Beverly Hills : North Beverly
Alumni Ambassador Aimee Carpenter
Fresh air, blue sky, green as far as the eye can see. I love training my clients in the beauty of the California terrain. I find it to be such a source of inspiration and motivation. Whether running by the ocean, hiking the Santa Monica mountain range or jogging the flats, it’s all about taking time to free the mind, work the body and stop and smell the roses. I feel a dedication to help teens learn about positive body image through cardio exercise and strength training. Most importantly, I feel it is vital for them to embrace their inner spirit, love themselves for who they are, and take joy in the fact that they are unique, quirkiness and all. "Aimee’s energy and enthusiasm make her the perfect trainer. Besides providing an invigorating physical workout, she keeps me... Read the profile >>
Alumni Ambassador Anthony Benenati
Anthony Benenati is the founder of City Yoga which is recognized across the country as a training center for Anusara Yoga. Anthony is a Senior Certified Anusara Yoga teacher and is known in the yoga community as a skillful practitioner and teacher of this style of yoga. Anthony's introduction to yoga began after years of competitive weightlifting and a disabling shoulder injury in 1989. In addition to studying with Anusara Founder John Friend for many years, Anthony studies with Professor Carlos Pomeda, one of the leading scholars of the traditions of the Hindu Tantra. Anthony has also studied in the Kundalini, Iyengar and vinyasa yoga traditions. Anthony¹s teaching style is dynamic, non-dogmatic and playful, calling on his many different experiences in life and practices of... Read the profile >>
Alumni Ambassador Brock Cahill
Yogis Anonymous, Sports Club L.A., City Yoga
brock was wearing a pair cowboy boots and a bit of a hangover when he accidentally stumbled across the path of yoga. he was out there fumbling around in the dark, trying to find himself, when the light of yoga clicked on and pointed him in the right direction. through the physical nature of the practice, and his intense dedication to it, brock has been able to enliven the body and clarify the mind, preparing him for a momentous trek on the winding road leading to the self and the soul. it is a road he loves to share... wanna go for a walk? or how 'bout we fly instead? brock has spent the majority of his life as a professional musician. he began studying the violin at a very early age. his earliest years were steeped in technique and ear development. several years later, when brock... Read the profile >>
Alumni Ambassador Christine Burke
Christine believes that our life is our ultimate artisitic contribution to the world and as such we are able to make the world a better place by finding our truest, most vibrant selves. Through teaching yoga with spirit and intensity, joy and freedom, her mission is to unlock the inner life-artist in each student so that they can become united with the artistic medium of the body. Weaving the fluidity of Vinyasa Yoga with the precision of Iyengar, using Pranayama, visualization and meditation, she guides her classes through sweat and laughter in a celebration of being human. The community created by practicing yoga as a group is essential to the spirit of the practice for Christine and she encourages that connection knowing that it influences the global communal energy as a... Read the profile >>
Alumni Ambassador Elsie Escobar
To be clear about who you are is truly a gift, it's a gift that never ceases to be unwrapped, and as one unwraps one finds that the gift within also changes. If I had been asked even just a couple of years ago something about myself, the words that would have poured out would have been far, far different than those that come to my mind now. What I know is that what you does is a reflection of who you are, that always you must seek to find out all the things that you are before clearly choosing an action. I was born in El Salvador, San Salvador, February 6th, 1972 (I share that only cause I love, love, love birthdays and age is to be celebrated!). My family and I moved to this country in July 1981. I am blessed to have one of the most amazing families. My parents are strong,... Read the profile >>
Alumni Ambassador Gillian Clark
Gillian Clark is a seeker, interested in fulfilling her ultimate purpose spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally. She is a dedicated practitioner of meditation and contemplation. Her interest in the physical arts began at an early age as a figure skater, then as a ballet student. Classical training includes a B.F.A. from UCSB and an M.F.A. from The American Conservatory Theatre. Gillian began teaching in 1987 and certified as instructor and personal trainer through ACE, AFAA, and Cal State Hayward. She’s been practicing Kundalini yoga since 1989, Anusara yoga since 1998 and Kriya yoga since 2002, grateful to her teachers Siri Sat Nam, John Friend and Paramahansa Yogananda, and all in their lineage. Gillian created, Yoga Booty Ballet® in 1998 from a dream (yes,... Read the profile >>
Alumni Ambassador Krista Cahill
Yogis Anonymous & Sports Club L.A.
Krista fell in love with the practice of yoga in 1999 when she took her first Ashtanga class with Tim Miller. Since that day she has devoted her time and energy to exploring the numerous dimensions of yoga, both as teacher and student. "I look forward each day to the possibility that my practice both on and off the mat can promote a greater awareness in our immediate need for global peace and unification. ALL is ONE." Krista teaches retreats around the world and has regular classes based in Los Angeles for Yoga Works. She is also teaching for the fabulous Yoga Loft of Manhattan Beach. Krista teaches a vigorous Vinyasa Flow class filled with challenging armbalances and inversions. She believes that our obstacles are our greatest blessings. Krista and her husband Brock Cahill live... Read the profile >>
Alumni Ambassador Lauren Haze
Lauren Haze believes there is a mover, shaker or dancer in everyone just waiting to be released. Whether it is released through dance, pilates, drumming or bodywork, she wants you to feel better in your body on the planet! A native of Red Bank, NJ, Lauren began dancing at an early age, traveling to NYC each weekend for lessons. She received her BFA at Boston Conservatory of Music, in dance and education. Returning to NY, she was awarded a scholarship to the Alvin Ailey Dance Center and soon became a member of the Ailey Repertory Ensemble. Lauren credits Mr. Ailey for being the kind of director that influenced her love of helping people open up to their highest self and movement potential at every level. Lauren has traveled and performed extensively enjoying and learning the... Read the profile >>
Alumni Ambassador Lee Wall
Crunch - Sunset Blvd
Lee comes to Los Angeles from NYC. He played Div I basketball and graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University. After graduation, lee trained nba players and helped with scouting with the New Jersey Nets under coach John Calipari. Then, lee joined Crunch as a trainer at nyc's archive gym. now, 10 years later, Lee is in Los Angeles as the Director of Personal Training at the Sunset location. Read the profile >>
Alumni Ambassador Raghunath
Raghunath, born Ray Cappo has been leading people towards natural and healthy lifestyles for the last 23 years. In his youth he was an inspired outspoken punk musician that led tens of thousands of youth peers to adopt a positive mental attitude, and a healthy vegetarian / vegan, drug free lifestyle. He became an instant cult celebrity touring the world many times over either performing or public speaking. The unexpected death of his father, the shallowness of the music scene and desire to learn about health and spirituality brought him to yoga and then to India in the late 80’s. From 22-27 he practiced bramacharya (a celibate student.) Mastering yoga asanas, breath work pranayama, and ancient literature he became fascinated with health, balanced life and learning how to assist the... Read the profile >>
Alumni Ambassador Rebecca Benenati
Rebecca Benanati finds joy in the everyday – just as she finds it in every yoga practice; whether she’s teaching, taking class or running the studio with her husband and City Yoga co-owner, Anthony. In fact, yoga not only brought Rebecca and Anthony together, it has been playing a major role in her life as long as she can remember. Her mother was a yoga instructor and inspired Rebecca’s Ashtanga training in 2000. Rebecca’s teaching and practice led her to Anusara Yoga shortly after that. Then came Anthony, City Yoga, their beautiful children, Matteo and Amalia – along with her beautiful stepdaughter, Anabella. Rebecca also studied Tui Na Massage in China in 1999 and has since become a certified Massage Therapist. Besides continuing to be inspired by yoga (while also... Read the profile >>
Alumni Ambassador Tandy Gutierrez
Equinox Century City
Tandy Gutierrez is the Group Fitness Manager and Pilates Director at Equinox Century City, Equinox’s premiere location. Tandy is certified and trained in multiple techniques and fitness formats that include; NSCA Certified Personal trainer, Budokon Conditioning Sensei, GRAVITY and Hard Body Meltdown. But her talent and true love lies in the Pilates method. As a professional actor and dancer Tandy trained and performed at an intense level that finally resulted in a hip injury. Although she had been practicing pilates four years prior to the injury the type of pilates training she was doing worsened the over-use injury. Through a more physical therapy based pilates technique Tandy regained full mobility and use of her right hip. She began teaching seven years ago as a way to find... Read the profile >>
Alumni Ambassador Teigh McDonough
Teigh McDonough-Gilson partner in Yoga Booty Ballet and owner and founder of SWERVE®, fitness, dance and yoga, has studied and worked as a professional dancer, choreographer, actress, movement director and fitness instructor for over 20 years. She has an extensive background in numerous styles of yoga including: Kundalini, Anusara and Power yoga and has been teaching her own brand of yoga for 7 years, drawing from all these traditions. Teigh LOVES to teach and strives to inspire her students to constantly expand and unfold into their greatness. She does this with humor, music and the Spiritual intention of aligning with the Divine and lifting the spirit. She believes that self-expression is healing and creates a safe and sacred space where students can be playful, creative, expressive... Read the profile >>
Alumni Ambassador Tevia Celli
Fitness instructor Tevia Celli is the owner of West Hollywood’s premiere fitness studio Body & Soul Workout. Her studio was named “Best of L.A.” in Los Angeles Magazine and has been featured in many national publications and news programs as a “fitness sanctuary” offering Spinning, body sculpting, yoga, Lotte Berk type classes and Ellipticore in a Zen-like setting. An athlete since the age of five, she enjoyed playing softball, soccer, basketball and track. She never considered herself a gym person until she was introduced to Spinning classes in 1989. She loved Spinning so much, that it was the first thing other than sports that she was most enthusiastic about. Celli is renown for her sell-out Spinning classes, which take her students on both a motivational and... Read the profile >>
Elite Ambassador Angie Stewart
Angie hails from the coastal town of Savannah, Georgia, refreshingly bringing her southern charm and genuine love and enthusiasm for fitness and yoga - right into the heart of Southern California. With over 20 years of teaching experience in the fitness industry, Angie effectively combines her experience as an "eye of the tiger" competitive athlete and as a "peaceful warrior" yogini into her popular style of teaching. Having a master's degree and every gold standard certification for training, Angie is known for "seamlessly weaving elements of athleticism, discipline, strength, flexibility, and grace" into each challenging yoga class and fitness session. She currently trains clients daily in and around the surrounding Los Angeles area specializing in strength and core... Read the profile >>
Elite Ambassador Chris Chavez
Chris Chavez, Certified Anusara Yoga Instructor, Yoga Alliance – RYT 500 Certified Anusara Instructor, Chris Chavez, first began the practice of yoga in Ireland, where he was touring as a professional musician in the mid 1990’s. While traversing the globe several times playing music and studying various methods of yoga, Chris imparted the knowledge and the gift of yoga upon everyone he met. In 2001, Chris landed in Los Angeles, California, where he submerged himself into the practice and study of yoga and began to teach and build community. Certified as an Anusara Instructor in 2006, Chris is amongst a very small and unique group of yoga instructors, world wide, that are renowned for their extensive studies, vast working knowledge of the mind and body, immense experience,... Read the profile >>
Jonathan Conant
TSNY
Jonathon Conant, president and co-founder of Trapeze School New York, has been dedicated to improving life on this planet through counseling abandoned children, battered women, drug rehabilitation clients and the mentally ill. What he learned about supporting joy and addressing human suffering has found a blissful practice in teaching the flying trapeze. "Trapeze helps you re-evaluate what you are capable of " says Jonathon. He discovered aerial arts 10 years ago while traveling in Mexico. When he found no place to train in the US, he set up a rig and invited trainers. After running his own operation for a couple years, he was very fortunate to find a fantastic partnership with Dave and Anne Brown. The three of them opened Trapeze School New York in 2001 and have now expanded to Boston,... Read the profile >>
Juliet Kaska
Juliet Kaska Fitness, Emerson Hall Fitness
Biography Longevity ~ Enjoyment ~ Balance ~ Harmony Growing up in Pennsylvania, Juliet was always active, enjoying outdoor activities like camping, rock climbing, and hiking, as well as more classical studies such as ballet. At age 13, she was accepted into the Shore Ballet Company, an extension of London’s Royal Academy. With her extensive dance background, it was a natural fit for Juliet to become certified in Pilates, a discipline focused on core strength, elongation, and grace. After her stay at American University in Washington DC, she moved to Los Angeles, and became a duel certified personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and the American Council on Exercise, shortly thereafter she became a certified Pilates instructor. Juliet opened Emerson... Read the profile >>
Natalie Yco
Equinox West Hollywood
Natalie started her life struggling with serious asthma and became very motivated to overcome the ailment. She was so adamant about overcoming the asthma that she started working out intensely, doing martial arts, and wrestling professionally! Today, with 10 years of experience, hundreds of classes, thousands of students, and videos behind her, Natalie is well known across Los Angeles for her very exciting, high energy classes that focus on simple top-notch workouts. Her cardio kickboxing, booty and abdominal, and spin classes are always filled to capacity because of her unique ability to get people to give 100% each and every time. No matter what level of fitness her students are, Natalie's students always excel above and beyond their expectations and achieve their goals - just like she... Read the profile >>
Shari Berkowitz
The Vertical Workshop, Power Pilates
Shari Berkowitz Pilates is my second career. I had a 27 year long career in New York musical theater that started with my first performance in tap shoes at 4 and a half years old. I was a strong “ triple threat” with a solid career. Neither Pilates nor Los Angeles were ever thoughts in my mind until I had a horrible dance accident. During a performance of GREASE, I was violently yanked into a turn. My left arm was ripped to the side herniating 3 discs in my neck leaving me paralyzed in my left arm and shoulder for some time. Over my long recovery, my physical therapists kept telling me about Pilates. They couldn’t wait until my neck would be stable enough to do Pilates. I have no idea what this Pilates was! Well, after 11 months, my physical therapists got their wish, I... Read the profile >>