Michelle Slauson
Pilates Instructor & Physical Therapy Aide
Michelle has been practicing and teaching private Pilates sessions at Core Performance since 2016 and is Balance Body Certified in the classical Pilates method. She received her training from UCI Pilates and Dance Professor, Diane Diefenderfer, founder of Studio Du Corps in Costa Mesa. Michelle was born in Yokohama, Japan and lived in New Jersey until she was 5, before moving to Orange County. She has danced ballet for over 20 years with training from Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy in Laguna Hills and University of California Irvine. She was also a member of the Orange County Ballet Theater and has done multiple performances at the Segerstrom Concert Hall. She graduated from University of California, Irvine in 2015 with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and a minor in Biological Sciences.
Having a history of three ACL knee reconstructive surgeries, rotator cuff injuries and multiple ankle sprains, Michelle has developed a true passion for the physical therapy practice. Achieving nearly full recovery after each surgery, she realized how significant and miraculous the physical therapy practice is.
Her love for Pilates became rooted as she witnessed the positive impact it has made in rehabilitation, injury prevention and overall core and body strength. Michelle designs each Pilates workout with strengthening exercises specifically tailored to the individual’s weaknesses and anatomy. In order for individuals to achieve an overall body balance, she teaches them to focus on connecting mind, body, core strength, fluidity and flexibility.
Currently, she is working towards going to graduate school to obtain a Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree. In her free time she likes to play with her dog named Nori, go on bike rides to the beach and take dance classes.