Donna Tomassi

My name is Donna Tomassi.  My passion for fitness and dance has spanned over many years.  The joy I get from teaching isn't easily explained is a few words.  I love that fact that as a teacher, you can have an impact on someone's life is just the smallest of ways.  I began teaching in 1997 after someone approached me as a student and thought that I would make a good instructor because of my smile and energy.  I pursued group fitness then.  I had been a dance teacher prior to that teaching all forms of dance including, but not limited to ballet, tap, jazz and hip hop.  Once I received my group fitness cert. I began teaching at different facilities and learning how to handle special populations and different class formats.  I taught step, high and low impact aerobics and body sculpting.  I became certified in Kaiser Cycle and in 2008, I was able to bring my dance background and fitness background together and became licensed in Zumba.  In 2011, I ventured into a new form of fitness, yoga.  It was hard at first to be able to quiet my mind and actually slow down but I embraced it and love it now!  I became an RYT 200 in 2011.  I teach several forms of yoga such as Hatha, Vinyaysa and Ashtanga.  In 2012, a dear friend and I decided to open our own yoga studio.  Chela Yoga.  Chela in Hindi, means a student or disciple of yoga.  We offer yoga, zumba, pilates and ballroom dancing.  We just celebrated our one year anniversary and for that, I could not be any more proud.  I am blessed and fortunate to do what I love on a daily basis.  Do what you love and you will never work a day in your life!  I don't know who said that originally but it is the truest statement I have heard!