the crew

sari nisker
Sari has been practicing yoga for nearly a decade and working as a private and group instructor for the past 5 years in New York City, Los Angeles and Toronto. Sari resigned from the corporate world, leaving a career in marketing at L'Oreal to focus on her true love of teaching yoga. Sari still considers herself in the beauty industry although now helps others reveal their inner beauty. Clarity, strength, and acceptance are some of the most momentous principles she has uncovered through her practice.

Her yoga classes encompass inspiration from the Anusara, Vinyasa and Astanga schools of yoga. Stirred by curiosity and affection for cycling, Sari recently acquired her Spinning certification in Toronto and is constantly amazed by the exhilaration of every ride. Sari received her registered yoga training certification from Sonic Yoga in New York; Prenatal certification from Be Yoga in New York; Sari is honored and thankful to share her passion for yoga with all of her students, colleagues and teachers. Sari is one of the co-founders of Spynga Inc. Click here to see when Sari's teaching.

casey soer
Casey discovered and began her cycling journey in 1998, in Los Angeles to balance the pursuit of her passion, the struggle to stardom as an actor. Her adrenaline addiction and enthusiasm for cycling made Casey a regular at RPM studio in LA where she took 6-7 classes per week. After making her way through the Hollywood jungle, Casey decided to trade in her scripts in 2001 and move to NYC where an untapped skill revealed itself to her, teaching to children with special needs. An artist's intuition, an eclectic style, and a deep appreciation for music are what shapes Casey's unique form of teaching.

A new found appreciation of yoga has deepened this woman's self- study in life and in her teaching. Through the exploration of yoga, Casey has come to feel the breath, body, and movement instead of the thinking mind as a pathway to go inward and embrace each moment. Casey is continually humbled, grateful, and truly inspired by her students, colleagues, and teachers. Casey is one of the co-founders of Spynga Inc. Click here to see when Casey's teaching.

anna hardwick
Anna is a Certified Interdisciplinary Yoga Teacher and Personal Trainer Specialist. Teaching yoga is the perfect balance to her career as an actor, where she performs in theatre, film and TV in Toronto and across Canada. Her yoga journey began at the age of 13, when she attended a yoga class with her entire family in her hometown of Manotick, Ontario. Her journey deepened at The Nosara Yoga Institute in Costa Rica, studying with Don and Amba Stapleton, where she completed her Teacher Training. Anna is passionate about the transformative potential of yoga, and is in awe at its ability to bring awareness, balance and peace to life. The relationship between creativity and yoga is integral to Anna's practice. Anna is Classically - trained in acting from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, UK, and will soon undergo a rigorous physical, vocal and theatrical training as part of the Banff Centre for the Arts/Citadel Theatre Professional Conservatory, where she will be performing Jane in "Pride and Prejudice." Influenced by dance, Alexander technique, sports and fitness as well as Ashtanga and Vinyassa Flow yoga, Anna creates a powerful, fluid, meditative experience in her classes, with an emphasis on breath, rhythm and linking the poses. Anna is overjoyed to share the gifts of yoga with the Spynga community, and is honoured to join students on the journey of self-inquiry.

brett cohen
Brett has been teaching spin classes for the past 10 years. He is a certified spin instructor and personal trainer, bringing with him a wealth of experience in competitive road racing, track and field, rugby and swimming. His training methods are designed to ensure that riders leave the spinning class fitter than they were when they came in. Brett seeks to dispel the myth that spinning classes are too hard. By letting the riders know exactly what to expect, how long, how many, how much they are able to take complete control of their own ride. In this way, Brett ensures that riders do not get stuck doing something they cannot handle and, more importantly, that they sustain their sense of humour. Click here to see when Brett's teaching.

emma prendergast
Emma began practicing yoga in 1998 and found a practice that focuses on balancing the mind, body and spirit of each individual, according to their needs. She found her energy level increased along with her flexibility and she began to have a calmer outlook on life. In 2003, Emma became a certified Ashtanga and Hatha yoga instructor, after completing her 250-hour training under Jonathan Austman and Cynthia Funk. Emma is also certified in Pre-Natal Yoga and Yoga for Kids. Emma is currently entering her second year of a 700-hour teacher-training program at Esther Myers Yoga Studio, which she will complete in June 2009. This internationally recognized training will allow Emma to deepen her knowledge of yoga, as well as incorporating new approaches and techniques into her classes. Emma believes that yoga is accessible to everybody, and that yoga is also an excellent compliment to any kind of fitness program, promoting flexibility, focus and stamina. In addition to yoga, Emma has been taking spin classes for the last five years, and was honored to have the opportunity to train with Casey Soer to become a Spynga instructor, fusing her passion for cycling and yoga. The environment at Spynga is positive, welcoming and community-oriented, and Emma is thrilled to be part of such a great team! See you on the mat/bike!!

hayley zelikovitz
Addicted to spinning...and you can be too! Since attending her first class over four years ago, Hayley reluctantly admits, she has become a spinning fanatic. Her love for spinning, passion for people, and quest to find the perfect life/work balance prompted her to begin teaching. Spinning offers a high intensity cardio workout without the impact that is always challenging. She will push you to cycle faster and harder by using music as well as the energy of the group environment as a motivator. She promises to provide a fun, heart pounding, sweat dripping, groove'n, and inspiring ride to people of all fitness levels so that each individual may achieve his or her goals. You will leave Hayley's classes feeling energized and wanting to come back for more.

jessica tinkler
Originally from Toronto, Jessica, her Husband and their hairless cat look a 4 year side step to Los Angeles. It was here that Jessica fell in love with Spinning. She could not think of a better way to get her sweat on then listening to great music, surrounded by great people, pushing herself to her limits and beyond. She felt such a connection to it, becoming instructor only made sense!
As well as a Spinning Instructor, Jessica is a Certified Personal Trainer with The National Academy Of Sports Medicine and Can Fit Pro. She is also a Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant with The American Council on Exercise. She currently runs a blog www.intofitness.blogspot.com where she journals about exercising, healthy eating, healthy living and recipes. Jessica's class is upbeat and challenging. It caters to all levels and is scored with an eclectic mix of popular tunes-- From funky oldies to fresh newbies. If your not singing along, you're shaking your booty to it! She is passionate about fitness and loves nothing better than to help people push themselves to do their best and accomplish their goals, whatever they may be.

jennifer fazari
Jennifer has always been drawn to the art and the beauty of yoga. As a childhood gymnast, she intuitively grasped the value of yoga to help her maintain flexibility and challenge her range of movement. As Jennifer matured, so did her understanding of the mind-body-spirit connection which yoga embodies. She began to focus on energetic practices, using the breath to create inner balance and meditation to guide her self-reflection. Jennifer completed her formal teacher training at the Yoga Space in Toronto and is currently teaching at various studios and wellness centers in the GTA.

jill rubenstein-saltzman
For the past fourteen years Jill has turned her passion for fitness into a joyful and rewarding career. This career began in her hometown of Winnipeg Manitoba where she entered the fitness industry as a group exercise instructor while concurrently studying for her B.A. at the University of Manitoba. In 1997, upon the completion of her degree, Jill decided to move to Toronto where she could build upon her wide-ranging group exercise and personal training experiences and turn her love for fitness into a full-time profession. While teaching group exercise for clubs such as Mayfair and Sports Clubs of Canada Jill obtained her certification in Pre and Post Natal Fitness to complement her earlier certifications in Group Exercise and Personal Training. She also broadened her knowledge base in order to provide full lifestyle coaching. In 2000 Jill branched out from the fitness clubs and formed her own in-home personal training business. This exciting decision allowed her to focus on and create flexible, individualized fitness plans that meet the specific desires of her many clients, ranging from older adults to young teenage girls. Jill takes great pride in offering her clients and class participants a motivating and effective style of exercise and she continually attends conferences and workshops where she keeps up with all that's hot and not in the industry. Lastly, as a full-time mother of three young children, Jill knows how difficult it can be to maintain an active lifestyle in this 24/7 world. Through it all though Jill has always been motivated to stay as active as her kids keep her and she is dedicated to offering both fun and inspiring workouts to people of all fitness levels so that each individual may achieve his or her goals.

joanna perlmutar
As a full-time piano teacher and a spinning fanatic, I use music as a motivator in all aspects of my life. Music has kept my beat steady and my spirits high for as long as I can remember. My initial experience with the fitness world was through personal training, tennis and Pilates. Spinning, however, allowed me to fully appreciate the role that a good workout can play in the rest of your daily routine. I found that once I started spinning regularly, I was able to function at a higher level both at work and at play.

The first time I took a spin class led by Casey I felt connected to her through her playlist. Her music motivated me to spin faster, harder and more passionately, and her incredible energy in and out of the spin studio inspired me to become a certified spin instructor. I know I can keep my students motivated and excited with ever-changing rides and a wide range of music. I am so excited to be working with the whole Spynga team in such a beautiful and positive space.
I look forward to sharing my passion for both music and spinning with all of you!

dr. jodi larry

Dr. Larry has a resilient passion for health and healing. Afterbeing struck by a rare virus at the age of ten, her life was transformed by a Naturopathic Doctor and she has been utilizing naturopathic principles ever since. Years of experience with naturopathic treatments paired with an ambitious energy and calming attitude, Jodi creates an environment that allows you to take charge of your health and transform your life. Jodi practices family medicine, with a strong focus on mental health - anxiety, depression and addictions, women's health and digestive health. All naturopathic treatments are used in her practice with an emphasis on nutrition and acupuncture. A keen and passionate mentor, Jodi was chosen to be a teaching assistant at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine for acupuncture and currently works with students on a weekly basis. When body and mind are in alignment and treated with the utmost respect and tenderness true vitality and balance will be achieved.

karen brar
Karen began her journey with cycling four years ago after deciding to leave her longtime profession in dance. Having been a ballet and modern dancer since the age of 3, she had taken her career as faras she could, and left the profession - with some injuries in tow! Looking for a physical outlet that would allow her to continue to work on staying in shape, but also provide an opportunity to work through some serious injuries, she found spinning - which she found to be a great form of exercise with zero impact on the body. In addition to the fact that she could stay in great shape and help heal her body - she loved the class environment and the musical inspiration. After becoming an avid spinner for two and a half years, she decided to take it to the next level and begin teaching. With the background and training in dance, she is able to bring a lot of understanding of the body and form to her classes. You will find a great balance between a hard core cycle class, as well as a class that focuses on form, breath and ease of movement that will allow any spinner to gain more strength in his or her ride.

karla jang
Karla works as a professional dancer, choreographer, actor, and singer. She has worked in many theatres across the country from the Stratford Festival to the Princess of Wales. After exploring different forms of therapy for several dance related injuries, she turned to yoga and has never looked back. A graduate of the Downward Dog Teacher Training Program, Karla has been practicing Ashtanga yoga for ten years. She enjoys teaching and guiding people through their yoga practice and believes that through yoga people can heal in many ways; emotionally, physically, and mentally. Karla's extensive background in dance offers a unique perspective towards yoga. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge and her approach is intelligent and fun.

matt kenny
Matt is a certified Spinning Instructor and has studied to teach Pilates for Cycling and has also trained and studied as a Personal Training Specialist. He came to cycling over 3 years ago and has never looked back. Having competed in triathlons, Matt understands what is necessary to not only achieve your own personal goals, but to push yourself to the limit in order to better both your mind and your body. With each class, Matt strives to put the strength and focus into each of his students and sees his role as instructor as more of a coach role. Indoor Cycling allows freedom of both the mind and the body and each time you bring yourself into one of his classes - a brand new journey has begun. If you allow yourself to go to new places and push yourself in ways you never thought possible - there is absolutely no limit to what can be achieved.

miriam elmaleh
I was once that person who thought I could never get rid of my problem areas - I was constantly struggling to tighten up and nothing seemed to work. Someone suggested I take a spin class and I walked out dripping wet and more energized than I'd ever been before. Not only was it one of the most challenging and rewarding forms of exercise I'd ever tried, but I also started seeing results right away. So I stuck to it and never left. I am now a certified LOVER of SPINNING. Oh yeah, I'm also a "certified" instructor. I can't wait to show you how much Spinning can change your outlook on exercise AND life!

mj (melissa-jane) shaw

patricia reynolds
Growing up with an active outdoor lifestyle, Patricia quickly became intrigued with the structure and function of the human body. How it could move in relation to itself and other objects and what really makes it tick. Over time she began to see that nutrition and exercise had a lot to do with a healthy physical state. With the increase in consumption of pharmaceuticals, genetic engineering of our vegetation and major cuts to the health care system, Patricia started to think about prevention. If we start healthy and stay healthy, the less likely we are to need synthetics and quick fixes to put us back together. Massage Therapy is one of today's leading health care modalities. In it, Patricia has found a way to connect with other professionals in the fight against disease and to support her clients in helping them to achieve their health goals. Since becoming an RMT in 1997, Patricia has had two children and began her own massage therapy practice. At home, she encourages her children to adopt a healthy balanced lifestyle, with proper nutrition and exercise. In fact, balance is something she continually pursues and enjoys and it's been through yoga that she really began to see the relationship between mind, body and soul. It is in the integration of mind, body and soul that she has found her passion and uses Massage to help get one in touch with the other. Over the past 11 years Patricia has learned and implemented a diversity of treatments. Throughout that time her clients have experienced a dedication to their wellness and a supportive voice in finding individualized ways to be at their best.

robin read
Robin, from a very young age, helped his mother run a successful business specializing in Pilates, cycling, and personal training. The experience he gained through this influenced Robin to achieve a College Certificate in Fitness and Health. In 2003 he began teaching spinning and personal training, and later he branched off into group weight training, body sculpting, and boot camp style classes. He has also been trained by some of Ontario's top athletes in cycling, running, swimming, boxing, and in many specific modalities of personal training including shoulder, hip and core. Aside from his professional experience Robin has always been active in sports. He plays hockey and golf, has competed in triathlons, and loves to bike and inline skate. His teaching vision is to create classes that consistently appeal to everyone, by combining a challenge, with some great music, and a whole lot of fun! Robin continues to educate himself through workshops and training with highly skilled individuals, staying up-to-date with the most recent science and modalities of keeping the body in perfect performance, and passes his knowledge on to better the lives of everyone he meets. His dream is to one day become an organic farmer and heal people from the inside out.

tara antler
I have been on a journey of self-exploration and spiritual development for most of my life. Discovering yoga and meditation early in life sparked an interest in healing, health care and the connection between the mind, body and soul. After studying Health Sciences in university, my path led to the Transformational Arts College, where I completed the Holistic Health Care Practitioner program, and received certification in Aromatherapy and Reflexology. Working in various spa environments opened the doors to body care and the art of honouring the body as a temple, just as the Egyptians did. This led to the development of holistic spa treatments which include the pampering of the body and senses as well as healing the emotional, mental and spiritual bodies with energy work. Receiving my Reiki Master attunement and studying channeling & medium ship further developed a deeper knowing of self, cleared limiting perceptions and heightened my intuitive healing abilities. It also opened new areas of integrated energy healing. A teacher by nature, I am passionate about empowering others to see clearly, seek truth within and guide them along their path to spiritual, emotional, mental and physical healing, growth and awareness. Click Here to request an appointment with Tara!

tiffany merritt
Tiffany is a graduate of the 2008 Jivamukti Yoga 300 Hour Teacher Training with David Life and Sharon Gannon, creators of Jivamukti Yoga. This challenging, flowing style, richly entrenched in yoga philosophy, permeates all of her teaching. She continues to further her education through on-going classes and workshops with teachers such as Leo Hauer (Yin Yoga), Sharon Gannon & David Life (Jivamukti yoga), Tracey Belanger (Pre-Natal Yoga/ Thai Massage) & Livia Berius (Teaching Yoga to Kids). Tiffany is also completing Doula Training so that she will be able to integrate her knowledge and experience of yoga with her compassion for women and children during such an important stage in ones life. Tiffany is a naturally creative person who has always craved a career where she can express and articulate her passion for helping others. Through graceful asana sequences and the integration of words, music and philosophy into her yoga classes she creates a calming, yet challenging environment for all levels of students. During her "me time", Tiffany enjoys sailing, painting, cooking, writing, walking her dog and many other soul nourishing activities.

tracey belanger
Tracey began practicing yoga over 10 years ago. What started out as an investigation into alternative forms of exercise has evolved into a complete transformation of self. As an 800 hour certified Jivamukti Yoga Teacher, she has been inspired by her teachers in New York City (Sharon Gannon & David Life) as well as vani devi, yumee chung, and jeannine woodall of Toronto. Tracey's classes embody creativity, exhilarating music & passion, which will ultimately push you beyond your perceived limitations. Tracey has studied and taught anatomy & physiology in multiple forms throughout her professional career as a critical care nurse, thai yoga massage therapist and health educator. Her areas of specialty currently include perinatal education and support (including breastfeeding, parenting, nutrition & exercise). She also teaches pre/postnatal/yin yoga as well as birth preparation classes for couples.