From academia to the club, from the sidewalk to the studio, Anya Porter has pursued her passion for life through physicality, movement, and a desire to make connections between cultures, people and practices. In 2002 after graduating with a BFA in Dance, she headed straight to Philadelphia where she trained, studied and performed with pioneers in a variety of street dance forms. After injury left her unable to dance, she dove into yoga to heal and rehabilitate her body and has spent the last 7 years and over 700 hours training in yoga, meditation and Eastern studies. Today she is fully immersed in her yoga practice and teaching, and continues to dance in a variety of mediums. Breakti TM is a meeting of two of her deepest passions: yoga and street dance culture. Anya's classes infuse... Read the profile >>
Dana Slamp, ERYT, was first introduced to yoga while completing her M.F.A. at American Conservatory Theatre. She earned her teaching certification from Sonic Yoga in New York City and completed Prenatal Teacher Training with Gurmukh at Golden Bridge Yoga in 2008. Dana continues her studies with Sri Dharma Mittra (many thanks). In her vinyasa classes, Dana's adventurous sequencing includes core building, overcoming fear of inversions, and the call to love oneself. She draws from diverse spiritual teachings, and seeks for students to experience the now in their way - be it vigorous physical practice or meditation. In 2008, Dana began teaching restorative classes and guided meditation at Pure Yoga, as well as yoga for athletes at David Barton Gym. She plays harmonium and sings kirtan,... Read the profile >>
Deazie Gibson is an international group fitness instructor and personal trainer who hails from New York City, by way of Texas. Deazie is known for applying her Drive, Discipline and Determination- D-3 -to every aspect of exercise. Whether it is fitness videos for Gaiam and Acacia, group fitness classes from New York City to Istanbul, Turkey, or personal training, Deazie excels above and beyond with her effervescent personality and athletic approach to fitness. Deazie's own athletic background is in dance, gymnastics, track and cheerleading, all of which she excelled in through high school. After high school Deazie attended Trinity Valley College on a cheerleading scholarship where she and her team were the 1996 National Cheerleading Association National Champions. Upon achieving... Read the profile >>
Kira Stokes, a graduate of Boston College with a BS in psychology and a minor in health science, has excelled in the personal training and fitness industry for over 16 years. She began her career as a partner with Train Boston, New England's premier medically-based fitness and training center and Boston Sports Clubs. She established herself as one of the elite trainers and fitness instructors in the Boston area, moving on to become a top instructor at the world-renowned The Sports Club LA and Equinox – one of the most prestigious fitness companies in the country. In 2007, Kira moved to the New York area. Since 1998, Kira has been the sole proprietor of her own personal training company, "The Stoked Method". Today, in addition to her private one-on-one training clientele, she teaches... Read the profile >>
Lauren began her training as a gymnast in Chicago, and there discovered her love of dance and joined DanceWest Ballet company. She graduated magna cum laude from Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory of Music with a degree in Musical Theatre. She has performed in "Jersey Boys" (original Chicago cast/2007 Emmy Awards), "Pippin" (National Tour), and regionally in "Oklahoma", "A Chorus Line", "Anything Goes", "Cabaret", "Brigadoon", and "Jesus Christ Superstar" at such theatres as PaperMill Playhouse, The Beacon Theatre, and Kansas City Starlight. She is honored and thrilled to be joining the Physique 57® team! Read the profile >>
Pure
Marco completed a yoga teacher training course under the guidance of Chuck Miller and Maty Ezraty. He currently practices at the Iyengar Yoga Institute of New York and explores ISTHA philosophy under the guardianship of Alan Finger. Marco teaches a Vinyasa flow with attention to alignment and exploration of poses. Read the profile >>
Matt’s Yoga Journey began after having read “Wisdom of the Peaceful Warrior”, by Dan Millman. The book inspired Matt to learn more about “living in the moment”, and cultivating mindfulness, His search led him to Salutations Yoga where he began to practice with seasoned teachers, Patti Mataska and Janice Ventresca. Recognizing Matt’s intense zeal and dedication, Patti and Janice encouraged Matt to experiment with other teachers and various styles while continuing his study with them. Matt began taking up to 3 yoga classes a day, sampling different styles and philosophies. Eventually Matt decided to pursue, Acroyoga, an acrobatic, partner yoga, and Anusara, two styles that are built upon the principals of love, kindness, and trust. In the summer of 2009, Matt began to... Read the profile >>
Melissa Paris’s passion for health and fitness began at a very young age with a competitive attitude and a thirst for anything that challenged her physically. Melissa’s fascination with the vital connection between emotional health and the physical body led her to obtain a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Montclair State University. She continued her work in clinical nutrition at Morristown Memorial hospital as a dietetic aide, counseling patients on their diets and meal plans. During her time there, Melissa discovered that the biggest factors to achieving healthy results are the combination of essential nutrition and meal planning. For most of Melissa’s life her mom struggled with breast cancer, diabetes, and other health complications. And after loosing her mom, June, in... Read the profile >>
Flywheel co-founder Ruth Zukerman has been a leading fitness instructor on the East Coast for the past 25 years. She received her education at Mount Holyoke College and has taken extensive courses in anatomy and exercise physiology. A certified indoor cycling instructor, Ruth has taught indoor cycling at both full-service fitness centers and dedicated cycling studios. In 2006, Ruth co-founded the first exclusive indoor cycling studio in New York City, and is widely credited as the driving force behind the surge in indoor cycling's popularity in New York and beyond. Originally a dancer with a strong passion for music, Ruth choreographs her classes and makes the music integral to the movement. Her vision is to create the next generation of indoor cycling - the Flywheel experience - a... Read the profile >>
Stephanie grew up in Manasquan, NJ and began dancing at the age of two. She is a graduate of the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA. During her studies she was awardedthe Promising Artist Scholarship and recieved her BFA in modern dance performance. While attending UArts, Stephanie was privileged to work and perform with Milton Myers, Brian Sanders, Momix, and Bessie Award winner Miriam Soto. She has also studied at the Joffrey Ballet School; Stephanie was on scholarship at the NJ Govenor's School of the Arts, and spent a summer studying modern dance in Prague, with Lynn Barr. Since moving to New York, Stephanie has danced throughout the city with various modern dance companies. Stephanie is AFFA certified and thrilled to be part of the Physique 57 team and the lululemon family. Read the profile >>
