Christy (Wade) Sanford - Master Trainer, Studio Owner.
After becoming injured in a car accident in 1999, Christy Sanford learned first hand that there was more to Pilates than just the latest celebrity fitness craze. Using the methods laid out by Joseph Pilates, Christy soon discovered that Pilates could heal, strengthen and revitalize her body.
Witnessing the transformative power of Pilates on her own body as well as others inspired Christy to become a certified Stott Pilates and Reformer instructor, a certified Gyrokinesis instructor, a BCRPA fitness leader and a Can Fit Pro trainer. With this expertise, Christy ran the Pilates program at the Halifax Nubody's locations until she opened her own business, Studio in Essence, in 2005.
A master trainer, Christy loves to share her enthusiasm for fitness and developed the Pilates in Essence certification program as well as the Masters of Essence Pole instruction. Recently Christy brought the first Gyrotonic system to the Maritimes and became certified as a Gyrotonic instructor.
An important part of Studio in Essence is creative dance and Christy is known across North America for her contributions to the hip hop dance community through competitive break-dancing, DJing and video production as well as judging and hosting events.
Christy has built a committed following of students of all body types and fitness levels who appreciate her positive and fun approach to mind-body awareness and her encouraging philosophy of the "power from within".
Ocean Samuel
Ocean started with the studio Fall 2010 and is quickly developing a following of devoted students. A self-acclaimed fitness fanatic, Ocean grew up boxing, swimming and doing gymnastics. In her never-ending quest for a stronger core and proper alignment, Ocean gravitated towards Pilates and has not looked back. She has her certification in Mat, Advanced Mat, Reformer, land and aqua aerobics, and was one of the first seven people in Canada to be certified in Cardiolates.
Ironically, when not in the studio, Ocean’s favourite place to be is the Ocean. She’s been known to bring her pet Iguana, Malachite, along for the ride.
candice j prior started dancing professionaly in new york city in 1974
as a member of the raymond johnson dance company, the elizabeth keen
dance company and jamie cunningham and the acme dance company. after
spending a summer in santa fe dancing with the opera company, she performed
with the american dance machine on broadway and aslo did a performance
with them at the white house for president jimmy carter and guests. a national
tour with the show "evita" followed. after many years not dancing, she is happy
to be back at it. these days she teaches pole and exercise at studio in essence.
she also makes jewellery.
Rosalynn Iuliucci
Much like any structure, if one pillar is weak, the whole structure will fall. By treating the body as a holistic structure we can achieve an inner and outer balance, creating for ourselves a confident and vibrant lifestyle. Rosalynn Iuliucci is a dynamic movement therapist who emphasises strengthening our weaknesses while recognising our strengths. With over 5 years of professional experience, using such m as GYROKINESIS®, GYROTONIC®, Yoga, Martial Arts, Pilates, Pilates machines and equipment she acknowledges that healthy movement stems from deeper systems than the muscles and joints alone. Her method focuses on the structural integrity of the spine; the neurological connector of the mind and body; and the pelvis, our centre of gravity, the meeting place of forces above and below. In addition to specializing in movement based arts & sciences, she has performed internationally and is a published author. She graduated from the NSCAD in 2005 and is currently pursuing an Osteopathic diploma at the Canadian College of Osteopathy in Montreal-Halifax, Canada.
What is Gyrotonic? www.gyrotonic.com
What is Osteopathy? www.osteopathie-canada.ca/en
Everything about Megan MacLean is about movement. From her professional study of the body as a kinesiologist and former athletic trainer for the men's basketball and football teams at Saint Mary's University, to her lifelong love of tennis, soccer, basketball and cheerleading, Megan has always been a girl on the go.
Since discovering Studio in Essence, Megan has become hooked on expressing her energy though hula hoop, pole dancing and aerial silks. In fact, the fun, fluid movement of hula hoop combined with its killer ab workout became such a passion for Megan that she started her own company making collapsible hula hoops, called Hoopla Collapsible Hula Hoops. But it's pole dancing that has truly transformed Megan in mind and body.
Wanting to try something new that might infuse her workouts with a challenge that didn't feel quite so much like work, Megan enrolled in pole dancing classes less than two years ago. With her passion for the study of human movement, Megan quickly realized this what she had been searching for and so much more. Her body happily responded - her shoulders and back grew stronger, her posture improved and her core became tight and toned. In addition to feeling fit and fine, Megan even lost 25 pounds. To top it all off, the strength and spirit of pole dancing so inspired Megan's confidence that she became an instructor so she could share that positive energy with other women.
Megan's newest passion is aerial silks. While she loves the beauty and grace of the performance, it's the challenge of strength, control and pushing mind and body to a whole new level that is especially enticing to her.
Let Megan's philosophy to keep moving, spinning, learning and expressing inspire your own body and spirit by registering for one of her classes in Hula Hoop, Aerial Silks and Pole Level 1 today!
Christie Dauphinee is a fully certified STOTT PILATES Instructor. Chrisitie routinely teaches Mat, Reformer, small equipment, Injury and Special Populations.
She is a lifelong athlete whose passion for sports began with ringette and hockey at the age of 5. Christie was competitive until the age of 15 when her focus shifted to all sports, encompassing the process rather than the specific sport.
The mind/body connection to health and fitness is what drives her passion today. “I believe that Pilates encompasses correct movement that you can apply to any form of exercise.” Christie has her B.A. in Theatre and Music from Dalhousie University. At Dalhousie she had extensive dance and movement training for four years. She also acquired an Education Certification from the University of Maine at Presque Isle, where she improved the art of teaching.
Her professional career as a pilates instructor began 4 years ago at various local spas and gyms. Whether it is a private session or a group class, her classes will help you rehabilitate your spine, improve your core and leave you feeling invigorated
Ardath Whynacht Ardath has been teaching pole dancing for 5 years. As an independent artist, she has performed across Canada and in Latin America and the Caribbean with contortionists, poets and musicians. She believes that the key to 'moving sexy' lies in having fun and being comfortable in your own skin. Using creativity & personality, any student can learn to express themselves using their bodies and become stronger, both physically and emotionally. Fitness is about more than improving our bodies... It's about celebrating ourselves as we are and enjoying the process. Developing killer abs, thighs and biceps at the same time is just a bonus.
Joy Conrad has always enjoyed a physical challenge and sought out new
experiences. From ballet to diving to rock climbing, Joy looked for the
activity that met all the criteria to continually inspire and motivate
her.
Discovering Studio in Essence in 2009, Joy finally found her niche. A
combination of fun, strength training, core fitness, flexibility and
dance, pole dancing met all the fitness criteria Joy was looking for.
She gained strength in her upper body, improved her posture, her self
image and lost two clothing sizes. She realized that she wanted to share
her love of pole dancing with others so they could experience the same
transformation of mind, body and spirit.
Joy is a strong believer in having fun, in challenging oneself and in
keeping the mind and body moving. Inspire your own mind and body by
registering for one of her Pole classes today!
Kyla Quinlan
Kyla may have started taking dance classes only at age 5 but, according to her parents, she was prancing around the house, trying to imitate her ballet-dancing older sister, long before. Since then, she has taken classes in many dance forms – in particular, ballet, step dancing, jazz, modern, tap and hip-hop. After high school, her passion for dance and theatre inspired her to complete the Triple Threat college program at Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts in Toronto.
Looking for a new fun way to get a workout, Kyla began taking classes at Studio in Essence in January 2010 and instantly fell in love with pole dancing. She continues to be amazed by the transformation she sees and feels in her body, and by the almost endless repertoire of moves to learn. Now Kyla is thrilled to help others discover or renew their love of dance through pole fitness and acrobatics classes!
Adriana Hess
Jillian Osborne
