PRACTITIONER BIOGRAPHIES

GLORIA GONZALEZ, FOUNDER

Specialties: CranioSacral Therapy . Somatic Experiencing

Qualifications: Eight Elements, founder, 1985; B.S. Kinesiology, Magna Cum Laude, Univ. of Maryland, nutrition emphasis, 1983; Licensed Massage Therapist, 1986; Certified Nia White Belt, Rancho La Puerta, 1989, & Brown Belt 2004; Yoga instructor, 1996; Certified hypnotherapist, Sch. of Healing Arts, S.D., 1997; Certified second degree Reiki, 1997; Co-founder Sharp Memorial Reiki for Cancer patients, 1999; Somatic Experiencing®, 2007; CranioSacral Therapy for Infants & Children, CST I and II, SER I, Upledger Institute, 2007; CPR/AED certified, 2007

ETHAN CARTER, TRAINER / Pilates

Specialties: Pilates, Muscular Endurance

Qualifications: Certified Pilates Instructor, Apparatus & Mat, Power Pilates, NY, 2005-2007; Certified NASM Personal Trainer, 2008 and AFAA Personal Trainer, 2005; Certified AFAA Group Fitness instructor, 2008; Certified Mad Dogg Athletics Spinning instructor, 2005 and Schwinn Cycling Instructor, 2004; BA, Psychology, Wheaton College, Norton, MA, 1995. Former competitive swimmer, tennis and soccer player. Recreational triathlete.

LEORA COOPER, NIA

Specialties: Nia

Qualifications: Certified Nia White Belt 2003, Blue Belt 2004, Brown Belt 2007, Black Belt 2008; Certified Pilates instructor, Physical Mind Institute, 2001; Over 20 years of dance training and performance; 17 years in commercial interior design; Writer, healing-jewelry designer, and functional art photographer.

CHRISTY FLOWERS, YOGA

Specialties: Pranayama

Qualifications: B.A. Sociology, UCSD, 2005; 200hr Yoga Certification, San Diego, 2008; Holistic Therapist, San Diego, 2007; Reiki I, San Diego, 2006; Certified Massage Therapist, San Diego, 2007.

KEN GILBERT, Nia

Specialties: Nia Black Belt, Trainer

Qualifications: MA, Nia Black Belt Trainer. Ken has been teaching Nia for 13 years, and has been a White Belt Intensive Instructor for 6 years. How works to inspire, educate and motivate everyone to come more integrated and balanced in their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual lives, inviting his students to make the connections of the mindful body – to connect breath with sensation, feeling, and imagination.

Nia White Belt Intensive Training, June 19th - 25th, 2010

JUNGHEE KALLANDER, PILATES

Specialties: Pilates for Injuries, Advanced Pilates

Qualifications: Certified Pilates Instructor, Romana Kryzanowska, New York, NY, 1999; Certified Pilates Instructor, Power Pilates, 2003, Certified Teacher Trainer, Power Pilates, 2003; MA, Dance Education, New York University, 1995; Ph.D., Dance Education, Kyung-Hee University, 2005.

NIKKI KRAUSE, MASSAGE / Yoga

Specialties: Deep Tissue

Qualifications: B.S. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, 2006; H.H.P. Healing Hands School of Holistic Health, 2009; Massage skills include Pre-natal, Sports, Lomi Lomi, Shiatsu, Tui Na, Neuromuscular, Trigger Point Therapy, Reflexology, Ayurvedic, Reiki, Aromatherapy with Young Living Oils; Oriental Healing including Fire Cupping and Ear Seeds; Yoga Alliance Certification, 200hr, Core Power Yoga.

BAYLEE STRAYER, MASSAGE / Yoga

Specialties: Tui Na, Yoga

Qualifications: H.H.P. International Professional School of Bodywork, 2010; Massage skills include Tui Na, Trigger Point Therapy, Structural Integration, Sensory Repatterning, and the Oriental healing technique of Gua Sha. Yoga Alliance Certification, 200hr, Yoga Well, certified in Hatha and Pre/Post Natal yoga.

IRENE SATYA LEEB, YOGA

Specialties: Yoga

Qualifications: Integral Yoga Teacher Training at Satchidananda Ashram, Yogaville VA, 2004.

ANDREA PLICHTA, ACUPUNCTURE

Specialties: Musculoskeletal Pain

Qualifications: Master of Science, Oriental Medicine, Southwest Acupuncture College, Boulder, CO. 2006; Orthopedic and sports acupuncture, Whitfield Reaves, D.O.M, Boulder, CO; Post-grad intensive, Chengdu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sichuan Province, China, 2008; ASRT therapy, a form of Trager bodywork, San diego, CA, 2008; CoreDynamics Pilates Instructor, Santa Fe, NM, 2003; Licensed massage therapist/HHP, Full Circle School of Alternative Therapies, Edwards, CO, 2000; Kinesiotape Certified, 2000; BFA, Sculpture GSU, Statesboro, Georgia, 1997.

ROCCO RAGANO, TRAINER / Yoga

Specialties: Nia . Yoga

Qualifications: B.A. in Theater/Social Sciences, Columbia College, Chicago, 2000; Diploma in 8-year Russian program for Classical Dance, Instruction and Choreography, Boitsov Classical Ballet School, Chicago, 1998; Massage Certified, IPSB, San Diego, 2000; Yoga instructor and Reiki certified, Level One. Nia Blue Belt Certification, San Diego, 2003; has professionally danced with California Ballet, City Ballet, and San Diego Academy of Ballet.

FIRMEN SOWERS, TRAINER / Pilates

Specialties: Strength and Conditioning

Qualifications: 20 years in the fitness industry; RKC certified kettlebell strength and conditioning specialist, 2009; PHI Pilates mat and reformer certification, 2001; AFAA personal trainer certification, 1999; 21 years martial arts training with a 4th Dan (degree) black belt in Yoshukai Karate, 2nd Dan Aikido, and ranks in Judo and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu.

HEIDI SULLIVAN, THAI THERAPY / Massage

Specialties: Flexibility and Joint Pain

Qualifications: Thai massage certification, International School of Thai Massage, Chaing Mai, Thailand, 1999; Massage Therapist, American Stuntman's Assoc., 1990-95; Certified Massage Technician Orthopedic Sports and Physical Therapy Clinic, 1990; Certified Nia White Belt, La Jolla, 1999; First Degree Reiki certified, La Jolla, 2001.

Biography
Thai Therapy

KRISTINA VELEZ, MASSAGE

Specialties: Relaxation and Energy Work

Qualifications: Massage Technician Certification, Mueller College of Holistic Therapies, 2005; Reiki Level I & II, 2006; Nia White Belt, 2006; YogaFit Teacher Training, 2006; Craniosacral I & II, SER I, Upledger Institute, 2007; Life Coach Program, Coach for Life, 2008; Currently enrolled, Holistic Health Practitioner Certification, School of Healing Arts, 2009.