Frances Brown

I have danced since I was very young, beginning with ballet and then moving into modern and jazz.  After dancing in college at UCSB, I continued performing with several small companies.  I began taking yoga through various studios around the country, exploring different styles and teachers.  13 years ago, I was involved in a very serious motorcycle accident that left me in a coma for a month.  Recovery was slow and because of my lack of medical insurance, yoga was my only physical and mental rehabilitation.  One of my teachers made such an impression on me that I knew that I wanted to teach.  After attaining my 200-hour Yoga Alliance certification, I fell in love with Barre class.  Teaching Barre was a natural progression because of my love of dance and fitness.         

Now as a 500-hour YA instructor, I teach a variety of classes, from a very meditative beginning flow to an advanced power yoga sculpt.  I like to offer options in each class so that the student can choose, depending on his or her level of fitness or physical or mental state that day.  Yoga is such a personal, non-competitive discipline that I like to encourage and empower each student to take care of themselves.  This can mean going to their personal edge and challenging themselves, or taking a more restorative, gentle practice.  I have always loved the lack of ego in the yoga world and I strive to bring that into the Barre classes as well.   The classes I teach incorporate elements of yoga, pilates, and ballet.  Each class targets the major muscle groups with different exercises designed to fatigue the muscle.  The muscle is then stretched to achieve a long, lean, strong body.  In my classes, I vary the choreography and music so the class is always fun and energetic.  These classes are multi-level so whatever your physical fitness you will find the class a challenge.

My love of movement has allowed me to become certified in many different types and styles of fitness but the commonality in all classes I teach is to meet you where you are and to convey a sense of happiness where in the present and excitement about what's to come.