Tristen Campanella
Tristen discovered yoga over fifteen years ago while traveling throughout the United States. Tristen was first drawn to the strength and focus of Ashtanga yoga and then moved into a gentle flow after her first child was born. Tristen continued her personal practice over the next fifteen years exploring many different styles of yoga. As a personal trainer and fitness instructor for many years, Tristen incorporated her love of yoga with her students and in her own life. Tristen completed her 200 hour certification under the brilliance of Katie Brauer and Danny Arguetty. She has been a student of many diverse health and wellness practices for over ten years. As her journey continues she is embracing the subtle spirituality that flows through all people, and she is passionate about helping others tap into their unending potential. Tristen is experienced in teaching Ashtanga, Vinyasa Flow, and Hatha yoga. Tristen is also a certified personal trainer with NASM. She loves inspiring people to change their lives through health, nutrition and the exploration of spirit.
Lauren Huber
Growing up as an athlete in competitive sports, Lauren first was introduced to Yoga about 10 years ago. She was drawn to the physical challenge of Bikram Yoga, but also found peace and serenity though the practice of breath and meditation. Lauren found a new way of looking at life and was grateful to find a way to quite her mind and physically relieve stress. In college, Lauren began teaching a variety of group fitness classes including Tae Bo, Kickboxing, Step Aerobics, as well as Personal Training. Being active in the fitness community, she then got into Fitness and Figure competitions and placed 2nd at a National Competition in 2008. She received her 200 hour Yoga Certification through Yoga Tropics. In addition to her love for teaching yoga, she is Pilates Mat certified and is an instructor for Xtend Barre (Pilates/Dance/Ballet barre workout). Lauren is excited to be a part of the Ignite Yoga Fusion Team and strives to help others through the practice of Yoga.
Melisa Korry
Melisa started her love of yoga 16 years ago while practicing Ashtanga yoga with Anne Nowell. After having children her passion turned to post-partum weight loss. Melisa engaged in running, indoor cycling and strength training. Shortly thereafter, she realized that teaching fitness classes would be the perfect balance for herself and her family. After several months of creating her own workouts she decided to become a fitness instructor. Within a few years of teaching she found herself craving the yoga practice that she had once loved. In 2008 she began teaching and practicing yoga once again. Although Ashtanga is still one of her favorites, Melisa enjoys the freedom of teaching Vinyasa Flow, Hot Yoga, and Gentle Yoga . After years of practicing and completing her 200 hour RYT certification, Melisa is ready to share her love of the practice with her local community of San Elijo Hills. Melisa’s classes are strong, nurturing and filled with inspiring music and lots of love.
Nicole Moses
Throughout Nicole’s life she has been very active. This included competitive gymnastics and a love for anything fast paced and exciting. Nicole was skeptical about yoga at first, not knowing if it would fit her dynamic personality. Nicole completely fell in love with the diverse practice of yoga that is challenging at times, and brings a calm balance to life. Nicole has been practicing Hatha and Vinyasa yoga for 4 years and is a yoga alliance certified teacher. Nicole has such a love for yoga and feels so grateful to be able to share that with others at Ignite Yoga Fusion!
Kevin Slocum
After growing up in the small mountain town of Mammoth Lakes, Kevin made his way down to north county San Diego where he fell in love with everything coastal living had to offer. His experiences with yoga have been fairly sporadic. Kevin began practicing briefly in high school and sporadically throughout his early adult years until he committed fully and passionately to a consistent practice and teacher training in 2010. Even from his first class, Kevin has always felt at home in yoga. From the spiritual philosophy to the soothing voices of the emotionally liberating music, he found something real within a world of so many illusions. While he appreciated the whole of the tradition, what kept him coming back to the asana practice was his serious physical misalignments. These misalignments became apparent at the end of high school and had grown progressively worse over the years, handicapping his ability to perform in certain sports and activities. The body awareness developed through yoga practice has been invaluable to the understanding of his underlying imbalances. And while challenging to deal with given his attachment to physical activities, he has developed a strong appreciation for his circumstances and the role they played in the unfoldment of his journey into the holistic arts and deeper understanding of the human body. Kevin completed his 200 hour certification under the training of his devout teacher, Elia Nikolaev at Yoga Tropics in Encinitas. The spiritual study of his young adulthood laid a strong foundation for his future endeavor as a yoga instructor. The opportunity to teach has helped keep him connected to his own journey and words fall short in expressing the resulting gratitude. Kevin passionately and rhythmically guides students with an emphasis on detailed alignment and mindful movement in harmony with the breath while challenging people to push their edge, mentally and physically.
Matthew Weston
Matt Weston began his yoga journey in 2000 in Louisville, KY to recover from a surgery after an ACL tear from years of many athletic activities. Immediately he found that yoga was a perfect fit for his lifestyle, not just of exercise, but a perfect blend of mind and body union. Matt moved back to San Diego, CA in 2002 after graduating college and found himself in a “normal 9 to 5 job” leaving him non-active physically, mentally, and with anxiety heightened. He went back to practicing yoga to help his stress levels and to physically get in shape. He started back with hot style yoga and soon after that he explored other styles such as Ashtanga, Kundalini, and Anusara yoga to widen his practice and knowledge. It was Vinyasa Flow Yoga where Matt found the right blend of grace, cardio, strength, flexibility, balance, and detoxifying effect for him. He completed his 200 hour Yoga Certification through Yoga Alliance to teach and share his passion with others in one on one privates and semi-privates. He also received his certified personal trainers certificate through NASM to provide full range of health, nutrition, and vitality with all his students. Matt is extremely excited to be with and teach at Ignite Yoga Fusion and to set all his students up for success on and off the mat.
Aminy Johnson
Aminy is a native San Diegan and lover of life, peanut butter, hugs, and surprises. She was first exposed to the mental and spiritual benefits of yoga over 10 years ago while living in the Central Coast with a group of beautiful hippie souls. Later, as a long-distance runner, Aminy realized the physical benefits of yoga as an athlete. Recently and most inspiring, has been my journey back to the mat after 2 babies and time spent staying home with them . After obtaining an understanding of the transformational levels of peace, joy, and serenity that comes from a deeper connection to the Divine within all of us I am inspired to live a yogic life, both on and off the mat, and I am dedicated to teaching & guiding others on this way.
Melanie Buck
Melanie has been an athlete from a young age. She was drawn to yoga 13 years ago, seeking a balance of strength and flexibility. She became hooked on yoga immediately and has been immersed in yoga ever since. Melanie began studying Iyengar Yoga in Santa Barbara. She trained for 2 years with Junior Intermediate teacher, Nancy Roberts, learning techniques for teaching alignment, sequencing, and modifications to ensure safety in poses. In 2002, she completed a 50 hour teaching training from Senior Iyengar teacher, Felicity Green. She taught private and small group classes, tailoring her classes to meet the needs and capabilities of each student.
In 2003, she moved to her home-town, Carlsbad. She continued her personal practice of yoga, but professionally taught at an elementary school in Oceanside. In 2011, she completed her 200 hour certification in Hatha-based Vinyasa Flow Yoga with Lisette Hart. The nine month in-depth study and practice would become the catalyst for her to re-focus on her passion, teaching yoga. Melanie finds joy in every yoga class whether she is a student or teacher. She encourages moving from within and brings playful energy, joy, grace and challenge to her classes. She believes that smiling as you practice helps relax the body and lift the spirit!
Lexi Carr
Lexi Carr first discovered yoga about 5 years ago, at age 15. She quickly fell in love with the practice and explored many different styles of yoga, including Bikram, Ashtanga, Anusara, power, vinyasa and hatha. Lexi saw how yoga had a positive impact on her entire life both on and off the mat and in her body both mentally and physically. Lexi took the next step in her practice in spring of 2012 and completed her 200 hour vinyasa training at Bird Rock Yoga. Lexi is so excited to teach at Ignite Yoga Fusion and be able to share the amazing practice of yoga with others. Lexi is passionate about living a healthy and active lifestyle and also enjoys hiking, playing tennis, swimming and strength training in addition to yoga.
Courtney Camarada
Born and raised in coastal southern California, Courtney has always led and active lifestyle. After enduring a serious knee injury in 2005 she was introduced to yoga and realized the therapeutic benefits immediately. Courtney found physical balance through yoga and soon after, her eyes were open to the many healing benefits of yoga. Yoga continues to influence every area of her life and she is passionate about living yoga on and off the mat. Courtney continues to focus on her growth mentally, emotionally and spiritually through dedicated yoga practice. She is passionate about sharing the gift of yoga with all those she meets.
Lily Coelho
Growing up in beautiful San Diego, Lily participated in many activities including ballet, tap, jazz, competitive hip hop, theater, and choir. She found yoga in 2007 after a hand injury left both of her hands weak. Not only did yoga strengthen her hands, it also opened her body and calmed her racing mind. Lily practices in the styles of Vinyasa Flow and Hatha. Lily’s classes are energetic and challenging, but also beginner friendly. She focuses on alignment and following the breathe. Lily received her 200 hour certification through Yoga Tropics with guidance from her teacher, Elia Nikolaev. She also holds a Yoga Barre and Yoga Sculpt certification. Lily is so honored to share her love for the practice of yoga with Ignite Yoga Fusion!
Zak Murphy
There is nothing more important to Zak Murphy than people feeling safe and supported in their exploration and expression of their true selves. For Zak, the Inquiry of Yoga is the perfect clearing for such a profound and rewarding endeavor. Zak has always been passionate about athletics – he played collegiate volleyball and coached volleyball for several years, he loves surfing, and completed his first half ironman last year. He began practicing yoga as a way to compliment and balance his other athletic endeavors. He was amazed to find that what he gained from yoga was far beyond the physical benefits. What became available were new levels of love, awareness, and courage – both on and off the mat. These discoveries are what continue to inspire Zak in his own yogic path, and what called him to serve as a teacher. He is grateful to have had the opportunity to complete his 200 hour YTT under the loving guidance of favorite teachers, Danny Arguetty and Katie Brauer. As a “two-spirit”, Zak has been blessed with the ability to create a class experience of love and connectedness that celebrates and honors each individual’s unique and personal gifts and possibilities.
Kimberly Vargas
Kimberly spent most of her childhood in Southern California and her adult years in north county. She has been practicing yoga for over 7 years. Kimberly began practicing Bikram yoga and then branched out into vinyasa, or flow style, Iyenger and Ashtanga yoga. Kimberly also enjoys running marathons and using yoga in her life to prevent injuries and stay strong. Kimberly enjoys how much yoga has put balance in her life. Yoga has opened her heart in ways she has never imagined. After receiving her 200 Hour Yoga Alliance certification with Ignite Yoga Fusion and Aubrey Hackman, she is excited to reach out to give everyone their own wonderful experience on and off the mat.
Grace’s personal yoga practice started at a Bikram studio over 8 years ago as a way to complement her other workouts and to balance the demands of a day in the corporate world. Initially drawn to the fitness aspects of yoga, she discovered it’s profound benefits, not only to the physical body, but to the mind and soul as well. She later fell in love with the diverse, fluid and dynamic movement of Vinyasa yoga. Through her practice Grace has seen many areas of her life impacted in positive ways and believes that teaching yoga is a wonderful way to support others in improving their quality of life. She received her 200 hr certification from Ignite Yoga Fusion and is Yoga Alliance certified. One of the most important things she strives for in her class is to create space for everyone to feel safe and empowered, while still maintaining a fun and challenging atmosphere. Her passion for yoga continues to grow, and she is continuously inspired by the teachers and students she meets along the way. The capacity of yoga to help heal and transform is powerful. Having the ability to offer that to her students in inspirational.
Kelly Preston
Being told from a young age that she was “an old soul”, Kelly has demonstrated an inner wisdom and light that is bright enough to feel from within a simple smile and warm hug. Her desire to help others lead her to obtain a bachelor of science degree within the field of physical therapy from CSULB. Upon gaining experience in western medicine, Kelly used her foundation of knowledge, to heal the human body in a more dynamic energetic way, rather the way of yoga. The enriching experience to train under the teachings of Aubrey Hackman solidified that Kelly had found her calling. The yogic lifestyle has been running though her veins since she was a child, whether sitting in lotus, or playing with shoulder stand she demonstrated a natural affinity to movements of that of a yogi. Thriving to enhance everyone’s experience of yoga while incorporating proper bio-mechanics, Kelly captivates your energy and gets it flowing through her use of Tibetian singing bowls and her healing touch.
Karissa Chou
Karissa Chou spent her childhood in a small Northern California town. She then moved to San Luis Obispo and acquired a Bachelors and a Masters Degree from Cal Poly. After moving into the workforce she ventured into several different career paths searching for a career which would enhance the lives of others. When she first found yoga the intent was to reduce the occurrence of migraines and lose the baby weight after two kids. It brought such happiness and well being she quickly became confident yoga was her chosen path. She completed her 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training with an amazing and devout teacher, Aubrey Hackman. She also completed a 100 Hour Yogic Arts certification with Master, Duncan Wong. Yoga has become a life path. She is confident she has found a meaningful way to help others, from reducing stress and calming the mind to improving physical aliments. All forms of yoga inspire her although Anjali Restorative and Flow Based Yoga is where her true passion resides.
Jodi Harary