Achinta McDaniel
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Achinta McDaniel is founder and artistic director of blue13 dance company, and has been choreographing, performing and teaching for over ten years. She will inspire you with her passion for Indian and modern dance, while working your body and bringing out the Indian goddess in you!

Amelia Jackerson
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Moving to Los Angeles over a year ago to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Southern California, Amelia found Swerve within the first week of moving to Los Angeles and has been an avid student and participant (and now teacher) ever since. Originally hailing from the East Coast and dancing from the age of three, Amelia loves to dance, perform, and share her love of movement with others. As an undergrad at Vanderbilt University majoring in Human and Organizational Development, Amelia used dance as her outlet, taking regular classes and performing in ballet, jazz, modern, hip hop and funk. She also trained and continues to train in pilates and yoga. Her interests in fitness, health, and wellness have continued into graduate school, whereupon graduation this May (hopefully!), Amelia seeks to work in the fitness arena in a college or university. Her class, Ballet Body, is taught with great love and respect from good friend and mentor, Leah Serago. Ballet Body incorporates the art of dance and the physiology of exercise through dance, yoga, and Pilates-inspired exercises. Through Ballet Body, Amelia hopes to help you sweat and develop the best “you”, using grace, movement, and athleticism.

Andrea Pelletier
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My desire to become a personal trainer came from my desire to help motivate and encourage others to reach their fitness goals. I come from a competitive athletic background and know the hard work and commitment it takes to get in shape, but I also know the gratification you get once you start achieving the goals you set for yourself. I am a highly encouraging, motivating and energetic trainer with a unique style. Everyone has a workout personality and I enjoy personally getting to know my clients and creating a uniquely designed fitness program that meets their needs and goals, while at the same time having fun. I will make sure you sweat and push yourself, but it is my goal that you take away not only that you got a great workout, but that you are becoming a stronger and healthier person inside and out.

I specialize in decreasing overall body fat and increasing lean body mass, while utilizing high intensity circuit training, I also work with sport specific athletic training, core/stability training, agility and balance work, and ballet/pilates/bar workouts. Every day is a new challenge, face it with strength and confidence, lets get going! GAME ON! I hope to see you in the gym.

Bianca Arvin
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Bianca Arvin grew up in Austin, TX where she quit ballet when she was 6 years old. After a 10 year retirement she re-embraced dancing with a passion and has since been obnoxiously shaking her booty anywhere she can. Bianca discovered Yoga Booty Ballet and Swerve in 2001 and quickly became a devout worshiper. After 5 years of classes, Bianca was able to realize her dream and become a certified ACE group instructor and Yoga Booty Ballet instructor. Her ongoing love affair with dance and movement inspires Bianca to continue studying various forms of dance, exercise, yoga and artistic expression. She lives and works in Los Angeles.

Brenna Griffin
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Brenna began her road to self discovery through the visual arts as student at the performing arts high school in her hometown of Buffalo N.Y., Then moved to NYC to work in theater, eventually going back to school where she studied set design at Purchase college theater conservatory. After many years paying her dues in the indi-film circuit working as a set decorator and art director, moved to hollywood to live the dream. Then the unexpected happened -as work kept progressing but there was something missing. The stress of the jobs led her to her first Kundalini Yoga class and a true peace settled in. After a few years of regular classes, and a yearning to search a little further she developed her practice through the invigorating teacher-training program at Golden Bridge. She has completed the Y.O.G.A. for youth certification program with Krishna Kaur in addition to being certified in the Khalsa Way prenatal yoga techniques as taught by Gurmukh and Davi Kaur. Brenna has a great love of the transformative practice of Kundalini yoga, and is honored to share this this technology with women during the beautiful time of pregnancy. The energy focused on the breath in both movement and meditation will build your sacred divine feminine strength, build community with other women, but most importantly begin  conscious communication with your unborn child, joyously beginning adventure of being a mother.

Caryn Malkus
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Caryn started dancing at three years old, and her passion for it has continued to grow over the years. She has parlayed her love for dance into a career as a performer, teacher, and choreographer. A singer as well, her professional pursuits have taken her to the stage in many productions, including the role of Ann-Margret in the European tour of “Elvis the Legend”, and most recently, in the Jewish Women’s Repertory Company’s version of “Guys and Dolls.” Caryn earned a B.A. from Tufts University and a M.A. from Columbia University, Teachers College. She has had the pleasure of teaching hip-hop dance to children for the last 15 years, and has recently tailored her dance classes for adults. She is thrilled to be at Swerve, motivating her students to express themselves through dance, while getting their bodies in shape. A wife and mother, Caryn keeps her husband Mitch and their twin sons, Coby and Eitan, moving and grooving all the time!

Courtney Munch
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Courtney received her training at Laughing Lotus Yoga Center in NYC in 2001 where her teachers Dana Flynn and Jasmine Tarkeshi inspired her to teach from her heart, have the curiosity of a student, and most importantly have fun. Courtney teaches a challenging but playful vinyasa class with an emphasis on alignment. Courtney believes in the words of her kung fu teacher Shi Yan Ming that in action meditation as "you stretch your body, you stretch your mind."

Debbie Gilbertson
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Debbie "Harnam Kaur" is a long time devotee of Kundalini Yoga and meditation of over 12 years experience. Teaching Pre-natal yoga and children's yoga is a part of her private practice as well. She writes and does photography on the topics of food, culture and people. Her goal is to pass on the tools of Kundalini yoga as helpful supplement for all to the excel in the city of angels.

Elouise Taylor
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With clients around the world Elouise has traditionally held her Intuitive Therapy sessions on a one-on-one basis. What she has observed is that no matter which side of the success and wealth scale someone comes from, at our core our fears and insecurities are but the same. For the longest time Elouise believed that incredible healing and growth would take place if only her clients could somehow witness each others sessions, but could never work out how to facilitate it. So, (drum roll please!) Elouise is thrilled to be holding her inaugural Intuitive Therapy group session. The format will be like a Q & A session held in a traditional sacred space with Elouise. There are numerous gifts from group energy work, not least of which is the wisdom gained from a question asked by a complete stranger which you would never have thought to ask. The more people, the more energy & the greater the gift of the afternoon, so please invite anyone you feel will gain from this experience.

Gillian Clark
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Gillian Clark is a seeker, interested in fulfilling her ultimate purpose spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally. She is a dedicated practitioner of meditation and contemplation.
Her interest in the physical arts began at an early age as a figure skater, then as a ballet student. Classical training includes a B.F.A. from UCSB and an M.F.A. from The American Conservatory Theatre.
Gillian began teaching in 1987 and certified as instructor and personal trainer through ACE, AFAA, and Cal State Hayward. Shes been practicing Kundalini yoga since 1989, Anusara yoga since 1998 and Kriya yoga since 2002, grateful to her teachers Siri Sat Nam, John Friend and Paramahansa Yogananda, and all in their lineage.
Gillian created, Yoga Booty Ballet in 1998 from a dream (yes, really), originally developing the class at Crunch. Y2K initiated collaboration with Teigh McDonough in releasing YBB, as a team-produced effort on home video. This partnership and deep friendship facilitates SWERVE, a boutique movement studio in Los Angeles. With the added support of fitness giant, Beach Body, the partners are honoured to offer 17 Yoga Booty Ballet DVD's, props and a meditation CD, currently, the #1 best selling workout program in the United States.
She is happily married to artist Andy Clark and she is the proud step mom of two up and coming Goddesses in Training.

Harrison James
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Harrison James is a graduate of the American Film Institute. She is a working writer and director in Los Angeles, as well as teaches a screenwriting lab designed to empower filmmakers with self-generated material. Harrison is also a Licensed Spiritual Practitioner at the Agape International Spiritual Center. Her teachers include Dr. Rev. Michael Beckwith, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and Bruce Rubin, student of Swami Rudrananda. She believes the artist is him or herself the medium, and the work of the artist is to recognize and prepare him or herself as a clear channel for the Universe to speak through.

Jen Josten
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Jen's professional background is one of dance. She grew up studying ballet at Boston Ballet Company, went on to High School of Performing Arts, and got her first job dancing with Madonna. She then danced in various shows and with multiple companies all over the world. Her teaching career began in Japan where she taught jazz and ballet. She went on to teach in New York City and Los Angeles where she started to fall in love with yoga; a physical practice that tends to be a little kinder to one's body. This led her to create her current class which is a hybrid of yoga, stretch and dance set to music. Jen's primary goal is to connect with each student and have them leave class feeling uplifted and invigorated!

Jesse Sospirato
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Jesse earned her Pilates certification through the instructor-training program at Absolution; a distinguised Pilates studio in West Hollywood. Her teaching method focuses on the "classical" technique created by Joseph Pilates. She has been teaching Pilates mat classes and private Pilates sessions on the reformer since 2002. Jesse is an exceptionally motivated teacher, dedicated to challenging while inspiring her students toward breakthroughs in their level of health and fitness. SWERVE is pleased to have Jesse's awaited return after a year abroad.

Jessica Jamaica Moon
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Jessica, who has been a fitness and yoga instructor for over 13 years, settled in Los Angeles almost 6 years ago after a vagabond tour of the world. She studied yoga in India, played music in NYC, loved life in Paris, etc. All the while, she continued to study and work in the fields of dance, yoga and body work, driven by a passion to continue to learn and grow. Her Power Yoga classes are designed to be challenging and athletic, while honoring each individual's body with many modifications so that just about anyone can join in & get a great workout. Jessica believes the spiritual and physical principles of yoga are best enjoyed with light-hearted banter to inspire the joy of the moment while you sweat, strengthen and breath your way to a healthy, fit and flexible body and spirit. Expect to sweat and laugh!

Kim Blank
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Kim Blank, Yoga Booty Ballet instructor, and Master movement teacher, has over twenty years of teaching experience, and has been teaching at SWERVE since 2004.
Her fitness-dance instructor credentials include teaching for five years at Jane Fondas Workout, as well as at Voight Fitness, Martin Henry Fitness, and in Master Classes and Teacher Trainings in Tokyo, Sapporo City and Yokohama Japan. As a professional dancer, Kim appeared in seminal 80’s music videos such as Michael Jacksons Thriller, Lionel Richies Dancin On The Ceiling, and Steve Winwoods Roll With It.
As a choreographer, Kim earned an Emmy nomination for her work on Introducing Dorothy Dandridge, starring Halle Berry, and has created dances for Madonna, Keri Russell, Walter Matthau, Shia LaBeouf, and Raven Simone.
Kim spices her Yoga Booty Ballet classes with her own World Beat flavor, using moves and music from an eclectic mix of Salsa, Hip Hop, Rock, Reggaeton and Jazz.

Kim Director
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Kim Director is a self-proclaimed "Pilates Addict". With a background in dance, Pilates, and the Lotte Berk Method, Kim transitioned into the role of Pilates teacher seamlessly 3 years ago. Kim has been certified through Power Pilates, and through the exceptional Linda Farrell, one of New York's most well respected Pilates instructors. In addition to her many private clients, Kim has taught Pilates Mat classes in New York City and Los Angeles.

Kristen Huffman
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Kristen is a lover. While living down the street from Swerve in Los Angeles, Kristen's love for rhythm and the dancefloor led her to fall madly in love with Yoga Booty Ballet, which she believes is an ideal fitness medium for both herself and many others. Kristen believes that to the soul, music is the most miraculous blessing, and that dance is the soul's brilliant reaction. She enjoys creating unique and evocative playlists that help to ignite those that she shares YBB with. Kristen is honored to bring YBB to St. Louis, where she hopes the love will spread throughout the rest of the Midwest and beyond.

Lauren Haze
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Lauren Haze has been teaching for over 20 years. As an east coast native, her first exposure to dance was the "Rockets", at 5 years old and has loved dance ever since! Formerly a dancer with the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble, and certified Pilates instructor, she combines technique with a wild woman (or man!) style to her dance classes.
Her motto: "Dance is my rhythm trance, it's like gold and it makes me smile."
Let your spirit soar to the rhythms of Afro/Latino/World Beat FUNK!
SOUL DANCING is an uplifting class designed to help you release the mover, shaker, or dancer within. All levels are welcome...

Mike Cornell
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Mike Cornell is an ACE certified personal trainer who has been featured in Health, Angeleno, Better Homes and Gardens, and The New York Times.
During his 10 year career with Columbus Ohio's BalletMet Mike danced leading roles created by the worlds most prominent choreographers. From 1990 to 1994 Michael studied with Violetta Boft, former Russian ballet star and coach for the Moscow International Ballet Competition. He has also studied extensively with American Ballet Theater principle and master teacher Yoko Ichino.
In 2003 Michael began teaching the "Ballet Workout", which uses basic ballet technique as a form of exercise. The structure of the class enables those without prior ballet experience to quickly learn the ballet vocabulary and get a great workout. This often prepares individuals to participate in more advanced ballet classes they may be otherwise intimidated to enter. The ballet class is for the beginners or those who need to reacquaint themselves with ballet technique. Michael uses an eclectic assortment of energizing music from classical, jazz, hip hop, and top 40.
Michael is also the founder of www.beitfit.com . One of the first web sites on the internet to offer downloadable MP3 personal training for the Ipod.
Please check out Mike's new Private Ballet Coaching & Lessons website: http://www.privateballetla.com

Nikki Steen
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Nikki Steen began her career in fitness as a competitive gymnast. From gymnastics, Nikki developed skills in strength training, endurance, flexibility, balance, and discipline. From her 25 years as a dancer, she honed those same skills and also learned about proper technique and alignment, injury prevention, and passion for the process. From life, Nikki has learned that a "practical spiritual" approach works best. She believes in applying the functional disciplines of her extensive fitness training while maintaining a healthy respect for the human body, mind, and spirit. She hopes to integrate these aspects of each client's program and to increase each client's own body consciousness and intuitive knowledge of what it feels like to aggressively challenge the body in a healthy, non-abusive manner. In so doing, Nikki believes she can help her clients to achieve maximum physical fitness and strength, optimum health, and a well-earned self-confidence.

Patty Wortham
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Patty is thrilled to be offcially joining the YBB family. After years of studying dance, movement, and yoga it seems only fitting that Patty would discover SWERVE and become an active member of the Teigh/Gillian Fan Club. Join Patty for an invigorating and inspiring start to your day Tuesdays @ 7:30, or end of your evening; Wednesdays @ 7:30 and Thursdays @ 6:30. She promises you her totally indulgent playlists and wry commentary included in every class!

Robin Reiser
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Robin Reiser is from NY where she grew up dancing, acting and sprinting for subways. She first discovered the fitness world in the early 90s when she trained in step and slide aerobics (remember those). Later she majored in Dance and Theater at Manhattanville College and taught gymnastics to kids in Brooklyn. Working out in the gym makes her feel happy, healthy and strong enough to kick butt in all other life areas, and she loves to help others find their own enthusiasm for fitness. Robin is also a professional writer and comedian so shes just as excited to get away from the computer screen as you are. As a fitness trainer Robin wants to help you look good and feel like a rock star (but not party like one). She is certified in Personal training through ISSA and loves being a part of the Swerve community.

Siri Sat Nam
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Siri Sat Nam Singh teaches many of the Special Workshops held at the studio. He has been a practitioner of yoga since 1974 under the tutelage of the Master Yogi Bhajan. During this period he emerged as the Director of Teacher Training for the entire Kundalini Community, a position that forwarded him the opportunity to not only share his vast scientific knowledge of yoga and meditation, but also to guide, elevate and certify prospective teachers.

As a yoga instructor he has taught classes nationally in public schools, drug-rehabilitation centers, prisons, retirement homes, casts of Broadway shows and in cultural/spiritual centers throughout America and Europe (Spain, France, Germany, Holland, Finland and Italy).

He presently hosts a flourishing practice with individuals dedicated to self-evolvement, as well as those in consort with “Difficult to Incurable Diseases and Severe Emotional Problems.” His appeal is not only the Emmy, Tony and Grammy award-winning individuals with whom he has worked, but also his unique synthesis of clinical, theoretical orientations and yogic technique. Within the last few years he has attained his MA in clinical psychology from Antioch University and has become a licensed psychotherapist (MFT). More recently he has completed his course studies towards his PhD in Depth Psychology at Pacifica University; presently he is engaged in completing his dissertation.

We look forward to Siri Sat Nam hosting SWERVEs upcoming workshops. We trust him as a cherished advisor, teacher and spiritual guidance councilor. Former workshops (Dance, Spirit, Life!, Harvesting Your Future, Setting Up Your New Year, It’s All About Love, Prosperity and Wealth & A New Year; The Time Is Now) conducted at SWERVE have proven informative, creative and joyous. The owners of SWERVE are honored to humbly and gratefully practice the lessons given by their venerable teacher, Siri Sat Nam.

Samir Karlsson
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Born and raised in Sweden, Samir Karlsson moved to NYC in1997, where he began to work as personal trainer at Physical Structure on 57 St. His interests since childhood includes Martial Arts- Judo, Boxing, Thai Kick Boxing, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and sports, such as golf, tennis and soccer. As a personal trainer, he provides a unique personalized style that combines martial arts and classical fitness techniques- that includes calisthenics, plyometrics, strength and balance training, yoga, and Pilates, to create a workout that is fun, challenging, and effective. There won't be a dull moment and you will keep coming back. His clientele includes celebrities, executives, and he has trained everywhere from your local backyard to movie sets in India. In addition, he privately coaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Shawn Williams/Team Renzo Grazie Samir likes to push you to your limits, so be prepared to work hard! Certified by ACE and AAHFP

Skip Jennings
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Skip Jennings is a seven time past presenter for IDEA Health and Fitness Association. Skip has also presented for several Sara City Workouts, Crunch Conventions, Can Fit Pro, and IRHSA USA and IRHSA Latin America. As a motivational speaker, Skip has traveled the globe lecturing and motivating the world to fitness. His presenting experience includes Precision Cycling for Star Trac, Urban Rebounding for QVC, Schwinn Indoor Cycling, Expressway and RiPP for Nautilus, Gravity for EFI Sports Medicine, BOSU balance training, Gliding and Body Bar and he is currently 1 of 15 master instructors for 24 Hour Fitness. He has a Bachelors of Fine Arts from New York University, and has been teaching Dance and Aerobics for 15 years. He is certified through AFAA, ACE, National Academy of Sports Medicine, AEA and he also holds 15 qualifications in Group Fitness, Personal Training, Nutrition and Life Coaching. Skip has been a Group Fitness Coordinator for several 24 Hour Fitness locations and The Fitness Director for Crunch, Mission Viejo, CA and Back Bay Fitness in Irvine, CA. In 2000 he received the 24 Hour Fitness Coordinator of the Year award. Skip can be seen in an array of group fitness teaching videos, domestic and international, fitness infomercials and instructor training DVDs worldwide. He is the owner of Skip Jennings Personal and Group Training and has helped hundreds of clients find their way too a better body. During 2000, Skip was the Los Angeles Regional Champion for the National Aerobic Championship Club Cup Challenge and place second in the Nation.

Teigh McDonough
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Teigh McDonough is founder and partner in SWERVE and Yoga Booty Ballet. She has studied and worked as a fitness instructor, personal trainer, professional dancer, actress, choreographer and movement director for over 20 years. She has an extensive background in ballet, jazz, modern, funk, hip-hop and theater. Teigh holds a B.F.A. from UCSB where she met her friend and creative partner, Gillian, over 20 years ago. She is certified as a fitness instructor and personal trainer with AFFA, ACE, and the YMCA. Teigh truly finds satisfaction in teaching and helping all kinds of people connect creatively, mentally, physically and spiritually.

She holds a 60-hour certification in Pregnancy and Pre-natal yoga with Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa. Her newest beloved class is Yoga Booty Babies-- is open to all pregnant women and those trying to conceive. Teigh has also studied Kundalini yoga and meditation with Siri Sat Nam Singh for over 10 years, employing spiritual principles in her teaching and in her life. She has studied Anusara yoga with Desiree Rumbaugh and John Friend. She has been featured on numerous television news shows for both Yoga Booty Ballet and Yoga Fusion (which she choreographed and designed) as a featured instructor. "Passing on the joy of movement and inspiring my students to transform into the next best version of themselves is my greatest goal as a teacher. Get ready to get cha' SWERVE on, sweat, connect and breathe." In partnership with Beach Body, Teigh has completed 17 workouts within the Yoga Booty Ballet series on home video and DVD, including a meditation CD. At SWERVE, Teigh is a featured instructor for Yoga Booty Ballet, Yoga Booty Babies and Yoga Groove-- her own blend of flowing grooves, yoga, core strength training and smooth attitude.

Teri Johnson
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Teri Johnson is a Los Angeles native who has loved dancing since childhood. Upon establishing her roots in gymnastics, martial arts and cheerleading, she also incorporated swimming, volleyball, softball and track into her fitness regimen. She has studied ballet, modern, jazz, tap, African and Afro-Cuban. She performed with Nexxus Modern Dance Collective in Northern California. Additionally, while completing her B.A., she studied and performed with a local dance troupe during her studies in Bordeaux, France. Over the years she developed her yoga practice by studying Anusara, Hatha and Kundalini yoga. Teri is a law student who believes Yoga Booty Ballet is an excellent reprieve from the rigors of work and school. She became passionate about YBB after taking her first class and gets her Swerve on whenever and wherever possible.

Victoria Gore
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P. Victoria Gore, ALSP grew up in Long Island New York and moved to Los Angeles in 1992. Victoria studied Sociology at the University of Southern California (USC). She then studied Interior Design at University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). Victoria started her spiritual studies at University of Transformational Leadership & Studies at Agape (UTSLA) in 2002, completing her Professional Practitioner Studies Program in the spring of 2006
Victoria’s personal spiritual transformation has evolved into the new, ILLUMINATING DESIGNS where the work is about redesigning & transforming your life from the inside out.
Victoria is dedicated to anchoring a consciousness of Truth & Wholeness. Through the active practice of prayer, meditation, visioning, individual or group counseling transformation occurs with Grace & Ease.
Please join me on this journey of ILLUMINATING transformation, where you get to design your life from the inside out.