myself, work hard and stay active to maintain my good health. I take each day one at a time and stay positive. I know we all have different goals, but this was mine and this is what led me to the fitness industry and now as a Pilates instructor. I welcome the opportunity to learn what your goals are…can we achieve them together?”
Nancy Keith Kelly
I discovered Pilates in 1992 and became a certified instructor in 2006. I moved to the Central Coast from the Silicon Valley in late 2023, however my ongoing love for this area started years ago when I was a student at Cal Poly.
I’ve been teaching Pilates since 2006 while also managing a fulltime career in high tech marketing. My 30+ year career literally took me all over the world including opportunities to live/work in Hong Kong and Singapore. It was harder then to find studios and it’s exciting now to see Pilates has a global following.
When working with clients I love to discover their goals along with what challenges they want to overcome. Every person and every challenge can be different, yet what I appreciate with Pilates, is that nearly all challenges can be met with this form of exercise. I also am a sucker for 80’s/90’s playlists during sessions.
Valentina Figoli
Hi, my name is Valentina, I’m from Uruguay, South America. I have a bachelors degree in Tourism Management and have been working in the Hospitality industry for the past 12 years, mainly as an Operations Manager in different hotels.
My love for Pilates started 5 years ago and hasn't stopped since!
When I moved here I had the the amazing opportunity to study with Pilates Collective, SLO through their Teacher Training Program, and become an instructor. I’ve completed my coursework and am excited to teach what I've learnt and love!
My teaching style is to always try to focus on a good connection between body, mind, exercise and of of course, joy.
I look forward to the opportunity to work with you!
~Valentina