Get to Know Us
Welcome to Core Connection Studio, a pilates studio that offers a variety of classes to help you build strength, flexibility, and overall well-being. Our studio provides reformer classes, mat pilates classes, dance classes, and personalized training sessions. Immerse yourself in a supportive community environment focused on nurturing both body and mind.
Our Studio's Vision
At Core Connection Studio, our mission is to empower individuals to enhance their physical and mental well-being through the practice of pilates. We are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment where clients can experience the transformative benefits of pilates, including improved strength, balance, and inner harmony. Our expert instructors and supportive community are dedicated to guiding you on your journey to a healthier lifestyle.
TEAM
Meet Our Instructors
Our team of dedicated instructors are passionate about helping you achieve your fitness goals. Get to know the individuals who bring their expertise and enthusiasm to Core Connection Studio, and discover the personalized approach each instructor offers.
Akiko Ann Morison
NASM/ Balance Body/ Pilates Certification NY/LA/Canada
Certified Pilates Instructor | Certified Private Trainer / Movement Enthusiast | Wellness Advocate
Akiko Morison is a passionate Pilates instructor with over 20 years of experience helping individuals of all fitness levels achieve their wellness goals through mindful movement. Drawing from her extensive background in Pilates, Personal Training and functional movement, Akiko is known for her ability to tailor each session to her clients' unique needs, whether they are beginners or advanced practitioners.
Her teaching philosophy blends precision and creativity, focusing on core strength, alignment, flexibility, and mental clarity. Akiko's warm, encouraging style makes every class both challenging and enjoyable, empowering her clients to develop greater body awareness and unlock their full potential.
Outside of Pilates, Akiko is dedicated to living a holistic lifestyle and is constantly seeking to expand her knowledge of health, nutrition, and well-being. She believes in the power of mindful movement to foster a balanced body and mind, and her approach is rooted in the belief that small, consistent steps lead to lasting change.
Whether you're looking to build strength, improve posture, or simply reduce stress, Akiko’s personalized sessions are designed to meet you where you are and help you reach your goals.
Amanda Bauman
Co-Owner & Founder of Core Connection
is an AFAA-certified personal trainer (since 2009), a STOTT Pilates instructor (certified in 2012), and a certified Yoga Booty Ballet teacher (since 2015).
Movement has always been Amanda’s medicine—and her mission. As the co-owner and founder of Core Connection, she brings over 15 years of experience in personal training, Pilates, and dance-based fitness to a space built around healing, strength, and soulful movement. She’s taught at beloved Los Angeles studios like Swerve and My Pilates Body, helping clients reconnect with their bodies through a wide range of modalities.
Her journey took a more personal turn after being diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis, a chronic autoimmune condition. That experience deeply shaped her teaching style—one rooted in compassion, customization, and mindful movement. Today, she works with clients of all ages, especially those managing pain, inflammation, or injury, offering support that’s both empowering and restorative.
Amanda also created Groove Alchemy—a signature class that blends meditation, somatic movement, cardio dance, and her unique gift as a live DJ. It’s one more way she brings joy and creativity into the Core Connection community.
Jesse Sospirato
is a Los Angeles native and longtime leader in the
Pilates and wellness space. With over two decades of teaching experience, she’s built a powerful reputation—and a devoted client base that spans the city. Many of her students have been with her for 10, 15, even 20 years, drawn to her signature blend of knowledge, energy, and real results.
Jess earned her Pilates certification through Absolution in West Hollywood, one of LA’s most respected studios. She’s classically trained in the original method developed by Joseph Pilates, but is known for her modern, athletic, and intuitive teaching style. Every session is custom—whether she’s working with a first-timer, an athlete, someone recovering from injury or surgery, or a pre- or postnatal client, Jess adapts her approach to meet the body in front of her.
Jess specializes in pre- and postnatal Pilates, helping women maintain strength, stability, and confidence throughout pregnancy and into recovery. Her supportive and results-driven approach makes her a go-to resource for new and expecting mothers across LA.
What sets Jess apart is more than just experience—it’s her philosophy. She believes in celebrating the body you have and building strength from within. Her workouts are designed to help clients feel powerful, confident, and strong—not to chase trends or fit into a mold. Over the years, she’s also developed her own series of original exercises that blend Pilates foundations with functional movement and a fierce mind-body connection.
For Jess, wellness isn’t a trend—it’s a lifestyle. She’s here to help you move smarter, feel better, and live stronger.
Nikki Tuazon
and her love of dance led her to Los Angeles to pursue a career as a professional dancer where she appeared in numerous commercials, film, TV shows, music videos, and live concert tours for artists like P!nk and Christina Aguilera! After falling in love with Pilates and using it to keep her body aligned, strong, and healthy after years of wear and tear on the road, she finally became a certified instructor through the Pilates Sports Center Training Program. She is also a certified massage therapist. Nikki uses her extensive knowledge of both dance and massage therapy in her sessions to create a teaching style that is challenging, focused, and fun with an emphasis on form! She enjoys working not only with dancers and athletes, but with all different body types and is committed to her clients' overall fitness, health, and well-being.
Carly
is originally from Arizona, and started dancing at the age of three. She trained in a variety of dance genres including jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop, lyrical and contemporary until graduating high school. Thinking college was her calling she attended New York University’s College of Arts and Sciences. After just one year she realized her passion for dance and moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.
Upon moving to Los Angeles she fell in love with fitness, especially Pilates. She found Pilates to be an ideal compliment to dancing as it strengthens and stretches you simultaneously. After taking numerous classes all over Los Angeles for several years she finally decided to get her certification from Pilates Sports Center. When Im not working out or teaching you can find me bouncing around with my Jack Russell Scotch!