the teachers

Joya Santarelli

Joya lives by the mantra “ONE IS NEVER TOO OLD, TOO INFLEXIBLE, TOO LATE, TOO INEXPERIENCED, OR TOO ‘ANYTHING’ TO TRY SOMETHING NEW”. This is evidenced by the fact that she didn't start practicing yoga until the age of 34. At this time, she was newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Upon asking her neurologist what his best advice was for her to stay mobile and out of a wheelchair...he responded with one word.. YOGA!

Brook Greno

BROOK BELIEVES IN ALWAYS STRIVING EACH DAY TO BE THE BEST VERSION OF YOURSELF. Brook has always been a teacher at heart as she has been a high school math teacher for over twenty years. Group fitness has provided her a sense of community and the encouragement needed to find growth and balance in her life. It was an instructor that she absolutely loved that saw potential in her be a leader and teacher for others. And so it began well over ten years ago.

Esther Ficke

Esther is a new yoga instructor who recently completed a yoga alliance certified RTY 200. She began her yoga journey in 2001, taking a community class series for beginner yoga. After exploring many styles of yoga over the years, she finally found a heated vinyasa class and was hooked!

LAURA GATTI

Laura is always up for a challenge!

Laura dove deeper into her yoga practice in 2020 when her career took a turn due to the pandemic. Yoga kept her focused on what mattered, herself and her family. After losing her dream job, Laura took on a new challenge and completed her RTY 200 yoga training at Forever Om in Illinois. Laura will push you to new levels mentally, emotionally, and physically while having fun!

Charity Niccolai

Charity has 3 years of experience in the fitness arena and is certified in Inferno Hot Pilates. Fitness and nutrition helped in her personal journey in rising above depression, anxiety and addiction. Her greatest joy is sharing that key to happiness with others and pushing them to be the best versions of themselves. Charity is also a registered Dental Hygienist and an aspiring artist.

Charity will be serving up the HEAT in Inferno Hot Pilates! A class you will LOVE!

JENNIFER BEST

“I believe in doing one thing each and every day that brings me out of my comfort zone”.

Jennifer decided to chase her passion for fitness in the beginning of 2019 and has been soaring ever since.  Her experience includes 200-hour registered yoga teacher training, pilates matwork, indoor cycling, personal training and group fitness instructor certification.  Jennifer finds fitness just as important as the air she breathes. She enjoys keeping classes fun, fresh, interactive and challenging, including individuals of all ages and abilities. All are welcome!

Grace Scalzo

As a former collegiate athlete, yoga is my now my long-term muse. I grew up in Kenosha and always loved competitive sports, singing in my community, and playing piano. After tearing my ACL and having to surgically restructure my collarbone, I realized sports didn’t love me back as much as I thought. I turned my focus to my studies, pursuing multiple bachelor’s degrees and then the pandemic hit.

Thanks to the pandemic, I found yoga. While at home, with so much time to look inward, I successfully completed my 200 hour RYT training.

In my classes you can expect to be welcomed exactly as you are, and pushed to compete with the person you were yesterday - spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Yoga is for everyone and my classes are not different.

In my spare time you can find me storytelling basketball games, running, or reading at your local coffee shop.

KRISTEN GARZA

Let's strive to be the best version of ourselves that we can be!

Kristen started in the fitness industry 15 years ago with her first job at Gold’s Gym. During that time, she was introduced to Les Mills group classes including bodybuilding, strength, cardio, Pilates, kickboxing, CrossFit, and, her personal favorite … martial arts.

With Kristen’s wide range of experience, you can expect an action-packed and high-energy class. You will work hard, sometimes pushed outside of your comfort zone, but … most importantly, you will have fun along the way and maybe jam out to some of your favorite tunes!

Genevieve Gagliardi-Gerou

My program is one that is designed for teachers dealing with stress and trauma in schools and at home. Not only was I able to enhance my yoga practice through this teacher training, but I also became the SEL wellness guide my child needs. This truly was a life changing experience. I know these teachings work because they are making a huge difference in my household every day.

”I am honored and humbled to be bringing my love of yoga, mindfulness and meditation to members of my Kenosha community”.

Heidi Zalewski

Heidi has been practicing yoga for nearly 15 years. While she has always been physically active, she additionally sought a sense of connection and wholeness through spiritual and meditative practices. Heidi found the perfect combination of these aspects of health and wellness through Yoga.

Heidi is certified with Yoga Alliance as a E-RYT 200, RYT 500 yoga teacher. Her training is in Vinyasa Yoga, linking movement and poses through the breath. Heidi's teaching style emphasizes healthy alignment as it applies to each individual. Every class will focus on connecting to and working with the breath and body -- enabling one to be fully present in one’s yoga (and life) in a mindful way. Heidi places great importance on enabling students to take ownership of their yoga practice in a way that is right for each student beginning with a sense of acceptance and love.

She will lead Yoga Basics, Yin Yoga, Vinyasa Flow and various workshops!

McKenzie Endsley

McKenzie has been teaching yoga sculpt for nearly 5 years. She has taught at a number of studios and loves the sense of community and connection yoga can bring to people. She enjoys teaching yoga sculpt because it is fun, fast-paced and builds strength. Teaching helps her feel grounded and motivated, in her physical health and beyond!

Dana Gallagher

Dana first experienced yoga in 2010. Then at the onset of the pandemic, daily yoga practice became a top priority as she realized its life-changing benefits. Now she’s passionate about sharing the teachings with others. 

Her main goal as a teacher is to invite others into the journey of self-discovery and mind-body awareness. Beyond her 200 hour yoga teacher training, Dana chose to become certified in prenatal yoga as she holds a belief that mothers have the power to change the world, and yoga can play a part. Her classes will guide students into their bodies, and connect them with their breath, providing a moving meditative practice.