Teachers
The In Balance Yoga & Pilates Instructors all have various backgrounds and accredidations in different styles of yoga and have studied throughout the world with renown teachers. Their individual bios will provide you with a sample of what you can look forward to experiencing in their classes!
DEBORAH CORSO Deborah Corso's background includes 15 years of dance training, performing, and choreography as well as a former career in finance. She began her instruction in Ashtanga Yoga with Lewis Rothlein and Karyn Stillwell and continues to study with a variety of different instructors here and abroad, most notably David Swenson with whom Deborah completed her teacher's training. Deborah believes in teaching Ashtanga in a thoughtful, fun and gentle way and hopes that each student finds their own practice to be an oasis and an inspiration both on and off the yoga mat.
JANE FOODY
Jane's yoga journey began in 1997. She has studied with Kamala Srisivan (a native of India and a Krishnamacharya style teacher), David Williams (Ashtanga pioneer), Edely Wallace (Multi-styled Yoga master), and Mukunda Stiles (world renown yoga therapist and author of "Structural Yoga Therapy"). Jane did her Yoga Alliance training and certification with Edely Wallace. She is also a member of IYTA (International Yoga Therapists Association). She has a passion for integrating mind and body. Jane is graduating with her B.A. in Psychology this Spring 2008 and in the Summer of 2008 she will begin studying at an accredited school to attain her Doctor of Physical Therapy. Besides teaching at In Balance, Jane currently teaches at the University of Central Florida's recreation and wellness center as well as the YMCA.
Jane's yoga classes are gentle, yet the effects on the body are profound. She purposely does not proscribe to any one style of yoga. She believes that yoga is all really, "one thing" and most importantly yoga should be a balanced practice that returns your mind and your body to its natural state of health and well being. Jane's yoga philosophy says that if you are getting hurt or feeling pain during your yoga practice, you are practicing the wrong way, with the wrong teacher! In her classes, she constantly reiterates that pain is always a sign from your body that something is wrong and you should never ignore these signs in favor of the, "No Pain, No Gain" paradigm. If you are getting hurt practicing yoga, you are not actually practicing yoga.
Jane provides a loving and nurturing, non-competitive atmosphere for all of her students. One of her favorite quotes is, "Without students, there is no teacher." Jane would love for you to attend of of her classes or for you to schedule an individual one on one session to practice and address personal questions and concerns.
LAUREN GAINES
Lauren began her yoga journey in 2000 and shortly thereafter received her teaching certification from Tracey Rich and Ganga White at White Lotus in Santa Barbara, CA. She studied Ashtanga and Vinyasa Flow extensively with Shiva Rea, Seane Corn and other inspirational teachers in Southern California and taught in Long Beach and surrounding areas. In 2005 she completed an Anusara Immersion at The Yoga Center in Carlsbad, CA and began Anusara Teacher Training before moving back to her hometown of Orlando. She recently completed a 200-hour Ashtanga Teacher Training with Krista Shirley here in Orlando. She is an active member of the Yoga Alliance and currently working on designing and teaching her own curriculum for a yoga and meditation program at the Orange County jail.
Her playful nature creates a loving, safe environment in which to experience peaceful self-discovery and a deeper connection with oneself. Lauren believes that yoga not only affords us physical purification and increased mental focus but through mindfulness and moving meditation we receive higher levels of contentment and moment-to-moment awareness. Yoga and meditation are the most life-affirming practices we can bring to our lives. Lauren embraces an open heart of gratitude for her teachers and for the opportunity to teach yoga and to encourage her students to experience a deeper connection to themselves and the abundance of joy life brings. In addition to her passion for yoga, Lauren has received attunement for Second Degree Reiki as well as Intermediate Certification in Herbalism through the Florida School of Herbal Studies.
CORTNEY SINGLETON
Integrative Yoga Therapist & Certified Power Pilates Instructor. Courtney holds several certifications including Yoga, Pilates, Spinning,Personal Training & Kickboxing. Last year she was commissioned by royalty in Saudi Arabia for one on one Pilates and instructor training. When she is not teaching classical Pilates or vinyasa flow yoga, Cortney surfs and rides her thoroughbred. This year she plans to travel to Central America in search of land to host surfing, Yoga/Pilates, alternative health retreats.
LISA WULF
. Lisa is a Registered Nurse having worked in Intensive Care, Progressive Care and Cardiology. Lisa was also a Group Fitness Leader for over 20 years. Her passion to help heal the heart led her to Anusara Yoga® where she has received her accreditation as an Anusara – inspired yoga teacher™.
Lisa has received hundreds of hours of Anusara Yoga teacher training and study under the loving guidance of her mentor and certified Anusara Yoga teacher, Isaac, to whom she offers her love and boundless gratitude. Furthermore, Lisa has had the privilege to study extensively in the science of yoga under the internationally known, spiritually inspiring founder of ®Anusara Yoga, John Friend, to whom she holds in her heart an abundance of gratitude. Her studies with John have focused on asana alignment, biomechanics, and modification with use of props, the use of the breath, postural sequencing and therapeutics. In 2006, in Park City Utah, Lisa was chosen from over a thousand applicants to be among an elite group of worldwide teachers to participation in intensive teacher training with John Friend.
She has several hours of study with Doug Keller, international author and teacher on several respected books on therapy, pranayama, and spiritual philosophy.
Lisa feels teaching yoga is one of the greatest and most honorable services you can render. To help someone relieve their suffering and rediscover happiness and love in life is one of the greatest possible rewards. Namaste
LESLIE MARTINO
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. While teaching elementary school, Leslie started practicing Pilates to help with chronic injuries. She completed her Pilates 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.
ANDREA THEIN
Andrea has been working with children of all ages for over 6 years. During this time she has been involved with Zoo Conservation and Education programs at the Central Florida Zoological Park and still takes time to volunteer and spread the conservation message to all people. Her passion is yoga and teaching yoga to beginners and children. Yoga is so much more than the postures, for Andrea it is a tool to help us bring focus, peace, clarity to our body and mind. With her experience teaching children at the zoo she became more interested in the role yoga can play in the lives of young children; yoga can help children to be calm, increase awareness, and to integrate imagination and excitement into their daily lives. Andrea started training under Global Family Yoga and continues her kids yoga education through GFY. She is also a Hatha Yoga Teacher with a 200 hour teaching certificate through Red Door Yoga's Teacher Training Program and is certified and registered through the Yoga Alliance. Andrea is also working on ways to 'green up' our yoga practice by incorporating sustainable and eco-friendly habits into the process of yoga which ultimately the yoga roots are already integrated in. She just recently been involved with the Green Yoga Association to help foster ecological consciousness, reverence, and action within the Yoga community. Andrea will begin her training for her 500 hour teacher training certification at Discovery Yoga in St. Augustine, Florida. Andrea has been practicing meditation and study with the Kadampa Tradition for over six years. "My passion is yoga and using yoga to help individuals see the beauty and compassion in our world."
The kids and adults both will love her and learn from her!!!
DONNA SILVER
Donna has been a Pilates instructor for 5 years. Trained in Classical Pilates on the Cadillac, Reformer,Mat and Chair apparatus. Her certifications include PHI Pilates, SCW Fitness, Fittour and the YMCA in several continuing ed classes like use of props and intermediate Mat training. Her true talent is taking brand new beginners through a workout they enjoy and learn from! In addition to the Pilates, Donna's yoga training has been with well known yoga gurus David Swenson,Beryl Bender Birch and David Williams.
CARA LOSI
Cara has been practicing Pilates for over 7 years, teaching the last 3 and is AFAA certified. Cara says her heart is in pilates as it offers students a way to live a better quality of life. Her calming voice and clear instruction allows all students to learn and challenge themselves while assuring safety with each excercise. Cara is a mother of 3 young adult sons and has helped them as well strengthen their bodies with the help of Pilates!
TC GILCHRIST TC began his yoga practice and training in India starting with Madras, Bangalore, and Mysore, received a 200 hour Yoga Teacher Certification from yoga master Edeley Wallace of Yogamatrix in Orlando, Florida, and yearly training from numerous teachers, including Bryan Kest, Beryl Bender Birch, Paul Grilley, and David Swenson. Iyengar, Sivananda, Ashtanga, and Yin are a few of the yoga styles included in his personal practice and classes. He is a lifelong yoga student and yoga teacher, who happens to be certified by Yoga Alliance.
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ABSALON FIGUEROAAbsalon began practicing yoga to compliment his training as a ballet dancer. He began dancing in his early twenties, and was faced with the challenge of conditioning his body without the advantage of childhood training. Yoga, Pilates, dance conditioning, and stretch became elements of his physical training along with a full schedule of dance classes. Having majored in dance at Ryerson University in Toronto, and having danced as a trainee with the Orlando Ballet Company and School, Absalon developed a strong foundation of physical skill and a deep knowledge of functional anatomy.
Absalon's journey in yoga has deepened over the past few years. He enjoys the vigor and challenges of the traditional Ashtanga practice as well as the benefits from various other styles.
Today, Absalon has found a calling to teach yoga in a friendly and enjoyable way. He continues to practice for much more than the physical benefits that originally attracted him to yoga and loves the opportunity to share this gift of yoga with others. He incorporates his knowledge of body awareness, alignment, movement, anatomy, and intuition into his classes.