Fully certified and extensively experienced instructors.
We thoroughly test and review all MINT instructors. We hold them to the highest standards, including heavily weighing our clients’ reviews. These are not ‘gym’ instructors, these are ‘studio’ instructors.
Interested in applying for a position on our team? Contact a genre director below, and be sure to include a resume and your availability.
Laura Saltzer, Company Director of Programming | laurasaltzermint@gmail.com
Ori Korin, Cycle Director | Ori@mintdc.com
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Meet the MINT Team
Connie has been active and leading a healthy lifestyle at least since the days she tried to keep up with her physically fit Mother and friends as they power walked through the lush trails of her home in the Midwest. While never making a career out of fitness, Connie was inspired firsthand by those who did like Corey Everson, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Cameo Kneuer, all whom she met while working at both Warner Center Health Club and Joe Weiders’ Health and Fitness—publisher of Muscle and Fitness, Flex, Shape and Men’s Fitness living in southern California—a long, long time ago!
No matter what Connie has done professionally, she has always made time for her love of fitness and for helping others dig deep to reach their fitness goals. While in college she taught weight lifting and high impact aerobics. While working full time and attending graduate school here in Washington, DC she picked up ACE, AFFA and personal training certs. Even when she worked 24/7 in 1996 on the US presidential election, she escaped religiously for an hour each day to get her fitness fix. Connie attributes keeping her calm demeanor during the chaos of a presidential campaign to keeping sacred that hour to sweat and decompress. In 2010 Connie discovered Les Mills International and became a Body Pump and Body Flow Instructor and fell in love with the concept of muscle contraction (lifting) followed by muscle elongation (Body Flow).
Shortly after, Connie was trained in the original Lotte Berk Method (Barre). Today Connie teaches various fitness formats including Barre, Yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates, Body Pump, Body Flow, Kickboxing, Plyometrics, Boot Camp, Cardio Strength, Tabata, F.I.T.T., Extreme Abs, Shred Step and more! In between professional deadlines and the active lifestyle of her 10 year old, Connie trains clients 1-1 on a referral only basis at her small studio where she’s helped high school boys and girls as well as senior citizens and everywhere in between reach their goals to live a healthy lifestyle.
Laura is a 500-hour Yoga Alliance registered teacher trained in vinyasa yoga with prenatal and toddler training certificates. In addition, she studied at the Kripalu Center with Nischala Joy Devi for a Yoga of the Heart certificate to learn to adapt yoga practices to the special needs of people living with heart disease, cancer and other health challenges.
In addition, Laura is a NASM-certified personal trainer with a Corrective Exercise certificate, a black belt in tae kwon do, barre/mat and reformer training certificates, and a Center for Integrative Medicine trained reiki practitioner.
In her barre and yoga class, Laura addresses muscle imbalances so that her students can gain strength where their muscles are weak and flexibility where their muscles are tight. As an added bonus, it is Laura’s intention that her yoga students will experience the best night sleep of their life as she cultivates calm minds and hearts in her students through relaxing music, essential oils and breathing exercise.
Marianne has been teaching indoor cycling and coaching cyclists for over fifteen years in DC and in CA. She trained with a DC based women’s professional cycling team and raced in the amateur circuit before moving to California where she coached competitive cyclists. Upon her return to the DC area in 2010, she joined the Mint team and has been instructing high-energy classes at both Mint locations. Designed for the beginner rider through competitive athletic, her classes focus on form, breathe and power and strength building techniques to improve endurance and overall athletic capability. She loves a range of upbeat music and theme rides where you’ll hear motivating sounds from across the globe. She’s been know to design her indoor rides specifically for her loyal riders too!
Cycle Program DirectorCycle
True story: Ori walked out of her first indoor cycling class five years ago midway through the second song. A couple years later, she gave it another shot and realized a good instructor, the right music, and a little perseverance go a long way. Her classes promise something for everyone, from the hard-core climbers to the wild speed demons, and her rides will help you leave the studio prouder and stronger than when you walked in. It’s a beautiful gift to have bodies that work…let’s celebrate them! When she’s not cycling, you can find Ori thinking big communications thoughts in the labor movement, trying to make sequins work-appropriate, and drinking obscene quantities of Dunkin’ Donuts iced coffee.
Looking for a competitive and fun fitness class, Adam’s went to his first indoor cycling class two years ago. After getting immediately hooked, he made it a goal to combine catchy uplifting songs, the power of the beat, and intervals training to help others achieve their fitness goals. Passionate about music, he incorporates rhythmic movements that challenge all fitness levels. When off the bike, this native Californian enjoys attending concerts, playing volleyball, and discovering new recipes with his Vitamix blender.
Nikki Mueller is a Spinning certified instructor, the original and old school indoor cycling training program used by athletes since 1991. Her classes focus on building strength, endurance, and improving your cycling form. A lifelong athlete and dancer, she has competed in marathons and half marathons around the country, loves outdoor trails and MINT’s yoga classes. Spin is the perfect compliment to her desk job as a green building and sustainability expert. You can find all of her playlists on Spotify @ Nicolette Mueller, and follow her on Twitter @Nikki_Mueller.
Dubbed “The Queen of Cardio,” Jeannie is a master trainer for Doonya: The Bollywood Workout, which she has been teaching since 2010. As part of the Doonya team, Jeannie can be seen on The Today Show, Dr. Oz, WUSA9, The Washington Post. She also has performed at the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Fiesta Asia, Arts on Foot, at the Indian Embassy as part of Passport DC. Jeannie is an AFAA-certified group exercise instructor.
Elena is a certified Zumba instructor and AFAA-certified Group Exercise Instructor since 2006. She teaches Zumba – a dynamic and exciting fitness program based on fun International music and dance steps creating a challenging workout for all fitness levels.
Aimee Stoltz is a licensed Zumba instructor who joined Mint’s studio team in 2011. Her passion for Latin American music and dance started when she lived in Costa Rica in 1999. Aimee has taken this love for dance and combined it with her dedication to fitness by creating challenging, energetic, and fun Zumba workouts that all fitness levels can enjoy.
Classes: MINTBox, MINTKick, Personal Boxing Coach
Enrique Flores is current mixed martial arts fighter, fighting at both the featherweight division (145) and the bantamweight division(135). Throughout his career , he competed numerous international freestyle wrestling competitions under FILA International wrestling federation and brazilian jiu jistu competitions under the IBJFF & U.S Grappling. Then 2016 he competed in the 2016 U.S Open Men s Freestyle wrestling competition to try earn a spot for the U.S Olympic Trials but came short in 10th place. Enrique passion for fighting, made him want to coach others in boxing or kickboxing. So then he earned his Boxing Coach’s Certification under USA Boxing, license as amatuer boxer & FILA/ USA wrestling license international wrestler. He believes that everyone should have a great experience learning boxing or kickboxing and you’ll experience whats like to train like a real fighter without the fight.
Rasean has been training in the DC area for twelve years. Before starting a career as a personal trainer, he spent over 10 years training in the martial arts. Prior to coming to Mint, Rasean worked for other fitness companies training clients, and teaching boxing, and kick-boxing classes, as well as one-on-one self-defense instruction. Rasean is a NASM certified personal trainer, and Cancer Exercise Specialist , who believes that form and technique is far more important than how much weight you’re pressing. He also believes that your workout should be functional and help you in your everyday routine, and in the power of healthy living for a good life.
The Cancer Exercise Specialist is a professional qualified to assess, design, and implement individual, and group exercise programs for individuals diagnosed with cancer. The CES evaluates health behaviors, and risk factors, and modify negative health habits, in order for the client to reach more robust health with positive lifestyle management. The CES has a complete understanding of the entire cancer process from diagnosis to treatment, recovery, and prevention of lymphedema, and contraindications.
Since she began dancing at age four, Meaghan has always made movement a part of her life. She began running track at a young age and developed her competitive spirit and a passion for achieving excellence via physical fitness. It was through dance that Meaghan found yoga over eight years ago; beginning with Bikram classes, she eventually found her groove in Vinyasa. Meaghan has been teaching cardio, strength training, and yoga classes for over 5 years and incorporates CrossFit, weightlifting, and yoga into her own fitness regimen. Expect to be challenged and educated in Meaghan’s classes. Whether it’s yoga or an intensity class, you will leave energized and with new knowledge about your body and its abilities.
Michael has a degree in Exercise Science from Montgomery college and is certified with the American College of Sport Medicine. He also has training in functional rehabilitation, massage therapy , an exercise training method for stopping chronic pain. He has worked for several years with Sports & Physical Therapist in Washington DC Area.
My love for fitness began at a young age. More likely than not I was one of the only kids in the state of North Carolina that asked for a weight lifting set for his 10th birthday. Throughout my life I’ve always been an active person and having a strong interest in playing several different sports such as soccer, football and basketball. Over the years I’ve even began to pick up tennis both competitively and leisurely. I will always be an athlete at heart.I’ve been in the fitness industry for the past 3 years and have loved every minute of it. I enjoy using the the kinesiology degree I earned from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro to improve every life that I come across. I have had experience working with clients from ages 7-93. My goal is to live a life where I am able to show people what they are truly capable of and to encourage them to be the person they didn’t even know they could become.
Certifications: Bachelor Degree in Kinesiology, ACSM-CPT
Specializations: Strength and conditioning, weight loss, core strength development, balance and coordination, flexibility, athletic training
Gabe has been with MINT since 2011 where he started training, and teaching Group exercise classes. He was promoted to Master Trainer and then moved in to management taking over the Group Exercise Programming. Since then Gabe has settled in as the Program/Fitness director managing all trainers and programs at MINT.Gabe has always kept training for his love of helping people with their fitness routine. His style adapts to each clients needs. He is always looking to better himself and help each of his clients reach their fitness goals.
Timea Presley is a Washington DC based Pilates Teacher Trainer and Advanced Level Instructor (STOTT) with more than 17 years experience teaching and managing Pilates programs and studios across Europe and the US. She specializes in post rehabilitation conditioning and Pilates for former dancers. Her extensive experience with Pilates, dance and yoga creates a dynamicly flowing style with attention to balance between strength and flexibility.
Timea leads her Comprehensive 500 hour Teacher Training Program that is included in the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) registry of schools.
She is also a fully certified advanced level STOTT Pilates Instructor, Post Rehabilitation Conditioning Specialist, Yoga Teacher in the Shivananda tradition and Barre Instructor. She has taught more than 20,000 hours of private and group classes in the studio environment, luxury health clubs, dance schools and corporate facilities.
Washington Ballet’s Senior Faculty Member, Kristy Windom called her “a creative teacher, who provides a safe place to explore a side of Pilates that few understand.”
Timea studied at the Budapest Contemporary Dance Academy, Dance Academie Balance 1 Berlin and Freie Universität Berlin. As a professional Modern and Contemporary Dancer her physical training included amongst others Ballet, Pilates, Jazz, Improvisation, Contact Improvisation, Graham Technic, Cunningham Technic, Limon Technic, Folklore Dance, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Gyrotonic, Gyrokinsesis and Alexander Technic.
Timea’s involvement in managing studios and Pilates programs started with founding and operating her own Soma Pilates Studio in Berlin. After her move to the US she has held roles as Studio Direktor at DC Yoga, Pilates Studio & Program Director, Head Pilates Instructor and Mind Body Program Director at MINT Health Club & Studio in DC.
Timea taught as guest faculty at the Washington School of Ballet and has been guest teacher at the Smithsonian, World Bank, IMF, FBI, government organizations, health clubs, studios and conferences.
Timea’s training through STOTT Pilates has included courses such as Pilates programming for managing osteoporosis and scoliosis, breast cancer rehab, athletic conditioning, stabilization and Function of the knee, Prenatal Pilates on Reformer, Cadillac and Stability Chair, Optimization of the Lumbopelvic Region, Optimization of the Shoulder Complex, Principles of Stabilization, Postural Analysis, The 5 Pilates Basic Principles Explained, Athletic Conditioning on Stability Coushions, Jumpboard Intervals, V2 Max Plus Programming, The Reformer and the Padded Platform Extender.
To study the mind body connection and yogic diet Timea lived in a Bhakti Yoga Ashram in Colorado and enjoys incorporating the practices she learned into her daily life in Washington DC.
Hillary Zeiss is a full-time barre, pilates and yoga teacher within the DC area. She never uses the same sequence twice, often borrowing from other conditioning systems such as Alexander Technique, Franklin Method, and Feldenkrais. To her, mind-body conditioning is not just a workout, it is an insurance policy to keep the body whole and safe, a way to make all movement efficient and meaningful.
Tori Ellis sought out yoga for flexibility and serenity while training for her rigorous black belt test in Tae Kwon Do. While continuing to train in martial arts, she did her 200 hour teacher training at Flow Yoga Center, and then went on to the Fuse Pilates teacher training in Washington, DC. Tori has found that the restorative and athletic practices of yoga and Pilates has brought her into a healthier lifestyle that she hopes to spread to her students and community. Tori brings creative and dynamic sequences to her students for challenging but alignment-focused classes. Tori has completed her Balanced Body Pilates Apparatus training in 2014. In terms of specialty training, Tori is a certified Pre-and Postnatal Pilates specialist, studied Pilates for scoliosis with Karen Clippinger, and has completed shoulder workshops for yoga under Tiffany Cruikshank.
D.C. native Stephanie Merry began making yoga a priority in her life as a New Year’s resolution in 2004, and she’s been enjoying the calm-inducing benefits ever since. Yoga was her trusted companion during moves to New York City and Berkley, Cali., where she stumbled upon new teachers and assorted styles, all of which inform her own teaching. She completed her 200-hour training at Flow Yoga Center and focuses on making sure each student leaves class feeling a little sunnier than when he or she arrived.
As a dedicated student and teacher of yoga, Monica believes that by practicing the 8 limbs of yoga with faith, determination and a few tricks (like using the imagination and copying the teacher), it is possible to live a truly blissful life. Offering a calm yet challenging flow of postures along with breathing and concentration techniques in all of her classes, she invites students of every background to deepen their yoga practice as a meditative and spiritual experience. If she could give her students even a few moments of ease and no worries, she would be happy with that, too. Monica earned her 200-hour yoga teacher certification from Flow Yoga Center, Washington, DC. and will enter the 500-hour Life of A Yogi program with master Sri Dharma Mittra in New York, NY this fall. Monica is also a Pilates teacher whose mat classes will give you a great workout set to fun music.
Kate Miller brings over 20 years of teaching experience to her classes at MINT. With a gift for teaching to all levels and special conditions, she loves to weave words of inspiration and spirit into her clear, direct instruction. Kate draws her depth of knowledge and kinesthetic understanding not only from many alignment based hatha yoga styles (Iyengar, Anusara, Astanga, Prana Flow), but also from her continued exploration of anatomy and movement, her daily practice of vipassana meditation and the various forms of dance she continues to study. She holds a BFA in modern dance and a MA in spiritual psychology. To her prenatal and postnatal classes, Kate brings her knowledge and experience as a certified birth doula (DONA), a trained postpartum doula (DONA) and a trained childbirth educator. She is also trained in the RIE and Pikler approaches to childcare and infant development. It is Kate’s wish to inspire her students to radically affirm and honor all that they embody and find for themselves on the mat what will best serve them in their day to day lives. To learn more about Kate, you can go to her website www.redmoonyoga.com
I practice yoga as a way to become more present in everyday activities, as well as increase mindfulness, flexibility, and strength. My approach to yoga is simple: clear alignment-based instruction paired with a practical yoga philosophy (and accompanied by an inspiring soundtrack). My classes cater from the beginner to advanced yogi (2 year olds-adulthood), and I am happy to accommodate any requests for poses. Students can expect a supportive and encouraging atmosphere that enables them to push to their intelligent edge using their breath as a guide.
“Kristin is dedicated to bringing yoga into every aspect of life, on and off the mat, and inspiring her students to do the same. Kristin believes deeply in the transformational power of yoga. She first discovered yoga after wandering into a class at her college gym more than a decade ago. It has led her on a winding path through graduate school and a professional career, around the world and back, and into the extraordinary role of teacher, where she continues to learn with every breath.
Kristin is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with Yoga Alliance. She teaches vinyasa yoga with an emphasis on mindfully linking breath and movement and finding alignment in the flow. Her classes are fun, energetic, and inspiring! She completed her 200-hour teacher training through Tranquil Space Yoga in Washington, DC, and is also certified to teach prenatal yoga as well as children’s yoga through YoKid. She offers gratitude to all of the inspiring teachers with whom she has studied, including Seane Corn, Sharon Gannon and David Life of Jivamukti Yoga, Jason Crandell, Alanna Kaivalya, and Darren Main.”
Liz Pandya is a powerhouse cycle instructor who teaches with Coach by Color technology to increase strength and endurance. She uses a variety of drills guided by rhythm, time, and mileage ensuring no ride is ever the same. Regular attendees are sure to see results, as Liz’s rides empower clients to increase their power output each time they return to the bike. Get ready for an amazing class with this boisterous cheerleader; high ponytail and all while enjoying a medley of music including EDM, rap, and pop hits!
Bonnie Foote, PhD, E-RYT500, did her 200- and 300-hour trainings in Los Angeles at the original YogaWorks studios. She’s been a full-time yoga teacher since she finished her training and moved to DC in 2010… and she loves it!
Bonnie’s classes are carefully sequenced, from a gentle warm-up with focus on breath and alignment to stronger poses that put the same principles into action. She suggests props and modifications to keep optimal alignment in each pose, and she pays close attention to each student as an individual. Despite all the detail, she does encourage a light-hearted approach, and she usually allows for a fairly long Savasana (resting pose) at the end.
Shannon has been hooked on group fitness ever since she was dragged (against her will) to a fitness class in college. Shannon’s classes are designed to motivate, strengthen, and build positive energy and confidence among participants of all fitness levels, who will sweat it out through sprints, climbs, and intervals matched to the beat of high-energy tunes. Shannon is ACE-certified in group fitness. When she’s not teaching, she enjoys trying new workouts, hiking, and listening to true crime podcasts.
Ferdaouis (fir-dos) is a 200-hour registered yoga teacher with a special appreciation for heated and vinyasa styles. She first became dedicated to yoga as a volunteer and student with Bikram yoga studios in the Washington, DC area in 2011 – in classes that forced the mind and body to slow down, pay attention, heal, and overcome personal barriers. She has loved exploring the incredible and diverse DC yoga scene ever since, and loves the way all approaches to yoga are uniquely contributing to stronger, healthier, and more peaceful communities. She loves working on her own practice and challenges (of which she has many) with yoga, and strives to bring happy, patient, and body-positive classes to her students.
Mariela Gomez has been teaching babies, parents and children yoga since 2013. After receiving her Budding Yogis certification, she found out she was pregnant! Plans went on hold until motherhood sunk in, and her daughter has been ‘teaching’ and practicing with her ever since. Mariela’s daughter brings such joy, fun, energy and love to her life. As a certified kids, postnatal and adult yoga instructor, she wants to share that experience and playfulness with her students, helping them disconnect from their everyday stresses and connect positively with their children and families.
Dr. Ariele Foster (PT, DPT, E-RYT 500) is a doctor of physical therapy, a yoga teacher, founder of YogaAnatomyAcademy.com, and anatomy faculty for yoga trainings and 90Monkeys.com online continuing education. She has a passion for creative, intelligent yoga instruction and for making yoga anatomy accessible.
Ariele grew up practicing with her grandmother, started studying optimal health as a teenager, and began teaching yoga in 2001. Her interdisciplinary classes (trained in Kripalu, Anusara, Vinyasa, YogaWorks and Therapeutics) are enriched by biomechanical smarts, therapeutic know-how, great playlists and humor.
Dr. Foster specializes in manual and orthopedic physical therapy, including myofascial release, and incorporates yoga into physical therapy rehabilitation plans with an eye on functional movement and whole body medicine. She treats patients at Medstar Georgetown Hospital & in Woodley Park, as well as leads yoga and yoga anatomy retreats around the world.
Read Dr. Foster’s blogs at http://sacredsourceyoga.com/ and http://yogaanatomyacademy.com ; stay connected at http://facebook.com/SacredSourceYoga ; facebook.com/YogaAnatomyAcademy and instagram.com/ariele_superstar or take her online classes at: https://www.youtube.com/user/SacredSourceYoga
Claire began her yoga practice as a teenager growing up in rural Canada. Since 2011, she has been teaching yoga consistently to people of all experience levels. She is a graduate of a 108-hour Anusara immersion, a 200-hour Power Vinyasa teacher training program, a Prenatal Yoga apprenticeship, and advanced training with Faith Hunter. Claire is passionate about yoga, running, and museums. In the studio, Claire encourages students to explore their edges with safe alignment and breath. Students should expect to be both challenged and cared for in her classes.
Kelly knows that yoga makes people feel better, so she is constantly encouraging people to try it! Kelly loves teaching newbies as well as advanced practitioners, and loves the community spirit that yoga fosters, and how it supports good health and lowers stress. An enthusiastic DC yogini since 2006, years Kelly completed her RY200 Yoga Certification in Vinyasa Flow from Tranquil Space in 2009. She incorporates principal yogic themes from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras such as ‘letting go’ and ‘being present’ in her classes and loves incorporating reading in her class from spiritual leaders such as Pema Chodrun, and Thich Nhat Hanh. Kelly is also a certified Fuse Pilates teacher and generally teaches with a focus on core engagement and will throw extra challenging core poses into class (upon request). She has a keen eye for alignment, and gives assists throughout to all students. Kelly is enrolled in an Advanced Teacher Training program at Tranquil Space and plans to acquire her 500 hour certification in 2016. She believes in the importance of karma yoga as well, and teaches free yoga at work, among being involved in other charities. Kelly also teaches Meditation, and feels that meditation makes you feel calmer and more focused even just from a 10 or 15 minute meditation. Overcome your stress and find some inner peace and balance in Kelly’s yoga and meditation classes!
Kate’s passion for yoga began to manifest in 2005 in Minneapolis as an undergrad when she first discovered the Ashtanga Primary Series. After graduating college, Kate moved to North Carolina where she completed her 200 and 500 hour teacher trainings as well as the Ashtanga Primary Series teacher intensive with David Swensen. In 2015, Kate was hired as the full-time yoga teacher for Womack Army Medical Center’s Intrepid Spirit Center on Ft. Bragg, NC, teaching yoga and mindfulness practices to active duty soldiers as a part of the Pain Management and Traumatic Brain Injury Clinics for two years.
Kate’s classes are influenced by several different styles and lineages with an emphasis on the dynamic sequencing of Ashtanga yoga blended with the importance of safe alignment in Iyengar yoga. As a teacher, her intention is to offer fun and playful classes that are designed to inspire self-awareness, a feeling of personal empowerment as well as a sense of the connection we have to ourselves and the world we live in.
Dustin is passionate about his work as a yoga teacher with the Junior Olympic boxing team here in Washington, DC. As a yoga teacher, he enjoys volunteering his time to guide young athletes through breathing exercises and meditation practices. When you take one of Dustin’s classes, you’ll notice a simple, straight-forward class with little or no sound in the room. He creates space for people to work on their inner-self and deal with the pains of day-to-day life with a easy-to-follow and self-challenging asana flow. He likes to teach the ‘bird’ poses because that’s his spirit animal.
Classes: Power Playground Athlete, MINT Fuze, Personal Trainer
Myke describes himself as an athletic artist who enjoys challenging his body and mind in creative ways. He enjoys guiding his clients to their own fitness victories. As a NESTA-certified trainer and TRX-certified instructor, Myke has spent his 11+ years in fitness training using a combination of weightlifting, calisthenics, strongman and MMA to help his clients to achieve their fitness goals. Myke is a force amplifier who enjoys helping others rise above their current level of health, as simple as a 1% increase every day.
Bethany has been teaching spinning for more than five years. She loves to make themed playlists and choreograph her classes to the music. In addition to indoor cycling, Bethany is a four-time marathoner and certified group fitness instructor.
Looking for a way to procrastinate from thesis writing in grad school, Ally joined her friend for her first cycle class and was instantly hooked. She brings her love of music and excitement to each of her classes. When she isn’t in front of a class, Ally works as a public health professional by day and is an avid baker (the true motivation for her cycling habit).
Nikki has been a certified Zumba instructor since 2011, but has been dancing for over 20 years. Nikki choreographed and performed in tap groups in high school and college, and then fell in love with Latin dance when she lived in South America. Nikki’s zumba class is a high-cardio, total body dance workout that mixes hip hop, dancehall, merengue, samba, and salsa. Come to unleash your inner dancer (all levels welcome)!
Shahrooz has been practicing yoga for ten years and is thrilled at any opportunity to share his love of the practice with others. He has a strong conviction that yoga is for everyone and works to create a welcoming classroom environment for all levels from beginners to advanced yogis. Compassion is the priority of his practice both on and off the mat. Shahrooz has been teaching in DC for two years with a focus on creating a friendly, energetic & inclusive space at MINT.
Liz is a researcher by day and a POP Pilates phenom by night. She has been teaching POP Pilates and Group Fitness since November 2015 and is currently working toward Pilates Mat I & II certifications. Liz first began practicing Pilates as a way to improve her core conditioning, flexibility, and ultimately improve her performance as a competitive runner. Also a lover of Yoga, Liz is passionate about workouts that focus on the connection between the mind, body, and spirit. What Liz really loves about instructing is making connections with students and spreading positive vibes in the community. In her spare time, Liz enjoys playing with her cats, running, and volunteering for the COPD Foundation.
Yoga was introduced to me when I attempted to take a spin class. 2 minutes into the warmup I quickly realized spinning was not for me. Already in my workout clothes and at the gym, I stumbled into my first yoga class and loved it! It sounds cliché’ but once I was ready to make changes in my life and accept the benefits, yoga became a part of my daily routine. I turned to teaching during a rough period in my life, as a distraction. Teacher training forced me to meet my true self at a very vulnerable time. I enjoy teaching a vinyasa/power flow to fun energetic playlists. I enjoy challenging people to either go deeper in their practice or stay exactly where their body/mind/life positions them. I want my students to have the best hour of their day in my classes!
“Carlin is a lawyer by day, and has a passion for music and helping others achieve their fitness goals. He has been teaching Spinning for five years, and taught boot camp for a year. His classes are challenging, motivating, and most importantly fun! He often plays a mix of old school, hip hop, electronic, alternative, and rock. You will want to sing along at times! Check out his blog at http://crankthismusic.wordpress.com/; and follow him on Spotify to get a taste of his music and classes!
Ashley Binetti received her 200-hour vinyasa yoga teacher training at Saraswatis’s Yoga Joint in Norwalk, CT in 2011. Ashley’s classes are both playful and challenging, with a focus on proper alignment. What’s her favorite pose? Triangle, of course! When she’s not doing yoga, you can find Ashley working as a human rights attorney, running the Human Rights Institute at Georgetown Law, teaching, and researching… just to name a few things. She is also one of our incredible MINT Ambassadors!
Chuck has been teaching cycling since 1997, and while his teaching style has changed somewhat, his philosophy on teaching remains the same. His style encompasses real world road cycling catered to an indoor studio. It is equally as effective for those who want to train hard or those who prefer to train at a less intense pace.
His fitness philosophy combines an indoor cycling program with strength training and outdoor road cycling. “Being active in different exercises will help to avoid boredom in your fitness program and keep your fitness level higher.” His teaching style is one that challenges people, pushing them beyond their perceived abilities, helping to increase self-confidence and making them a stronger cyclist.
Those who know Chuck know that he does not just preach his philosophy, he lives it. He has spent the past 20 years racing road bikes and competing in duathlons, triathlons and adventure races, as well as being active in strength training and yoga.
Agnieszka grew up in Poland and moved to the US in 2001. She has masters degrees in music and performing arts, specializing in viola, and teaching violin and piano. She also holds a BA in music therapy and was originally interested in stretching movements to release tension from hours of practicing instruments. Her first Pilates experience came more than a decade ago when Agnieszka sought out a physical training program with movement. After a break to take care of her new-born twins she continued with Yoga training in 2009, becoming a certified Yoga instructor. About four years ago she began investigating Pilates because she began discovering how the body works and realized Yoga was not enough for her. She completed a Power Pilates course and in 2014 found out about the Boulder, Colorado world-renowned Pilates Center, enrolling in the official certification program. Agnieszka likes to apply the skills she acquired as a music specialist – focus, persistence, dedication, willingness to embrace daily practice and giving oneself the time to grow towards mastery, consistency, coordination and engaging the full body in learning. ‘The benefits of Pilates are indescribable – it is really about learning how a healthy body moves and as we get older it gives the energy to take on life’s daily challenges, in work, family and home life,’ she says.
Erin Reagan earned her cycling certification through the Spinning® program by Mad Dogg Athletics. As a lifelong athlete, Erin has taken her experiences from team sports and harnessed them to lead enjoyable and innovative classes. Erin’s classes are built for everyone – fun choreography, good music, heavy climbs, quick sprints, and more! When she’s not on the bike, you can find her around DC taking Barre classes, running along the National Mall, or exploring new restaurants and wine bars with friends!
Jennifer has been teaching fitness in the DMV area for nearly 10 years. With an extensive background in dance and movement, her specialty is spotting where clients initiate muscle movement and guide them towards more efficient and effective exercise. She is Group Exercise certified through AFAA and comprehensively certified in Pilates from Power Pilates’ flagship studio in NYC. With this knowledge, she creates various forms of total-body workouts. Whether Pilates, weight lifting, barre or cardio, her class will always focus on the 360 body; not just reinforcing what’s already strong, but building muscular structure through each part of the body for better results. In her class you’ll always find good music, some smiles, some winces, encouragement, and (hopefully!) a will to come back for more!
Having lost 50 pounds as a result of Piloxing (plus other lifestyle changes!), certified Piloxing and Barre instructor Shenandoah Sowash is living proof that fitness changes lives. Her classes are uplifting, inspiring, and accessible to all fitness levels. With plenty of spunk, support, and humor, Shenandoah guides her students through dynamic and challenging workouts where everyone leaves prouder, stronger, longer, and more confident.
Emily Szajda, writer, chef, yoga and meditation instructor and sports nutritionist left “Corporate America” managing high-volume restaurants in Phoenix, Arizona for an entrepreneurial life focused on finding more work/life balance in Europe. After having launched a successful yoga and wellness program with Serendip Spa, a luxury sanctuary in the heart of Brussels, working with the internationally recognized Belgian Beer and Food Magazine, and hosting sumptuous catered events with Bookalokal, a global platform connecting local chefs with a hungry audience, she moved to Barcelona, Spain. Emily helped launch BCN Connections, an educational travel company providing medical professionals continuing education training in Europe while indulging in luxurious wellness retreats. Currently, Emily is working with GBSB Global Business School managing all of the institution’s content from tourism and fashion to finance through digital and print. Emily also writes for Basmati, a lifestyle and wellness website, and Chowhound, a CBS Interactive website for food enthusiasts. Emily now lives in Washington DC where she offers small group, corporate and private yoga, meditation and mindfulness classes and workshops. She collaborates with recharj® meditation studio, located in the city and Marino Wellness, located in Los Angeles, California. She also provides nutrition counseling to an array of international clients. Emily has appeared on HGTV’s House Hunters International and other international media platforms. Find out more at http://www.emilydawnyogaandwellness.com.
I deeply believe in the healing power of yoga and body-based approaches to well-being. In 2010, I stumbled into my first yoga class shortly after experiencing a trauma that left me feeling disoriented and out of control of my body and life. I left the class feeling taller, stronger, and more peaceful than I had in years, and from that day forward, I was hooked on asana – the physical aspect of yoga. As my practice evolved, I discovered that there was infinitely more to yoga than what happens on the mat, and went on to complete my 200-Hr Yoga Teacher Certification. With a continued interest in the healing process, I attended George Washington University where I received a Master’s in Art Therapy. In my yoga classes, I hope to create a space where students can explore and express themselves through movement without judgment. Generally, you can expect lots of energy, movement, heat, and strength-building postures with slower movement and longer holds at the end. I like to incorporate humor, playfulness, and lead my classes with upbeat music.
Lauren is an experienced strength-training instructor with a degree in Exercise Science and Master of Public Health. She danced her way through her childhood, which continued into her college years. Cross training with the College of Charleston athletic trainers really ignited her love for group training. Soon after college she received her certification as a Group Fitness Instructor through the American Council on Exercise and began teaching classes while in graduate school in Boston. Overall wellness is important to her, so to compliment her fitness experience, she has worked on nutrition policy research and is currently working on vaccine research. She enjoys working with a diverse community and motivating members to meet their personal wellness goals. Most importantly she wants to get to know everyone who comes to her MINT classes, feel free to come chat with her over coffee or burpees.
Along with being a part of the MINT community, she enjoys jogging through the zoo and exploring DC, one restaurant at a time.
Kelly Valerio is an upbeat and energetic 23-year-old who just moved to Washington D.C. from Long Island, NY. She is looking forward to continuing to teach riders and grow her skills as an instructor. She hopes her riders are eager for fast movements but also those difficult climbs guaranteed to work those quads.