Qualifications: Certified in Pilates by On-Center Conditioning. White Belt and Blue Belt certified by NIA. Certified in aqua aerobics by AEA (Aquatic Exercise Association).

Personal History: My mother enrolled me in my first dance class when I was five years old - a combination tap dance and ballet course. I learned early in life that dance was beauty in motion and with it came poise, grace, and a healthy body. I continued to explore dance throughout my childhood and teenage years. When I enrolled at Southwestern Community College in Chula Vista, California, I became a fixture in the Dance Department. They taught me to truly listen to music and dance with my heart. Eventually, I transferred to the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. While in ballet and jazz dance classes in the Physical Education Building at USC, I often heard groups of girls across the hall thumping about to the energetic beat of dance music. I decided to drop in on one of those classes across the hall. To my surprise, it was difficult! It required a deal of endurance to sustain such a high-energy pace for an hour straight. I left the class feeling challenged to kick higher, reach farther, and yell louder than anyone else. My first experience teaching a 'real' exercise class at a gym was at La Jolla Personalized Workout where I was hired to teach a low-impact aerobic class for beginners. On the first day, I drove from Los Angeles to La Jolla and arrived just in time. I was so nervous listening to the class music and thinking about the choreography that I kept having to pull off the highway to use the bathroom and was nearly late! Since that initial teaching experience over a decade ago, I have continued to focus on creating a healthy, attentive, and safe environment for my students, providing conscientious and courteous instruction from which all age ranges, fitness levels, and body types can benefit. I am passionate about movement and exercise and I thrive on the euphoria it infuses into my mind, body, and spirit.

Workout Philosophy: I believe that exercise keeps us healthy, happy, and focused. Movement and exercise keeps our minds clear, centered, and focused on the present moment.

Success Story: In a letter from James Rowe: "Pilates first became a part of my life by way of a very enthusiastic article in Time Magazine. That led to me to sign up with the lovely and professional Lizbeth Garcia. I have enjoyed an extremely rewarding relationship with her for quite some years now. I started my Pilates program at age 58 with poor posture, the beginnings of a 'pooch,' lower back problems and lack of energy. Pilates has turned out to be the ideal fitness method for me. My abdomen is flat, my muscle tone excellent and my lower back is healthy. At age 62, I feel very fortunate to have discovered Pilates and my wonderful Pilates trainer."