Iva Gotzev is a multifaceted entrepreneur based in Washington, D.C., with roots from Bulgaria, known for her dynamic contributions to the city’s wellness and event spaces. As the owner of Toolbox Pilates Art Studio since 2012, Iva has seamlessly blended her passions by establishing a unique venue that operates as a Pilates and yoga studio by day and transforms into an event space by night. This innovative concept reflects her commitment to fostering both physical well-being and artistic expression within the community.
In addition to Toolbox, Iva co-owns Zeleno, a venture she developed in collaboration with her husband, Alex Gotzev. Iva’s dedication to Pilates is evident not only through her ownership of Toolbox Pilates Art Studio but also in her active role as an instructor. Her expertise and passion for promoting health and wellness have made her a respected figure among her clients and peers. Beyond her professional endeavors, Iva cherishes her family and friends. Her personal and professional lives intertwine, creating a harmonious balance that fuels her continuous drive to enrich the cultural and wellness landscapes of Washington, D.C.
DC native Annika Puth is a Pilates teacher and the Studio Manager at Toolbox Pilates. She holds a BA in Computer Science with a Mathematics concentration from Occidental College in Los Angeles. A passionate advocate for health and community, Annika brings a unique blend of precision, creativity, and efficiency to both her teaching and studio leadership.
Annika approaches Pilates as functional fitness, and, in every class, helps her students build core strength, improve spinal mobility, and enhance overall well-being. Her focus on form and breath keeps students present in their bodies, encouraging mindfulness and confidence in movement. She fosters a space where self-care is a priority, and students leave feeling stronger, empowered, and more connected to their bodies.
As Studio Manager, Annika ensures that day-to-day operations run smoothly, fostering a welcoming and well-organized atmosphere for both clients and staff. Her ability to combine technical expertise with a love for movement makes her an essential part of the Toolbox team, where she is committed to cultivating an inclusive space for health and wellness.
Alexandra Ambrico, a Long Island native, relocated to Washington, DC in 2020. She holds a BA in Biology from Indiana University and an MS in Science Communication from Stony Brook University. While her academic roots are grounded in science, Alexandra’s passion for women’s health and wellness, combined with her love for dance and exercise, led her to pursue Pilates teacher training at Toolbox Pilates and Art Studio — where she had been a dedicated student since her arrival in DC. Renowned for her dynamic yet low-impact routines, Alexandra challenges students of all skill levels, ensuring they feel the burn by the end of every session. Her unique classes are designed with quick transitions and high-repetition movements that deliver serious results. She loves making people feel welcome, whether they’ve just arrived in the city or have been here for years, ensuring everyone feels like part of this amazing community.
In 2025, Alexandra transitioned to teaching Pilates full-time. She also founded Call the Coven, a community-driven, female-founded collective focused on empowering women through Pilates, travel, connection, and science-backed wellness.
Amanda’s passion for physical fitness has been a lifelong journey, starting with team sports and evolving into swimming, biking, and running after college. With over 20 years of Pilates practice, she deeply appreciates how the method strengthens the core and aids in injury prevention. As a certified fitness instructor since 2015, Amanda began teaching Pilates in 2018 and has since found joy in helping others get stronger, both physically and mentally.
Her classes blend a solid foundation of movement education with a focus on mindfulness and body awareness. Amanda’s approach is rooted in the belief that Pilates is the perfect complement to running, offering a balanced way to enhance strength and flexibility. She fosters an inclusive, welcoming environment for students of all levels, encouraging each individual to challenge themselves and grow at their own pace.
Outside of teaching at Toolbox, you’ll likely find Amanda running or biking around the District, always striving to blend her love of movement with her commitment to overall wellness. Through her work, she inspires and empowers students, blending her scientific background with her passion for Pilates to help others achieve their health and fitness goals.
Christine found Pilates in 2018 while searching for a low-impact way to heal long-standing back injuries from her childhood, including scoliosis and herniated discs. What began as rehabilitation quickly became something she genuinely loved—movement that helped her feel stronger, more mobile, and truly good in my body.
Christine is passionate about wellness and helping others feel their best through intentional, supportive movement. Her goal is to create sessions that are empowering, accessible, and fun—so you leave feeling stronger, more connected, and confident in your body!
Carlos Urrley is a seasoned Pilates instructor based in Washington, D.C., renowned for his dedication to promoting health and wellness through mindful movement. He completed his advanced teacher training at the IM=X Pilates Studio in Miami, Florida, and has participated in several intensive workshops focusing on various Pilates techniques. Carlos is certified by NASM as a trainer and a corrective exercise specialist.
Carlos offers a range of classes, including classical reformer, contemporary reformer, athletic reformer, and barre/reformer fusion. His classes are designed to accommodate various skill levels, ensuring that each participant receives a challenging yet accessible workout.
Beyond his teaching, Carlos is committed to continuous learning and professional development, regularly attending workshops and training sessions to enhance his skills and knowledge in Pilates. His dedication to the practice and his students makes him a respected figure in the Pilates community.
Denesia is a passionate Pilates, Yoga, and Meditation teacher dedicated to helping students move with strength, balance, and mindfulness. She began teaching Mat Pilates in November 2023 after training with Balanced Body and is currently on a journey to become comprehensively trained in all Pilates apparatus.
Her love for movement started as a personal journey to manage scoliosis, leading her to explore the power of Pilates and yoga for healing and transformation.
Above all, Denesia is driven by her love for teaching and her mission to make Pilates, yoga, and meditation accessible to diverse communities. Whether you’re looking to build strength, improve mobility, or cultivate mindfulness, she’s here to guide you on your journey. Let’s move, breathe, and grow together!
Eric is a passionate Pilates instructor with a background in personal training. After becoming a certified personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, Eric discovered the transformative power of Pilates and quickly embraced it as a holistic approach to fitness. In 2019, Eric completed his 400-hour comprehensive Pilates teacher training certification through VIDA Fitness in Washington, DC. With a deep understanding of classical Pilates, Eric seamlessly combines personal training techniques with the principles of Pilates, creating dynamic, tailored workouts that focus on both core strength and flexibility. Dedicated to helping clients achieve their fitness goals while promoting overall well-being, Eric fosters a supportive and empowering environment in every session.
Greg has been teaching Pilates reformer since 2014 at various studios in DC. He was hooked after taking his first class and became an instructor to deepen his knowledge and share his love of Pilates with others. His classes are focused on form, and while more modern, they incorporate the principles of classical Pilates.
Hailey Shull has been dancing since she took her first steps and grew up with an innate passion for kinesiology and wellness. In high school, she taught and competed at the national level in various forms of dance including contemporary, jazz, tap, ballet, and hip-hop. Following her 2014 graduation from Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bethesda, MD, Hailey attended Fordham University in New York City where, along with a full course load, she continued to pursue her career in commercial dance.
While in NYC, Hailey spent many grueling hours in the studio and developed several chronic injuries related to hypermobility and overuse. Seeing firsthand how her mom has helped countless clients with similar issues, she turned to Pilates as a method of rehabilitation and prevention of future injuries. As her body strengthened and increased in the range of motion and endurance, she recognized the potential opportunity before her and decided to pursue Pilates as her full-time career. She completed her teacher certification with Body Arts and Sciences International (BASI) in 2017 and returned from NYC in 2018 to join Revelation Bodywork.
Jessica Sandhu is a comprehensive Pilates and yoga teacher and somatic life coach based in Washington, DC.
Jessica offers a range of wellness services, including Pilates and yoga private sessions and classes, corporate wellness programs, speaking engagements and one-on-one coaching.
Jessica was first introduced to Pilates after a car accident resulted in a hip and shoulder tear. She found Pilates helped with strengthening her body and joints in new ways that made her stronger than before the accident.
In addition to her teaching, Jessica leads retreats internationally and nationally including Nicaragua, Brazil, Peru, West Virginia and more, providing immersive experiences that blend wellness practices with cultural exploration. Through her diverse offerings and commitment to holistic well-being, Jessica empowers individuals to embrace their authentic selves and live fully.
Long fascinated by holistic approaches to wellness in Asia – Tai Chi, meditation, and chiropractic, Mayu was intuitively drawn to the idea that a fully present mind and deep understanding of oneself are the essence of well-being.
Her classes are full-body workouts that incorporate dynamic movements focusing on intentional breathing, strength building, mobility, and deep stretching. She is proud to be known for her authentic, non-judgmental teaching style and compassion-centered philosophy.
Mary is a certified Pilates instructor and completed her training with Toolbox Pilates in 2025. She fell in love with Pilates when living in Los Angeles in 2022, and found it to be the perfect balance of her love of both strength training and movement. Mary’s classes have an athletic edge to them, offering a workout that is challenging, uplifting, and leaves clients feeling stronger and more energized. Originally from Boston and raised in Western Massachusetts, Mary earned her BA in Political Science and International Affairs from the University of Colorado Boulder and her MA in Public Policy from King’s College London.