Ioana Aboumitri

Ioana – biography – 2013

Ioana - wife and mother of her two girls who she repeatedly refers to has her inspiration- is the owner and operator of Studio Kelani, Pilates and Polynesian Movements (the word Kelani is a derivative of her girls' names: Keona and Leilani), which she opened in April of 2008, and in January 2011 proudly expanded and relocated to a new 3000 square foot location (3774 Walker Road.)

Ioana differs from many other professionals who have spent their lives active in that she grew up with extremely unhealthy eating and lifestyle habits. Through a combination of inspiration, education, holistic nutrition, fitness and mind-body-spirit connection, Ioana is now on a mission to help spread the joy she has found and embraced in wellness.

Ioana is a direct descendant of the troupe members of THE ROYAL POLYNESIAN REVUE - a world famous Polynesian group- and upon the opening of her studio she decided to follow in their footsteps adding a special contemporary flare to traditional Polynesian dancing. She is the founder of Kelani (a Polynesian dance inspired class) and in December 2010 released her first DVD.

Kelani is an exhilarating holistic Polynesian experience. Intoxicating tribal beats, evocative hip shaking and lyrical grounded movements with an island twist will sweep you away leaving your body drenched and soul renewed. Experience the joy in this freedom of movement, kick off your shoes and feel the rhythm of your souls!

As well as being a holistic nutritionist, Pilates instructor, personal trainer and Kelani Fitness instructor, Ioana has performed and been involved in several shows within Ontario many of which have been for charity. Ioana's love for the arts lies primarily in music and any form of musical expression including dancing and singing. The ‘Kelani’ philosophy is “health and happiness from the inside out” which Ioana lives and breathes and tries to pass on to everyone she meets.

In January 2013 Ioana launched her Kelani Instructor Certification program which is CanFitPro accredited providing 4 FIS CEC’s and 4 NWS CEC’s. She currently has dates/ locations set throughout Canada, with two certification dates already under her belt between Windsor and Toronto. Future dates can be accessed via Studio Kelani’s website at www.studiokelani.com/certification. Ioana is constantly adding to/ updating these locations.

Ioana has also been adding more Kelani master class/ workshops for the sake of those wanting to try it before diving straight into the certification. These are updated on the Studio Kelani facebook page at www.facebook.com/studiokelani.

It is Ioana’s hope and dream that Kelani spread nationally and internationally. She wants Kelani to be known as a safe space where people of all ages, backgrounds, physical fitness levels, shapes, sizes, can come and enjoy a freedom of movement and experience a taste of Polynesia. When she was a teen, uncoordinated but still loving music and dancing, Ioana would shut the door to my room, blast her 'hippy' music (as her dad would call it) and dance. Just dance for the sake of dancing. She would feel happy and emotional and exhilarated and wonderful. She wants Kelani to be that same space for people. She wants them to come into her room and dance with her! Ioana wants Kelani to be synonymous with community, holism, joy, fun, laughter, simplicity, being grounded and connected: mind-body and spirit.

Ioana will also be expanding and adding more branches of her Kelani ‘coconut tree’. She has just developed her newest Kelani class - Kelani Fire (I hot sizzling fiery version of our Kelani class) as well as Kelani on BOSU and Kelani Jungle.

She has also sent in an application to Guinness to attempt the world's largest Kelani class. Stay tuned!

Ioana has been featured as a news spotlight on several local media outlets and continues to make news in her city of Windsor, Ontario as she spreads the spirit of Kelani. An example of her most recent feature was her ‘World’s Largest Kelani Class’ where approximately 100 participants were in attendance. The link is as follows: http://windsor.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=889061.

For more information please visit www.studiokelani.com or www.facebook.studiokelani.