Our Instructors

Sagrario is the founder and owner of Sagrario Pilates Studio and was a professional dancer. Born in Mexico, she traveled to Romania where her dance journey began at Liceo de Arta in Bucharest. Upon her return to Mexico, she danced in the classical repertoire at the Compana Nacional de Danza in Mexico City and the contemporary repertoire with Taller Coreografico under the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico.

Sagrario’s journey in Pilates began in Mexico in the early 1980s while she was a member of the company. There, she trained in Contrology with director and choreographer of Taller Coreografico, Gloria Contreras, who was trained by Carola Trier, a protege of Joseph Pilates.

Sagrario continued her dance career in Canada, joining le Ballet de la Jeunesse in Montreal. She completed teacher-training certification at Canada’s National Ballet School in Toronto.

Sagrario opened her studio in Toronto in 1994. In 1998, Dianne introduced her to Ron Fletcher – one of the original eight proteges of Joseph Pilates. She remained a student of Ron until he passed away in 2011.

Sagrario continues her education with well known pilates and movement therapy figures such as Irene Dowd, Guy Voyer, Marika Molnar, Marie-Jose Blom, Jean-Claude West, and Deborah Lessen. Her most recent training is Yoga, Franklin method workshops, as well as Dance for Parkinson’s Disease.

Most recently, Sagrario has become certified in the Gyrotonic exercise method and is currently offering classes.

Sagrario keeps up her education and is always looking for new techniques to incorporate into Pilates to assist her clients. In her free time, Sagrario likes to dabble in photography, art, and also volunteers within the Toronto community such as for the Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games.

Markham is an International Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis instructor who has also completed The Gyrotonic Therapeutic Applications of Pelvic Lumbar, Scoliosis and Shoulder Girdle as well as the Gyrotonic Breathing and Scrubbing modules.

Markham has been working in the movement methodology industry for over 30 years worldwide. He has had the privilege of working with Alvin Ailey, and he can teach all relevant modern dance and movement techniques.

He has served as a temporary faculty member in the Finnish National Ballet School and the Finnish National Opera House through the Physiotherapy department. Markham also assisted in the physical training of a Northern-European Jr. League football organization during the 2012 Cup Competition in Barcelona.

Markham teaches a Gyrokinesis class on Thursday at 4 pm and an advanced Gyrokinesis class on Friday at 2 pm.

Cecilia started classical ballet as a child. Over the years, the injuries she sustained from dancing motivated her to explore effective physical rehabilitation techniques. Her search led her to the world of Pilates, Gyrotonic, and Yoga. Following the successful healing of her own injuries through these exercise methods, Cecilia was convinced that she wanted others to be able to experience, in their own capacity, the ability to transform themselves physically and mentally.

Hence, she started her training certification in New York and Hong Kong and has been teaching Pilates and Gyrotonic for over 15 years on Mat as well as all forms of apparatus available. To complement her practice of Pilates and Gyrotonic, Cecilia continues to advance her teachings to her clients by attaining additional certifications to improve their health and well-being like Cranio Sacral Therapy, Vipassana Meditation, Kundalini yoga, Meditation Science and Technology and Gong and Sound Healing.

Cecilia’s teaching mainly focuses on the principles applied to her clients to benefit them physically, psychologically, and emotionally. In addition to rehabilitating each person’s particular injuries, Cecilia’s primary goal is to ensure that all her clients can transform their physiques. It will start with improved posture and core stability, which, when coupled with increased muscular strength and flexibility, aids in effective rehabilitation and prevents injuries. At a more advanced level, one will be able to achieve enhanced breathing control and improved balance. It is Cecilia’s core belief that the ability to master the inner space of one’s self, beginning with the physical state, is the foundation to mental and spiritual enhancement and awakening – the pathway to proper health and true happiness.

Mary has finished a Diploma in Associate Physical Therapy degree. She is a certified Pilates Mat and Standing Pilates teacher with Physical Mind Institute. Mary got her certificate in Personal Training Specialist at CanFitPro and intensive Pilates Reformer Teacher at Body Harmonics. She worked as an account executive/Pilates Teacher at The BodyWorker Studio in the Philippines from 2003 to 2007.

Mary’s passion was always been to help people move in a way that eases their pain strengthens their body (to avoid future pain), enhances their ability to play certain sports or just move better in their daily life.

Mary is continuously enhancing her knowledge in Pilates by attending training and seminars that will enable her to perform her duties & responsibilities as a Pilates Instructor. Other training she has included Healing Body Massage, Lumbar assessment and treatment, Therapeutic massage in the practice of Physical Therapy, TRX, Exercise for ageing people, and nutrition management.

Marvin is a fully certified STOTT Pilates Instructor. He has been keeping people fit and healthy for two decades now and finds much pleasure and fulfillment in making life changing differences in people’s lives.

Back in 2008, he had the privilege of studying the Ron Fletcher Technique with Sagrario Castilla. From there, while performing as a professional dancer, he worked at some of the most prestigious Clubs and boutique studios in Toronto.

Marvin uses his vast knowledge and experience from his ongoing continuing education and experience in different modalities to provide his clients cutting edge, functional and physically charged movement classes. He has the innate ability to motivate people and get them stronger and fitter in record time. Most especially in our very hectic and highly stressful lives, Marvin makes sure that his hard workouts are balanced by also devoting much needed attention and time to stretch and recovery.

Marvin lives by this mantra: take the essential time to connect with your breath, quiet the mind and focus inwards, eat well, sleep well, love, laugh and play. Recognize your strengths and weaknesses and live by humility.

Thankful for his blessings in life, Marvin is fortunate to have been able to maintain a very loyal and dedicated clientele base for years and is happy to be joining the team at Sagrario Pilates.

David Surman is a dedicated practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture.
With years of experience in the field, he has helped countless individuals improve their health
and well-being. David’s approach to healing is holistic, taking into account the whole person –
mind, body, and spirit. Along with Acupuncture, David utilizes shiatsu, tuina, Thai massage,
herbal medicine, and acupressure in his treatments.

In addition to his practice, David is also a skilled instructor of Tai Chi and Qigong. These ancient
practices have been shown to improve balance, flexibility, and overall health. Through his
teachings, David empowers others to take control of their health and find balance in their lives.
David's expertise in Eastern medicine and holistic health integrates perfectly with Sagrario
Pilates studio, as his focus on mind-body wellness aligns with the studio's goal of promoting
physical and mental balance through Pilates and other complementary practices.

David’s passion for Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture is evident in everything he
does. He is committed to helping his patients achieve optimal health and well-being. Whether
you’re seeking treatment for a specific condition or simply looking to improve your overall
health, David Surman is here to help.