Pilates & Barre Instructor Maya believes Pilates is a wonderful full-body practice that teaches you to use your breath to form an inner connection between the mind and body. She is a happy, energetic, motivating instructor striving to provide high-quality instruction to help her students reach their health, wellness and fitness goals. She is a […]
Aerial Fitness/Yoga Instructor Samantha Orlando believes that fitness should be enjoyed, and is passionate about providing people the encouragement to keep working on their fitness journey and to help them feel good. “Aerial yoga reminds me of playing on the monkey bars, or tumbling in gymnastics; it is in essence meant to be a fun […]
Suangela began teaching yoga in 2012. She enjoys continuing her yoga education and is now ERYT200, RYT500 and YACEP through Yoga Alliance. She has several specialty certifications including a 100hr YogaFit for Athletes as well as a 100hr Aerial Yoga Certification through VaihAyasa Aerial Yoga. In addition, Suangela is certified through Balanced Body Pilates in […]
Lindsey Greer found yoga after years of resisting several friends’ suggestions that she should give it a try. After finally accepting that the gym was not a healthy environment for her, she turned to yoga in hopes it would be a more compassionate, intuitive way to move her body. Right away, the philosophy that was […]
Linda Dilmore began her journey in yoga in 2009. It did not take long for her to realize that yoga was more than just a physical practice of stretching and strengthening the muscles; it also placed emphasis on calming and centering the mind. In 2017, she completed the 200-hour teacher training with Yogini Kali Om […]
Christine Twele has been working in the fitness industry for over 20 years and is certified by the American Council on Exercise (ACE). Past experience includes managing fitness programs that served corporate and community clients, managing a spa and fitness facility and owning her own fitness company that served the needs of over 500 residents […]
Jillian Berman is an ACE- and International Barre Association-certified teacher who has taught in the group fitness industry for more than 30 years. In her “other life,” Jillian is a special education teacher in the infants and toddlers program in Baltimore County Public Schools. She teaches children birth to age five. She has four amazing […]
Kelly Felix began practicing yoga in 2005 to compliment her running and competitive cycling hobbies, and started teaching in 2016. Kelly brings the traditions of yoga to her students of all levels as she provides an open hearted, accessible approach to her classes. Being able to connect with students right where they are is just […]
Columbia native Sara Wilson grew up dancing competitively, and went on to study dance and deepen her passion for fitness at Frostburg State University. She is currently certified in all four of SoulBody’s programs (Barre, Unhitched, Zenburn and Power), as well as Schwinn indoor cycling. She enjoys combining elements from different classes to deliver a […]
Born and raised in Maryland, Katie Ficca began her journey on the mat at the age of 18. Katie enjoys the flow of vinyasa and finds it mirrors her life. A love for playfulness on the mat led her to aerial yoga. Taking her practice to new heights has brought her such happiness and freedom. […]
After being an avid yoga student and fitness enthusiast for many years, Yonghee became a teacher of Les Mills’ BodyPump, followed by yoga. Yonghee has taught Yoga Sculpt and completed her 200-hour RYT in 2016 with CorePower Yoga in Baltimore. The practice of yoga stretched and strengthened Yonghee’s body and brought balance, harmony, and life […]
Beth began practicing yoga to complement her energetic running and spinning habits in the early 2000s. Eventually, yoga became a primary focus, and the benefits of this practice began to transform her life. Beth’s own practice of many different styles of yoga — coupled with the desire to share the benefits of yoga with her […]
Peggy’s movement background started in dance — she still has the pointe shoes for show! — and came to include cycling, swimming, and group exercise to expand her creative fitness outlets. You’ll still find Peggy in the dance studio, but often in the pool, cycling studio, or on the trail. She has taught aqua and […]
Roxy’s passion for fitness started when she was serving in the Army. After her service, Roxy decided to dedicate herself to helping people get fit and healthy through group fitness. She has a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and loves being a fitness instructor. Roxy has taught group fitness classes for more than 13 years, […]
Heather Jefferson Heather has been practicing yoga for seven years. Yoga is a source of peace for Heather. The practice has helped her find acceptance, strength, and healing through movement, breath, and yoga philosophy. After practicing for four years, she completed a 200-hour Power Yoga Teacher Training at Sid Yoga Center in 2014. Heather later […]
Pilates Instructor Vicki.Burns@ColumbiaAssociation.org We strive to offer the highest quality of instruction with a variety of classes, programs and instructors to meet the needs of class participants. I personally look forward to helping participants reach their goals through fitness and Pilates while having fun. Congratulations on getting started! This is the first step in a […]
Stella received her teaching certification from The Yoga Center in Columbia in 2002. Her style of teaching yoga is rooted in B.K.S Iyengar — creator of Iyengar yoga and considered to be one of the main gurus to introduce yoga to the west. Her most influential experiences during her training were under the tutelage of […]
Yoga has been a part of Rodger’s life for about 20 years. His yoga practice has helped him stay young and healthy and to be strong yet flexible, in both body and mind. It has also helped him recover from lots of injuries over the years, including having his knee broken into eight pieces in […]
Olga holds an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT) 500-hour certificate and has 35 years of yoga teaching experience. After discovering yoga in her native Czechoslovakia, she augmented her studies with courses at The Sivananda International Yoga Institute in Vienna, Austria, from 1983 to 1989. Her deep respect and love for Iyengar yoga is clearly evident […]
In 1988, Mei-Ji met the late Dr. Tom Tang, a disciple of Master Cheng Man-Ching, and began her study and practice of the Yang style of tai chi, which Master Cheng introduced to the Western world in the early 1960s. From 1988-2002, Mei-Ji continued her learning of Tai Chi Chuan, Tai Chi Sword and Push […]
Ling completed her 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) training under Kim Manfredi at Charm City Yoga. She is grateful to all her teachers for sharing the gift of yoga, especially Kim Manfredi, Kathryn Budig, Shiva Rea, Maria Garre, Jason Crandell, Dharma Mittra and Michael Carroll. She teaches flow yoga, where she emphasizes stability over flexibility […]
Kristy has been an instructor for Columbia Association for 22 years. She love teaching all types of classes, in particular anything dance-related. What Inspires you? I get inspired by music, especially Motown. What is your haven? My haven is giving my clients a memorable experience and for them to reach their a state of happiness […]
Krysta French For Krysta, yoga is more than simply a physical practice; it is a way to challenge and center the mind, an approach to tap into the ebb and flow of life, and a place to not take yourself too seriously. Krysta began practicing yoga as a way to further her knowledge about human […]
Kerri Cooke has been teaching yoga since 2014 and completed her 500-hour Advanced Yoga Teacher certification through YogaWorks in 2017. Kerri is a warm and welcoming instructor whose approach is to meet the client where they are and gently inspire them to reach their next level — physically and spiritually. Kerri teaches a Vinyasa-style class […]
Yoga/Pilates Instructor Jennifer.Randle@ColumbiaAssociation.org Pilates is a great way to develop stability and strength while creating functional movement in the body. Core strength helps to alleviate back pain and inform the body for more efficient future alignment. Let’s discuss any special conditions that are limiting your physical potential and allow Pilates to improve your vitality, strength […]
Gabrielle began practicing yoga in 2000. After many years, she found master teacher and guru Sri Dharma Mittra, her beloved teacher, with whom she has been studying since 2010. In 2015, Gabrielle received the honor of being initiated into Sri Dharma’s lineage as Yogini Kali Om. With more than 1,000 hours of teacher training certifications […]
