Our Fitness Instructors
Our fitness program is led by a team of seasoned instructors whose collective expertise spans a wide range of disciplines, from yoga and Pilates to clinical therapy and psychological wellness. With a shared focus on enhancing the quality of life for older adults, they bring a wealth of medical knowledge to their teaching, ensuring that each class is tailored to meet the unique needs of aging. Their holistic approach to fitness and well-being is designed to empower individuals to maintain their health and vitality through every stage of life.
Nancy Radding
Pilates and Wellness Instructor
Nancy Radding is a multi-certified fitness professional and has taught, trained, and managed in the field for almost 40 years. Nancy integrates Yoga, Pilates, stretching, strength training, and nutrition into everyday living.
Helen Solomon
Senior Fitness Instructor
Helen is a personal trainer, specializing in senior fitness. She is a proud cancer survivor and expert in rebuilding strength afterward. Helen incorporates functional movement training into her fitness programs, developing movement skills that translate to everyday tasks.
Francesca Gold
Yoga Therapy Instructor
Francesca Michelle Gold is a Clinical Yoga Therapist with her her Master's Degree in Yoga Studies from Loyola Marymount University. She's a life-long competitive artistic roller figure skater and competed at the National level five times. Movement and meditation are life-affirming paths for everyone that have the potential to lead one to true wellbeing. One of her missions to make these practices accessible for all.
Mary Jo Healy
Feldenkrais Instructor
Mary Jo Healy has been passionate about movement education since her early years as a competitive athlete. After completing a BA in Dance from CSULB she toured internationally as a professional dancer with The Magic of David Copperfield. Subsequently she was certified in Pilates and completed a 4 year training to become a Feldenkrais Practitioner. Currently Mary Jo maintains a private practice of over 20 years on the Feldenkrais Method of Functional Integration.
Lynnie Kustal
Yoga and Tai Chi Instructor
Lynnie has a long career in meditative exercise. She is a sought-after instructor, having taught yoga at UC Santa Barbara, The Oaks Spa at Ojai, and the Ojai Valley Athletic Club. She received her Yoga certification from the White Lotus Foundation, and is also trained in Qigong and Tai Chi. The focus of her teaching is to promote a feeling of well-being and to awaken in each person a sense of joy through movement.
Rita Goldstein
Senior Fitness Instructor
Rita has been an AFAA Certified Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor for almost 30 years and became a Zumba Certified Instructor in 2007. She believes that proper body mechanics and efficiency of the task are of utmost importance and she incorporates this into every class. She believes that functional fitness will keep the mind and body strong and it is her goal to age gracefully and help others do the same.
Kim Hoj
Dance Therapy Instructor
Kim Hoj is the founder of Dance Impact Collaborative which is dedicated to serving adult movers of all levels. Kim believes in the power of dance through equitable access and self-expression to promote transformative life experiences for students of all ages.
Dr. Jake Gladstone
Neuro Boxing Instructor
In addition to practicing as a clinical psychologist, Dr. Jake Gladstone is an accomplished mixed martial arts instructor. He brings these two worlds of mind and body together, offering classes that are both rigorous and empowering.
Kloe Aponte
Fitness Instructor
Kloe is a staff instructor at Balance Health Center in Ojai, CA. She specializes in fitness classes incorporating movement and flexibility. Kloe started her journey as a fitness instructor as a simple favor to friends. In Georgia, she joined the staff of a dance studio, leading fitness programs focused on improving form and movement. Her positive energy makes every class a joy to take.
Dr. Jackie Sherman
Yoga and Wellness Instructor
Dr. Jaqueline Sherman has been a clinical practitioner and educator at some of the country’s most outstanding institutions. After receiving her PhD from the University of Illinois in Nursing, she continued and received her master’s in Counseling. She went on to become a tenured professor at University of Arizona, with a concentration on mental health nursing. Her research is published in a long list of medical journals.
Zahra Russell
Senior Aerobics Instructor
With degrees in both Psychology and Health education, Zahra brings the brains to the dance party. Her company, SOCA W.E.T. is a revolutionary Caribbean dance fitness class that breathes new life into you through Soca music, cardio, core, and positive vibes!
Liz Little
Fitness Instructor
Liz had a passion for studying movement and athletic technique since growing up in Akron, Ohio, where she played a lot of team and individual sports, including skiing, tennis, golf, volleyball, and swimming. Liz began teaching the biomechanics of movement as a volleyball coach and PSIA Certified Ski Instructor while still in high school, and during college, worked as an aerobics instructor & personal trainer. She completed her Bachelor’s in Exercise Science at the Ohio State University in 1996 with a focus in Cardiac Rehabilitation, and became an NASM certified personal trainer in 1997. https://www.lizlittleyoga.com/
