Instructors

Wendy - Yoga, Pilates and Personal Trainer

Wendy is the owner and founder of Wendy Fit Yoga and Pilates Studio in Tampa Florida since 2005. She is an eRYT200 Yoga Alliance certifed instructor and a member of the Suncoast Yoga Teachers Association.

 Wendy's love of yoga began with her passion to dance. She started her professional dance career in 1979 performing with a Vegas Dance Review, "Viva Variety" and "Hello Vegas". After she returned to Tampa she taught Ballet, Jazz and Aerobic dance for all ages at local dance studio's and health clubs.

 Wendy began practicing yoga in 1980 with many yoga masters such as  Dharma Mittra, Rodney Yee, Baron Baptiste, David Swensen, Bryan Kest, Beryl Bender Birch, Erich Schiffmann and Tias Little inspiring her to continue her in-depth training in Ashtanga, Hatha and Iyengar' Yoga techniques for healing and Meditation.

. Read more on the Wendy's background page.

Yulia Coe - Yoga Instructor

Dance and movement have always been an essential part of Yulia's life. She received her initial dance training in her native Ukraine, and has performed and taught with a number of dance companies including "Style," which is well known for its innovative choreography and cutting edge approach. It also has won high awards in many prestigious competitions and has been featured on television. The years she spent with this company were an invaluable experience.Yulia was fortunate to work side-by-side with a very talented choreographer, and had the opportunity to explore music and movement in deep and imaginative ways.

She moved to the United States in 1996 and continued dancing, teaching, and choreographing. One of the works she choreographed was presented at the Dynamite competition, and was selected for a showcase at Disney World in Orlando. In 2000 Yulia met Elena Martinson and Andrei Ustinov, former stars of the Kirov Theater and of the Moscow Mali Theater and began teaching at their "Ustinov and Martinson School of Classical Ballet" in St. Petersburg, Florida. She also performed and choreographed for the "The Chamber Ballet Company", which was associated with the school.

Her interest in movement has always extended beyond pure dance to include other disciplines. Over the last several years she has studied yoga and kung fu, and was certified as a yoga instructor. Yulia's passion lies in combining traditional styles of movement, be it jazz, ballet, martial arts, or yoga in new ways, and merging them to create new exciting styles that turn regular exercise sessions into an exploration of the body, movement, and music.

Diane Eisenberg- Yoga instructor

Diane was originally an English teacher in Michigan. When she retired she began teaching step aerobics. Diane became interested in yoga, through her studies she found out it was her life's work and pursued the practice.
Diance became certified in yoga by Wendy in 2004. She has also attented trainings in Yoga and Pilates through
Shapes,Wellness Center , Idea and
Yoga Alliance (500 IUs)

Laurie Hradec- Yoga instructor

Laurie has always had enthusiasm for overall wellness and being fit. She became interested in the philosphy of Yoga and the transformational power of meditation long before she stepped foot on a mat. After a two year stint of marathon running and triathalons followed by six months of living in Vail, Co snowboarding, she committed to a full time Yoga practice in 2002.

The benefits she received from her practice both on and off the mat ignited a passion to learn more and share it with others. She completed her 200 hr certification in at Yogaworks in Orange County, CA in 2004. Shortly after giving birth in 2006, she completed her 300 hr in Yogaworks in Santa Monica. Practicing yoga all the way through both pregnancies was a key factor to keeping a lot of discomfort at bay as well as adjusting to the pressures of parenthood. She welcomes any expecting mother's into her classes.

She has spent her entire adult life as a flight attendant which enabled her to study all different styles all over the country as well as develop a personal practice. This is reflected in the variety she teaches. She believes that everyone can absolutely benefit from practicing yoga and thoroughly enjoys sharing her passion.

Marina Lagler - Yoga and Pilates and Personal Trainer

A native of the Ukraine, Marina has been in the fitness industry since 1979, holding several fitness certifications. She has taken part in fitness programs for Russian television, and participated in the first Aerobic Championship that was held in St Petersburg, Russia in 1989.

Marina's first yoga instructor was her father. She became passionate about her yoga practice while studying the writings of the Indian Master Swami Shivananda. Marina moved to the United States in 2004 and has continued teaching Aerobic fitness and yoga. Her style of teaching is a gentle yoga with an eastern and western philosophy under the teachings of Rodney Yee.

She is certified as a Personal Trainer and teaches Vinyasa, Hatha, Power and Iyengar Yoga.

Kiyla Kitty - Pilates Classes Trainer

Kiyla has been practicing the movement arts for over 20 years. She enjoys sharing her  passions for movement exploration, human anatomy, holistic/green living and eclectic music. She is known to create a peaceful, positive atmosphere in her classes and sessions. It is Kiyla's goal to empower her clients to freely and consciously express themselves in the present moment. Kiyla is a HoopGirl certified Hoopdance Instructor and currently performs and facilitates workshops with the Hoola Monsters. She is also a certified Pilates Mat Instructor and is completing her Pilates education through Balanced Body University in order to become a fully certified Pilates Apparatus Instructor. Inspired by series of special circumstances, Kiyla constantly strives to learn all she can about integrative fitness modalities, subtle energy systems and food based healing so that she pursue her calling to heal and change her world one person at a time.

Lauren Palm - Yoga, Pilates and Personal Trainer

Lauren is an ACE Certified Personal Trainer, and NETA certified group Exercise Instructor. She has been training and teaching classes for the last 5 years. Lauren decided to pursue a career in the Fitness industry after struggling with her own weight loss. Once Lauren learned the correct way to incorporate healthy choices into lifestyle, she knew she had to show others. Lauren started practicing yoga for the flexibility, but kept returning for the peace.

She became certified to teach yoga in 2008 and Pilates in 2009. She is passionate about helping others meet their goals and find balance in their lives. ACE Certified Personal Trainer ACE Pre and Post Natal Certification NETA Group Exercise Instructor Yoga Fitness Instructor Certification Pilates Reformer Certification from Balanced Body CPR/AED Certification

Wendy Samuels - Yoga Instructor

Wendy teaches a slow Hatha yoga and specializes in Yoga for Weight Loss. Since she began practicing yoga, Wendy has lost over 70lbs and enjoys sharing tips for being fit by eating sensibly, exercising, and incorporating weekly Yoga sessions to build and stretch muscle and focus the mind. Wendy's classes are suitable for all levels. She incorporates movements that build strength and flexibility as well as incorporating a deep meditation to focus the mind and bring the body, mind, and spirit into harmony.

Wendy is a WendyFit certified instructor and has been teaching at our studio for almost 2 years. She also holds a Bachelor's in Business Administration and has over 15 years of experience in corporate training.

Wilda Santiago - Yoga and Pilates Instructor

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, graduate from the University of Puerto Rico, Wilda moved to the US in the early '90's and started working in fitness. With over 15 years experience, her classes and method of training has been published in different articles in the Tampa Tribune and Tampa Bay Times. She has 2 workout DVD's of Salsaaerobics! and has certified instructors in Puerto Rico. Her focus right now is in Yoga, Pilates and Dance for fitness and overall health, focusing on effectiveness. She teaches workshops in fusion workouts such as Yogalates, Bellydance/Bollywood and Laughing Yoga that attract a large audience. Her classes are fun, dynamic and the students actively participate in them.

Lydia Smith - Yoga and Advanced Thai Yoga Practitioner
Thai yoga with Lydia Smith Website
Thai Yoga Certification - Level 1

Lydia Smith is a SomaVeda Certified Advanced Thai Yoga Practitioner and Level 1 Instructor and a 200hr Hatha Yoga Teacher.
Lydia has been practicing healing arts for several years. She received her 200 hour certification as a hatha yoga teacher from Yandara Yoga Institute in Todos Santos, Baja, Mexico. She also graduated from the New Mexico School of Natural Therapeutics and practiced bodywork and massage until she was introduced to SomaVeda Thai Yoga and Integrated Therapies in January of 2011 from founder of the Thai Yoga Center and International Thai Therapy Association, Dr. Anthony B. James, MD. Aachan Dr. James was given instructor and lineage holder of the Buddhai Sawan tradition by Grand Master Phaa Khruu Samaii Mesamarn, Nongkam, Thailand in 1984. Grand Master Samaii was the 36th generation Grand Master of the Buddhai Sawan School originally founded in Ayudthaya and a consultant to H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the current King of Thailand.

Lydia first developed an interest in healing and helping others as a child growing up in Ivory Coast, West Africa. She developed a deep interest in exploring cultures around the world and their ways of healing and artful expressions. She uses this interest and passion to continue her studies Ayurveda, TCM (traditional chinese medicine), martial arts, homeopathy, naturopathy, and all forms of yoga. She loves dancing and to her, thai yoga is a dance of healing with others.

Sara Terrell- Yoga instructor

Sara has been a fitness professional since 1987. She has always had an infinite passion passion and love for dance, fitness, and sharing her knowledge with others. Sara enjoys inspiring all fitness levels to have fun and achieve their fitness goals! No two classes are ever the same, as she challanges students with variety and by constantly changing the dynamics of class.Sara's style of teaching is influenced by traditions learned from living in Louisiana making her classes like gumbo, a mixture of many different techniques. She infuses every class with lagniappe - "A little something extra!"

Sara began dancing as a young girl. She has studied and trained in Classical Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Lyrical Dance. Her passion for dance carried over into the fitness industry when she began working for Archie Manning's Gold Gym. She has worked with NFL players from the "New Orleans Saint" and also appeared in a "VH-1" series on national TV in 2006. Her inspiration in Pilates comes frrom studying the teachings of Joseph Pilates and studying the movement and teachings of Romana Kryzanowska.

Sara has been trained and certified in many areas of fitness. She has certifictaes in: AFAA Aerobic Fitness; PIA - Pilates Institute of America; ACE - American Councel on Exercise; Yoga; Silver Sneakers Fitness; Johnny G Spinning (group cycling); Aquafit (water aerobics); Kickboxing; Resist-a-Ball; Pre-Postnatal fitness; Reebok University Step; CPR Certified; Works as a Professional Healthcare Provider.

Sifu Moe- Tai Chi instructor

 Sifu Moe Lamvichit started his martial arts training in 1994. He has spent over 15 years training in Mi Zong Luo Han Kung Fu (迷蹤羅漢派) (Northern Shaolin Long Fist) and has acquired a unique martial arts skill and experience to provide a training environment that produces successful results for all students.

 Sifu Moe Lamvichit (Sifu, a traditional Chinese title of respect, meaning “teacher” and “father”) has competed and judged martial arts tournaments throughout the US