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 Mary 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 currently studying to become an ACSM Health and 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: www. Moonstoneyoga.net. 
Sonya 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. 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! One of my favorite quotes:We’re so engaged in doing things to achieve purposes of outer value that we forget that the inner value, the rapture that is associated with being alive, is what it’s all about.” -- Joseph Campbell Favorite activities?Running, teaching boot camp, traveling, dancing, theatre, cooking and eating different cuisines, discovering and trying new things….and enjoying life! Favorite thing about living in WA?The diversity and beauty in our natural surroundings….the bodies of water, the mountains, greenery and fresh air! One Place You’d like to visit and why?I would love to go back to Thailand….the land of smiles! The country is amazing with its friendly people, delicious food and interesting culture. If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life what would it be?My initial response would be dark chocolate because it’s so good for you….not filling enough so I would go with Kimchee …it even kills the bird flu! A woman that you would consider a hero?My hero would be my biological mother who passed away due to Colorectal Cancer last April. She had the courage and strength to continue to live her life after losing her husband at a young age and having to make a difficult decision to put myself, sister and brother up for adoption….for a better life in the United States! She had the courage to defy cultural standards. It’s amazing how much I resemble my biological mother not only physically but now I know where I get my strength, determination and character! She was an amazing woman! Lindsay was born and raised in Washington State. She graduated from the University of Washington School of Business in 2004 with concentrations in Finance and Marketing. Physical fitness has been her passion, since she began dancing as a little girl. She also enjoys teaching group fitness classes around the Seattle area and loves the energy she gets from her everyone she works with. She is incredibly excited about joining the Vera Fitness Team. The team and clients couldn't be more fun! Favorite activities outside the gym Dinner parties with family and friends, boating, skiing, eating delicious food cooked by my husband, and traveling. Favorite thing about living in Washington I love having the mountains and lakes so close. Not only are they beautiful to look at, they provide loads of fun activities. One place you'd like to visit and why There are boat loads of places I could list, but San Sebastion, Spain is definitely among the top. My family is from Bibao, in the Basque region of Spain, which is near San Sebastian. It is a beautiful area, rich with history and culture. The food is supposed to be incredible, as well. Everyone story I hear about travels to this area inlcude someone never wanting to leave. It sounds like paradise! If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life what would it be This is the hardest question! My answer definitely depends on the day and the mood, and a million other factors. I love good food! In the morning I would have to say eight grain rolls from Starbucks, but in the evening I'd probably say naan bread pizzas we make at home. They're delicious! One woman that you consider a hero My best friend, Courtney. She has the ability to be honest and genuine in every aspect of her life, while truly taking the time to make those close to her feel special and loved. I think that is an extremely rare thing to find in people these days.
 Celeste believes a balanced body is essential to maintaining an active and energetic lifestyle. A certified Stott Pilates instructor with additional training in injuries and special populations, Celeste grew up in Hawaii where swimming, surfing and long distance running were a part of her everyday life.
Celeste has been a dedicated practitioner of Stott Pilates and Ashtanga Yoga for over 10 years. Initially, Pilates and yoga helped her to improve her posture and flexibility. She later found unexpected benefits in her training: increased strength, improved coordination, and injury prevention - all things she strives to share with her clients. Celeste focuses on alignment, balance, and core strength to help people function more effectively in their everyday life.
Favorite activities outside the gym:
When I’m actually still and not teaching, training, or running around in the same lululemon pants, I love any sort of creative process: painting, designing, writing, cooking/eating, brainstorming, moviesmoviesmovies, listening to a funny story, getting wrapped up in ridiculous conversations, coming up with ways to out wit my brothers - anything that forces me to be clever.
Favorite thing about living in Washington?
The seasons. Also people here have such a smart and productive appeal, like they're all working on a novel...and why does everyone own a hilarious dog?
One place you'd like to visit and why?
This and the favorite food question is just not going to work, that's impossible. No matter what I put I’m going to think of something better later. I do feel strangely at home in Europe and plan on fleeing there one day and staying for an indefinite amount of time.
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life what would it be?
I can say I am capable of eating a large amount of fresh raw fish. Much like the mermaid Daryl Hannah played in the movie 'Splash.'
A woman that you would consider a hero?
My mom. She is a master at putting you in your place and grounding you just by being who she is. I’m fortunate to have a mom that tells me to 'live life as if ANYTHING is possible.'
 Erin brings a joyful spirit and a sense of commitment to her teaching. She remembers feeling a sense of achievement and playfulness the first time she was able to stand on her hands in a yoga class. She returns to that feeling each time she is able to do something new or rediscovers something about her body or mind in her yoga or pilates practice. Erin's enthusiasm for sharing the fulfillment that stems from incorporating movement in your life continues to grow. Always an avid athlete, Erin participated in a wide array of sports, including swimming, tennis, snowboarding, running and lacrosse. Her journey into whole health began in college, where she obtained an undergraduate degree in Cultural Studies with an emphasis on social work and focused her senior work on people struggling with eating disorders. She would later go on to work with populations suffering with conditions related to lack of touch in infancy. Her interest in touch and body awareness, in relation to its role in human development, eventually led her to study massage therapy and pilates. As a trainer and manager at Vera Fitness and the owner of Maya Whole Health Studio, she 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. Erin is known to teach with precision and humor. Students refer to her classes as invigorating, fun and carefully crafted to maintain interest and to ensure variety. Erin's philosophy is to personally invest in each client and tailor custom workouts, while also teaching people about their own bodies. Erin is invested in her clients and committed to supporting them in achieving their wellness goals. Favorite activities? I love crafting moments, building and creating, listening, sewing, spending time with friends and family, good food, pilates, yoga, surfing, snowboarding, moving, stretching, playing and laughing. Favorite thing about living in WA? It is certainly beautiful here - and I could easily site the natural beauty as something that moves me - but even more so I value my amazing community of friends and my growing and equally outstanding professional community. One place you would like to visit and why? The list of places I want to travel is long - with no particular one holding priority - although places with beautiful beaches do have a special draw. I love being immersed in other cultures and enjoy how that broadens my perspective and capacity for compassion. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life what would it be? Kale. Really! (and maybe almonds too) A woman you would consider a hero? I have held many women in high regard through out my life. The most recent addition to that list would be my friend Cat. She not only battled breast cancer bravely - but she opened herself to letting it be a positive force in her life. Allowing the experince to soften her, expand her capacity for joy and change her life for the better. She reminded me that lifes obstacles can be life's gifts if they are approached with the proper attitude. Have a great day. Erin  April Winn is a mat Pilates instructor, certified cycling instructor, personal trainer, and student at Bastyr. She spent 11 years working in corporate-America which has given her a true appreciation for the stresses that balancing a fast paced career with life can have on both the mind and body. She strives to teach individuals to move in more positive ways, to relax and release tension through proper breathing techniques, and to strengthen the body through functional movement emphasizing form and core integrity. April is an outdoor and multi-sport enthusiast that has seen the benefits that wellness has brought to her own life. Improved core integrity and joint mobility have empowered April to reach higher fitness goals with greater ease. After a serious arm injury in 2005 April began to focus on gentler forms of movement and meditation to gain deeper insight into the mind-body connection. April believes the emphasis of all fitness endeavors should be to promote longevity and sustainability of body and mind  Mary is happiest when she's helping others find peace and inner strength. Of course, helping others find their transverse abdominals is fun too!
Mary first became interested in social health and wellness issues while she was a teenager in the suburbs of Washington DC, volunteering with groups such as Food Not Bombs and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. The experiences she had with those groups sparked her deep interest in helping people live happily and healthfully. Mary was also introduced to yoga as a teen when one of her ballet teachers showed her a few strengthening asanas. She dabbled in yoga for years until she found a more dedicated practice while she was living in New York City through all the wonderful yoga studios there. Eventually her practice inspired her to leave New York and trek across the country to Seattle, where she began studying fitness and nutrition. She took her time while traveling and visited many national parks, intentional communities, and yoga ashrams
Mary holds a WITS Personal Fitness Trainer certification, and is currently hard at work on her ACE certification as well as a Master of Science degree in Nutrition. Favorite activities outside of the gym?
Snowboarding, skateboarding, surfing, camping, hiking, yoga, and spending time with friends.
Favorite thing about living in Washington?
I love that I can live in the city and escape to the wilderness! The mountains, the beach, the forests, they are all so easily accessible here. I also love the fitness culture in Seattle, it's nice to live in a city where healthy living is the standard- not the exception!
One place you'd like to visit and why?
After I finish my Master's degree I'd like to go study yoga at the Ashtanga Institute in Mysore India. I would love to stay there for a month to self reflect and deepen my practice.
If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life what would it be?
Apple slices with peanut butter, it's been my favorite food since I was five.
A woman that you would consider a hero?
All my sisters in Seattle who are doing it for themselves! I find myself continually inspired by all the women around me who find balance within their hectic lives. Finding strength to juggle career, family, friends, and health issues is no small feat.  Growing up in Colorado and attending an Outward Bound high school Valerie was influenced by nature and adventure at an early age. Later in college she studied acting at DePaul's theatre conservatory in Chicago which exposed her to rigorous physical, vocal and emotional training. While there she began an apprenticeship with the movement faculty that would later lead to a position as a professor and the founding of holistic healing center, innergy and later Deeper into Yoga. After 8 years of teaching Valerie is best known for her in-depth work with therapeutic applications of yoga ranging from chronic pain, post-op and integrative exercise to clients dealing with MS, Cancer and Autoimmune disorders. Valerie is also a certified personal trainer from the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
"My aim is to inspire you to create your life as a work of art. We will start by cultivating a deep sense of physical and mental wellness. On top of that foundation we will add as much fun, ease, and joy as we can. Your workouts should be about finding more space and joy in your body so that you leave our sessions feeling able to fully express yourself and contribute your gifts to the world."
Favorite activities outside the gym
Hiking, training to do big climbs, making and eating great food, learning to garden, working on our house, exploring Seattle, writing plays, seeing theatre and art
Favorite thing about living in Washington?
My husband and I just moved here and I love how smart and active Seattle people are.
One place you'd like to visit and why?
Japan- I'm so intrigued by the culture the art and the food
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life what would it be?
Are you kidding me? I would die without variety.
A woman that you would consider a hero?
Ani DiFranco for telling it like she sees it. "I do it for the joy it brings, cause I'm a joyful girl. 'Cause the world owes us nothing, we owe each other the world." -Ani
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