Mecca Vazie Andrews' film and stage credits include Disney's Bedtime Stories, RENT, MTV Movie Awards, Hysterica Dance Company, Commonality Dance Company, Grammy's with David LaChapelle, Sony Industrials, Vh1's Showgirl Bootcamp, and American Apparel. Mecca can been seen in the February 2008 issue of Dance Spirit with Hysterica Dance Company. Her work is spoken very highly of in Street Scene, Los Angeles Times and Arthur Magazine. Mecca was featured in the June issue of Loudmouth magazine for her performance troupe The movement MOVEMENT who were also chosen as one of 20 Finalists for the VH1 reality television show Choreographer. Mecca has choreographed for Los Angeles Comtemporary Dance Company, Hysterica Dance Company and Syzygy Theatre Company just to name a few. She has travelled to Stuttgart, Germany with Commonality Dance Company to instruct Contemporary Jazz and perform the companies repetory and has performed extensively in Europe with Electrosoul indie band Hey Willpower. Mecca choreographed singer/songwriter Eleni Mandell's video Dis Moi and completed a collaboration with 'A Family Finds Entertainment' director Ryan Trecartin for his most recent film 'I Be Area' in which she also performs. She is currently choreographing a new play Beauty For Ashes that will premiere in November. Mecca Vazie Andrews teaches contemporary jazz at Edge Performing Arts Center, Creative Movement at Gramercy Park and Jazz 3 at Loyola Marymount University. Ready Steady Go!

Kumbi Butler is from Boulder, Colorado and has always been a health and fitness fanatic. She started practicing yoga over ten years ago in attempt to heal a lower back injury. Discovering that yoga not only helped heal her back but also reduce stress and open up an inner energy and light, she was transformed. Her background is in teaching dance as well as personal training. She has trained in chiropractic offices as well as large gyms. She studied and underwent a teacher training program in Hatha Power Yoga under Steven Earth of Earth’s Power Yoga in Los Angeles. Since then, she has been teaching locally and privately as well as studying and learning under a variety of teachers. Kumbi is currently enrolled in a yoga therapy program with The American Viniyoga Institute under Gary Kraftsow.

Corinne’s love for the arts started at the young age of three when she was enrolled in dance classes. Her education at such an early age in ballet, jazz, hula, salsa, mambo and modern dance, although was short-lived, enlighten a passion and love for performance. With a drive to entertain, she continued performing as an actor in theater, film and television mediums. Even though she was performing, a deep void still remained. When the opportunity to audition as a dancer/cheerleader for the Florida Titan Semi-Pro Football team presented itself, Corinne couldn’t pass up the chance. She performed for the team a full season and again ignited the dance fire from within. Corinne began performing in several music videos and dance clubs around Miami Beach. And later became an Exotic, Pole, Matt and Lap Dance instructor at several different studios in South Florida. “To be able to incorporate the things you love in life and do them all as a career, is the most rewarding experience. And the most satisfying feeling when teaching Exotic dancing is seeing the empowerment, confidence, sensuality, and self-esteem changes my clients endure.”

Rebekkah Drake has been teaching pilates for 7 years and yoga for 2. She loves working with all kinds of people of all shapes, ages, and sizes. She thinks of our bodies as the greatest of gifts to know and most of all, that looking inward and rejuvenating the outward should be filled ith fun and come from the soul.

Fransini Giraldo has explored many of the Latin dance styles in her 25 years of dance experience, from Afro-Cuban to Salsa and Samba. She has been teaching for over 12 years in Colombia, South Carolina, Oregon and California. She currently owns SambaYSalsa, a dance and entertainment company and performs with her group at many different events, and she has recently completed her Zumba Certification.

LeX has been a professional performer/choreographer/instructor for over 12 years. She has trained extensively with hip-hop masters like Boogaloo Sam, Don Campbell, Mr. Wiggles, Crazy Leggs, Buddah Stretch, Link, Rennie Harris and has also been trained in jazz, tap, lyrical and some salsa. LeX was a touring company member with Rennie Harris Puremovement and performer in the internationally touring production "Cool Heat Urban Beat," where she toured Australia, New Zealand, Finland, Denmark & Portugal. She has worked with recording artists such as Will Smith, Sean Paul, Pink, Neil Young, etc. She was a member and choreographer of the NBA Philadelphia 76ers and Fox Television's Good Day Philadelphia Hip-Hop Dance Team. Besides teaching and choreographing, she is also co-Owner/Director of FloMotion Dance Company who have performed for NBC, Bally's Total Fitness, ILLADELPH Legends, 76'ers, and CLUB DUO, (Tokyo, Japan). LeX currently lives in Los Angeles where she's done videos with Snoop Dogg, Nelly Furtado, Alyson, as well as teaching and dancing.

Hina's dance background began at the age of 3 in her native homeland of Hawai'i where she learned hula. At 18 she began performing as a soloist for one of the top Polynesian companies and lu'au shows in Hawai'i (Tihati's Drums of the Pacific at the Hyatt). Now, as an accomplished hula and polynesian dancer, she feels blessed to have had the opportunity to travel and perform all over the world . From Vegas to Japan, Texas to Tonga, and the East Coast of New York (Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade) to the Far East of Egypt, she has shared her native dances in front of royalty, celebrities, and people of all cultures. Today, she still travels often abroad and locally and can be seen performing at everything from restaurants and weddings to theater and feature films. In the past few years she has also enjoyed teaching hula at UCLA, performing on Celebrity Cruises (to Hawai'i, Tahihi, and New Zealand) as well as dancing with several professional groups who's styles range from Polynesian to Bellydance, to Brazilian Samba. Hina exudes passion, grace and love for dance in every style she performs. As a former Hawaiian immersion school teacher, she is fluent in Hawaiian language. Growing up on Maui and also having a BA in Hawaiian studies (minor in Linguistics), she is proud and happy to share her culture though the beauty of hula.

Julie Ingram is very excited to be teaching Rock Toddler at Heartbeat House. Julie recently moved to Los Angeles from Austin, TX. In Austin she coordinated the Early Childhood Program at Austin Lyric Opera. She has her BA in Italian Literature from UC Berkeley and Masters of Music from the University of Texas at Austin. In addition to Rock Toddler she teaches Orff classes at the Pasadena Conservatory of Music.

LeTania Kirkland began studying yoga by way of modern dance and has never looked back. She received her certification from Laughing Lotus Yoga Center in New York City and began teaching straight away. Prior to moving to Los Angeles, she taught at various centers throughout New York as well as provided yoga to individuals in corporate settings. LeTania is dedicated to sharing the traditional teachings of yoga while providing an ecstatic, creative flow with the breath as the means to discover the healing of movement and meditation.

Patrick Lacho is an IKYTA Certified Kundalini Yoga instructor. As a West Point graduate and Army Officer, Patrick was trained in all aspects of general physical fitness as well as organized team sports and various martial arts. After a mountain biking injury, unable to do resistance training or run long distances, Patrick found yoga as a fitness alternative. Having practiced many of the different schools of yoga, over the last several years, he has come to love and teach Kundalini Yoga with a passion. He’s studied extensively across the country and with Master Teachers such as Harijiwan and Gurmukh at The Goldenbridge Yoga Center in Hollywood.

Angelita Macias Angelita’s eclectic dance background, with over 30 years of dance experience and 20 years of Flamenco, combined with her exceptional musicality and energy makes her a highly in-demand instructor. She is the artistic director of the flamenco show at El Cid Flamenco Theater, one of the oldest Spanish landmarks in Los Angeles

Chelsea Manos has a Masters degree in Education from Chapman University with a background focused strongly on the education and development of young children. She is bilingual in both Spanish and English and has extensive experience in organizing and leading children's dance, cheerleading, and counseling programs. Chelsea is very excited to be a part of Heartbeat House as she has regularly attended various classes since she moved into the area this past year.

Lauren Maher is an internationally certified yoga instructor and yoga therapist. She received her first certification in Kundalini Yoga through Yoga West, under the tutelage of renowned teachers such as Guru Singh and Shakti Kaur Khalsa. After teaching steadily for years, Lauren decided to expand her base of knowledge by enrolling in the two-year Yoga Therapy RX program at Loyola Marymount University, directed by Larry Payne.

Lauren teaches group classes, private yoga instruction and yoga therapy throughout the greater Los Angeles area. She teaches both Kundalini and Hatha yoga, and specializes in teaching yoga to cancer patients during and post treatment. In addition, Lauren has trained in various schools of movement, including Tai Chi, Alexander Technique, and the work of Skinner and Laban.

In her classes, Lauren strives to create a safe space for people to grow spiritually and release any emotional, physical or mental blocks. Her classes are inclusive, and open to all levels. She takes a non-dogmatic approach to yoga and infuses her classes with a sense of humor and lightness. Lauren views the real benefits of yoga as what you take with you outside of the class in into the world.

Ashley Marriott has designed a fun, effective cardio dance workout that she has taught all over the world. She can be seen in numerous workout DVDs, Fit TV and has recently completed “On The Ball," which she designed and hosts. She is a current member of, Bijou Dancers performing in Los Angeles. Her certifications include: Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, Active Older Adults, Core Muscle Stability, Kick Boxing, Get Real Weight Management, and GTS.

Doris Martel
Born and raised in West Indies Parisian multicultural family, Doris started to develop her artistic sensibility at 6 learning ballet and rhythmic gymnastics. She finally fell in love with African and middle eastern dance and was the student of the Paris’ African school and created the Martel-Zavatta dance company in 1999. Doris currently lives and works in Los Angeles.

James Parker is a Kung Fu San Soo black belt that has trained to black belt level in multiple styles of martial arts since he was 6 and a Certified Personal Trainer with International Sports Science Association. He's studied Penjec Silat, Aikido, Escrima/Kali, Karate (Shotokan family). After completing the highest rank in San Soo his focus shifted to MMA (sport mixed martial arts). He studied Muay Thai (with Kathy Long) and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Sambo. He is currently a fight conditioning trainer, personal trainer, and self defense/sport fighting instructor. It is his belief that to be excellent in fighting form (or even just dealing with day to day stresses) you need to be happy, healthy and strong, both inside and out.

David Person is excited to return to Heartbeat House where he taught for 3 consecutive years. He has been teaching a variety of dance disciplines across the country for over a decade, and judged national competitions for Dance Xplosion. He has choreographed productions, such as 42nd Street; performed in videos, including a "Weeds" commercial for Showtime, and live events at the Rose Bowl and Warner Brothers Studio. Recently, he was a guest performer for Street Beat, and is currently doing choreography for a TV pilot.

Shawnee Rioles' teaching experience began with teaching ballet, cheer, musical theatre, and expressive movement in youth programs and schools. After discovering Zumba early in 2007, she has taught with JP Santana and LatinZumba at dozens of festivals and events throughout LA. She participated in the Zumba infomercial now airing worldwide as well as presenting Zumba on Fox News Channel's Good Day LA and most recently a special presentation of Zumba Kids to promote the release of the new Zumba Kids DVDs. Zumba has become the perfect balance of dancing, performing, and teaching in Shawnee's life. She currently teaches in Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley and hopes to help students of Heartbeat House dance their way to a happier and healthier life.

Abbie Rose. In 2003, Abbie completed her Yoga teacher training at the Open Center in NYC. She has assisted Robyn Ross at the well known Kripalu Center in Lenox, Mass. Abbie's passion for alternative health led her to train in Reiki, Laughter Yoga, & Spiritual Response Therapy, as well as work longside acupuncturists & chiropractors in NYC. In 2007, Abbie expanded her fitness training with a Pilates certification. She recently moved to the Los Angeles area and is so very blessed to be teaching at Heartbeat House!

Amber grew up in Australia, New Mexico, Brazil and Canada before finding herself in Los Angeles. Upon arrival in LA she fell in love with the historically-based, forward-looking healing power of different yogic postures, meditations and breathing techniques. She completed the Hatha and Kundalini mixed Teacher Training Program at Karuna Yoga in Los Feliz in the fall of 2007. Currently, she is expanding her yoga studies through the Yoga Therapy Rx Porgram at Loyola Marymont. She believes yoga allows her to breathe into the precious, transcendent parts of her body to allow her moments of calm, acceptance, inspiration and contentment. She is consistently awed and humbled by the gift of teaching yoga to others. She strives to provide a space for her students wherein they can breath and relax into the innate strength, stability and sacred silence that exists in their bodies and minds. Yoga aside, Amber has a degree in Art History from the University of British Columbia and she strives to read, watch, listen and tell stories as often as she can.

Brett Rushworth has been studying Tai Chi Ch’uan and Chi Kung since 1995, currently studying at the Taoist Institute of Los Angeles under the direction of Grandmaster Carl Totton. Brett is a Certified Instructor of Tai Chi and Chi Kung as well as senior teaching assistant at The Taoist Institute. Brett has also been studying Kenpo Karate since 1996 and in 2001 began the study of Kung Fu, Taoist philosophy, Chi Kung, Meditation, Tui Na massage and Healing. Currently Brett is pursuing a Master's Degree in Oriental Medicine at Emperor’s College.

Heidi Thornberg is committed to exploring the therapeutic and expressive properties of movement and dance. Finding the story each body wants to tell and letting it speak through pace, rhythm and space is her passion. She has worked with all age groups and has extensive experience working with special-needs clients. She has studied multiple forms of dance from ballet to belly dance and is currently enrolled in the Tamalpa Institute for Expressive Arts Therapy. The work that she has done has fueled her desire to find ways to help every body find the movement that creates joy.

Veena Born with both an Indian and Arabic background, Veena grew up with Bollywood films and Bhangra dance/music. Famous with her twin sister, Neena, as "The Bellytwins," they have been featured as special guest dancers, choreographers, and actresses on hundreds of national and international stages, films, TV shows, commercials and music videos. The
twins are also the founders, artistic directors, choreographers and teachers of their own dance company, which specializes in dances of India and the Middle East. Their recent 2 hour live production of Hooray for Bollywood! received rave reviews from a sold-out audience and the media. The show is currently in negotiations for US, European, and Asian tours.

Veena is a recipient of several acting, singing and dancing scholarships and awards, local and national. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre and Voice, and is a graduate of the Master of Fine Arts Degree program at UCLA.

Aside from learning dances in Egypt and India, she also studied Mexican Folk Dance and Spanish at the University in Michúcan, Mexico. She speaks Hindi, Spanish, some Arabic and Farsi, and is fluent in sign language.

As an actress, she has appeared on many feature films including Monkey Bone with Brendan Fraser, Scorpion King, From Dusk ‘til Dawn, and Freddy Got Fingered. She had recurring roles on Malcolm & Eddie, The Shield, and ER.

Neil Williams Born and raised in Alaska, Neil's start in fitness was purely accidental. More into Chess club and comic book collecting growing up, he made it a point to avoid gym class as much as possible, and actually managed to avoid it the whole eighth grade year. Then in high school, the policy required him to take gym or play a sport. He chose a to join the wrestling team based on the fact that the sports season was shorter than a school year and the weight classes seemed easier. Needless to say he was horrible but was inspired to improve. He began training at a gym, asking questions and reading up. After two years he was hired on as a trainer at that same gym. By the time his senior year came around he was captain of the wrestling team and had won a local bodybuilding contest. From then on he has been a proud "fitness nerd" gaining a degree in Sports Medicine and continuing to learn and apply a variety of exercise principles. As a private trainer/instructor Neil has applied principles of and instructed in the styles of BOSU, Kick boxing (for fitness purposes), Sport specific S&C, PNF (assisted stretching), Core stability, Weight Loss. Not to mention, Neil is also a dance enthusiast learning Salsa, Cha-Cha, Merengue, East Coast Swing, Charleston,and some Ballroom. Neil's philosophy is simple "nothing is impossible, and I'm going to prove it."

Najaa Young is a native of Cleveland, OH and attended high school and college in Pittsburgh, PA. A bashful kid, it was in high school that Najaa broke out of her shell and began performing with her mother's African dance company, Omi Tutu. Since then she has performed with various West African and Afro-Caribbean dance companies as a member and as a guest artist. Most notably, African Soul International, Olokumi African Arts Collective and Tam Tam Magic directed by Senegalese master drummer, Assane M'Baye. She has performed and taught throughout the midwest and written and directed productions for Karamu House, Cleveland Public Theatre and Cuyahoga Community College Dance Department. Najaa has a BA in Theatre Arts from Chatham College and a MFA in Film Production from Florida State University's Graduate Conservatory of Motion Picture, Television and Recording Arts.