Our Team
Ana is the founder and co-owner with her husband of Namaste Fitness. She is a 500-Hr certified Yoga Teacher, BootyBarre™ and bbarreless™ instructor, TRX instructor, Kids Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Yin Yoga, Yoga Wall, Prenatal Yoga, Connected Warriors, Pilates and Yoga Sculpt certified instructor as well. In process to receive Ashtanga Yoga certification as well.
Her passion for helping others in their wellness journey comes from her love for her family. After having her second child in 2013 and leaving her corporate job to be a full-time mom, she started practicing Yoga with the intention to get back in shape, but she quickly realized that yoga is not just about the physical but the emotional and spiritual connection and growth too. It helped her discover her purpose to inspire others to live a healthy, clean and mindful life which is the key to happiness.
Ana is also an advocate for animals, she works every day on spreading the message that kindness is for all species, because we all deserve to live a happy and peaceful life.
Julieta was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco. She is a mom of a beautiful girl, a wife, a daughter, sister, friend, and someone that keeps learning about life everyday.
She grew up playing tennis since she was 9 years old. She played trying to be a professional tennis player, and even if she didn’t get to be a pro, she played for the tennis team in College (Laredo Community College and Harding University).
She got a degree in Print Journalism (Media) and was lucky enough to work in the field for 20 years (Radio/TV).
Now her focus is in the world of Yoga, which has helped her learn so many things. It saved her from difficult times. The way yoga and the studio made her feel the first time, was enough to want to share it with the world.
She graduated from a 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training in July 2020 at Namaste Fitness, which was one of the most beautiful experiences of her life. She is also a Yoga Sculpt Teacher and a Rocket Yoga Teacher.
Now she's part of the team and works remotely from Texas, her new home, so you will get to talk to her over the phone as she helps take care of your studio needs.
Our beautiful instructor, Cary Parsoneault, has been our member since we opened our doors, and now her journey took her on the instructor route. She is a 200 Hr Yoga Teacher, Ashtanga Yoga Teacher and also certified in Pilates Suspension Method , Barre and Basi Mat Pilates.
Growing up, cary was very active, she was in the swim team, then transitioned to long distance running. She has always been an adrenaline lover, and as an adult she has participated in marathons, ultra marathons, hiking in national parks and other fun outdoor physical activities.
She recently discovered Pilates and fell in love. It is now part of her daily routine. She works out every day whether it is lifting weights, doing cardio or yoga. She’s a strong mom of 3 as well so she can do it all!
Whether you see her at the front, teaching class or taking class next to you, say hi, she will always greet you with a smile.
Bailey is a student aspiring to become a graphic designer that will be attending SDSU in the Fall of 2023. She has an AA degree in Child and Adolescent Development, as well as in Social and Behavioral Sciences.
She has worked with preschool and toddler age groups for the past three years as a teacher, and has a passion not only for working with children as well as art and design, but a passion towards yoga and fitness as well.
Outside of work you will find her taking herself on scenic walks (Sunset Cliffs or Torrey Pines to be exact), painting, or simply spending quality time with her family.
A reminder that she tells herself often is to remain present and live in the moment.
We are so happy we found Bailey, she is as cheerful as they come, very sweet towards everyone around her and kiddos love her in the childcare room.
Bailey takes care of our our Front Desk too so make sure you say hi when you come in because she’ll definitely be greeting you with a smile.
Stephanie Navarro is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200) in Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga and Meditation for Yoga. She believes in the deep healing power of yoga and encourages students to listen to their own body and experience throughout class.
Having practiced various styles of yoga since 2015, she has seen the transformational benefits of the practice, from physical to emotional and spiritual, and is passionate about living and sharing the yoga so it may act as a gateway to improved holistic health, mind-body awareness and peace.
Committed to inclusivity in the yoga asana, Stephanie enjoys making classes accessible to all experience levels, incorporates the use of props and offers modifications - yoga is for everyBODY! When she's not teaching, she's either practicing in a yoga class or enjoying time at the beach, with her dogs or her family.
Jacqueline is a Yin Yoga and Yoga Sculpt instructor.
She intermittently worked-out growing up. It wasn’t until after she lost her dad and her 3rd baby within one year, that she decided to really focus on her health and well-being. Little did she know she had started a journey of healing from the inside-out.
After noticing how yoga improved holistic health, mind-body awareness, and peace…she realized she had to share with others the benefits of inner fitness and how it compliments other workouts. She is passionate about creating classes that help educate and support her students in their journey to health and well-being.
Jacqueline has been an avid learner all her life; from classes in real estate, accounting, getting her masters in Educational Psychology, to learning from others, listening to parenting podcasts, and completing Yin Yoga training- she is always learning and growing. She is a wife, mom, daughter, and friend. She enjoys a good matcha, dancing, admiring nature, spending time with loved ones…and especially loves being a mom to her two sunshines!
Say hi, when you find her next to you as a student in a class or teaching Yin Yoga. She hopes to share with others the peace, love, and joy that yoga and Namaste studio have made her feel!
Sergio is a Medical Doctor from Mexico City and has been practicing and helping others in their journey in Yoga and healing since 2011.
He's enthusiastic about wellness and the therapeutic and preventive benefits of Yoga and other practices like Reiki and Acupuncture.
He has experienced healing and numerous benefits through these practices which makes him want to share them with as many humans as he can.
He tries his best to make the practice accessible to everyone, considering the individual's needs, capabilities and expectations.
He believes that personalized teaching/practice can be achieved in a group setting so that every student can benefit from the practice of yoga.
Shaunte Jewell
Karina discovered Yoga in 2016 in pursuit of healing a back injury and to stay fit. However, she immediately noticed the benefits of Yoga not only in the physical but also in the subtle body. Karina joined Namaste in 2018 as a student and in 2022 she completed the YTT 200. She will soon pursue certification as a Yoga Wall instructor as well and she is trained in Chakra Yoga (Niguma Series) too.
Karina’s years of experience gained as a ballet dancer enhances her ability to offer a challenging yoga class that is well “choreographed” for the physical body, yet gentle enough to allow students to bring awareness to the subtle body. Karina’s intention is leave students feeling refreshed and at ease after class.
When Karina is not teaching yoga, she is busy working as a Human Resources Program Manager. She’s responsible to assist with conflict resolution, improving communication and collaboration in the work place. She’s now more intentional and uses “yogi style” philosophy and practices (Yamas and Niyamas) as her base when developing recommendations for conflict resolution. She is an avid reader, is always listening to music and loves to travel with her family.
Her goal is to help as many people as she can enjoy the wonderful benefits of yoga.
From his early childhood as far back as he can remember, he had a strong spiritual upbringing. When he started studying music, it enhanced a deep connection to the divine. From music came meditation, and from meditation came the desire to study yoga. His first introduction was found in a small book that had various postures that he practiced daily.
By his third yoga class, he knew his calling was to teach. He signed up for the very next teacher training program, moved to Los Angeles, and immersed himself in a vigorous nine-week schedule that tested every fiber of his being. Upon graduating top of his class, he made sure to teach his first class the very next day.
He is happy to call San Diego his home where his wife, Lorraine and him are raising their two beautiful children Azlan and Anaya. He has a regular schedule teaching all throughout San Diego. His amazing journey with yoga has led him all over the world teaching workshops, retreats, and teacher training programs.
If you haven’t met Janel, she started her journey at our studio as a student, then turned teacher trainee with us in 2020 amidst the pandemic, became an instructor and now she’s back as part of our staff.
She’s smart, sassy and sweet, known for her non-judgmental and compassionate approach to teaching yoga.
She started doing yoga in 2005 and 16 years later she has become more in tune with her body, reduced stress from work and every day life and increased her energy levels.
Kip began his martial arts study in 1977 while living in Tokyo, Japan. He studied Ninten Ryu and Kyokoshin karate with Master Koki Narushima. Shortly after receiving his second degree black belt, Kip returned to Southern California and began teaching karate.
Upon relocating to the San Diego area, Kip initiated his study of Yang Style Taiji in 1983 with Abraham Liu, one of Cheng Man-Ching's senior students in Taiwan and China. Kip has competed successfully at several national tournaments. In 1994, he won first place in forms competition at UC Berkeley and later won a gold medal in Push-hands at the U.S. National Chinese Martial Arts Competition in Orlando, FL.
Kip has taught numerous Tai Chi courses at Southwestern College and local Health & Fitness centers in San Diego County since 1986. He currently teaches beginning through advanced Yang style long-form, pushing hands and dual-practice classes in Bonita, California.
Born and raised in Mexico
Naturalized U.S citizen. Fitness and wellness have always been a natural characteristic of Lorena's personality since her early years.She's always been involved in physical activities like run, bike, volleyball, dance, and athletic training. During middle school and high school, she played volleyball and practiced ballet at a studio. Later on, she was part of a few Baja 50 mile bike ride. Shortly later she became part of a cycle team and later got certified with Mad dogs Athletics for Spinning coach.
She went to college for a Design degree.
HIIT and strength training transformed her body and mind…Most wonderful thing of health and fitness is that being FIT is not just physical but also mental.
In 2020 she got her personal training Certification with Ace fitness and after that in 2021 completed 35 hrs of classic barre training.
In 2022 she completed her Yoga Sculpt Teacher Training at Namaste Fitness, catch her teaching that or HIIT or Pilates or Barre!
She wants to share her journey and passion to motivate , inspire support and encourage others to live a more active lifestyle, to become the best version of themselves.
AJ graduated from SDSU and was on her way to Harvard Law when she found yoga at Namaste Fitness and changed her life.
Namaste has helped her build the discipline, self love, and courage she needed to pursue her own happiness; she’s absolutely elated to have the privilege to live a dream she didn’t even know she was allowed to have: Dancing!
She is so excited to be a part of our beautiful community that facilitated her betterment, and she hopes to help further Ana’s reach in creating more whole humans.
If you ever find yourself in need of a smile, some positive words, a helping hand, or are just itching to get your groove on, come find her! She will light up your day, it’s her nature!
She started belly dance here with Marisol and was immediately enamored. She quickly became her mentor when she started at her studio and performed for the first time at her winter recital. She had always loved to dance in private, but the community here gave her the confidence to dance like no one was watching, even when everyone was.
In her free time, it may come as no surprise that she loves to go dancing! And when she’s not taking 7 yoga classes a day, you could find her making friends with every dog she meets, looking for the best eggs benny in SD, and dabbling in every adventure Groupon has to offer. She’s an avid hobby collector, so if you have a favorite experience you’d like to share, she’d love to hear about it!
Originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, Paulina is a lifelong student of yoga.
She is a 500hr RYT, Prenatal, Postnatal, and Restorative Yoga certified instructor.
She is a former ballet dancer, and has extensive studies under the Iyengar tradition. Her main teacher now is Judith Lasater.
A mom of two wonderful boys, she offers yoga to moms and their babies, as well as children and students of all ages and capacities.
She has taught yoga to prenatal , postnatal, beginners, and seniors for over 20 years in Guadalajara, New York, San Francisco and now in San Diego.
Paulina plans to continue studying and sharing yoga with others for the rest of her life!
With over half a decade of experience as an instructor and a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, she has honed her expertise in TRX Suspension Training, Sports Enhancement, Injury Prevention, and Women’s Fitness to cater to a wide range of individuals and communities. In that time, she’s had the privilege of working with diverse populations, from young children to seniors surpassing the age of 100! This invaluable exposure has granted her a deep understanding of each person’s unique needs and abilities. Stephanie’s passion lies in creating inclusive and captivating fitness experiences.
Beyond her contributions to the fitness industry, Stephanie is currently pursuing pre-med studies to broaden her knowledge of the human body and holistic wellness. Stephanie holds an undergraduate degree from California State University, Long Beach where she majored in dance and minored in Child Development and Studies.
As a former professional dancer, she continues to utilize movement as a form of expression and integrates dance knowledge into sports medicine. This multidisciplinary background has bestowed upon her a well-rounded perspective of health and wellness. So don’t be surprised if you catch her teaching some Dance Cardio classes at Namaste!
As a devoted TRX instructor, Stephanie’s mission is to empower individuals to discover their true wellness potential through exhilarating and dynamic workouts. She is deeply committed to fostering a supportive and inspiring environment where participants can confidently embark on their fitness journey, feeling inspired and empowered every step of the way.When she’s not teaching or studying, you can find her working out, hiking, dancing, meditating, enjoying a cup of tea, making herbal tinctures, or cherishing moments with her loved ones. Stephanie eagerly awaits the pleasure of meeting you on the TRX straps!
Anna found her love for yoga and fitness in high school, but fell in love with the Namaste community in 2021 when she moved back to San Diego post-divorce and needed a safe family friendly place to heal her mind and strengthen her body.
Anna has her masters in counseling, and is a business coach for heart centred entrepreneurs. Anna loves helping women become strong and happy in all the areas of their life.
She is a certified Yoga Sculpt Teacher, make sure you catch her in class!
Kristinna's fitness journey began back in 2011. She decided to take care of my health!
It started with running. She wanted to see what the hype was about so her hubby helped teach her how to run. She completed a few half marathons and 5Ks along the way. To help train, she learned to love strength training and BARRE!
She fell in love with Barre because it’s so different and challenging. In 2019, she became a member at Namaste Fitness and loved how positive the community is.
The studio opened up the opportunity to sign up for the Booty Barre Instructor program and in 2020 (thanks to all the down time from no travel for work) she was able to earn her certification!
She loves guiding her classes as they sculpt and releve to hip hop jams!
Work hard, find softness. Jasmine Li will leave you feeling as if you have flirted with gravity and laughed with the divine. Students are instantaneously transported away from the hustle of their daily lives, allowing their mat to be an arena reserved for cultivating inner peace.
Jasmine is certified to teach vinyasa, yin, restorative, barre, sculpt and pilates, etc. Her teaching combines thorough understanding of alignment and anatomy with the joy of balance and movement. She engages deeply with her students and her classes are thoughtfully sequenced, creating a safe space to have fun and explore, work hard yet find softness.
Jasmine strives to push the importance of self-care for people of all ages. She is passionate about creating workouts that help address, educate, enlighten, and support her students. It’s her mission to release limiting beliefs to illuminate everyone’s best selves through movement and mindful practices.
Martha has practiced all different styles of yoga ad meditation since she was very young, and in 2019 by and "Act of Grace", she took the Kundalini Instructor Course and ever since her passion has been to continue learning and sharing what has made her life more fluid, conscious and happy.
Vanouhi’s journey with yoga ignited early on. Whilst attending her first class at the age of 13, she fell in love with the camaraderie and intention behind yoga but was falsely recognized as a frequent yogi!
The teacher swore she was a regular and pushed her to enhance her “headstand” which was nonexistent at the time. A mixture of fear and life got in the way and yoga seemed like the farthest thing to do.
Vanouhi is a creative of all sorts but uses music as her main outlet. She spent most of her time writing and creating what would be her first EP titled “Roses”, that would simultaneously reignite her need for yogic healing.
In 2018, she was able to take a yoga course at her Alma Mater, Our Lady of Peace. Here is where her love for asana grew and coexisted with her love for mindfulness. Turning her mind into a safe and healing place has been the most challenging but rewarding aspect of it all. After 2018 adulthood came with so many life altering moves that upon joining Namaste in January of 2022, she knew it’d turn into her home.
She now strives to be an open heart for anyone around her while reminding them of the importance to show up for oneself. She hopes to leave anyone who crosses her path with a lasting feeling of safety and love, and looks forward to meeting each of you!
Alyssa is a student currently attending SDSU for liberal studies, with an emphasis in elementary education. She aspires to be an early childhood teacher once her schooling is complete.
Being born and raised in San Diego, Alyssa loves to explore the city. Her favorite spots are Coronado beach, Balboa Park, and the Bay.
Growing up with a very athletic family, Alyssa played sports but mainly softball and even played on multiple elite teams. In high school, she also played field hockey and became a captain. She decided to turn her focus to school, leading to her going to SDSU.
Alyssa loves working out and staying healthy, finding her spot here at Namaste Fitness. You will find Alyssa in our childcare room with all of the little ones!
Luis is our amazing Zumba instructor. He will make you dance, sweat and jump around but most of all, he will make you smile and have the best time in the 60 minutes you spend with him in the room!
He is not just an incredible instructor, he has the kindest heart and the sweetest smile.
Born in Los Angeles and raised in San Ysidro since the age of 3 until she moved to Chula Vista, she feels like a native San Diegan as that is where she created her childhood memories.
After high school she attended SDSU where she attained a BA in psychology being the first generation in her family to earn a college degree; making her parents so proud of all the hard work they did to put her through college.
In 2007, she was blessed with her son Cesar, now 15 years old an a Sophomore at Eastlake high school.
Later on in life she went on to meet her other half, the love of her life, her pillar, and they went on to have 2 fur babies Rocky & Max. Making them a family of 5.
In her downtime she loves to travel & explore new places with her family.
She loves hosting at home and always creating new memories with her nieces and nephews coming together over dinners, breakfast and creating new traditions.
She started her yoga journey in 2017 and ever since that cold day in January 2017, she fell in love with the practice and the peace that it brought to her life.
Yoga, coffee & green juice is life and she can’t live without it!
She embarked in the yoga teaching journey this year to improve her practice and here she is now, with the passion and desire to share her knowledge with others in hopes to create the same love for the practice as she already has.
Kait is a 200 Hour Registered Yoga Teacher and a Yoga Sculpt Teacher, a San Diego native whose journey with wellness began in 2014 when she became a mother for the first time. Newly postpartum she realized the importance of taking care of her mental health in order to live a more purpose filled life. She discovered yoga back in 2018, where she experienced a sense of healing from the experience. She believes that wellness begins from within, primarily with self love🤍
Aside from providing a sweat-dripping rigorous class and through the practice of intentional and controlled breathing, her main goal is to efficiently guide her students to turn their focus inward to find their inner stillness and peace. She believes that yoga serves as a tool to unite the physical realm with the divine. She hopes that her students can use these practices and implement them not only into their workouts but into their daily lives.
We are so happy to have her as part of the family, you’ll love her energy and the intensity of her classes, don’t believe us, try it out yourself!
In 2007, Linda first discovered Bikram yoga and enjoyed what yoga could do for her flexibility; yoga began to fulfill her more than her Muay Thai / Boxing practice. She realized that her body, mind and soul only craved one thing, Yoga; that is when she decided to shift her focus into deepening her yoga practice. Summer 2012, she enrolled in Hot Power Fusion 200 hr. Teacher Training. In January 2014, Linda took her teaching to the next level, she moved on from her full time job, enrolled in college courses for "Fitness Specialist Program", and completed a second Yoga Sculpt Teacher Training and Extensions Program program in July 2014. Currently, Linda teaches an array of classes: Vinyasa flow, Hot Yoga, Sculpt, TRX Bootcamp, Barre, Kids Yoga and Kids Yoga Teacher Training. Attending one of her classes will leave you motivated, energized, accomplished and successful. Linda is very motivating and encouraging to every single student in her class. She will make you feel welcomed wether it is your first class or you are a seasoned yogi.
Jason Cull, B.A., C.Y.T, E-R.Y.T. has been practicing and teaching Yoga since 2000.
He has been specifically trained and certified to teach with the Yoga Wall by Bryan Legere, a certified Iyengar Instructor and founder of the Great Yoga Wall. He has also done extensive training and mentoring with Rachel Krentzman R.P.T, E-R.Y.T., C.Y.T. He offers private instruction as well as specialized Yoga Wall classes, workshops and teacher training's. His emphasis is on spinal health and Yoga Therapy and has healed his own injuries through the use of the Yoga Wall. He offers detailed instruction mixed with extensive personal experience. Please contact him if you are interested in private instruction, workshops, teacher training's or Yoga Wall installations.
Pam is a very social and friendly person, she enjoys talking to people, listening to them, and getting to know and understand where they come from and what their goals are.
Yoga changed her life making her feel good physically and much more mentally, and she incorporates Yoga philosophy especially the yamas and niyamas into her daily life. Yoga has been a blessing so she wants to continue growing her knowledge so she can spread the benefits of it to everyone around her.
She graduated from our 2022 Yoga Sculpt Training and Vinyasa Teacher Training in Spring 2023.
You know we LOVE having our graduates step into the real world of teaching to spread their wings, so we help them grow into strong, confident, experienced, amazing teachers and YOU help them too by attending their classes.
Meet Sofia she was born and raised in Chula Vista and enjoys being part of such a beautiful city and community. Both her mom and dad are from Chihuahua, Mexico, making her a proud first generation Mexican-American.
She was part of the dual Immersion program from kindergarten all the way to her senior year of high school. This influenced her decision to become a dual language elementary school teacher.
She is currently in third year at San Diego State University studying Liberal Studies and she’s part of the B-ITEP program (Bilingual Integrated Teacher Education Program) which will allow her to receive her bachelors degree along with her teacher credential in four years instead of five. She gets to teach sooner which is what she loves!!
Throughout her life she has always enjoyed being active and open to trying new things. She played volleyball from 5th to 10th grade and played lacrosse from 10th-12th grade. She also danced Ballet Folklórico from 10th-12th grade, proudly representing her Mexican heritage.
After Covid, she began trying new forms and ways to stay active such as weight lifting, but it was not until recently when she began doing workouts such as Pilates and Yoga. She’s new to those practices but she’s enjoying them a lot!!
She started as one of our students and now we have the pleasure to have her as part of the Namaste Fitness staff family! Catch her in childcare doing what she loves which is hanging with the littles, or taking care of a thousand things in our front desk and doing them all with a smile
Nicole was born and raised here in Chula Vista. She’s a mama to two little boys and beautiful baby girl.
She grew up playing basketball, softball, and volleyball which lead to her passion in the fitness industry and helping others reach their goals.
Outside of teaching, she loves traveling in her RV with her husband and boys, being outdoors, a good action/crime show, reading a suspense novel and eating all the different delicious food our city has to offer.
Eva is a wife & mother to two beautiful children, she lives most of her childhood in Jalisco, Mexico.
She grew up with a love for dance, practicing and preforming folklórico, ballet, and other choreographed dances. She discovered yoga at the age of 15 and quickly fell in love; yoga helped guide her throughout her life, she loved how yoga taught her to listen to the wisdom of the body and the importance and power of our breath and how to marry movement to it. From vinyasas to meditation she believes that it’s all about listening to our inner wisdom, and to give the movement our body and mind are craving. She is ca Yoga Sculpt, Barre and Bosu HIIT Teacher as well.
Esperanza is a 200-Hr RYT and Kids Yoga Teacher. She loves nature, art, music and loves children because of their energy, honesty and originality. She loves her family too. She was a dancer for over 10 years in Mexicali.
Seeking inner peace she found yoga. She is a preschool teacher and worked at a Montessori school for over 10 years and her experience has been with children 2 to 4 years old. She was also a ballet teacher for babies, jazz and contemporary dance.
Born and raised in West Palm Beach, Florida, Hailey has always loved living an active healthy lifestyle. Growing up, she spent most of her days at the beach, participating on the swim team, volleyball team and running.
Hailey’s yogic journey began late in life. She loved to run, box, weightlift, and any activity that got her heart pumping and yoga seemed too gentle and quiet for her. It wasn’t until the pandemic and enduring personal traumas that she began to slow down and search for something that not only fulfilled her physically but emotionally and spiritually as well. Yoga taught her to be more present, to find stillness, to be more centered and to her surprise also break a sweat. Elated to have found yoga, she knew she wanted to become a teacher so she could share with others the joy this practice continues to bring her every day.
Hailey loves all styles of yoga and was especially drawn to Yoga Wall for its therapeutic qualities, the way it assisted her yoga postures and how it brought out her inner child. Yoga Wall is a truly unique way to practice yoga and she believes that everyone should give it a try!
Hailey completed her 200-hr Yoga Teacher Training in July 2023 and has since continued her education as a certified Yoga Wall teacher. She also loves Yin yoga and plans on pursuing a certificate in this practice.
Wendy embraced yoga after discovering its many benefits to mind and body.
In 2019 she became an instructor after completing her 200 HR Ashtanga Vinyasa training from All Yoga in Thailand.
She believes everyone can practice yoga and is committed to fostering an inclusive space for all. Wendy loves helping others experience increased balance, peace, mindfulness, health and happiness through the practice of yoga.
Connie Gatlin has been a teacher for over 35 years.
She learned how to hula hoop to impress her students and soon discovered HoopYogini. After becoming certified in HoolaFit and HoopYogini, she incorporated these methods into an awesome, fun kids yoga class!
She teaches Fit 4 Drums to adults and Kids Yoga to the littles, she's kind, supportive and amazing!