Pilates Instructor Franchesca.Smallwood@ColumbiaAssociation.org Pilates is for everybody! From the person recovering from surgery needing to regain physical ability to the well-trained athlete looking to enhance performance, all can benefit from Pilates. Pilates is a personal investment that yields physical and mental benefits for a lifetime! Also, it is a journey that leads to self-awareness and […]
While studying kinesiology at the University of Maryland, Patrick traveled to Thailand to live out dreams of kickboxing and cage fighting. There, a yoga practice found its way into his daily routine as a way to relieve physical pains from training. After graduating, Patrick enrolled in a teacher training program with the idea of supplementing […]
Ashly received her bachelor’s degree in exercise science in 2008 from Salisbury University. She loves to share her knowledge and fitness passion with others to help motivate them in her classes. She believes in finding balance and enjoyment in what you are doing to stay healthy and strong. After becoming a mother in 2012, Ashly […]
Dana is an ACE certified personal trainer, a sports and fitness nutrition specialist, a PiYoⓇ instructor, and a BOGAFit Aqua Mat instructor. Over the course of 16 years, Dana taught physical education and health before she decided to focus solely on fitness. Dana is married, has three children, and coaches lacrosse. Her passion is to […]
Stacee Johnson has been practicing yoga since 1999. Her classes are a combination of challenge and playfulness, with a focus on the connection of breath and movement. She invites students to open their minds to the endless possibilities that abound by submerging themselves into a mindful practice to connect with their true selves. Stacee originally […]
Destiny first tried yoga in 2006 as a way to cross-train for triathlons. After her first yoga class, she fell in love with the practice and began training as an instructor. She completed her 200 hours of Ashtanga yoga training with Yogafit, which included special training in prenatal, kids, senior, and restorative yoga. Destiny has […]
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 […]
Haven on the Lake Pilates Program Coordinator Abril.Istre@ColumbiaAssociation.org I believe that happiness comes from within. Through Pilates, yoga and meditation, we can keep our mind and body healthy and enjoy life to its fullest. Consistency is the key, along with setting realistic goals and timelines in order to develop new habits. Take one day at […]
Deanna has been a personal trainer with Columbia Association for more than six years and has been co-teaching Zumba® Circuit for four years. She is thrilled to be teaching TRXⓇ at Haven. Her favorite part of teaching TRX is that the practice engages the core consistently and that it is ideal for anyone with physical […]
Tavia brings 20 years of fitness experience to her classes. She is a Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist and received her Level III Exercise is MedicineⓇ Credential through the American College of Sports Medicine. As a group fitness instructor, Tavia leads a range of athletic fitness experiences, including TRXⓇ, Aqua, HIIT, BodyPumpⓇ, CXWorx and Kickboxing. She […]
Regional Group Fitness Director 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 […]
Tahis has been a personal trainer and fitness instructor since 2013. She enjoys teaching challenging modalities including TRX® and Insanity because they are adaptable to everyone’s level of fitness. Tahis is passionate about inspiring people to find the strength they did not know lived inside of them. She truly believes that physical fitness is a […]
Professional Trainer Susan.Bisson@ColumbiaAssociation.org I believe that movement heals. Through movement, anyone — whether an elite athlete or a person new to exercise — can reap the benefits of Pilates. Pilates will increase strength, tone, flexibility and alignment in the participant’s body. Begin with a mat class. Start with the modifications you are shown and build […]
Shayna’s classes pair her love of creativity and self-expression with imaginative sequencing and playful exploration of breath, movement and music. She fuses her love of yoga philosophy, mythology, chakras, mantras, mudras and ayurveda to craft dynamic classes rich with spirituality and originality. Drawing from her personal experiences with injury and healing, Shayna emphasizes alignment and […]
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 […]
Sabine has been passionate about fitness her whole life. A competitive figure bodybuilder who won her pro card in 2013, she believes that age is nothing but a number and everything starts in the mind. Her goal is to bring out the best version of you and taking you to the next level while having […]
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 […]
Rimmi Singh has received her E-RYT (Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher) 500-hour and E-RYT 200-hour certifications. She’s a dedicated practitioner who has been teaching yoga for more than 14 years. Her passion for yoga is contagious. Rimmi encourages students to experience the joy of realizing their true potential and how to integrate yoga into their daily […]
Master Pilates Instructor Pat.Stewart@ColumbiaAssociation.org Movement heals! Pilates is for everyone — no matter what level of experience. Strengthening and stretching your muscles, especially your core muscles (your powerhouse), is so important for good posture, good health and overall well being of the mind, body and spirit. Come and join me on the Pilates journey to […]
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 […]
A drama major from the University of Zaragoza (Spain), Menchu also studied jazz dance. Once in the United States, she worked out to stay fit while performing in musicals in Washington, D.C. Menchu eventually became a member of the Aurora Dance Company at Howard Community College (where she also worked as a choreographer) and the […]
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 […]
Assistant Director of Group Fitness Megan.Cooperman@ColumbiaAssociation.org I strive to offer the best classes with the best instructors in the community. In any class, I believe members should follow the instructor’s guidelines; however, it is key to make the experience work for their needs. Group fitness should be fun and motivating, and there is a right […]
Maria Jose found her love for dance at an early age and hasn’t stopped dancing since. Whether it is LaBlastⓇ or ZumbaⓇ, Maria Jose brings passion and enthusiasm to every class she teaches. With a background in ballet, modern and ballroom dance, Maria Jose currently teaches LaBlast, Zumba and Dance Trance. Classes
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 was looking for a new exercise regimen and decided to try Pilates. Fast forward nine years and what started as an interest quickly grew into a passion. Krysta tries to instill that passion in others and enjoys the accessibility that Pilates offers to clients at all levels of fitness. Krysta’s certifications include Peak Pilates […]
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 […]
Kelly’s classes focus on a fun and relaxing style of yoga that cultivates mental and physical balance and flexibility. Her classes are all about feeling the energy, vitality, and breath in the postures. She likes to explore energetic intent, the chakras and yogic philosophy in her practice. She is also passionate about helping mothers achieve […]
Julia Greiwe-Martinez, a Pranakriya teacher with yoga therapy and massage therapy/healing arts training, draws inspiration from a variety of traditions to create a playful, reflective and challenging practice. Julia is a 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) and has been a yoga instructor for over 11 years and a yoga enthusiast since 1995. In addition, she […]
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 […]
Janet’s fitness career began over 20 years ago after a career in marketing and sales. She began teaching group fitness classes such as low-impact aerobics and step in clubs around the D.C. area, including Spa Lady, YMCA and Sport and Health. As the fitness industry evolved, so did Janet’s fitness career. Joining Columbia Association’s group […]
Jacqueline took her very first yoga class out of sheer curiosity over 20 years ago and was immediately drawn to the graceful practice of uniting alignment-based movement with the breath. While traveling extensively for many years, she attributed her practice to keeping her centered, grounded and open to all the opportunities that life presented. […]
Heather Thamer has been teaching since 2004, is an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT) at the 500-hour level, certified cancer exercise specialist, and has also completed her 300-hour RYT training. She also hold certifications as a Warriors at Ease teacher (a specialized training for the military community), and Yoga for Amputees (Y4). Heather teaches yoga […]
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 […]
In 2011, while writing her dissertation, Felicia discovered a lump in her breast. At 39 years old and as an Asian, Felicia had less than a 0.5 percent chance of having breast cancer. Along with the cancer, however, came profound life-altering perspectives, experiences and gifts. Amid chemotherapy, surgery, radiation and seemingly impossible life and death […]
Deb began a career in group fitness with Lynne Brick of Brick Bodies in Timonium, Maryland. Having been a member since 1986, it seemed to be the perfect job for a young mother of two sons. As time went by, her skills expanded to include muscle conditioning, aqua fitness, step aerobics and basic aerobics. Deb […]
David has been teaching tai chi for over 20 years and QiGong for 15 years. He has taught children, teens, adults and seniors. David currently teaches tai chi and QiGong at the college level for credit and noncredit courses and specializes in working with the physically disabled. He recently developed a modified form of tai […]
Bonnie’s classes are an expression of meditation in motion; she emphasizes the importance of breath awareness, good alignment, calming the monkey mind and having fun. When teaching, Bonnie draws upon her years of training and personal practice to focus on how yoga cultivates self-awareness to enhance overall physical, mental and spiritual well-being. She described her […]
