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INSTRUCTORS
Monica Bumatay
Owner
GYROTONIC® Master Trainer
GYROKINESIS® Pre-Trainer
Pilates Instructor
Certifications:
-BFA Dance Composition/ Dance Performance -
California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), 2000
-Long Beach Dance Conditioning Pilates (with Marie-Jose Blom), 2000
-GYROTONIC® Level 1 Final Certification (with Juliu Horvath), 2003
-GYROKINESIS® Level 1 Final Certification (with Juliu Horvath), 2004
-GYROTONIC® Level 2 (with Juliu Horvath), 2005
-All GYROTONIC® Specialized Equipment -
(Jumping-Stretching Board, GYROTONER®, Leg Extension Unit, Ladder, Archway)
-GYROTONIC® Master Trainer Final Certification (with Juliu Horvath), 2011
GYROTONIC® Master Trainer - GYROTONER®, 2018
Why I became an instructor:
While I was in college earning my degree in dance and dance composition I was diagnosed with a heart condition. While I knew I couldn't rely on dance being a career for me at that point I also knew I didn't want to stop moving. I threw myself into Pilates and after graduating from CalArts in 2000 I found my way to Long Beach Dance Conditioning. I had been doing Pilates for years at that point, but Marie-Jose Blom took me back to the beginning and built me up even better. I knew that if I needed that kind of training so did a lot of other people and I became a sponge for anything and everything about movement analysis and design. The first time I saw people moving on the GYROTONIC® equipment I fell in love with the smooth, continuous movement. It was exactly what I had been looking for and I instantly wanted to learn as much as I could. Call it love at first sight because I hadn't even tried it yet!
The GYROTONIC® Method has taken me on a movement journey that I hope will never end.
Interesting Fact:
I won a handwriting contest at my school in 5th grade and went on to represent the school at all district, where I lost because I had no idea I had to write on the chalkboard.
Favorite South Bay Restaurant:
True Food Kitchen
Favorite Quote:
"Sometimes I wonder if I'm magical." - Malayna Regan - age 7
Pam Mallory Johnson
GYROTONIC® Trainer
Pilates Instructor
Alexander Technique Teacher
Certifications:
GYROTONIC® Level 1 Certification (with Lisa Marie Goodwin), 2007
GYROTONIC® Level 1 Certification (with Monica Bumatay), 2018
Center Studio Pilates Instructor Certification, 2006
Stott ® Pilates Instructor Certification, 2015
AmSat Alexander Technique Teacher Certification, Alexander Technique Training Institute of Los Angeles, 2018
Why I became an instructor:
For years, I suffered from hip and back pain stemming from congenital hip dysplasia. I turned to mind-body movement practices to help me deal with this chronic condition and later to help me recover from two hip replacements. I want to share what I’ve learned along my journey with others dealing with similar situations and to help people of all ages and abilities discover how to move and be in their bodies with more natural ease.
Interesting fact:
I married my husband twice on the same day.
Favorite South Bay Restaurant:
Rok Sushi in Hermosa Beach – surprisingly the
best marguerita I’ve ever had.
Favorite Quote:
“Every simple act must be approached as if we have never done
it before. Then we can find things out” – Frederick Matthias Alexander
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Ashley Dragon
GYROTONIC® Trainer
GYROKINESIS® Trainer
Certifications:
BFA Dance Performance - CSULB (2012)
GYROTONIC LEVEL 1
GYROKINESIS LEVEL 1
Ashley Dragon grew up in Southern California in a family of artists and began dancing at a young age. She came to GYROTONIC® after a series of ankle injuries while pursuing her BFA in Dance Performance at CSULB. She has since used it as her technical base to not only train for the demands of a professional dance career, but to reset, connect within, and live a more balanced life. Upon completion of her certification she moved to New York City where she continued to share her passion of movement through teaching and performing. She became certified in GYROKINESIS® and began training and performing on a circus apparatus, the Cyr Wheel. She continues to perform and create work on the Cyr Wheel and enjoys learning new physical activities that bring her closer to nature. Back in California, she loves being at the beach, swimming in the ocean, and walking her dog along the strand.
Why I became an Instructor
I grew up in a family of artists and was lucky to have been introduced to music and dance as a form of expression from an early age. I trained in a variety of dance styles and went on to continue studying dance at CSULB. At 19 I had accumulated a handful of ankle injuries and developed chronic achilles tendonitis that put a halt to my dance career. After a couple years of finding short term relief and contemplating a future in dance, I was introduced to The GYROTONIC Method. It was like seeing a new map through which to understand movement potential that encouraged functionality and longevity. I've since been able to follow my dreams, pursue a career in dance and push my body to extremes in ways I thought may never be possible. I believe movement heals and I love encouraging others to live a healthier more active lifestyle. By showing up and putting in the work to train our mind body connectivity we allow ourselves more freedom of expression to live a happy life!
Interesting Fact:
I train on a circus apparatus the Cyr wheel
Favorite Restaurant:
Bacari in Play Del Rey
Favorite Quote:
“The body says what words cannot” - Martha Graham
Christina Yi
Owner
GYROTONIC® Trainer
GYROKINESIS® Trainer
RYT 200 Certified Yoga Instructor
Certifications:
-GYROTONIC® Level 1 - 2011
-GYROKINESIS® Level 1 - 2012
-GYROTONER® - 2013
-GYROTONIC® Jumping-Stretching Board - 2015
-GYROKINESIS® Level 2 Beginner - 2015
-RYT Yoga Certification - Yogaworks, 2015
-Fascia Works, Marie Jose Blom - 2014
-Perceptual Organization of Posture and Coordination,
Mary Bond - 2014
Why I became an instructor:
When I was growing up, I loved to move. Gymnastics, track, tennis, swimming, roller skating, ice skating - you name it, I loved it (except ballet - that took way too much time and effort). Sadly, after I graduated from high school, I ended up sitting. Literally, just sitting. For decades. Working at a desk with a phone stuck to my ear and a pen (or keyboard) in hand, I soon found myself with numb arms/hands, a frozen right shoulder, and a dismal level of body awareness. Nothing seemed to help until I found The GYROTONIC® Method. Starting in San Francisco with my very first teacher, Lisa Chow at Springtime Fitness (now in Tennessee!), then taking my Foundation course (and many others!) with Lisa-Marie Goodwin-Rice here in Los Angeles, I developed a love and respect for The GYROTONIC® Method that not only brought my body back to life, but my love of movement as well. I hope to continue learning and growing - and that GYROTONIC® South Bay provides a happy and knowledgeable atmosphere for our neighbors to heal, strengthen, and grow as well!
Interesting fact:
I save all the chocolate chips in mint chip ice cream until the end so I can eat them in one bite. Oh, and I played classical harp in a symphony orchestra as a kid.
Favorite South Bay Restaurant:
Fishing with Dynamite, Manhattan Beach. In a word, awesome. And a hat tip to El Som and El Gringo - feeding me since the 1980s...
Favorite Quote:
"Leave behind the things that do not matter." A.A. Milne, Positively Pooh
Samantha Tobey-Garcia
GYROTONIC® Trainer
Bellydance
World Dance
Barre
Body Sculpting
Certifications:
GYROTONIC® Level 1, 2018
Integrative Energy & Bodywork Program, 1998
Certified Massage Therapist, 1999
Reiki Level 1 & 2, 2000
Singer/Songwriter
Why I became an instructor:
I had a serious car accident in 2010 which resulted in a horrible back injury. I was a competitive salsa dancer and touring musician at the time. I wasn't able to dance competitively anymore or hold my guitar/tour. Besides dealing with the horrible pain, I fell into a depression. Being told surgery was my only option, I tried numerous things. I finally turned to the GYROTONIC® Method as a last resort. It completely healed my back pain and helped me get back on my feet, literally. I really wanted to be able to help others cope with serious pain and suffering.
Interesting fact:
I created a band for kids called The SqueeGees, we toured with the Wiggles.
Favorite South Bay Restaurant:
True Food Kitchen
Favorite Quote:
" Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light."
- Albus Dumbledore
Karen Dain
GYROTONIC® Trainer
Pilates Instructor
Pilates Mat Instructor
Certifications:
-Long Beach Dance Conditioning Pilates - 2002
-GYROTONIC® Level 1 (with Lisa Marie Goodwin-Rice) - 2006
-GYROTONIC® Level 1 Final Certification - 2007
Why I became an instructor:
I was a student of Pilates and it helped me find relief from a shoulder injury.I had just completed my undergrad degree in Communications for Television, however I fell in love with the movement system and how much my teacher helped me. I first became Pilates certified and knew as soon as I was ready I wanted to become certified in the GYROTONIC® Method as well. I love the flowing, circular movements and the way my body felt afterward. Both Pilates and the GYROTONIC® Method helped me understand my body on a deeper level and the way my body needed to move in the most efficient, healthy manner.
Interesting fact:
I raced BMX one time and won against boys.
Favorite South Bay Restaurant:
Love and Salt, Manhattan Beach
Favorite Quote:
"You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf."
-John Kabat-Zinn