About




Sarah K. Artha Negara, MFA
Dance/Kinesiology Faculty
, College of San Mateo
Founder/Director, Pilates Instructor Certificate Program
Pilates Instructor, University of California, Santa Cruz
Faculty Member, Balanced Body
Independent Contractor

MFA Dance, Mills College
BFA Dance, Long Beach State University
AA Studio Art, Cabrillo College
Balanced Body University, Faculty Member
Turning Point Studios, Pilates Instructor Certificate
ACE, Certified Personal Trainer
NASM, Certified Performance Enhancement Specialist
YogaFit Level 1, 2,3,4, Pre/PostNatal Certificates
Mad Dogg Athletics, Certified Spinning® Instructor 

Sarah was first introduced to the Pilates Method in 1998 while pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance at Long Beach State University. After less than a year of studying Pilates with Kinesiology Instructor, Karen Clippinger, Sarah was freed of chronic pain caused by scoliosis.

Upon graduating from LBSU in 2001, Sarah chose to pursue a career in Pilates and Fitness as well as dance. Sarah obtained her Personal Training Certification through the American Council on Exercise in 2001 and completed her Pilates Instructor Training Program with Nora St.John and Naomi Leiserson at Turning Point Studios in 2002. Sarah continued to gain knowledge in the Pilates Method from Turning Point senior staff members while working as a student teacher at the studio for almost two years. During this time period, Sarah also taught Pilates at Center Strength, Oakwood Athletic Club, Linda Evans Fitness Centers, and the San Ramon Valley Dance Academy.

In order to acquire more performance opportunities, Sarah moved to San Francisco in 2003. While dancing for a variety of local modern dance companies, Sarah pursued a career as a multi-site Pilates Director for Club One Fitness Centers (Union Square, Nob Hill, and Citigroup). At Club One she was often recruited to teach the casts of local shows passing through town such as The Black Rider, Dame Edna, Mambo Kings, White Christmas, and Wicked. Sarah continued to attend workshops and conferences to expand her knowledge in Pilates, dance, and fitness, but her love for education drew her back to academia.

Sarah received her Masters Degree in Dance from Mills College in 2008 and is now a Faculty member at College of San Mateo teaching Dance, Pilates, Yoga, and Fitness classes. Sarah is also the Founder and Director of the Pilates Instructor Certificate Program at College of San Mateo established in 2011. Sarah has recently relocated to Santa Cruz and is teaching Pilates Mat classes at UC Santa Cruz, The Tannery, and In-Home Training Sessions. In addition, Sarah is a Balanced Body Faculty Member available for onsite Certificates and Workshops upon request.