GYROTONIC®, GYROKINESIS®, Yoga and Pilates Instructors
Ellen Comerford
Ellen has been a health and wellness professional for more than fifteen years. Her goal is to help people surpass their own perceived limitations.. Ellen has earned degrees in both marketing and management, and led a successful career in high tech marketing. She is a Holistic Health Practitioner and received her certification in holistic health counseling from the Institute of Integrated Nutrition and State University of New York. Her passion for guiding people toward healthier lifestyles drew her away from marketing. She now spends all of her energy helping to empower people to change their lifestyle patterns for the better. Ellen is the founder of Core De Vie, Boston's only Master Trainer owned and operated GYROTONIC®, GYROKINESIS® and Pilates studio in Boston.
Ellen has received certifications in more than thirty health and fitness methods, restorative muscular-skeletal disciplines and movement practices. She is currently a certified GYROKINESIS® Master Trainer and holds Master Trainer certifications in GYROTONIC® specialized equipment including the GYROTONIC® Leg Extension Unit and the GYROTONIC® Jumping Stretch Board. She received her Master Trainer certifications training from Juliu Horvath, the creator of the GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® exercise system. She has is also certified in Yamuna Body Rolling, and is the only active Massachusetts practitioner in Yamuna Body Logic having trained with the creator and founder, Yamuna Zake.
She also has a keen interest in nutrition and the dynamics of today's dietary trends. She weaves her training and certification in holistic health counseling into all of her teachings.
Ellen decided to open her own studio so that she and her team of highly trained and fully certified instructors can provide the benefits of their combined experience to our local community. Prior to opening her studio, Ellen taught Pilates, GYROTONIC®, and GYROKINESIS® at several Boston venues including Sports Club LA. She also held the position of Adjunct Professor in the Dance Department at the Boston Conservatory where she taught Pilates, GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® as part of the dance curriculum.
Dean Vollick
Certified Gyrotonic® Instructor
Dean Vollick began his ballet training at the late age of twenty, already a college student in Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. It became obvious that with good professional training, he could make up for lost time. A move to Toronto led him to many fine Canadian teachers including Lois Smith, Glen Gilmour, Luc Amyot, and Mavis Staines, the Artistic Director of Canada’s National Ballet School. He also had the good fortune to be under the tutelage of Laura Alonso (daughter of Alicia Alonso) for 3 summers at the Banff School of Fine Arts. His career as a classical dancer spanned several years and included work with Ontario Ballet Theatre, Ballet Omaha, and Ballet Florida. Though he loved the classics, he found that contemporary dance was his forte, and decided to pursue studies in modern dance. He acquired a thorough training in Graham based technique while working with Toronto Dance Theatre. It was there that he also began to explore his desire to choreograph, and has created works for various venues from liturgical celebrations, to sales demonstrations for the Swarovski Crystal Company. As a company dancer and freelance artist Mr. Vollick danced across Canada and many parts of the US and Europe.
A desire to teach led him back to the National Ballet School where he completed the two- year teacher-training course for professional dancers, and graduated valedictorian of his class in June of 2001. That summer he joined the faculty of the American Academy of Ballet and continues to be an instructor at their Summer School of Excellence, held at SUNY College in Purchase New York. He spent four years as a full time teacher at Boston Ballet and was Principal of Boston Ballet’s ground breaking Citydance outreach program for three of those years. Currently Mr. Vollick is working as a freelance teacher and choreographer in the Boston Area, and is on the faculty of Ballet Arts Worcester, Walnut Hill Academy, and Boston Conservatory. He is a certified Gryrotonic instructor, and is enjoying working as a trainer with dancers and non-dancers alike. Dean has also trained with Paul Horvath in theraputic applications with Gyrotonic.
Amber has long endeavored to understand and cultivate wellness for herself and others.With a background in psychology, Amber has always yearned to discover different methods of growth and healing.It is in this way that she found her yogic path.A devoted yoga practitioner for more than nine years, Amber’s practice is an eclectic mix of Hatha, Vinyasa, Kundalini and Jivamukti yoga.By opening herself up to a number of disciplines, Amber has allowed her yoga practice to remain fluid and transformative, ever changing as is our world.
Amber earned her 200-hour Yoga Alliance certification from the Shambhava School of Yoga by living and training with gifted yogis at their Colorado ashram.Amber continued her training at the ashram, expanding her study in meditation, pranayama and ayurveda, as well as earning advanced levels 2 and 3 certifications.In 2009 Amber became a Yoga Alliance/KRI certified Kundalini Yoga instructor.It is these years of study of movement, breath and anatomy that became the natural catalyst for Amber to develop a Gyrotonic practice and ultimately become a certified Gyrotonic instructor.
Amber’s lineage teacher, Bhagawan Nityananda said that the desire to grow is the most powerful wish in the universe.It is with this in mind that Amber shares her devoted practice.
Marjorie Clapp
Certified Yoga Teacher, Holistic Health Practitioner
Marjorie joined Core De Vie in 2009 as a Holistic Health Practitioner and Yoga teacher. Born and raised in Beacon Hill, Marjorie has practiced yoga and meditation since 2003. She earned her 200-hour Yoga Alliance certification from the Sonic School of Yoga Studies in New York and studied under Shiva Rea in Kerala, India.
Marjorie hold a BA from Brown University and received her training to practice health counseling at the Institute of Integrative Nutriton, which is the only nutrition school that covers traditional philosophies like Ayurveda and Macrobiotics, as well as modern concepts like the gycemic index, raw foodism, and organics. As a Holistic Health Practitioner, Marjorie offers customized programs for weight loss, stress management, emotional eating, family wellness, and more.
Laura Stevenson
Certified Pilates Instructor
A ballerina since she was 3 years old, Laura loved the movement, grace, and beauty of ballet. While complementing her ballet training with Pilates, Laura discovered the same principals that she grew to love in ballet also applied to Pilates. She instantly fell in love with Pilates, practicing both on the mat and on the reformer. Laura earned her Pilates certification in 2002, and never stopped teaching. Years later, Laura is as much in love with Pilates as she was when she introduced the “Mat” and the "Hundreds" to students for the first time. Laura is certified and trained in Power Pilates, and continues her training and education to further enhance her expertise. She is very excited to share her knowledge and love of Pilates with the Core De Vie community.
Wellness Center- Massage, Acupuncture and Holistic Health Practitioners
Iwona Aleksandrowicz
Iwona Aleksandrowicz has been practicing bodywork for the past nine years in her private practice on Nantucket Island. Iwona completed her massage training at Kripalu School of Massage in Lenox, MA, which is known for it's yogic tradition. Iwona's fascination with the human body combined with her personal experience lead her to study Cranio Sacral Therapy in recent years. Her holistic approach is inspired by her belief in our innate desire for balance, and in the unlimited possibilities of our body and spirit . Iwona's goal is to create a sacred space for personal transformation.
Kim Foster
Licensed Acpuncture and Tui Na Massage Therapist
Kim Foster has a Master's degree from the New England School of Acupuncture and is certified by the Massachusetts Board of Medicine, the acupuncture oversight board. She practices Japanese and Chinese style acupuncture and specializes in musculoskeletal disorders and women's health issues. She is also trained in Tui Na massage, a Chinese theraputic massage that works with the acupuncture meridians. She studied with world-renowned acupuncture teacher/practitioner Kiiko Matsumoto. Prior to her studies at New England School of Acupuncture she worked within the animal health care field and spent several years as an environmental educator. Originally from the South Shore in Massachusetts, she now resides in Cambridge and in her spare time she enjoys writing, cooking and practicing qi gong.
Nicole Maniez
Licensed Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Therapist
Nicole earned her Master's Degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from the New England School of Acupuncture. She is Board Certified and licensed to practice acupuncture and herbal medicine by the Massachusetts Board of Medicine. Nicole completed externships at Boston Medical Center in the pediatric department, Winchester Hospital, Dimmock Health Center, and detox programs through the Victory Programs.
Nicole appreciates Eastern Medicine's ability to provide an effective and gentle approach to healing. Dynamic effects are achieved with little to no side effects. Nicole strongly believes in patient education and empowerment as the foundation for success. Nicole has completed additional study in pediatrics, women's health, safely prescribing herbal medicine, and oncology care and is currently studying to become a Certified Birth Educator.
Before becoming an Acupuncturist and Herbalist, Nicole enjoyed working as an Instructor for Outward Bound. She led wilderness courses where students were able to connect with their inner strength and self worth. Students finished courses with a greater understanding of themselves, the natural world and their potential. Nicole brings her past experiences to help people recognize their innate healing abilities. Nicole lives in Boston with her family and enjoys making art, being outdoors, and watching her daughter grow.
Jessica Breton
Licensed Acupuncturist, Shiatsu Massage Therapist
Jessica Breton is a licensed acupuncturist in the state of Massachusetts and is recognized nationally as a Diplomat of Acupuncture from the NCCAOM.Jessica received her training in Chinese Medicine at the Arizona School of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine in Tucson.She also holds a B.A in Holistic Health from Prescott College as well as certification in Shiatsu, Tuina, Massage, and craniosacral therapy.Before becoming an acupuncturist, Jessica operated a private practice in Tucson, Arizona for 8 years specializing in shiatsu and massage focused on treatment of chronic pain, injuries, stress, neck, and back.Based on this background, Jessica’s approach to acupuncture concentrates on the benefits of combining Eastern and Western philosophies of self healing, nutrition, and body work.
Visiting Instructors
Mary O’Malley
Certified GYROTONIC® and Pilates Instructor
Mary has been teaching Pilates and GYROTONIC® in Boston and the surrounding area for six years. Mary danced in her youth and quickly saw the potential benefits of Pilates and GYROTONIC® when she learned of them in 2001. After being trained in both GYROTONIC® and Pilates, Mary continued to practice and teach them while in law school and recently earned her law degree. Mary continues to teach at Core De Vie on a part-time basis.
Elizabeth Jackson
Elizabeth Jackson has an extensive and diversified background in the movement field. She has been teaching fitness training methods for over 12 years and is a fully certified pre-trainer in both GYROKENISIS® and the GYROTONIC® Expansion System. She is also certified on all of the GYROTONIC specialized equipment.
In 2001 she tutored under Joseph Pilates most renowned student, Romana Kryzonowska, who certified her under the Pilates NY Guild. Soon after, Elizabeth became a Pilates teacher trainer for Peak Pilates. In 2006 Elizabeth trained with Yamuna Zake in NYC and became certified in Yamuna Body Rolling.
Along with completing several anatomy and physiology courses, Elizabeth has taken many yoga trainings and workshops with masters such as Angela Farmer, Anna Forrest, and Tom Myers. While receiving her BA in Liberal Arts from Harvard University, she taught group exercise at several gyms in Boston, MA and also served for the US Army National Guard. Now residing in San Francisco, Elizabeth is a GYROTONIC and Pilates instructor at BreakAway Performance.
Mia Monroe
Mia first discovered GYROKINESIS® during her ballet career in the early 90’s when it was first taught as Yoga For Dancers. She studied with Hilary Cartwright who co-founded the original White Cloud Studios with Juliu Horvath in 1984.
She found the work changed her body structure and enhanced her dancing. GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® supply the same feeling of strength and agility that accompanied dancing.
Mia is a GYROTONIC and GYROKINESIS Master Trainer and continues to study with Juliu Horvath and other GYROTONIC® Master Trainers worldwide. She operates her own GYROTONIC practice in Seattle, Washington and regularly visits Core De Vie Studios. She possess a unique ability to convey the dynamics of human movement using natural analogies that instantly allow a student to visualize the Gyrotonic movements
Chantal Deeble & Jennifer McCasland Daly
Chantal and Jennifer are both Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis Master Trainers.
They both have worked extensively with Juliu Horvath, Gyrotonic inventor, developing a deep understanding of the philosophy, curriculum, and training methodology the on which the GYROTONIC® system is founded. They are also both certified in all of the specialized Gyrotonic equipment. Chantal and Jennifer are co-owners of Kinispirit Studios in Manhattan where the offer Pilates, GYROTONIC and GYROKENISIS in several locations.
Stefanie Weber
Certified GYROTONIC® Instructor
Stefanie came to GYROTONIC® in search of relief and restoration from years of chronic pain. Informed by an extensive and active lifestyle as a dance educator, performer, student, and choreographer, Stefanie infuses her practice with a passion for flow, space and pulse. Stefanie is also certified in Reiki (I and II), which allows her to assist clients with gaining a deeper awareness into their movement potential and energetic qualities.
GYROTONIC® and Logo, GYROKINESIS®, GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® and GYROTONER® are registered trademarks of GYROTONIC Sales Corp and used with their permission.
Ellen has been a health and wellness professional for more than fifteen years. Her goal is to help people surpass their own perceived limitations.. Ellen has earned degrees in both marketing and management, and led a successful career in high tech marketing. She is a Holistic Health Practitioner and received her certification in holistic health counseling from the Institute of Integrated Nutrition and State University of New York. Her passion for guiding people toward healthier lifestyles drew her away from marketing. She now spends all of her energy helping to empower people to change their lifestyle patterns for the better. Ellen is the founder of Core De Vie, Boston's only Master Trainer owned and operated GYROTONIC®, GYROKINESIS® and Pilates studio in Boston.
Dean Vollick began his ballet training at the late age of twenty, already a college student in Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. It became obvious that with good professional training, he could make up for lost time. A move to Toronto led him to many fine Canadian teachers including Lois Smith, Glen Gilmour, Luc Amyot, and Mavis Staines, the Artistic Director of Canada’s National Ballet School. He also had the good fortune to be under the tutelage of Laura Alonso (daughter of Alicia Alonso) for 3 summers at the Banff School of Fine Arts. His career as a classical dancer spanned several years and included work with Ontario Ballet Theatre, Ballet Omaha, and Ballet Florida. Though he loved the classics, he found that contemporary dance was his forte, and decided to pursue studies in modern dance. He acquired a thorough training in Graham based technique while working with Toronto Dance Theatre. It was there that he also began to explore his desire to choreograph, and has created works for various venues from liturgical celebrations, to sales demonstrations for the Swarovski Crystal Company. As a company dancer and freelance artist Mr. Vollick danced across Canada and many parts of the US and Europe.
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A ballerina since she was 3 years old, Laura loved the movement, grace, and beauty of ballet. While complementing her ballet training with Pilates, Laura discovered the same principals that she grew to love in ballet also applied to Pilates. She instantly fell in love with Pilates, practicing both on the mat and on the reformer. Laura earned her Pilates certification in 2002, and never stopped teaching. Years later, Laura is as much in love with Pilates as she was when she introduced the “Mat” and the "Hundreds" to students for the first time.
Iwona Aleksandrowicz has been practicing bodywork for the past nine years in her private practice on Nantucket Island. Iwona completed her massage training at Kripalu School of Massage in Lenox, MA, which is known for it's yogic tradition. Iwona's fascination with the human body combined with her personal experience lead her to study Cranio Sacral Therapy in recent years. Her holistic approach is inspired by her belief in our innate desire for balance, and in the unlimited possibilities of our body and spirit . Iwona's goal is to create a sacred space for personal transformation.
Kim Foster has a Master's degree from the New England School of Acupuncture and is certified by the Massachusetts Board of Medicine, the acupuncture oversight board. She practices Japanese and Chinese style acupuncture and specializes in musculoskeletal disorders and women's health issues. She is also trained in Tui Na massage, a Chinese theraputic massage that works with the acupuncture meridians. She studied with world-renowned acupuncture teacher/practitioner Kiiko Matsumoto. Prior to her studies at New England School of Acupuncture she worked within the animal health care field and spent several years as an environmental educator. Originally from the South Shore in Massachusetts, she now resides in Cambridge and in her spare time she enjoys writing, cooking and practicing qi gong.
Nicole earned her Master's Degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from the New England School of Acupuncture. She is Board Certified and licensed to practice acupuncture and herbal medicine by the Massachusetts Board of Medicine. Nicole completed externships at Boston Medical Center in the pediatric department, Winchester Hospital, Dimmock Health Center, and detox programs through the Victory Programs.