Learn about our highly trained instructors at Evolve Rehabilitation & Pilates—their backgrounds, education and experiences in rehabilitation, teaching, sports and dance. Some were drawn to Pilates in order to relieve pain from injuries or recover from surgery. They are all devoted to helping their students become the most efficient movers they can be.
Owner and director Anthony Waters completed his Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology in 1988 from UCLA and continued his education at the University of Southern California, achieving a Masters in Physical Therapy in 1992. He has been a practicing physical therapist in the South Bay for 30 years.
In 2001, Anthony began exploring exercise regimes that could augment rehabilitation of his patients. He wanted an exercise routine that could continue progressing their rehab effectively and would be safe. After researching different treatment exercise regimes, he concluded that Pilates was the best at encompassing alignment and efficiency, and incorporating proper sequencing of movement. He studied under Sarah Lampro Bertelli in 2002 and finished the Comprehension Pilates Certification from Body Arts and Science International with Rael Isacowitz in 2004.
Anthony opened the doors of Evolve Rehabilitation and Pilates on January 16, 2006.
Anthony has been an Adjunct Professor in exercise Pilates for Mount Saint Mary's Physical Therapy department since 2005. He completed a Movement Science Physical Therapy specialization through Prague School of Medicine and Dr. Kolar and the teachings of the late Dr. Vladimir Janda. In addition, he has been an Assistant Professor for Movement Science Continuing Education courses through Movement Links and Azusa Pacific University since 2016.
Anthony has been an Adjunct Professor in exercise Pilates for Mount Saint Mary's Physical Therapy department since 2005. He completed a Movement Science Physical Therapy specialization through Prague School of Medicine and Dr. Kolar and the teachings of the late Dr. Vladimir Janda. In addition, he has been an Assistant Professor for Movement Science Continuing Education courses through Movement Links and Azusa Pacific University since 2016.
Anthony's passion for proper biomechanics and movement patterns is complemented by the precision, alignment, and efficiency built into the Pilates regime. Anthony has adapted these pilates principles into three paramount principles: "Pilates aligns your body, increases movement efficiency, and teaches you to handle your own body weight."
Anthony and wife Debbie have been married since 2008 and are the blessed parents of twins Alyssa and Hailey, born in August of 2010.
Christy Cavuto
Christy Cavuto is a South Bay native who has been teaching the art of Pilates since 2013. At the age of 4, she already loved movement, and began studying dance; she attended Orange County School of the Arts under the Commercial Dance program from seventh to twelfth grade. She received her Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology at Biola University in 2012.
After graduation, she began working as a physical therapy aide at Women's Advantage Men's Optimal Health Physical Therapy. It was during her three years there that she fell in love with Pilates, the perfect union of science, movement, and helping people. She became BASI certified in 2018 and has been teaching at Evolve ever since. Her desire is for all her clients to gain the knowledge and strength in the studio that they can take with them to apply to their daily lives.
When she's not teaching, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three kids, going to amusement parks and museums, and eating great food.
Helena Ashby
Helena Ashby has been involved in the practice and teaching of Pilates since 2000. After retiring from a thirty-six-year career in public service, she sought to relieve chronic back pain with the practice of Pilates. The strength and flexibility gained by working out with Pilates completely eliminated her pain and greatly improved her quality of life.
Helena was certified in Pilates at Long Beach Dance Conditioning by Marie-José Blom. She was certified in Gyrotonic by Julio Horvath in Rome, Italy after studying with Lisa Marie Rice and Alicia Head.
Loryanna Catalano‑Eklund
Loryanna Catalano‑Eklund was a professional ballet dancer for 18 years. She has been featured in commercials, television and films.
Loryanna became a certified Pilates instructor under Marie José-Blom at Long Beach Dance Conditioning in 1999. She has taught dance and injury prevention, and incorporates anatomy, kinesiology and biomechanics with the principles of Joseph Pilates.
She believes that the incorporation of abdominal stability, back musculature, and movement patterns optimize strength, flexibility, coordination and postural awareness.
Johanna Vanderbeek
I first learned about Pilates in 2001 in a modern dance class at Santa Rosa Junior College. The class began with half an hour of mat exercises, and when we moved into the hour of modern dance, I immediately felt the results of the Pilates work. I also felt the new connections while swimming and running. I knew then that I would be doing Pilates for the rest of my life.
I studied with Marie-José Blom at Advances for Pilates Technique and in 2002, I received my certificate in Pilates. I have incorporated Pilates into my daily life.
While regularly taking and teaching Pilates, modern dance, and ballet classes, I obtained a Bachelor's of Arts in Human Development from CSULB in 2005. I also became certified in the GYROTONIC expansion system in 2006 with Donna Place, then adding a certificate for the GYROTONER in 2008. I enjoy continuing to educate myself.
I am so grateful for all my many mentors and colleagues throughout the years who have taught me how to connect deeper into my own body, and have given me many different teaching techniques that I'm excited about sharing with you!
My goal is to help you, no matter what life stage you are in, to find strength at your furthest range of motion and help empower you by knowing your body so well that movement becomes efficient, effortless, and energizing.
I’m thrilled to be a part of this amazing teaching team at Evolve!
Debbie Waters
Debbie Waters has always been interested in fitness: she majored in kinesiology in college and has been involved in a variety of sports — notably volleyball, basketball, track and field, including the heptathlon.
Debbie became interested in Pilates as a way to relieve her pain from various injuries. In 2008, she herniated her cervical spine and was advised to have surgery immediately. Instead, she decided to try Pilates and physical rehabilitation first. Her condition improved so much that she has never had to have that surgery.
In 2013, she participated in the BASI Pilates training program. Debbie loves to teach, and enjoys working with clients at Evolve to improve their strength, balance and general physical health.
She is also experienced in managing payroll and billing, and has administered finances for the Evolve studio since 2006.
Debbie is the mother of twins.
Brenda Maricle
Brenda Maricle Brenda was suffering from back and neck injuries, and none of the treatments she tried were helping. In the early 2000s, a friend of hers referred her to Anthony Waters and the Evolve studio. She started taking regular private lessons from Anthony. Healing turned out to be a slow process, but Brenda persevered and was able to dial down her pain significantly. She has been taking Pilates classes ever since.
In about 2016, Tony needed a part-time administrator and hired Brenda. She is responsible for many of the tasks involving clients, including scheduling, making and taking phone calls and talking to prospective clients.
When she isn’t at Evolve, Brenda enjoys hiking with her dogs, travelling, horseback riding and spending time with her family. She is married and has two adult children.
