6 Fitness Instructors Offering Online Classes
Staying active can be difficult when gym routines are interrupted due to global fitness center and studio closures. Fortunately, in 2020 we have the ability to enjoy fitness classes from home with new or familiar instructors. Get to know these six incredibly talented fitness and yoga instructors offering classes online for little to no cost.
Jenny A. Mendez, RYT 500, Certified Barre, and HIIT Instructor, Yoga Therapy Candidate
Zoom Classes: Donation based, pay what you can. M: 5:30pm | W: 7am, 2:30pm | F: 7am, 12pm | Sun: 10am ET
Contact: jenmendanz@gmail.com
IG: @jennymendez_mindbody
Yoga was initially a form of therapy for Jenny. It provided her a means to counteract the stresses exerted upon her body by her professional dance career, which included a prolonged tenure with Pilobolus Dance Theater. As she kept on with her practice, she discovered in yoga a source of calm that empowered her to manage the hustle-and-bustle of modern life. Yoga also became for her an endless wellspring of inspiration and a map to countless paths to self-discovery. Her passion to share the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of yoga drove her to become a teacher. In 2011, she attained her 200-hour yoga teacher certification from the Dharma Yoga Center and in 2020 she attained her 300-hour yoga teacher certification from Prema Yoga Institute.
She is humbled and honored to share her love and passion for yoga with yogis each week (virtually nowadays), helping them unplug and reconnect with themselves, their bodies and their breath. She continues to deepen her understanding of the wonderful health benefits of yoga by devoting countless hours to self study, self practice and on-going workshops. She is currently enrolled at the Prema Yoga Institute in New York City, working towards becoming a certified Yoga Therapist. Additionally, she has been shown the ways of absolute love as well as how to do a perfect updog and downdog by her furry four-legged flower child, Frida.
Jenny’s goal for each and every session is simple: She wants her clients to walk out feeling better than when they walked in, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Each session is tailored to suit the level and need of each student and guide them towards their specific goals. Her classes draw from all forms of “yoga” (hatha, vinyasa, yin, restorative, pranayama) with a focus on alignment, mindful sequencing, and breath. She hopes her students will leave her class feeling calm, refreshed, and inspired.
Send Jenny your email to be added to her distribution list. Zoom invites for each class are sent out 12–24 hours in advance.
MarkaySuzanneYoga, RYT 500
Schedule: M/W: 12pm ET, also open for private clients
Sliding value scale: $10–18 per class, per household
IG/FB: @markaysuzanneyoga
Markay has studied the body and taught movement for more than 15-years across many studios, private homes and corporate settings. Markay has a welcoming, encouraging and respectful teaching style that ensures you have a safe space to explore the connection between your body and breath; improving your well-being and cultivating the light within.
Markay’s specialties include: yoga (vinyasa, slow flow and restorative), nutrition (western and ayurvedic), meditation, breathwork–all of which leverages her trauma-informed and inclusive approach. She holds B.S. degrees in nutritional and food science, an MBA; and is currently furthering her education by pursuing a Yoga Therapeutics Certification at Prema Yoga Institute.
Kinsey Eileen
Private Scheduled Zoom Classes: $15–30
Monthly beginners Zoom yoga class: donation based, welcome to the public
IG: @mindbodyhair364
Kinsey created a yoga program aimed towards Middle School Scholars: Mindful Movement at EAGLE College Prep: Phoenix South. Grades K-8. Kinsey has dedicated the last 7 years of her life spreading the importance of healthy nutrition, wellness and lifestyle to her community. Faithfully practicing Yoga since 2013, she has spent the last two years in an intensive yoga therapy program, gaining her 800-RYT. Kinsey’s Svadyaya (study), has been rooted in the traditional practice of yogic philosophy, therapeutics of asana (poses), meditation, movement therapy, essential oils and ayurvedic medicine. Her knowledge of yoga, healthy foods and the importance of living a purposeful life allows her to guide students into a fresh and new mindset and what she describes as a new way of living. Born within a family of natural healers, Kinsey has a powerful intuition that connects her to the souls she is guides in practice. Kinsey believes we are more than what we believe we are and what we demonstrate. Kinsey strives to establish boundaries that promote self-defeat and that express the true authentic self, creating a balance of the inner soul through self-awareness. Kinsey said, “my hope is to create a spark inside of you that removes the darkness, if for only a moment of clarity.”
Contact Kinsey by email at mindbodyhair364@gmail.com.
Jessica Apfel, RYT 200
The Wealthy Apple: Yoga + Doula
Jessica is geared towards prenatal, postnatal, trauma-informed, vinyasa (Lotus Flow), therapeutic yoga. In 2016, after completing her 200-hour yoga certification through Laughing Lotus Yoga Center, Jessica was searching for ways she could offer the healing practice of yoga to populations in need. Jessica discovered the non-profit, Exhale to Inhale, that offers trauma-informed yoga to women who are survivors of domestic and physical violence. It felt like a calling, and indeed it was. After teaching her first series of trauma-informed yoga at a women’s shelter, she wanted to find more ways to help and support women. She had the idea of becoming and from there began her journey towards birth work. Through the magic of the universe and things just falling into place, Jessica completed her prenatal and postnatal yoga certification through the Prenatal Yoga Center. She then sought out her DONA Approved Doula Certification with Debra Pascali Bonaro and Robin Lim in Bali in 2019. Through these experiences, she plans to obtain her yoga therapist certification supporting women through both prenatal and postnatal recovery as well as supporting women through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
Jessica has experience teaching yoga online and is open to working with those interested in her practice. Contact Jessica at jessica@thewealthyapple.com or (917) 342–2896 for more information.
Hillary Lorsch, 200 RYT
Hillary Lorsch Yoga Youtube: Donation based
Zoom 45-minute kid’s yoga: $10 for one child per household or $15 for two children per household
Zoom adult yoga privates or group classes: $15 a person per class or $20 per household
Hillary is a registered 200-hour certified power yoga teacher and received her children’s yoga certification in 2019. Hillary is currently studying to receive her 850-hour yoga therapy certification with the Prema Yoga Institute. Hillary has volunteered with organizations such as Swift Youth Foundation in Phoenix, AZ for 10-years. During her time with Swift, she learned about values programming for children and teen mentors. Hillary has used her children’s yoga training and volunteer experience to develop a fun and safe environment for children to learn, play, and move while gaining life skills, body awareness, and everyday values. Hillary taught yoga at East Harlem School on behalf of Namaste NY as well as Facebook live kid’s yoga for Prema Yoga Institute. Hillary is continuing to find ways to engage students online through yoga and received her trauma-informed yoga teacher certification to ensure every student feels safe and welcome in her classes.
Hillary teaches an array of therapeutic yoga practices that include, but aren’t limited to: chair yoga, slow flow, vinyasa, restorative, yoga nidra, and meditation. Whatever you need, Hillary is happy to find a way to offer that to you. Get in touch with Hillary at lorschhillary@gmail.com to learn more about online yoga classes.
Augusta Carbray, RYT 500, C-IAYT, ACE-GEL
Owner of Kayabala Therapeutic Yoga
Zoom group yoga: $25 per person, max 4 people per class
Kayabala Therapeutic Yoga Youtube: Donation based
In-home yoga: $75/hour
Augusta has been practicing yoga for years, studying under certified Iyengar yoga teachers. Augusta received a degree in yoga instruction through Scottsdale Community College (SCC). During her time at SCC, she learned yoga philosophy and history, biomechanics, anatomy, detailed postural alignment, therapeutics and the art of teaching. Her studies also included principles of the breath, meditation, postural sequencing, observation, verbal and physical adjustments, use of voice, and organization of course curriculum. Augusta went on to studying yoga therapy. She gained more in-depth knowledge on modifications in yoga poses as a way to help her students. Augusta is now a certified in yoga therapy alongside her certification in prenatal yoga and group led exercise instruction through the American Council on Exercise. On top of her education in the fitness realm, she has a law degree from Argentina and is fluent in Spanish, French and English. She has been working as a Social Worker for over 20 years. Augusta continues maintain her commitment in practice and education in yoga.
For more information, contact Augusta at kayabalayoga@gmail.com or through her Facebook @kayabalayoga and Instagram @Kayabala_therapeutic_yoga. Visit kayabalayoga.ppcbrands.com/ to stay up to date with Augusta.
Want to be added to the list? Contact lorschhillary@gmail.com with a description of yourself and a way for people to access you online!