BÉATRICE LAURENT
Founder and Director of Studio Béatrice Laurent, established over 10 years ago, and Founder and Director of STUDIO VILLIERS PILATES.
Professional classical dancer with the Cannes Jeune Ballet and the Matthew Hawkins Company, and holder of the French State Diploma in Classical Dance Teaching since 1999.
Professional Certifications
2006 Peak Pilates
2010. Polestar Studio Rehabilitation
2011 Gyrokinesis
2012 Gyrotonic
A professional classical dancer with Cannes Jeune Ballet (1999-2001) and later with the Matthew Hawkins company (2001-2006), Béatrice quickly developed a specialism in the study of the body in motion. She earned her State diploma as a classical dance teacher in 1999. In 2006, she obtained her Pilates certification with Kelly Moriarty at Balanced Body University; in 2010, a certification from Polestar Studio Rehabilitation; in 2011, in Gyrokinesis; and in 2012, in the Gyrotonic system.
She practises these disciplines regularly, along with Iyengar yoga, and continues to train regularly by attending workshops around the world.
These disciplines come together in a holistic approach focused on developing body awareness and control. Passionate about anatomy and movement science, Béatrice enjoys breaking down and analyzing movement patterns. She provides long-term guidance to her clients through tailored exercises designed to meet each individual’s needs. Drawing on years of experience as both a dancer and instructor across multiple disciplines, she is able to select the techniques best suited to your body and personal goals.
Her objective is to help clients develop greater body control and stability. A stable, strong body fosters a stable, strong mind. As a former professional dancer, she considers these qualities essential to overall well-being.
She helps you build strength, flexibility, grace, balance, and a lasting sense of well-being.
Béatrice is a founding member of the Fédération des Praticiens de la Méthode Pilates (FPMP) (2011). The FPMP played a key role in obtaining official recognition of Pilates qualifications by the French Ministry of Sports in 2012 and continues to advocate for the creation of a state-recognized certification to uphold high standards in Pilates education.
Sergi
Amoros-Aparicio
Professional dancer, Pilates instructor, and founder and director of STUDIO VILLIERS PILATES.
Sergi Amoros-Aparicio was born in Barcelona and began classical dance at the age of eight. He studied classical and contemporary dance at the Real Conservatorio de Danza in Madrid and at the English National Ballet School in London.
He pursued his career as a professional dancer with several dance companies in Spain and later in France from 2008. He then joined the Centre Chorégraphique National (CCN) of Aix-en-Provence, directed by the renowned choreographer Angelin Preljocaj.
With the company, he performed in some of the world's finest theatres and opera houses, including the Bolshoi in Moscow and the Brooklyn Academy of Music
Sergi Amoros-Aparicio was born in Barcelona and began studying classical ballet at the age of eight. He trained in both classical and contemporary dance at the Royal Conservatory of Dance in Madrid and at the English National Ballet School in London. He pursued a professional dance career with several companies in Spain before moving to France in 2008.
He then joined the National Choreographic Centre (CCN) of Aix-en-Provence under the direction of renowned choreographer Angelin Preljocaj. With the company, he performed on some of the world's most prestigious stages, including the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) in New York, the Palais Garnier in Paris, the Sydney Opera House, and many others.
In 2017, he was awarded the French State Diploma in Dance Teaching by the Centre National de la Danse in Paris.
Following several serious dance-related injuries, Sergi turned to the Pilates method as part of his rehabilitation. Over time, Pilates became an obvious path for his professional transition.
He initially trained in Classical Romana Pilates before earning his Balanced Body® Instructor Certification at Studio Alyne in Paris. He furthered his classical Pilates education with The Pilates Center in Las Vegas under the guidance of Elena Bartley and continues to deepen his practice through the mentorship of Carolina Sendic, whose teaching continues to shape his development and approach today. He is a member of the Fédération des Professionnels de la Méthode Pilates.
In his Pilates classes, Sergi focuses on postural rehabilitation and strength conditioning. Combining precision, care, and a positive spirit, he helps clients develop greater body awareness, build strength, and move with confidence and ease.
Grazia CAPRI
Italian-born, Grazia comes from a dance background. After earning a degree in Theatre and Dance History from the University of Bologna, she moved to Paris in 2006 to pursue her artistic career as a choreographer.
Grazia has developed a thoughtful and disciplined approach to body organization and its internal rhythms. In Paris, she also earned a postgraduate diploma in Benesh Movement Notation from the Paris Conservatoire (CNSMDP), a system used to analyze and record human movement and dance.
In 2014, recognized for her exceptional artistic abilities, Grazia moved to New York, where she lived and worked for ten years.
In 2015, she completed her yoga teacher training with YogaWorks, a program accredited by Yoga Alliance. This experience deepened her relationship with movement and led her to develop a somatic approach in which alignment becomes a process of listening and movement becomes intentional. It was in New York that she discovered the Pilates method, whose structured, demanding, elegant, and intelligent approach to the body immediately resonated with her.
In 2024, Grazia returned to Italy to train in Classical Pilates with Lesley Bell, following Gloria Gasperi’s E-Motion method. In September 2025, she moved back to Paris with the desire to bring the knowledge and experience she had gained in New York to her work in France.
Grazia’s teaching is grounded in a deep understanding of the moving body and nurtured by a conscious, dynamic relationship with movement. Her approach encourages clients to develop greater awareness, precision, and confidence in their practice.
CARLOS FERREIRA DA SILVA
A former professional dancer with a passion for dance and sport, Carlos offers training tailored to each individual: muscle and joint strengthening, posture improvement, and enhanced efficiency of functional body movements. He is attentive, passionate, demanding, and precise.
Originally from Brazil, he began dancing at the age of twelve, then pursued a career in sports teaching. In 1997, he joined the Experimental Dance School in his hometown of Recife, directed by Monica Lira and Eduardo Freire. Simultaneously, he studied physical education, classical and contemporary dance at the University of Pernambuco (UPE). After an internship with the Ballet de Cidade de Londrina and a collaboration with the French choreographer Marianne Isson, he left his studies to become a sports teacher in 2000 to continue his career as a performer.
Having lived in France since 2001, he works with choreographers: Nathalie
Gatineau, Philippe Jamet, Myriam Dooge, Katerine Cadol, Gilles Schamber, Faizal
Zeghoudi and Osman Khelili. He also participated in the documentary Desire and Sexuality directed by Nils Tavernier and choreographed by Yann Bridard. He joined
A few years later, he danced with the Régis Obadia company, then Hervé Koubi's company, and finally the Ballet Preljocaj, from 2009 to 2016. Carlos holds the DE (State Diploma for Dance Teachers), specializing in Contemporary Dance (National Center for Dance).
Danse-CND-Paris), a Bachelor of Arts - specializing in dance from the University of Paris 8 and a CQP-ALS as a sports educator.
In 2013, he was trained in the Classical Pilates method "THE ORIGINAL PILATES®"
at Studio Danse Pilates under the direction of Mikaël Pulcini (himself trained by
ROMANA KRYZANOWSKA). Also trained in Yoga (Ashtanga and Vinyasa)
with Renan de Germain (STUDIO OSMOSE) and the GDS method - the
Muscle and joint chains with PHILIPPE CAMPIGNION. He continues to
deepen your understanding of the Pilates method, particularly through Mentorship (Contrology)
CAROLINA SENDIC and also with Javier Velazquez and José Antonio Ruiz Carreton, both trained by Romana Kryzanowska. In 2025, he was certified in the Corporis Fabrica method – Movement Expert – focusing on movement optimization and pathology prevention, with physiotherapist Santiago Dell Valle.
"I enjoy guiding my students/clients in discovering their potential. Each encounter is a new challenge for me, pushing me to open new doors of exploration."
MAYA VIGNANDO
Having practised classical dance and gymnastics in her youth, Maya went on to train in both theatre and dance.
In her first career, Maya worked as both a dancer — notably with Claude Brumachon from 1996 to 1998, Emmanuelle Vo Dinh from 2000 to 2005, and Abou Lagraa from 2015 to 2018 — and as an actress, including with Joël Pommerat on several productions between 2005 and 2020, with Benoit Lambert from 2002 to 2010, and with Yan Allégret since 1998.
During her many international tours, Maya discovered and regularly practiced the Pilates method. Fascinated by the mechanics of the human body, she decided to pursue professional training in 2018 at Studio A-Lyne in Paris under the guidance of Martine Curtis Oakes, Kelly Moriarty, and Greg Montean.
After completing more than 900 hours of training, including advanced certification in Reformer Pilates as well as pre- and postnatal Pilates, she became an internationally certified Pilates instructor through the Pilates Method Alliance. She further expanded her expertise by earning a Classical Pilates certification on all apparatus under the mentorship of Carolina Sendic.
In Maya’s teaching, breath is at the heart of the practice, helping to activate the deep stabilizing muscles and create fluid, efficient movement. She places particular emphasis on opposition and balance within movement patterns, encouraging greater body awareness while adapting each session to the individual needs of her clients.
Combining mobility, strength, and mindful engagement, Maya works with clients of all levels, from complete beginners to advanced athletes. Her warmth, enthusiasm, and attention to detail make her classes both enjoyable and highly effective.
CHARLES BELAICH
Passionate about sport since childhood, Charles competed in hockey from 2015 to 2023.
Actively involved in the community life of the Paris Hockey Club, he has always been drawn to connection and human relationships.
Charles discovered Pilates while recovering from recurring injuries. It was a revelation: postural work, deep strengthening, mindful breathing, and a new relationship with movement.
Following his career as an athlete, Charles became convinced of the effectiveness of the Pilates method and chose to pursue professional training in order to teach it with both precision and care.
He earned his Mat Pilates certification at Studio A-Lyne in Paris in 2021 and has continued his professional development since 2022 under the mentorship of Carolina Sendic, training on the full range of Pilates apparatus, including the Reformer, Cadillac, Wunda Chair, and Barrel.
Charles regularly participates in workshops, specialized training courses, and mentorship programs—most recently with Javier Velásquez—to further deepen his knowledge and mastery of the Pilates method.
His teaching is grounded in the fundamental principles of Pilates: centering, control, flow, breathing, precision, and concentration. He places particular emphasis on body awareness, alignment, symmetry, and respect for natural movement. Each session is guided by a personalized approach that encourages mindful movement and safe, progressive development.
Charles also studies Pilates archives and historical sources, exploring Joseph Pilates’ original exercises and their evolution over time. This ongoing research allows him to honor the foundations of the method while integrating contemporary understanding and best practices.
Having lived in Australia for a year, Charles is fully bilingual in English and French. He also holds a Professional Qualification Certificate (CQP ALS AGEE) and a professional license as a sports instructor.
CAROLE LAGASSE
Passionate about movement and the stage since childhood, Carole studied dance at the Rosella Hightower National School. After obtaining her baccalaureate in dance and music, she moved to Paris.
She dances in cabarets, appears on television, and participates in events such as the Eiffel Tower's centenary, the Tour de France parade, and numerous tours around the world. She also acts in theatre and works as a stage manager for a theatre company.
Following an injury, Carole discovered the Pilates method and decided to pursue this exploration. She obtained her Balance Body diploma at the Alyne studio in Paris in 2010, and then in 2016 her
Pilates Center of Las Vegas certification as well as Professional Qualification Certification.
Carole transmits her know-how with an approach that is precise, caring and attentive to the progress of each individual, respecting the body and safety.
Carole is a member of the Federation of Pilates Method Professionals.
MARINA BALDERACCHI
"Based on my experience and training, I design my sessions in progressive, varied, personalized stages, focusing on muscle strengthening, flexibility, movement and letting go."
With a background in dance, Marina earned her French State Diploma in Dance Teaching in 1993. She went on to teach dance for ten years in conservatories and various dance schools.
Experiencing recurring physical discomfort and injuries, Marina began searching for a gentler, more body-aware approach to movement. She discovered Pilates and, in 2010, obtained her Balanced Body University Pilates certification at Studio A-Lyne in Paris.
Committed to continually expanding her expertise, she completed The Bridge Program in 2014, an advanced Classical Pilates training course offered by The Pilates Center. As her experience grew, Marina became increasingly interested in approaches that encourage deeper body awareness through relaxation and mindful listening. This led her to pursue training in sophrology, earning her certification from the Paris Academy of Sophrology in 2019.
“The body is like a finely tuned clockwork mechanism—subtle, yet extraordinary. It becomes our greatest ally when we learn to feel and respect its rhythm. My goal is to help each person unlock their physical potential while honoring the unique rhythm of their own body.”
Marina’s teaching combines precision, attentiveness, and a deep respect for the individual. She encourages her clients to move with greater awareness, confidence, and ease, creating a practice that supports both physical well-being and lasting balance.
Paola Calliari
A former professional contemporary dancer, Paola is a certified vintage classical Pilates instructor, trained at Gloria Degasperi's E-Motions Pilates school.
She also holds the CQP ALS AGEE qualification, is a Kalon Barre instructor, and is certified in Gyrotonic® and Gyrokinesis®. With experience teaching students from 10 to 90 years old since 2015, she offers instruction that is precise, caring, and deeply human. Her approach emphasizes the fluidity and organic nature of movement, helping each individual to ground themselves, reconnect with their body, and fully experience the present moment. Enriched by extensive training in breathwork and energy work, her practice views movement as a means to develop strength, flexibility, mobility, body awareness, and balance. For Paola, Pilates is much more than a strengthening method: it is a path to freedom of movement, self-expression, and well-being.
OUR STORY
Ten years ago, in 2016, Béatrice founded Studio Béatrice Laurent in the Place des Ternes district of Paris, where Sergi has been teaching since 2018.
Sharing a deep passion for the Pilates method and a common vision of its practice, they decided to join forces and establish STUDIO VILLIERS PILATES. Dedicated to small-group classes, the studio complements the personalized approach offered at the Ternes studio, providing clients with an intimate and supportive environment in which to develop their practice.