Meet the Instructors

Ally Abisch

Ally Abisch has been active her whole life. She played collegiate tennis on a full scholarship and a short time on the professional tennis tour. Then, she became a teaching tennis pro for several years. Currently, Ally is a registered RN at Jackson Memorial Hospital for the past 14 years. She became a spinning instructor a few years ago. Ally is Johnny G certified and AFAA certified. She loves spinning because "you get the best workout and burn lots of calories in a short period of time." "Spinning helps your cardiovascular conditioning, stamina and strength. Everyday is a new day in spinning because you can challenge your workout differently each time. I like to keep my students to be “consistent because if you enjoy spinning and stick to it, you’ll see results."

Esther Armendaiz

Originally from Monterrey, Mexico, Esther has been teaching for over 10 years. Her sports background is based on strong ballet and gymnastics programs as well as many other athletic activities. Esther has received some of her fitness studies in Boston, MA. She is certified by the Aerobic and Fitness Association of America, THE TOP-GUN INTERNATIONAL Instructor Training Sherry Catlin, CYCLE REEBOK, SPINNING, POWER CYCLING, BODYPUMP, FRA Fitness Resource Associates, ACE American Council of Exercise Personal Training, FITNESS YOGA and PILATES. She has participated in several conventions such as ECA East Coast Alliance, IDEA, THE REEBOK Resolution, AMERICAN HEART Association Health & Fitness Expo and workshops provided by FITOUR. Very involved in the industry, she is a member of IDEA, AFAA, and East Coast Instructor Alliance of New York. Her commitment to the importance of physical fintess and well-being is demonstrated by the high caliber and variety of her classes as well as her personal attention to members. She has more than 3 years experience as a Group Exercise Manager and international experience teaching workshops and master classes in Mexico, USA, and Europe.

Shebah Carfagna

Shebah has been a devoted to fitness follower for more than nine years. After years of weight lifting and participating in a variety of strength training, spinning and step aerobics classes her interest in fitness increased. Wanting to increase her knowledge of fitness combined with the desire to share her knowledge with others, Shebah began a series of certifications. Currently, she teaches mat pilates, spinning, boot camp, step aerobics, and core conditioning. She believes that everyone can be empowered to enhance their mind, body and spirit through healthy lifestyle activities and her five “D” philosophy: decision, diet, discipline, desire, determination, and applies these principles to her daily life and activities.

Silvia Figueroa

Silvia’s has always maintained a fitness routine and also found herself fascinated by many spiritual philosophies. When Silvia formally discovered yoga about 6 years ago, it was a natural fit. She first became certified as a yoga instructor in Vinyasa style yoga under Rosella Rossi, a highly accomplished and internationally renowned yogi and has attended a number of intensive workshops featuring a variety of yoga methods. Trained in Reiki and gem therapy, Silvia has a natural attraction to healing. Her yoga classes are both invigorating and restorative. Silvia does not push students beyond their abilities, but instead challenges them to reach realistic goals. Her approach is light-hearted, always involving smiles and laughter. At the same time, she maintains rigorous focus on physical alignment and strength-building. Silvia says about her teaching philosophy, “I only want my students to come out of the class feeling that they’ve done something wonderful for themselves.” In addition to teaching yoga, Silvia is an artist/painter, currently exploring mixed media and texture in her most recent series of paintings of the Hindu deities. Always interested in various healing arts and sciences, Silvia earned her dentistry degree from the University of Buenos Aires in 1993.

Carol Garabedian

A teacher of movement and dance as well as a student of yoga and meditation for the past 20 years, Carol earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Dance and Kinesiology from UCLA, while performing as a modern dancer and choreographer. As the Director of Training and Developer of Classes for Jane Fonda’s Workouts, Carol was instrumental in the development of the influential fitness programs that reintroduced a whole generation to the health benefits of movement. Carol’s commitment to yoga and love of movement led her to begin studying Anusara Yoga in 2003 with John Friend (Founder of Anusara Yoga). Inspired by Anusara Yoga’s Tantric yoga philosophy and powerful Universal Principles of Alignment, Carol has found greater expansion in her practice and teaching. Carol’s goal is to create an opportunity for students to experience a deeper and vaster space within, enabling them to open their hearts and connect with their inner power and wisdom.

Gino Guido

Gino C Guido was born and raised in Chicago moved to Miami 10 years ago. Gino has been working in the Fitness Industry for 8 years where he started working for the Fontainebleau Spa as the Membership Sales Manager and later moved to Eden Roc Spa and Fitness in the same position. While working for the Eden Roc Gino received his Cycling certification through Johnny G's mad dogg athletics during ECA Fitness conference in Miami Beach 2006. Later the following year Gino certified himself in Group Exercise and Personal Training through the (IFA) International Fitness Association. He is currently finishing an advance certification in Personal Training through (NASM) National Academy of Sports Medicine. Gino currently teaches Cycling, Cycling and Sculpt classes for the Medical Wellness Center and is the Lead Fitness Specialist/Group Exercise/Personal Trainer for Elemis Spa at the Loews Miami Beach. He also has worked for Crunch Fitness, Gold’s Gym South Beach, and Energy Fitness. When Gino is not working he’s in active outdoor road and mountain bike rider and finds new ways to motivate his clients in making fitness a part of their daily lives. Gino believes in continuing education is the key on being successful in the Fitness Industry.

Maria Forrest

Maria Forrest is a Certified Pilates Instructor and founder of the Forrest Pilates Studio in Downtown Miami. She helps people of all ages look younger and feel better with personalized Pilates training. Maria loves teaching and is very passionate about Pilates. Her clients include Mandarin Oriental and Fisher Island International Spa among others. Pilates allows her to help people increase their stamina and develop core strength and flexibility. She enjoys making a difference in people’s lives by helping them feel good about their bodies and themselves. Credentials: · Pilates certification from the Physical Mind Institute of New York. · Children’s Yoga certification from Yoga Ed. in California. · Certified to facilitate DNA Theta Healings.

Jot Prakash Kaur

Jot Prakash Kaur is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with the Yoga Alliance, and is currently teaching at various studios throughout the Miami-Dade area. She is also a Certified Personal Trainer (ACE) and has been active in the fields of Personal Training, Dance, and Pilates for 23 years. Born in Toronto, Canada, Jot (“Jot” sounds like “Jote”) also speaks French and Russian. Jot is passionate about health, fitness and spirituality and enjoys eating an almost 100% Raw, Vegan Diet. She continues to learn new techniques to bring fresh energy to every class, while at the same time maintaining a level of consistency to allow her students to measure their personal growth. Jot’s warm-hearted approach to asana practice and particular attention to detail, makes her class a pleasure to participate in. Jot has a genuine care towards every student and is always mindful that they are being safe in every pose, while at the same time guiding them to explore their edge - minus the “performance” factor. Jot’s students step off their mats feeling Blissful and Refreshed… Commit to your Bliss!

Christy Nones

Certified Anusara teacher, Christy, a student of yoga since 1988, emphasizes playful exploration of Anusara's precise alignment principles.  As a classically trained homeopath, she is enthusiastic about the transformative healing capacities of the Anusara practice. She continues her extensive training in teaching and therapeutics with John Friend, the founder of Anusara yoga, and also assists him in national and international workshops. In her distinctly vibrant way, Christy encourages students to mine the depths of their own strength and potential, resulting in an uplifting and energizing yoga experience.

Beatriz Osorio

In 1993, Beatriz Osorio attended her first yoga class in Bali, Indonesia while working as a business consultant. Since then, she has practiced and studied different styles of yoga including Integral, Asthanga, Vinyasa, Anusara and Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy. An injury to her sacrum iliac catalyzed her interest in the scientific studies of Anatomy and Physiology. She then integrated those studies with the holistic approach of Yoga Therapy. Her studies in Yoga Anatomy were primarily under Tias Little and Gary Kraftsow. Along with her Yoga Therapy studies, she also put together a yoga program for back pain, which is currently helping her clients and students explore alternatives to drugs and surgery to relieve certain physical conditions. Her Therapeutic Yoga for back pain practice covers scoliosis, sciatica, sacrum iliac, flat back and other back-related health conditions. Beatriz Osorio is now dedicated to teaching Therapeutic Yoga modalities. She works with private clients and delivers workshops and Yoga classes at several wellness centers, rehabilitation centers, and yoga studios throughout the United States and abroad.

Patrick Shields

Patrick joined the University of Miami Medical Wellness Center in June 2006.  Prior to UM, he was the Pilates instructor for Jackson Health System Wellness Division.  He is certified as a Pilates Practitioner through Polestar Pilates. He obtained his Bachelor’s in Physical Therapy at University of Massachusetts-Lowell, and earned an Advanced Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy at University of Miami. He is a senior physical therapist at Jackson Memorial Hospital. He has collaborated with University of Miami faculty in research associated with the fitness level of the morbidly obese and the psychosocial aspects of chronic pain.