Ali

Instructor

About Me

Ali has been teaching yoga and fitness classes for 9 years and has traveled around the world leading retreats, workshops and classes. Whether in a Yoga Sculpt, Pilates or HIIT class, you will be sure to move to an uplifting playlist, break a sweat and get in the zone with a challenging, creative routine. Her extensive knowledge working with injuries, athletes and pre-existing conditions makes her classes suitable for all levels of students.

Michelle

Instructor

Michelle is a Romana’s Pilates Certified Instructor with Level 5+ status and has been teaching the Authentic Pilates Method, designed by Joseph H. Pilates himself, since 2008.  Her clientele has included a wide range of body shapes, sizes, ages, injuries (including amputations), pregnancies, and abilities.  She has challenged young ballerinas and encouraged those who were 95 years old with her expertise, knowledge and charming personality.  Her certification includes the Basic through Advanced work, on all pieces of apparatus including the mat exercises.

John Jay

Instructor

About Me

John Jay discovered the benefits of a regular yoga practice while playing football at the University of San Diego. After completing training in both Hatha and Power Vinyasa styles, he began instructing in 2010. Yoga’s vast array of traditions, schools and teachers allows each Yogi to blaze their own path organically; something that continues to excite John Jay as both a student and teacher. As Lao Tzu said, “A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving."

Craig

Instructor

Joshua

Instructor

Lavel

Instructor

About Me

Lavel is originally from Michigan and is a Culinary chef who became a Fitness Instructor 6 years ago. He is a huge nature fan who spends as much time outside as possible enjoying what America's Finest City has to offer. He loves basketball and is an United States Navy, Persian Gulf War Veteran.

Fun Fact: Was a backup dancer for MC Hammer!

Sarah

Instructor

About Me

Sarah brings passion to her classes that can be felt immediately.  “Flow with Sarah” is her motto and after taking her classes you will see her level of instruction creates a unique opportunity to receive a strong, fitness related workout while becoming connected with the mind through breath. Sarah was hooked on movement from an early age as a dancer and performing artist and got her first taste of yoga in college while studying under renowned Iyengar Yoga Instructor Herb Sandoval at Santa Monica College. In 2012 she suffered from severe back pain and rediscovered her yoga practice, this time under Bryan Kest at Santa Monica Power Yoga. Her back pain subsided, and she loved the benefits, both mental and physical, she was receiving from practicing yoga regularly. She moved to San Diego in 2015 and pursued her dream of teaching by becoming a Certified Yoga Instructor through CorePower Yoga. Always a student first, it was yoga that taught Sarah to listen to her heart and to follow what she truly desires.  Her enthusiasm and "full of life" demeanor sets her apart as an authentic teacher and yogini who truly loves sharing her passion of yoga with others, so they too can listen to their true selves.

Kendall

Instructor

About Me

Kendall grew up in Washington State and moved to San Diego in February of 2016. After experiences with chronic anxiety she found yoga to be an excellent way to keep her mind and body calm and centered. She is a kind-hearted and optimistic individual who loves to make people smile.

In Kendall’s classes you will find a welcoming, supportive space filled with feel-good adjustments and heart-felt encouragement. She loves to see students step out on a limb to try something new. Never be afraid to fall!

When Kendall isn’t practicing yoga you can find her in the kitchen experimenting with new recipes and baking her favorite treats. Her motto: Life’s too short for a bad meal!

Karina

Instructor

About Me

Karina's love for movement began in her hometown of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. When she was six years old she would accompany her mother to her Ashtanga classes where she would sit on the sidelines & watch everyone breathe in synchronicity. At age fourteen she took part in her first 30 day Bikram Yoga challenge - this was the first time she felt like she was a part of a community. Once in high school Karina began classically training in ballet, jazz, contemporary & modern dance, eventually leading to graduate from Sam Houston State University with a Bachelor's in Fine Arts. After three years dancing professionally in San Diego, Karina was reintroduced to the Yoga Collective. Now more than ever she feels the need to serve by guiding people to live a life in an awakened state of being.

 

Darwin

Instructor

About Me

Darwin has dedicated his entire life to the training of martial arts. Starting at a very young age, he trained a few years in karate and eventually progressed into Brazilian Capoeira, under a well accomplished Capoeira mestre. In 1998, he began training with the legendary Dan Inosanto, protégé of the late Bruce Lee. Dan Inosanto introduced Darwin to the founder of the World Thai Boxing Association and the person responsible for bringing Muay Thai to America, the legendary, Ajarn Surachai Sirisute. Upon training Thai boxing, Darwin immediately fell in love with the art and later obtained the certificate of Instructorship, earning his title as “Kru” or master instructor in Thai Boxing.

In 1999, Darwin continued his cross training with a longtime family friend and big brother figure, 2x (MMA) World Champion, Erik Paulson. He worked his way from being a student all the way to a high-ranking level coach in Erik Paulson’s Combat Submission Wrestling. During the same year, Darwin was also cross-training with his long time mentor and friend, Sifu Kenny Barry. He took Darwin under his wing and they trained countless hours in Filipino martial arts and in Bruce Lee’s, Jeet Kune Do. Kru Darwin later advanced in both arts, earning the title as a black belt level or instructor level under Sifu Kenny Barry.

Darwin is a well-rounded and experienced professional martial artist. He is dedicated and passionate about the progress and well-being of each athlete and every one of his martial arts students. His determination and drive to help people reach their goals is his job. If you’re looking for fitness and to learn a potentially lifesaving skill set within a high intense environment, you found the right place!

 

Certifications:

• Certified World Thai Boxing Association Instructor


• Certified Combat Submission Wrestling Instructor Level 4


• Certified Jun Fan Gung Fu (J.K.D.) Associate Level Instructor


• Certified Filipino Martial Art of KALI Apprentice Instructor


• Ready 21 Self Defense Instructor


• Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Blue Belt under Royce Gracie

Alberto

Instructor

About Me

Alberto is a dedicated trainer and instructor with over 12 years of professional athlete experience who is passionate about helping AquaVie members achieve their fitness goals. Originally from Venice, Italy, Alberto’s high energy and humorous personality will keep you feeling motivated and focused on your workout. He carries nine certifications including FISI, FIT, and CTP. Alberto was previously a tennis instructor at Mario Salvati School of Tennis in Roma Foroitalico and a Certified Ski Instructor with Italian Federation Ski where he received trainer of the year in 1986. Get your sweat on during one of Alberto’s Spin Core Strength or Power Pump classes!

 

Lindsay G.

Instructor

About Me

Lindsay is an NCSF Certified Personal Trainer and Owner/Operator of JustDo.Fit; specializing in getting people fit for their active trips including online adventure prep programs. As a Certified Personal Trainer she is available for one on one Personal Training, group training and classes, boot camps, nutrition guidance/planning as well as coaching.

In her free time Lindsay played beach volleyball, and enjoys hiking, biking, camping, backpacking (mostly solo trips), with a love for travel, she is launching an active guided adventure travel company. When she is not exploring the great outdoors she enjoys building things, work on her trucks and rehabbing houses with her dog Mama Girl by her side.

Jonathan

Instructor

About Me

Sixteen years ago I began yoga in a teacher training. It was actually a practice that began to quell my mind’s desires and addictions to pain and suffering. I initially had no clue that the physical body, or my spirit was going to be something I could fall in love with. Through a daily practice and much guidance, the links between my breath, mind, body and unique spirit gave me a heightened sense of the importance of love on all levels…for the individual self and all beings surrounding it. Yoga has become a big part of every aspect of my life and has allowed me to remain a thriving, productive being within our world. It is my passion to give all my knowledge to those that seek so that i might be able to inspire them on their own path to their own unique truth within the collective whole. What our world is creating in the physical space is an example of what our intellect and spirits are capable of sustaining in all realms.

Kevin

Instructor

About Me

Kevin has been involved in the fitness industry for the past 25 years instructing spin classes, swim classes (private and masters swim), boot camps and triathlon training. He attended Northern Arizona University and SDSU, focusing on Physiology and Sociology. He has competed and completed in over 100 triathlons both nationally and worldwide.

Kathrine

Personal Trainer

About Me

My name is Kathrine I was born in Panama and grew up in Fayetteville, North Carolina.  I have been in San Diego since 1992 and worked in a Corporate environment as a Medical Biller and Compliance Officer for over 20yrs. I’m a mother of a beautiful daughter who just graduated at SF State.  I have been doing Personal Training and Reformer Pilates for the past three years, and live in the downtown area.  Fitness has always been my passion and I love seeing the level of confidence from the inside bloom while also helping people to get stronger and increase their ROM and Mobility.  I like to incorporate the Pilates method into my Personal Training sessions creating strength from your foundation and building from there.

John

Personal Trainer

About Me

Originally from San Diego, California, John  has been involved in organized sports and outdoor activities since a young age. He graduated from the University of California San Diego and soon after became a strength and wellness coach. John streamlines his clients' results by encouraging total lifestyle design. Clients benefit by learning how to effectively manage their nutrition, fitness, travel, and mindset in the most focused way possible. John's interests include kettlebell training, climbing and mountaineering, sprinting, road trips and travel.

Lindsay R.

Personal Trainer

About Me

Lindsay is a certified ISSA personal trainer with a degree in exercise science. She will be with you every step of your fitness journey making it easier and more enjoyable. Being an athlete from a young age, Lindsay has always loved fitness. Starting as a dancer, hiker, rock climber, and volleyball player she eventually transitioned to the weightlifting world. Her varied background helps her keep fitness diverse and exciting, and her personal passion for weightlifting led to a love for being able to share the strength and confidence fitness can give to everyone. She will be with you every step in achieving your goals whether that be weight loss, strengthening, or toning. Fitness has a tremendous impact on every aspect of life, and together you can push boundaries to reach your full potential. Lindsay’s hope is to inspire you to feel your best and to live in harmony with your body.

 

Specialization:

Strength training

Toning

Flexibility

Weight Loss

Elyssa

Personal Trainer

About Me

Elyssa Swann has been a dedicated personal fitness & lifestyle coach and health activist since 2002. Her specialization in training focuses on body fat reduction, functional strength training, pre/post injury rehabilitation, and mobility. More recently, she has been working as an enthusiastic yoga instructor. She hopes to continue her passion as a yoga instructor and grow her practice. She believes her personal training background and yoga experience helps her better understand how the body functions. The two complement each other well and provide a balance between strength and focus.

Elyssa’s knowledge in personal training and yoga are not the only things that make her a unique coach; she finds importance in creating personal connections with the people around her. She has a positive, energetic outlook on life and she strives to encourage others to do the same. Her workouts can be tough but are often filled with laughter. She strongly believes that a healthy lifestyle does not solely consist of the physical, but rather a well-rounded connection between mind and body. In her off time, she enjoys traveling, indulging in creative projects, and pursuing the richness that the world has to offer.

Current Certifications:

• National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer


• 200 hour Certified Yoga Instructor


• CrossFit Olympic Lifting Certified


• TRX Suspension Training Certified

Sahand

Personal Trainer

About Me
Sahand specializes in corrective exercise, flexibility training, body fat reduction, interval training, athletic training and strength training. Sahand's goal as a coach is to make exercise fun and the best part of your day. Sahand has done various style of martial arts and has competed in collegiate track and field in the 400m and 4x400 relay.
In his free time Sahand loves being active in the gym and plays sports such as basketball and football.

My Philosophy
As a personal trainer and coach, it is my job to get my clients to perform at their absolute best. I have realized over the years that each person has different support needs to get them to their goals. I do not believe in a one workout/program fits all approach. This is called PERSONAL training. Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. Each person that comes to me needs a specific program to fit their needs. Some need to lose that extra 10-15 pounds to get them to perform at their best. Others need to improve their range of motion and mobility to move better. Then there are those who need to correct those stubborn aches and pains. There are times I see a combination of the three. I have spent years learning the education necessary to address all of my client’s needs so I can help each achieve their goals no matter what the focus.
I want to see where you are in your life and how you want to recreate yourself into the best version of you. I tailor my programs to fit your lifestyle and the activities you enjoy doing. I deliver my results through science and current evidence based research. I can guarantee that with a positive attitude and the desire for self-growth, you will see and feel your results when you work with me.