Sandra Kawahito
[Pilates Instructor]
Sandra Kawahito has always had a love of sports and exercise while growing up in a small town outside of Toronto, Canada. As a teenager she competed in many sports but focused on Soccer and Track & Field and believes that sports and being part of a team has assisted her in every aspect of her life.
Upon graduating University, Sandra worked in Executive Search in Toronto, Canada. After meeting her husband in a very serendipitous way, she moved to Los Angeles to be with him and start their family. They now have 4 young children and this is where her love of Pilates originated. During one of her pregnancies she sustained an injury and after the recommendation of a friend to see a Pre&Post Natal Physical Therapist she healed and became stronger in ways she didn’t think possible after having 4 pregnancies so close together. Being so inspired by the type of healing that Physical Therapy and Pilates provided, this prompted her to receive her training in Balanced Body Pilates and create Mamai Wellness.
Being with her children and Jim is where her heart is happiest. Traveling, karaoke, and time with girlfriends are some of her favorite things.
[Pilates Instructor]
Denise White
For the past 18 years Denise has been an established Los Angeles based Pilates Instructor. She honed her skills working under the top physical therapists within the South Bay, Los Angeles and West Hollywood. In 1999, she received her classical training and certification from Performing Arts Physical Therapy and The Pilates Studio of Los Angeles. There she focused on rehab based Pilates training and worked alongside physical therapist rehabbing the Hollywood elite to physical therapist discharges. She continues to teach in West Hollywood because of her commitment to her clients who have been there throughout her career. She expanded by working with top physical therapist Martina Fogt, at BeBe Physical Therapy in Santa Monica. As her senior Pilates instructor within BeBe’s pre-and post-natal wellness program. As a mother of 5-year-old she understands first-hand the power of Pilates in the pre-natal as a conditioning and strength training. “The results are phenomenal when expected mothers get to do Pilates during their pregnancy; it supports some many functioning muscles. Making delivery and recovery manage and faster”. At Bebe she focuses on keeping moms and moms-to-be healthy and physically able to handle the challenges of motherhood through Pilates conditioning training. She joins Mamai Wellness as a consulting Pilates Trainer to bring more insight to women’s wellness and Pilates related fitness. Recently, she went back to school to obtain her Master of Science degree in Healthcare Administration. Her goal is to continue to develop wellness programs that give empowerment to women and advocate their healthcare needs. Three things she is most proud of her family, her education and the launching of her non-profit Connect to Dots Legacy Foundation.
Mariko Edwards PT, MPT, OSC
[Physical Therapy]
Mariko Edwards received her Masters degree in Physical Therapy from Mount Saint Mary’s College in 2000. She is a board certified orthopedic clinical specialist, a certified Pilates instructor and a certified Kinesio taping practitioner. Her expertise in these various methods has contributed to her ability to provide successful patient outcomes for a variety of conditions. With knowledge, compassion, skill and a sense of humor, Mariko continues to guide her patients on the road to recovery.
Mariko participated in and enjoyed sports and athletics throughout her life, from team sports such as softball to individual training in Pilates. Since becoming certified in Pilates in 2005 she has utilized this method in not only rehabilitating her patients but also as a student herself. She believes Pilates is the perfect form of exercise for patients of all abilities and fitness levels. She particularly enjoys training and conditioning prenatal and postnatal women.
Mariko is a wife and a mother of two amazing daughters who contribute to her ability to teach with patience and understanding. Her hobbies include supporting her favorite teams, the Lakers, Dodgers and Chargers and nurturing her knowledge of all things pop culture.
[Acupuncturist]
Jennifer Haroun, LAc
Jennifer Haroun is a board certified and licensed acupuncturist in the state of California. She earned her Masters of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine from Yo San University where she graduated at the top of her class with the highest honors. While at Yo San, Jennifer completed a specialization in Women’s Health. She has experience treating patients suffering from countless conditions ranging from acute and chronic pain, stress, anxiety, insomnia, digestive conditions, menstrual irregularities, pregnancy support, infertility, and menopause. In addition to her work at the Yo San Community Clinic, she has also worked at the Venice Family Clinic under Dr. Djamal Kord treating patients suffering from acute and chronic pain as well as at Wise and Healthy Aging under Dr. Veronica Rogers treating seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s and osteoarthritis. Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine are her life’s passion and she has successfully achieved results for her patients, many of whom have turned to Eastern Medicine after not being able to find answers or relief from Western Medicine. She enjoys taking her time with her patients to examine the root cause of their ailments and address the whole body as opposed to just the symptoms. She strives for an excellent bedside manner, building a relationship with her patients that is based on respect and trust, and achieving healing results for her patients.
Jennifer is a Los Angeles native. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Loyola Marymount University in Westchester, California where she currently lives with her husband and 2 children. When she is not treating patients, she loves spending time with her family, cooking, music, travel, walks on the beach, and watching movies
Contact Us
T. 310.591.9330