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

Why I became an instructor:

After being diagnosed with a heart condition while in college pursuing a dance degree I turned to Pilates to get me through. I had been doing Pilates for years at that point, but Marie-Jose Blom took me back to the beginning and built me back 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. I knew it was exactly what I had been looking for and I knew in an instant I wanted to go as far as I could go with it. It was love at first sight and the desire for more is still as strong as ever.

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:

Lemonade in Manhattan Beach. I love that place!

Favorite Quote:

"Sometimes I wonder if I'm magical." - Malayna Regan - age 7

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

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

Philip Martin

Therapeutic Massage + Bodywork

Holistic Postural Therapy

Certifications:

CA Certified Massage Therapist, GYROTONIC® Method Apprentice Trainer CPR/AED, Functional Patterns Human Foundations Trainer

Why I became an instructor;

I became a movement teacher and massage therapist as part of my journey to heal my own body from psychological and physical traumas accumulated through sport, adventure activities, and years of a deskbound lifestyle.

I love the experience of having a body in movement… I’ve danced and practiced mindful movement all my life, and continue today… it is wonderful for me to work with others in this fashion.

I trained in Holistic Bodywork at the Institute of Psycho-Structural Balancing (now Life Energy Institute) in Culver City.

Within movement my influences are drawn from Tai Chi and internal martial arts, dance, the GYROTONIC® Method, and Functional Patterns training systems.

Interesting Fact;

I used to play video games 10+ hours a day and did not know what my favorite food was!

Fav Restaurant;

Zayna Flaming Grill in South Redondo

Favorite Quote;

“Live intentionally, not habitually.” - Naudi Aguilar, Functional Patterns