ABOUT US
Alexa Kanj, Owner/Certified Instructor
Hello and welcome! I have been pursuing the journey of health and wellness since 2013. Starting my career with aesthetics, I obtained my esthetician license through the Aveda Institute of Las Vegas. Specializing in eyelash extensions, it was through beauty that I realized helping others feel their best was what I wanted to pursue. I continued my education through the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to earn my B.A in Kinesiology with a minor in Pilates, earning my comprehensive certification in Mat, Chair, Cadillac, Ladder Barrel and Reformer Pilates in 2018. It was through the practice of Pilates that I found the magic of aligning the mind-to-body connection and carrying those fundamentals through everyday life, thus creating Align Pilates and Wellness. I furthered my education by receiving my 200-hour Core Power Yoga TT certification in 2019 and 25-hour Sound Healing certification in 2021. I am a passionate, caring, and thorough instructor that is dedicated to helping my students become the best versions of themselves, and feel the amazing benefits of Pilates that I fell in love with myself. I continue to deepen and evolve my education as a teacher by attending workshops and learning from Master Pilates, Yoga and Energy Practitioners.
Joy Napolitano Certified Instructor
Joy Napolitano is fully committed to fitness, nutrition and bringing “joy” to everyone in her class.
Growing up in Southern California, she started dancing as a very young girl. She took that love of dance to college, where at Loyola Marymount University, she was a business major with a dance minor. After college, she moved to Northern California with her husband, Anthony, where she continued dancing in local studios. After the birth of her two children, they moved to San Diego in 2004. After moving back to the city she was born in, she found her passion to teach. She began by becoming a certified Jazzercise instructor in 2006. She opened her own Jazzercise franchise in Carmel Valley in 2008. While in college, Joy studied and practiced Pilates. It was one of her required courses as a Dance Minor. Pilates and dance go hand in hand and while learning about the origins of Pilates, she always knew she wanted to become a teacher someday. Well, in 2014, she fulfilled her dream and became a certified Pilates instructor. For Joy, Pilates is more than just fitness, it is about being in touch with the mind and the body. She loves to see her students pushing themselves to new limits and the joy on their faces when
they achieve their goals.
Charli Simon, Certified Lash Tech and Pilates Instructor
Hi! My name is Charli, I'm thrilled to share a bit about my journey with you. I was born and raised in Ramona, and I truly appreciate the small town charm and sense of community here. As a certified lash technician, I've dedicated myself to not only enhance natural beauty but to build connections with the community. My passion for beauty from such a young age has motivated me to pursue a career in the industry and continue to enhance my skills. In addition to my work as a lash tech, I'm currently in training to become a Pilates instructor here at Align. This new venture allows me to combine my love for fitness and wellness with my commitment to helping others achieve their personal best. Pilates has been transformative in my own life, allowing me to feel the best about myself, I'm excited to guide others to success right here in my home town!
Michelle Maynard, Pilates Instructor
As a child gymnast, Michelle always loved fitness. Growing up, she developed a love for strength and started bodybuilding and strength training at 19 years old. While in college, she dove into the world of yoga at 20 at the Baron Baptiste Power Yoga Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Upon returning to SoCal, she became certified to teach yoga through the Pacifica West Institute of Yoga and Tai Chi – Mission Viejo, California. Michelle started teaching yoga professionally throughout different gyms in North County San Diego where she was introduced to Pilates, and eventually became certified to teach Pilates through the YMCA.
She has been teaching for several years at different gyms, schools and organizations. In addition, she taught East Indian Bhungra dance class and Middle Eastern dance. As a vegan natural bodybuilder, she has competed in several different natural shows for both Muscle Mania and World Fitness Alliance winning several awards including first place figure masters at her last competition. She recently started boxing at Neverez Boxing in Oceanside and continues to compete in bodybuilding and hopes to have the opportunity to compete in masters boxing at some point, and hopes to eventually earn her procard in bodybuilding. Michelle loves the influence of Pilates and is excited to learn as much as she can so that she can be the best instructor she can be for Align Pilates & Wellness.
Imen Rorholm, Pilates Instructor
Imen Rorholm’s passion for health and wellness began early, jogging alongside her Marine father and discovering a love for movement through dance and weight training in her teens. As a young adult, she became a regular at gym and group fitness classes, where her dedication led to an invitation to instructor training at 24 Hour Fitness. During her career there, she taught a variety of classes, earned accolades like Rookie of the Year and Instructor of the Year, and was selected for the Nike Rockstar Fitness Dance program. These experiences shaped her deep commitment to teaching proper movement and form, empowering others to achieve their fitness goals safely and effectively.
In late 2020, an accident with her rescue horse resulted in the loss of half her thumb, a challenging event that required relearning and retraining her body. Following the injury, severe vertigo—likely caused by the anesthesia and medications—persisted for seven months, making traditional gym classes unsuitable for her recovery. Pilates became her sanctuary, offering a gentle yet transformative practice that helped her regain balance, improve movement, and reconnect with her body. Over four years of dedicated practice, she embraced the importance of mindful movement, the connection between the mind and body, and techniques such as proper breathing. Having practiced Pilates for years, pursuing certification in 2024 under the mentorship of Alexa felt like a natural next step. She is passionate about promoting overall wellness, helping clients of all ages build strength, flexibility, and resilience.
Beyond Pilates, Imen embraces a holistic approach to wellness. She has a passion for cooking and baking from scratch, embodying her belief in "food as medicine." While currently on hold, she is determined to complete her certification as a holistic health practitioner. Her family—Allyse, 25, a federal officer; Brayden, 17, a varsity baseball player; Coralyne, 15, an avid equestrian; and Dakota, 11, a competitive dancer—have been her foundation, inspiring her through life’s challenges and successes. Whether in the studio, kitchen, or homestead, she inspires others to embrace their best selves with purpose and joy
Sara Gilliand, Certified Yoga and Pilates Instructor
My journey with moving my body mindfully began in 2012. I had just given birth to my third baby and needed to do something physical. I walked into a yoga studio one day and I was hooked. I took class as much as I could. I loved it so much that I began yoga teacher training in 2015. I became certified in Hot Yoga in 2016 and a RYT500 Yoga Instructor in 2018. I taught various types of Hot Yoga for three years and when Covid hit I stopped teaching. I wanted to try something different from yoga and decided to take a Pilates class. I was hooked! I found Pilates to be a great way to strengthen and lengthen the muscles in a way that supports whole body alignment. Alexa is such an amazing Pilates Instructor and mentor, it was an easy choice to transition into teaching Pilates. My hope is to help each student move mindfully and with intention in every class that I teach whether it’s Pilates or Yoga. I am forever a student and I look forward to learning and growing with you all by my side. See you in class!