OUR INSTRUCTORS

Our instructors at Auburn Yoga & Fitness embrace decades of teaching experience and credentials. We are proud to be surrounded by veteran instructors who practice and demonstrate follow-through in health, ability, wisdom, confidence, poise and, of course, fun. Please meet them below. Cecelia Cowles ~ Pilates & Ballet Instructor ~ Cecelia Cowles is a classically trained ballet dancer from the SF bay area. Since 1990 she performed lead roles in several large productions, attended UC Irvine's dance program and is now an Instructor in ballet, Pilates, kickboxing, hip hop and zumba. As a mother of five children, she believes firmly in the core strengthening benefits of Pilates, and has seen amazing results with those students who regularly take her classes. Now living here in Auburn, Cecelia is delighted to be on staff at Auburn Yoga & Fitness. Stacia George ~ Certified Zumba® Instructor ~ I have been teaching dance and fitness for 10 years. I have danced all my life, but my true passion became known to me when I started taking hip hop classes in high school. From there, I founded a hip hop dance team at my high school that still exists 10 years later. I have taught hip hop to all ages, jazz, kickboxing, strength, and Zumba. I performed on an East Bay area dance team (the BRATs) that performed in showcases with dancers from MTV's America's Best Dance Crew. My newest passion is spreading the healing and uplifting benefits Zumba offers. Stacia's website is: Zumba with Stacia. Laura Linsteadt ~ Certified NIA Instructor ~ Laura has a BA in Dance and has performed in several modern dance companies including the Nora Reynolds Dance Company in Albuquerque, NM. She has taught Modern and Jazz, and Creative Movement for Children. She has studied many forms of movement from Tai Chi and Qi Gong to Chakra Dance and Soul Motion. She is also a Healthy Edge Coach and Massage Therapist. "I discovered Nia almost a decade ago and fell in love! I took class for 3 years and then decided to train to be a Nia teacher, and now have taught Nia for over 6 years. Nia reconnected me with my passion to dance, move, and to bring my heart, mind, and spirit fully present and alive within my body. It also connected me with my passion to inspire others to do the same. The body is a metaphor for everything that is happening in our life. Our body's wisdom holds the key to reconnecting with who we truly are, our purpose, and creativity. Reawaken your joy, healing, and dreams, and ReVision your Self with Nia!!!" Laura's own website address is: Total Health and Wellness. Gwenn Jones ~ Certified Yoga instructor, Personal Trainer, Group Fitness instructor ~ Born and raised on the San Francisco peninsula, Gwenn began instructing group fitness professionally in 1990. Enjoying a nurtured environment in dance as a teen definitely led her to certifications in both group and personal fitness training from the American Council on Exercise. Various Bay Area venues welcomed her teaching including S.F. State University, Burlingame Parks & Rec, Exertec Athletic Club, Fitness Factory, along with a Corporate Fitness training position. After moving to the foothills in 2004, she enjoyed teaching fitness at the Courthouse Athletic Club, and as well as senior fitness for assisted living residents. Yoga was an activity Gwenn practiced for improved flexibility and relaxation. Augmenting her credentials to become certified with Yogafit Worldwide was a thrilling next step. Gwenn founded Auburn Yoga & Fitness in 2008 and continues as an instructor and fitness/wellness activist for the Placer community in addition to occasional speaking engagements for promoting healthier lifestyles. She enhances her wellness regimen with sales of natural high-end skin care and antioxidant products. "The growing process never ends – with pleasure." Gwenn's full wellness-related websites are at BayBridgeFitness.com, SkinPrestige.com, in addition to Auburn Yoga & Fitness.