France Johnston

What is your favorite yoga or pilates pose?

• Garudasana or Eagle, love the way I feel after the posture, like taking flight!

What other forms of exercise do you do?

• I swim, with fins preferably, underwater ultimately.

France first stumbled upon yoga while traveling in Australia and later started practicing when living in the Bahamas. Yoga helped her find a positive outlook to a lifetime of bad posture and self-esteem issues. Since 2000, she has deepened her studies of yoga in South Florida. Her deep interests in color and sound therapy helped her understand that through yoga, one can truly awaken the self, the inner teacher and learn to live from the heart, with compassion, love and joy. In August of 2008, France completed the Teacher Training Program at the White Lotus Foundation. It felt as though, after years of soul searching, she had finally come home.

Now that you've met the teachers, come see our warm and inviting studio in a personal tour or see our current specials.

Brian Friedman

What is your favorite yoga or pilates pose?

• Any of the twisting postures why?

What other forms of exercise do you do?

• Biking, running, weight lifting... you name it

Brian’s yogic path began in 1993 when he was introduced to Sivananda yoga. Since then he has studied Iyengar Yoga, Power Yoga, Astanga Yoga, and Sadhana Yoga Chi. Brian has studied with some of the top yoga teachers in the world including Doug Swenson, David Swenson, Sri Dharma Mitra, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, and others. True yoga practice begins when we step off of the mat. Brian is a P90X and P90X+ graduate and is now offering his YOGA CORPS class to In Balance for a perfect balance of boot camp and yoga flow.

Now that you've met the teachers, come see our warm and inviting studio in a personal tour or see our current specials.

Steve Rubin

What is your favorite yoga or pilates pose?

• Savasana (corpse pose). This most important asana is where one learns to be still and thus allows themselves to receive the benefits of the practice which preceded it.

What other forms of exercise do you do?

• I enjoy golf, disc golf, foot bag, moderate biking, and walking.

Committed to living a positive and healthy lifestyle, Steve is a dedicated student and practitioner of yoga for more than 7 years, and has been teaching for more than 2 years. Steve left his job in the corporate world and fully immersed himself in intensive study, traveling abroad for 12 of the last 19 months studying yoga at the source in India, and in Thailand with his primary teacher, Paul Dallaghan. Steve completed a 5-week intensive foundation in yoga course (a 200+ hour yoga alliance certified teacher training) with Paul.

During recent trips to India, Steve spent a total of 15 weeks studying Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga under direct guidance of Sharath Rangaswamy, current director of the KPJAYI. Steve has been blessed with the opportunity to learn Pranayam from his teacher Paul, and also had significant time with his teacher’s teacher, Sri O P Tiwari, one of the very few living authorities of Pranayama. During his travels he also spent a substantial time studying with senior certified ashtanga vinyasa teachers, Rolf Naujokat in Goa and Louise Ellis in Rishikesh. Steve’s approach to teaching yoga places emphasis on concentration, contentment, and ease in a consistent practice with the use and correct understanding of breathe, bandha, dhristi, and the science of vinyasa. Steve empowers his students to create a yoga practice which suits their current needs and growth potential, thus allowing yoga to bear its fruits upon them in all facets of their life.

Now that you've met the teachers, come see our warm and inviting studio in a personal tour or see our current specials.

Alex Halenda

What is your favorite yoga or pilates pose?

• My favorite yoga pose changes on a regular bases. I tend to favor poses that I feel more challenged in, and since my practice is constantly evolving and every day is different, my points of challenge, and thus favor, differ each time I practice.

What other forms of exercise do you do?

• I enjoy running, and I walk and bicycle as forms of transportation regularly. Also, I tend to enjoy just about anything physical. Can we consider juggling as exercise?

Favorite book?

• Yoga Sutras (preferably a translation accompanied by an in depth analyzation).

What is the number one natural wellness remedy you recommend?

• Juice fasting to cleanse the body and the spirit

Lisa Ryan

What is your favorite yoga or pilates pose?

• My favorite pilates exercise is the open leg rocker. I enjoy the massage to my spine while I'm working my lower abs. It takes a lot of control, and it's fun!

What other forms of exercise do you do?

• I'm a runner, and I also hike and kayak whenever I get the chance.

Lisa began practicing Pilates in 2004 out of her interest in rounding out her approach to a total fitness lifestyle. She is a Level 1 Certified Peak Pilate System Instructor, certified to teach individual and group classes on the mat, reformer, and cadillac. Her classical approach to teaching this transformational movement system remains true to Pilate’s principles and protocols as they were originally designed, beneficial to students of any level. Her students experience the Pilates method as a system of exercises linked with purpose, providing for satisfying results and safe progression. Lisa instills a deep understanding and a strong enthusiasm for Pilates; and she encourages her classes to take their practice out of the studio and into their lives.

Now that you've met the teachers, come see our warm and inviting studio in a personal tour or see our current specials.

Leslie Martino

What is your favorite yoga or pilates pose?

• My favorite Pilates exercises are tendon stretch (standing) on the Reformer and anything that involves backbending. I can remember when I couldn't do tendon stretch correctly and now I can appreciate the strength, flexibility and abdominal control in takes to accomplish. backbends give me an intense feeling, like I am on top of the world.

What other forms of exercise do you do?

• As a dancer, I enjoy many things physical. Currently, in addition to Pilates, I am enjoying swinging kettlebells.

Leslie Martino, originally from New York City, started her movement training with classical ballet at the age of 4, and later went on to study modern dance and the Simonson jazz technique. She has taught dance and creative movement for over seven years. Leslie received a B.A. in Dance and History from Columbia University and an M.A. in Education from Teachers College. Leslie began practicing Pilates to help with chronic injuries. She completed her Pilate’s certification with The Willow Pilates and Yoga. She trained with studio owner Jennifer Shea, who came to Pilates by way of Bob Liekens, Ellie Herman, and later, Power Pilates. It was there at The Willow where Leslie was first exposed to the classical repertoire of the Pilates Method.

Now that you've met the teachers, come see our warm and inviting studio in a personal tour or see our current specials.

Karin Burris

What is your favorite yoga or pilates pose?

• Leg circles. When done correctly the movement encompasses all of the Pilates principles.

What other forms of exercise do you do?

• I like swimming weight lifting and running.

Karen’s love for exercise began at an early age as an accomplished ballerina. Additionally, outdoor activities such as water skiing, mountain biking, running, hiking and swimming have been a passion throughout her life including marathons and triathlons. Karen has been teaching and training since 2004 after earning certifications in Personal Training, Pilates I, Group Fitness, and Spinning. Karen likes taking fitness to the extreme, specializing in boot camp and kickboxing style classes. She has also been involved in Teen and senior fitness programs. Karen’s love for fun and teaching is evident in her classes and training.

Now that you've met the teachers, come see our warm and inviting studio in a personal tour or see our current specials.

Lisa 'Kali' Necrason

What is your favorite yoga or pilates pose?

• They are all my favorite. I like each asana for different reasons. I love Hanuman's Paws Puja for it's symbolism - releasing negativity - and for the yummy feeling in the stretch. I love Crow because it has become like a 'signature' pose for me and it's great for the core, requires focused concentration, and is sure to make the class smile, which is always a welcomed energy shift. I love Savasana for bringing it all together... the surrender, the mental clarity, and the ability to refuel by letting go.

What other forms of exercise do you do?

• I grew up surfing and skateboarding and still feel it in my bones, even though I get to enjoy both board sports far less. I have found paddleboarding, which I LOVE, and it's great for my backyard, flat-water lake. But, Yoga definitely dominates my life in terms of passion and movement. I'm so grateful to have found this path and to know that I will be able to enjoy yoga until the day I leave my body and beyond.

Kali has practiced yoga for 17 years. Having studied Hatha yoga, Vinyasa yoga, Yoga for Kids, Prenatal yoga, Post Partum yoga, and PiYo, Kali’s lineage is deeply rooted in Kali Natha Yoga and she is a student of Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati. The wide range in curriculum stemming from each of her diverse certifications has created an authentic blend of the East and West in Kali’s classes. While most of Kali’s classes are a Vinyasa flow, she always shares the essence of her roots in Kali Natha Yoga. Kali encourages students to explore their personal edge in physical practice, while challenging the mind to focus on the stillness and power of moving meditation. In Kali’s final relaxation shivasana students enjoy aromatherapy and guided visualization to support the process of going deeper within and further beyond.

Now that you've met the teachers, come see our warm and inviting studio in a personal tour or see our current specials.

Jessica Cichra

What is your favorite yoga or pilates pose?

• Yoga: Happy Baby Pose....because it feels sooooo good & carefree!; Pilates: Plank pose....because it is challenging and works many areas of the body and is the base for numerous variations.

What other forms of exercise do you do?

• Surf, kayak, paddle board, strength/resistance train, Budokon, jog, swim, bike

Growing up a competitive gymnast, Jessica initially took up Yoga for the physical rush! She embraced the incredible benefits of pranayama as it has taken her personal practice beyond just the physical. She has completed her 200 hour teacher training with Empath Yoga which incorporates yoga, meditation, elements of hypnosis and empathic listening skills. Jessica provides a loving, nurturing Yoga for Stress Relief class that gives students a new outlook on life!

Jessica is also an accomplished Pilate’s teacher and trained with friend and mentor Janie Handlin. She loves the mind/body connection of pilates and its strengthening, lengthening, and toning results. Jessica teaches her students how they can practice pilates and toning exercises anywhere and how to have fun with it!

Now that you've met the teachers, come see our warm and inviting studio in a personal tour or see our current specials.

Daniela Ellis

What is your favorite yoga or pilates pose?

• Shoulderstand-the mother of all asanas(postures)

What other forms of exercise do you do?

• Besides yoga I love exercise that brings me closer to nature like hiking, skiing, snorkeling and also keeping up with an active 7 year old.

Daniela has dedicated herself to the practice, study, and teaching of yoga since discovering its joys and benefits 20 years ago. She has trained in the disciplines of Ashtanga Vinyasa with Tim Miller and Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, Sivananda and Raja Yoga with Swami Lalitananda and Vipassana Meditation combining elements of these styles into a dynamic flow. Daniela has a deep knowledge of the yoga system which she imparts in a compassionate and playful manner. She also works with the Body Mind Spirit Center at M.D Anderson Cancer Center in Orlando, FL.

Now that you've met the teachers, come see our warm and inviting studio in a personal tour or see our current specials.

Casey Bozydaj

What is your favorite yoga or pilates pose?

• It is hard to choose a favorite yoga pose because my favorite yoga pose changes with each day. My favorite pose changes with how I want to be challenged and where I feel tight and need to release. An asana that always feels good is bakasana, crane pose, because I am able to meditate and really feel the body/mind connection. It automatically brings me to the present moment and reminds me that yoga is as much of a mental discipline as it is physical.

What other forms of exercise do you do?

• Yoga is my primary exercise that I do every week because I know it is the only exercise I need. I also like to run, dance and do pilates. I do forms of exercise that build strength in all of my muscles and joints.

Prior to moving to Florida, Casey taught yoga for 6 years in the New York area where she trained with Doug Swenson- Sadhana Yoga. This training was based on hard and soft forms of ashtanga yoga, the eight limbs, and bringing awareness into your practice as you flow from posture to posture. Students can expect a range of asana linked together with heating vinyasa to keep your body warm to practice the range of asanas. She guides students to move to their edge but still being aware of limits and alignment. Casey teaches her class with a balance of the physical practice and the mental practice of the philosophy of yoga.

Now that you've met the teachers, come see our warm and inviting studio in a personal tour or see our current specials.

Bevalie Pritchard

What is your favorite yoga or pilates pose?

• It is hard to choose a favorite yoga pose because my favorite yoga pose changes with each day. My favorite pose changes with how I want to be challenged and where I feel tight and need to release. An asana that always feels good is bakasana, crane pose, because I am able to meditate and really feel the body/mind connection. It automatically brings me to the present moment and reminds me that yoga is as much of a mental discipline as it is physical.

What other forms of exercise do you do?

• Yoga is my primary exercise that I do every week because I know it is the only exercise I need. I also like to run, dance and do pilates. I do forms of exercise that build strength in all of my muscles and joints.

Bevalie (Bev) Pritchard comes to us with a professional ballet background. She was an apprentice with the Atlanta Ballet and after receiving her college BA Degree in Ballet with a professional and teaching certificate, became and is still the School Mistress/Principal Teacher for the Orlando Ballet School. Bev’s teaching path has led her to Yoga and Pilates and is a gifted, inspirational and challenging teacher in both. She has certifications in Pilates and Yoga as well as with NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine), and is a member of IADMS (International Association of Dance Medicine and Science). Her knowledge of kinesiology and strong use of muscle balance and alignment, along with amazing energy and strong passion for health and helping others is a gift to us all.

Now that you've met the teachers, come see our warm and inviting studio in a personal tour or see our current specials.