Jonathan Urla
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Qualifications: Certified by the Pilates Method Alliance and Power Pilates as a Master Pilates Instructor. MFA in Dance from the University of Michigan. Also a certified Personal Trainer since 1988. Yoga training includes advanced workshops with Shiva Rea and Rodney Yee. On the faculty of Hunter College teaching courses for their Fitness Instructor Program. Has taught regularly at Kripalu Center for Yoga and the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies.
Personal History: My sports background began with gymnastics and also included diving, skiing, and Ultimate Frisbee. I then began to study dance and earned my Master's degree in Fine Arts. I've also danced and choreographed professionally for ten years. I transitioned into personal training and group fitness when I found I really enjoyed studying the body and how to improve performance through science, motivation, and perseverance. After years of body building and triathlon competitions, I made another transition into Pilates and Yoga. I was intrigued by the mental discipline of both techniques and found a natural symmetry between the two. This inspired me to created Yogilates in 1997. I live in West Nyack, NY, with my family.
Workout Philosophy: The key is consistency in practice and balance in lifestyle, mind, and body. I include all aspects of fitness in my training; strengthening, aerobic capacity, flexibility, agility, coordination, and stress relief. I don't just want to look good, I also want to feel good!
Success Story: From Lubbock, Texas. "I received your video today and I love it! I am the artistic director of a pre-professional ballet school. Between teaching and rehearsals, I never have time to give myself a workout or a decent class. I am pregnant with our second child and your video is perfect! I needed something more intense than yoga and this is it! Of course, I must modify some of the ab stuff, because I am in my 4th month of pregnancy, but I can't wait to do everything full-out once I have delivered. I am recommending your classes to some dancers I know in NYC."
