New Student Offer
12 Week Weight Loss Program
CURRENT CLIENTS
Valerie BurlingameValerie is an accomplished teacher, mentor and coach in the area of women’s health and wellness. As the Chief Visionary Officer for Vera Wellness Inc. Valerie has helped to create wellness communities where clients and health professionals thrive. Valerie moved to Seattle after owning and operating a yoga studio and a not-for-profit theatre company in Chicago from 2001-2008, her passionate dedication to personal enrichment and courageous entrepreneurism helped her to find a happy match with the founders of Vera Fitness when they met in 2008. Since then her creativity, passion for wellness, and love of all our clients is felt in everything that Vera Wellness is and does. Monthly Kinesis routines, Wellness Coaching, Wellness Journals, Trainer and Wellness Coach Certifications are all manifestations of Valerie’s deep desire to ‘esteem people.’ Erin UsherErin has been joyfully involved in the field of health and wellness for over a decade as a massage therapist, Pilates instructor, personal trainer and yoga studio owner from 2003-2007. In 2010 her studio became a part of Vera Wellness Inc. and she is thrilled daily to be working as a part of a team that shares her passion for esteeming people and creating sustainable wellness careers. In either her role as director or instructor – Erin intends to offer and support gathering places for people to play, grow, heal and strengthen mind-body connections – she hopes to help people individually and the community at large. Jamie HallJamie infuses her teaching, as well as her personal wellness practices, with passion and a sense of genuine curiosity, creativity, acceptance and joy. As a modern dance professional, Jamie has spent the past 12 years performing and teaching all over the world. In 2009 Jamie transitioned out of her full time performing career to receive her MFA in dance education with an emphasis on dancer wellness and nutrition. She also holds a certificate in Health Coaching from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in NYC and completed her yoga teacher training from the Samarya Center in Seattle. She has evolved her love for creative and expressive movement into a quest for personal balance and well-being. So far on this quest she has discovered that the way to fitness, wellness and a fulfilling life is not through a miracle pill, strict diets, or the next fad exercise routine, it is an individual and wholesome journey. She also believes that dancing, as well as the practice of yoga, are not simply physical disciplines, but rather catalysts for growth and healing, as well as a means to the exploration and realization of our true SELF. Now, as a health coach and fitness instructor, Jamie is passionate about helping people identify and overcome obstacles that stand between them and the joys of a healthful life. Sharing this journey with her students and clients is a huge source of inspiration for her. Using the healing powers of food, yoga, and joyful movement, Jamie offers a unique approach to health and wellness. Mary MarmorstoneMary joins the Vera team with enthusiasm to combine her love for yoga, health, and fitness in a unique, down to earth atmosphere. With a double degree in Exercise Science and Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation, Mary has been working in the field of health and wellness for years, and loves empowering folks of all ages and abilities to balance health and fitness in their own personal way. As an Exercise Physiologist, Mary has helped people to recover from surgery and manage chronic disease in settings such as Cardiac Rehab, Physical Therapy, a Human Physiology lab and several Assisted Living facilities. She is certified through the American College of Sports Medicine as a Clinical Exercise Specialist, and a Health Fitness Specialist. Mary’s favorite way to express her passion and commitment to health is through Yoga. After completing a residential Yoga and Meditation training at Colorado’s Shoshoni Yoga Ashram, Mary has been teaching Hatha, Vinyasa and Theraputic Yoga since 2005. Mary honor’s the mind-body connection and believes in the abundant healing powers this practice can bring. Mary trusts that exercise, wholesome nutrition, proper relaxation, lots of laughter and good music is the ultimate prescription for a long healthy life. Mary stays happy and healthy her self through out door adventures such as cycling, hiking, skiing, rock climbing, mountain biking and running with her dog. Nothing rejuvenates her soul more than sleeping under the stars, in the mountains. Since her recent move to Seattle from Colorado, she has taken up organic gardening and is hoping to learn how to sail! To read more about Mary check out her website. Vicki WilsonVicki came to Vera with a passion for fitness and commitment to help others reach their wellness goals. After various young adult struggles with weight and boredom with the gym routine, a friend invited her to a Pilates class. After just a few classes she was hooked and has been practicing for over 8 years. At first, creating and maintaining a mind-body connection seemed like a foreign language, however regular practice soon opened the door to new movements and activities. Vicki can be found biking around Seattle, running with her black lab, doing yoga on a paddleboard or attempting to boulder at a climbing wall. Vicki completed the Pilates Academy International 200-hour All Populations equipment and mat certification, 200-hour Vera Fitness Trainer Certification and National Academy of Sports Medicine Personal Trainer certification. Vicki trains from a student perspective; asking her clients explore what their body is telling them and working with where they are today. Vicki loves sharing the joy of movement with her clients, keeping sessions playful and challenging. Sonya BaileySonya has always had a passion for fitness, helping others and that is why she finds being a personal trainer to be fulfilling and rewarding both personally and professionally. She has been active all her life, involved in dance and sports ever since she was young. Her background experience includes running 10 ½ marathons, soccer, kickboxing, step, boot camp, strength training, functional training, core training etc. She has run many local races and placed 4th place Female 10K in the “World’s Longest Beach Run”. She has been a personal trainer for 3 years (certified with NASM) and a boot camp instructor for 2 years. Prior to personal training, she was the Regional Director for 3 Curves for Women locations for 3 years. Most recently, Sonya has completed training and is certified as a Corrective Exercise Specialist from the NASM. Being fit was such an integral part of Sonya’s life and her determination and drive to hold on to her passion became apparent. In 2007 she was told by her doctor that she would have to have open surgery. This decision would ultimately change her perception on life. What ensued was a challenging 2 ½ years of recovery due to the financial stress and uncontrollable hardships that followed which ultimately affected her energy level and ability to do her job that she loves! Because of this, Sonya has the empathy and compassion to understand others in their struggles. She knows what it’s like to have to start all over and be patient, consistent and not give up! Her avocation is her vocation! Her passion is empowering and encouraging individuals to be the best that they can be through fitness and wellness. Also, working to help clients develop a connection and awareness between their mind and body so that they can enjoy efficient workouts and success and more importantly motivating and challenging them to the best of their abilities! Ultimately, allowing them to not only be but also feel healthy and strong throughout their daily activities of living! Jude PetJude was introduced to yoga in 1992 and was especially drawn to the concept of a “life practice”, uniting and balancing the mind, body, spirit and breath, inside and outside of the yoga room. The goal of her teaching is to combine movement, meditation and pranayama, presenting a practice that is centering and restorative. She often refers to her teaching as “a counter pose to our forward moving, future thinking western life.” Jude’s teaching focuses on cultivating awareness and exploring freedom, both on a physical and mental level and she encourages everyone to develop a practice that meets their individual needs (emotional and physical). She usually has a theme of the month or season, based on yoga philosophy, nature, nutrition, and other healing modalities. Her classes are a wonderful preparation for a meditation practice. Jude gladly shares her knowledge of yoga with all of her students. She graduated from the Yoga Tree Teacher Training in 2002 and is certified with Yoga Alliance. She has been teaching yoga classes throughout Seattle since 2001. In addition, she is a dedicated volunteer at the Seattle Animal Shelter, creates beautiful jewelry and participates in many outside adventures. Victoria LopesVictoria left behind a successful job in marketing to follow her heart’s path in a career that is meaningful and contributive – helping others live up to their full potential in the area of health and wellness and bringing a broader awareness and connection to mind and body that is joyful and empowering. She believes in the transformative power of being fully present in our bodies, and has experienced this first hand through dance, the aerial arts, and athletics. Whether as a performer, athlete or teacher, she brings a sense of humor and playfulness to the community. She strongly believes that everyone, without exception, is capable of greatness and is committed to helping others manifest their greatness by achieving optimum levels of wellness in their lives. Victoria completed the 200 hour Vera Fitness Training Certification, and will receive her certification as a Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine in the fall of 2011, as well as her certification as a Wellness Coach in December 2011. Azur KoteenAzur Koteen combines many areas of body work, health, and fitness together in his sessions. Azur has been practicing massage since 2004 and is a life long resident of the northwest. He layers his interest in the body over his studio art undergraduate work, a background in sports, dance, yoga, martial arts, acrobatics and outdoor adventure. Through his practice he looks to creatively share his passion for health, movement and life. Since graduation from the 1000 intensive massage program at The Brian Utting School of Massage in 2004 he has completed continuing education workshops in Trager, Deep Muscle Therapy, and Qigong. Most recently doing a physical trainer certification through Vera Fitness. The study of massage has given rise to a huge respect for the anatomy and physiology of the body, and an ongoing search for a path to health in the modern world….read more. Azur finds the most effective combination of relaxation and structural massage to effectively treat symptoms and pain in the moment and to bring insight and lasting comfort to the following days. He brings his attention through bodywork to assist with an awareness of breath and facility of movement. Azur’s physical practices offer insight to support a wide range of client needs and challenges. His experience and mind-body knowledge of comes from Kristin DornKristin’s passion for living a balanced and healthy life led her to pursue certifications as a Nutritionist through the Nutritional Therapy Association and as a Personal Trainer through the National Council on Strength and Fitness. As a cancer survivor, she has learned first-hand the value of living a balanced and holistic lifestyle and loves to share her knowledge and passion for fitness and nutrition with other people in a hope to better their lives. Kristin believes in an approach to wellness that touches on all areas of our lives, including the physical, mental, spiritual and emotional. Her nutrition beliefs follow the wisdom of our ancestors, with a focus on eating nutrient dense, properly prepared whole foods. On a given day you may find Kristin running around Lake Union, swimming at the pool, centering herself in yoga class, competing in a triathlon, shopping at the Ballard Farmer’s Market or PCC, spending quality time with friends or family, cooking a wholesome meal or enjoying a night out at one of Seattle’s wonderful restaurants. |