Sarah Khalouf - Bio

Sarah Khalouf Laks has been a movement educator since the early 90s. She holds a BFA in modern dance and certifications in the Pilates Method, the Gyrotonic® Method, and personal training through NASM. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, her training commenced with dance. Over the years she studied a variety of forms including tap, ballet, jazz, modern, and ethnic. She earned her BFA in modern dance choreography and performance from Ohio University in 1996, and shortly thereafter, left for San Francisco to nourish her creative side and improve upon her training. After showing her work throughout the Bay Area and performing with several local companies, Sarah rediscovered the Pilates Method, through her mother, Dolores, a physical therapist. The Method had first been introduced to her while studying dance in college. She became certified in 2000 through the Ellie Herman Studio. She taught throughout San Francisco and the Bay Area for the next five years in every possible type of venue. Along with the Ellie Herman Studio, she honed her teaching skills at other local studios like Peak Performance, Defy Gravity, and A Body of Work. She studied extensively with and worked alongside Elizabeth Larkam at three of the Western Athletic Club locations in San Francisco and Marin County and was a member of Elizabeth’s Pilates Performance Group. While in San Francisco, Sarah taught in private clubs and residences as well as physical therapy and chiropractic clinics. She was an integral part of the group fitness staff at UCSF’s Millberry Recreation and Fitness Center. In 2004, she received her NASM personal trainer certification in order to add to her knowledge of kinesiology and one-on-one training. Aside from the valuable training she has received from Elizabeth Larkam and Ellie Herman, Sarah has also studied Pilates with Ron Fletcher, Kathy Korey, Tom McCook, Jennifer Stacey, Leslie Powell, and Lizz Roman. She has worked with a diverse group of clients, from athletes and others seeking general fitness conditioning, to those recovering from injuries or suffering from chronic pain. She uses techniques from all of her varied training to customize each session for the individual person. In 2005, Sarah and her husband, Ilan, moved to Portland where he started AudioCinema, an art and music production facility and event space. It was in Portland, that Sarah began her certification in the Gyrotonic Method. During the completion of her apprentice teaching hours, in May 2007, Sarah and Ilan became first-time parents to a beautiful little girl they named Tsila. Eager to get back to teaching, Sarah decided to go into business with Ilan and open a studio at AudioCinema so the family could remain close together in this creative space. In January of 2008, she took the family to Miami to complete her Gyrotonic® certification. Sarah believes whole-heartedly in the physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits of exercise and wants to continue to share her knowledge and love of movement with others in the community.