Meet your Instructors
Our teachers are filled with passion for leading people to states of
joy, harmony, and empowerment through movement.
joy, harmony, and empowerment through movement.
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Isha FerrazOwner, Indian Classical Dance, Bollywood, Yoga, KirtanIsha's swadharma (life's work) has been to connect others to the joy, beauty, and sacredness of dance and music. Her life path has been blessed with rich experiences and extraordinary teachers which all contributed to her practice of dance, yoga, and kirtan. In November of 2014 she was led to the charming town of Ojai where she quickly fell in love with the beauty and quiet of the valley and the spirit of the community. It was here that she felt her dream of having a space
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devoted to dance, music, and events that uplift the soul could become realized. The manifestation of Hamsa Studio has been nothing short of a miracle, a dream that could not have been realized without the support of her family and friends, the love of her beloved husband Brian, and the Inspiration and Guidance from her Teacher. She is so excited to contribute to Ojai culture and serve through the studio.
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Katie GrubiakAdult Ballet and Irish DanceKatie has performed and collaborated with the Liam Harney Irish Dance Company, the Afro−Cuban/Brazilian company Soul Beat,Irish percussionist David Page and Irish musician Mick Moloney. She has toured across the U.S. and Europe. Her dance background encompasses classical as well as cultural dance forms with a mission in rediscovering all of their connection. Katie is most known for her fusion style of Irish dance, dancing and choreographing for stage and TV. Her Irish dance classes taught at Dance Arts Academy were credited by Los Angeles Magazine as one of “LA’s Best”. In addition, she has been a ballet teacher and choreographer for everybody dance!, a non-profit dance foundation caring for the under-served youth of Los Angeles.
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Katie believes the beauty of dance lies in feeling one’s own essence. "By feeling our own true nature, we are uplifted to this cathedral of ourselves....feeling connected to all that surrounds us & becoming fearlessly free."
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Paulina CareyBellydancePaulina feels it … the music, the rhythm, the passion for dance. It’s apparent in her performance that she moves from the heart. For 30 years Paulina has studied numerous styles of dance; Modern, Egyptian, Turkish, Tribal world dance, Jazz, tap, ballet, Greek, Hip Hop and funk. Paulina also spent two years at UCSB studying and performing with the Middle Eastern Ensemble.
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It was here at UCSB she developed her love for belly dancing. In 1997 she began teaching her own classes. Her unique style combines the fluidity of traditional Belly Dance with a slightly westernized hip flair. Paulina welcomes all levels of students to participate in her classes. With her patience and passion for teaching you too can experience the magic of belly dancing.
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Melissa DiazNia- Holistic, Aerobic Dance FlowMelissa has always had a passion for dancing and moving her body. She stumbled upon Nia In 2010 without realizing she was about to discover something that felt was made for her. Nia allows us to move our bodies with joy. It is a movement meditation that intertwines the body, mind and spirit. Melissa provides her students with the freedom to express themselves, let go of all stress and feel the strength, power and joy that dance can provide.
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Melissa achieved her Nia White Belt certification in 2015. In addition to this, she is currently a student at California State University, Northridge, completing her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. Through the combination of her university studies and Nia, she intends to build a career of making a difference in people's lives through movement and dance.
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Heath PerryABC's - Alignment - Balance - CoreHeath has 25+ years of experience as a leading health educator in Miami, Denver, LA and Ojai. He likes to help people overcome the real obstacles of injuries, insecurities, addictions along with every reason or excuse that keeps people from being their most vibrant, confident and happy selves. Through personal training, therapeutic movement classes, nutrition education, Selfcare retreats and an online health program, he
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offers a full spectrum of guidance and support to help anyone that is ready to shift to the lifestyle of vitality they’ve always wanted. www.livin.guide
Devin Fulton
Contemporary Dance
Devin Fulton has been dancing since the tender age of 3. Her performing credits include LA Contemporary Dance Company (founding member), State Street Ballet, Plexus Dance Theatre, WB’s Angel, Edge Performing Arts Scholarship Program, Joseph Allen Decker Dance Company, and Commonality Dance Company. She choreographed and creative directed two music videos for emerging artist Samson Szakacsy (Just For Now & Walk Slow) which have been viewed over 30,000 times on YouTube. You can see more of Devin's work in the dance films ZINGDEED & I Fell From Heaven & You Didn't Even Care, projects she choreographed, creative directed, and co-produced with director Jamila Glass.
Additionally, Devin was the founder and artistic director of The Pin-Down Girls, a super sexy, sometimes silly dance company from 2008-2014. The company’s performance credits include a debut at the Playboy mansion, the Rooftop Bar at The Standard Hotel, a tribute to Dr. Jerry Buss, owner of the L.A. Lakers, the Coverboys USA Tour, countless fashion shows, and sold out productions in Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara. They were also voted Best Dance Company of Ventura County two years in a row.
Most recently, she was the choreographer for Colbie Caillat's "Hold On" music video currently playing on Vevo. Other recent choreography credits include Caught A Ghost's music video for 'Get Your life"...a companion piece to the film "Dear White People", and "King and Queens" music video for New Zealand pop star, Brooke Frazier. She is represented by The Movement Talent Agency.
Contemporary Dance
Devin Fulton has been dancing since the tender age of 3. Her performing credits include LA Contemporary Dance Company (founding member), State Street Ballet, Plexus Dance Theatre, WB’s Angel, Edge Performing Arts Scholarship Program, Joseph Allen Decker Dance Company, and Commonality Dance Company. She choreographed and creative directed two music videos for emerging artist Samson Szakacsy (Just For Now & Walk Slow) which have been viewed over 30,000 times on YouTube. You can see more of Devin's work in the dance films ZINGDEED & I Fell From Heaven & You Didn't Even Care, projects she choreographed, creative directed, and co-produced with director Jamila Glass.
Additionally, Devin was the founder and artistic director of The Pin-Down Girls, a super sexy, sometimes silly dance company from 2008-2014. The company’s performance credits include a debut at the Playboy mansion, the Rooftop Bar at The Standard Hotel, a tribute to Dr. Jerry Buss, owner of the L.A. Lakers, the Coverboys USA Tour, countless fashion shows, and sold out productions in Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara. They were also voted Best Dance Company of Ventura County two years in a row.
Most recently, she was the choreographer for Colbie Caillat's "Hold On" music video currently playing on Vevo. Other recent choreography credits include Caught A Ghost's music video for 'Get Your life"...a companion piece to the film "Dear White People", and "King and Queens" music video for New Zealand pop star, Brooke Frazier. She is represented by The Movement Talent Agency.
Nusa Maal
Qi Gong
Nusa will draw from over 30 years of Qi practices; including Aikido, T’ai Chi, Yoga, the Alexander Technique. Nusa trained in Qi Gong with Master Ma and Dr. Dean Dang in Washington DC.
Nusa’s Masters is in Depth Psychology with Somatic studies, and her doctoral work focuses on the development and outstanding use of multisensory capacities. Nusa coaches & facilitates deep clarity and insightful solution paths for individuals, groups, companies and systems in Ojai and abroad.
Qi Gong
Nusa will draw from over 30 years of Qi practices; including Aikido, T’ai Chi, Yoga, the Alexander Technique. Nusa trained in Qi Gong with Master Ma and Dr. Dean Dang in Washington DC.
Nusa’s Masters is in Depth Psychology with Somatic studies, and her doctoral work focuses on the development and outstanding use of multisensory capacities. Nusa coaches & facilitates deep clarity and insightful solution paths for individuals, groups, companies and systems in Ojai and abroad.
Serra Benson
Adult Beginner Aerial, Kids Aerial
Serra has been doing aerial dance for the past 10 years. She started training with Rebekah Leach (author of the Born to Fly Curriculum) in Ojai in 2008 and performed in her show Journeys to the Sky at the Zalk Theater. After that Serra joined Ninette Paloma’s aerial dance company, La Petite Chouette, in Santa Barbara were she continued to train and perform yearly at the Lobero Theater. She is versed in a variety of aerial apparatus including fabrics, sling, trapeze, corde and lyra. A highlight of her journey as an aerialist was being invited to perform a duet on aerial frame at Fred Deb’s Aerial Dance Festival in La Baule, France. Serra continues to train with Ninette Paloma at The Santa Barbara Center for Aerial Dance where she has been dancing since 2009. Besides her life as an aerial dancer, Serra is also a 3rd grade teacher at Oak Grove School and a Bollywood Dancer here at Hamsa. Serra is excited to combine her love of teaching with her love of aerial dance!
Adult Beginner Aerial, Kids Aerial
Serra has been doing aerial dance for the past 10 years. She started training with Rebekah Leach (author of the Born to Fly Curriculum) in Ojai in 2008 and performed in her show Journeys to the Sky at the Zalk Theater. After that Serra joined Ninette Paloma’s aerial dance company, La Petite Chouette, in Santa Barbara were she continued to train and perform yearly at the Lobero Theater. She is versed in a variety of aerial apparatus including fabrics, sling, trapeze, corde and lyra. A highlight of her journey as an aerialist was being invited to perform a duet on aerial frame at Fred Deb’s Aerial Dance Festival in La Baule, France. Serra continues to train with Ninette Paloma at The Santa Barbara Center for Aerial Dance where she has been dancing since 2009. Besides her life as an aerial dancer, Serra is also a 3rd grade teacher at Oak Grove School and a Bollywood Dancer here at Hamsa. Serra is excited to combine her love of teaching with her love of aerial dance!
Francesca Gold
Hatha Yoga Level 1/2
Francesca has been teaching yoga to diverse populations for over 8 years. Her path has led her to deep study within two potent lineages: The Himalayan Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy (a world authority on Yoga, Meditation, and Ayurveda) and in the Tradition of Krishnamacharya (widely regarded as the Father of Modern Yoga). Francesca has a degree in Psychology from Carlow University and studied Clinical Yoga Therapy at Loyola Marymount University.
Francesca is hired by a wide variety of individuals, organizations, and corporations to lead classes, workshops, and retreats. Her approach blends yoga, mindfulness, guided relaxation, meditation, and self-inquiry as a holistic approach to meeting life with an open mind and compassionate heart. Her sessions strike a balance between holistic, mindful, and meditative with a teaching style that’s grounded, practical, and accessible. In a nutshell, she crafts individualized therapeutic yoga sequences for people from all walks of life. Website: francescamichelle.com
Hatha Yoga Level 1/2
Francesca has been teaching yoga to diverse populations for over 8 years. Her path has led her to deep study within two potent lineages: The Himalayan Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy (a world authority on Yoga, Meditation, and Ayurveda) and in the Tradition of Krishnamacharya (widely regarded as the Father of Modern Yoga). Francesca has a degree in Psychology from Carlow University and studied Clinical Yoga Therapy at Loyola Marymount University.
Francesca is hired by a wide variety of individuals, organizations, and corporations to lead classes, workshops, and retreats. Her approach blends yoga, mindfulness, guided relaxation, meditation, and self-inquiry as a holistic approach to meeting life with an open mind and compassionate heart. Her sessions strike a balance between holistic, mindful, and meditative with a teaching style that’s grounded, practical, and accessible. In a nutshell, she crafts individualized therapeutic yoga sequences for people from all walks of life. Website: francescamichelle.com
Theraysa Gapasin
Bollywood Choreography, Director of Volunteer Events
Theraysa is an experienced project manager and promoter of all things wonderful. Her background as a dancer, supporter of the arts and selfless service spans over three decades. She enjoys beautiful endeavors like seeking truth, traveling the world or simply encouraging friends to follow their dreams. Theraysa’s experience of dance as a powerful form of human expression and connection is
Bollywood Choreography, Director of Volunteer Events
Theraysa is an experienced project manager and promoter of all things wonderful. Her background as a dancer, supporter of the arts and selfless service spans over three decades. She enjoys beautiful endeavors like seeking truth, traveling the world or simply encouraging friends to follow their dreams. Theraysa’s experience of dance as a powerful form of human expression and connection is
what draws her to Hamsa. It is one of her loves to see joy awakened on the faces of audience members during community performances. This uplifting energy is what draws Theraysa to Hamsa, and Ojai and a desire to support both the studio and community in anyway she can.
Lori Hansen
Mindful Flow Yoga
Lori's approach to yoga, both personally and for her students, is to cultivate awareness and presence through meditation, conscious movement, mindful alignment, and pranayama, bringing clarity and balance to the mind. Trained in vinyasa, restorative, and yin yoga, as well as self-myofascial release, Lori has developed a tenacious passion for holistic health, wellness, and preventative medicine. With a background in healthcare as an Occupational Therapist, and advanced certification in holistic healing, she strives to provide a safe space for students to introspect through mind-body-spirit and universal connections.
Currently living in Ojai, Lori works both as a Holistic Occupational Therapist and Yoga Instructor throughout Ventura County.
website: www.earthwalkih.com
Mindful Flow Yoga
Lori's approach to yoga, both personally and for her students, is to cultivate awareness and presence through meditation, conscious movement, mindful alignment, and pranayama, bringing clarity and balance to the mind. Trained in vinyasa, restorative, and yin yoga, as well as self-myofascial release, Lori has developed a tenacious passion for holistic health, wellness, and preventative medicine. With a background in healthcare as an Occupational Therapist, and advanced certification in holistic healing, she strives to provide a safe space for students to introspect through mind-body-spirit and universal connections.
Currently living in Ojai, Lori works both as a Holistic Occupational Therapist and Yoga Instructor throughout Ventura County.
website: www.earthwalkih.com
Sabine Coble
Hatha Yoga
Sabine is a massage therapist, fitness trainer and nutritionist. She came to Ojai from Germany in 2001 and she found her home and the love of her life, Yoga & Ayurveda. She has been studying in Germany, India and California with many gifted Yogis and Ayurvedic doctors. Her intention is to share the teachings of these ancient sacred wisdom studies and meet every student where they are at.
Sabine is a Yoga therapist and Ayurvedic practitioner and counselor, specializing in Yoga therapy as a life-style approach, Asana, Meditation, Mantra & Pranayama and Ayurvedic bodywork, nutrition, psychology.
Hatha Yoga
Sabine is a massage therapist, fitness trainer and nutritionist. She came to Ojai from Germany in 2001 and she found her home and the love of her life, Yoga & Ayurveda. She has been studying in Germany, India and California with many gifted Yogis and Ayurvedic doctors. Her intention is to share the teachings of these ancient sacred wisdom studies and meet every student where they are at.
Sabine is a Yoga therapist and Ayurvedic practitioner and counselor, specializing in Yoga therapy as a life-style approach, Asana, Meditation, Mantra & Pranayama and Ayurvedic bodywork, nutrition, psychology.
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Maria David
Country Western Line Dance Maria has a deep and long relationship with dance and fitness. As a high school and college athlete her love of fitness began. Through high school and community theater a love of dance was born. An accountant by day with a BBA from Eastern Michigan University, she helped pay for college teaching a 70's version of high impact aerobics with leg warmers and shiny white Reebok shoes. Several years and four children later returned to fitness and the dance floor. Nine Years Licensed Zumba instructor. ACE certified Group fitness instructor and Senior Fitness Specialist. Aqua fitness and Aqua Zumba instructor. Western Line Dance instructor and enthusiast. |