Wellness Partners

Mind Over Matter Health and Fitness caters to the busy lifestyle. We match you with top notch personable and professional instructors & trainers that help you achieve your goals. They include professional ballerinas, performers, endurance athletes, educators, chefs and nutritionists.

  • Manny

    Personal Trainer

    In my field, I have come across people with ravaged joints, tendons, and ligaments from over-training or moving incorrectly. I help correct those improper movement patterns so people can be pain-free and move again.

    I teach not just physical fitness, I show people how to move their bodies correctly with regards to posture and how to properly engage the right muscles in the proper sequence to avoid injury. I use multiple forms of movement-based exercises and overall movements found in multiple disciplines to provide an overarching approach that covers flexibility, mobility, balance and coordination, strength, power, and recovery.

  • Christine

    Personal Trainer, Dance, Prenatal and Postpartum, Meditation, Yoga

    Christine’s (NASM Certified Personal Trainer) journey through health, fitness, and wellness began in her childhood with dance. She received her ballet training at the prestigious School of American Ballet and at the School at Steps, where she also trained in various forms such as Jazz, Horton, Tap, and Hip-Hop and has been dancing professionally since she was in high school.

    Christine currently is a company member and teacher with the Brooklyn Ballet, dances with several entertainment and theatrical companies.

    Christine has a strong background in many forms of fitness including HIIT, Pilates, Yoga, Barre, Dance Cardio, Strength Building, Conditioning, and Stretching.

  • Julie

    Personal Trainer, Yoga, Prenatal and Postpartuml, Dance, Pilates

    Julie first discovered yoga back in high school, when she was literally dragged to class one Sunday morning. As an ambitious musical theater performer and also self-professed type-A overachiever, yoga helped her learn to accept the flow of things, and to rediscover joy not only in her art, but in her life as well. Julie received her 200 hour certification at Princeton Center for Yoga and Health in Skillman, NJ in 2012. Additional certifications include Personal Training (AFSA) Kids' Yoga (Harlem Yoga Studio), and RYPT (Prenatal Yoga Center).

    Julie has taught vinyasa yoga to all levels, absolute beginner and alignment-based yoga, exercise and chair yoga to seniors, and kids’ yoga to all ages. She has also taught both dance and mat Pilates. Julie’s classes balance flow and fun with breathing and letting go. She believes that fitness is for everyone, and loves helping her students find and embrace what works best for their bodies!

  • Tina

    Personal Trainer

    As a personal trainer, I work with dedicated clients to develop strength, power and confidence through a process of mobility, stability, and motor control techniques leading to a consistent and stable strength and conditioning program.

    With being an injured athlete and with close to 30 years exp in the field, I bring a host of real life lessons into my training and coaching. I hold specific certifications in Training The Older Adult;  Functional Movement Systems; Corrective Exercise and Nutrition Coaching.

    I take pride in training older populations, post rehabilitative and sedentary populations, along with those that are seeking a more in depth training program to enhance their own fitness level.

  • Nathaniel

    Personal Trainer, Yoga, Stretch

    I am a native to this vast city (New York) and began to train people of the city over three years ago. I have had the privilege of playing a wide variety of sports such as racquetball (throughout my life), baseball, karate, tae kwon do, boxing, and wrestling. Part of the reason I became a trainer was my fascination with human performance and injury prevention. I have struggled with many injuries myself and I made it part of my mission to help people prevent injuries. I received my personal training certification through ACE and my strength coach certification through NCSF.

  • Joel

    Personal Trainer, Prenatal and Postpartum, Running, Triathlon, Iron Man

    Joel is a Master Chi Running™, Chi Walking™ instructor, certifying Master, and is the Director of Continuing Education at ChiLiving, Inc. He uses highly communicative, person-to-person methodology to help clients reach their maximum performance. His specialties include working with children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

    Joel is an Ironman™ triathlete, marathoner and rehab specialist.

    Additional certifications include: ProNatal Fitness™, TRX™ training, Pilates, Assisted Stretching, BodyART™ fitness, Yoga, Radaroller SMR (self myofascial release), Tai Massage Specialist, Radaroller SMR (self myofascial release), Post-rehab Specialist, ACE life and health coach, personal trainer and group fitness instructor. He’s also an ISSA Youth Fitness coach and Spartan Race™ coach.

  • Olga

    Personal Trainer, Prenatal and Postpartum

    Olga holds two college degrees in Physical Education. She has earned numerous certifications, including ACE (American Council on Exercise-Personal Trainer), AFP (The American Academy of Fitness Professionals-Medical Exercise Specialist), and specialized training in Pre and Postnatal Exercise and Exercise for Senior Citizens, CPR.

    With 35 years of experience in the fitness industry, Olga established and managed the fitness center "Grace" in the former Soviet Union. She has successfully served as a personal trainer at prestigious locations such as Reebok Sports Club, Equinox, and NYSC in NYC. Olga is an avid snowboarder, skier, and cyclist. She enjoys teaching and passing her knowledge to her students. Her priority is injury prevention through proper body movement and muscle engagement. Olga uses her background in track and field and weight training as an essential tool to design the fitness program that helps to achieve desirable goals.oes here

  • Alan

    Personal Trainer, Tai Chi, Senior Fitness

    With over 28 years of experience as a Certified Fitness Trainer in New York City, including 15 years with Mind Over Matter, Alan’s specialties include: weight loss, pre and postnatal exercise (preconception thru all trimesters and postpartum fitness), pre-habilitation, injury rehabilitation, increasing strength/endurance; flexibility, body alignment and posture as well fitness assessments; testing.

    ​Alan works with all adult age groups including older adults and the physically challenged. Whatever your present state of fitness may be, Alan’s training sessions will provide you with a positive, professional and personally supportive program enabling you to achieve your physical fitness goals accompanied by the philosophy of positive progressive training.

  • Jeannine

    Personal Trainer, Prenatal and Postpartum, Senior Fitness

    I’m a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Women’s Fitness Specialist who works with moms and seniors who want to feel strong, capable, and confident at every stage of life.

    My passion for fitness began when I was preparing to start a family and realized I wanted to enter that chapter feeling stronger, inside and out. That decision changed everything — I’ve since done things I never imagined and met incredible people who keep me motivated and inspired every day.

    I believe in thoughtful, personalized programming that meets you where you are and helps you move toward your next level. My focus is strength, balance, form, and mobility — so you can move with confidence and enjoy the active life you deserve.

  • Boo

    Personal Trainer, Yoga, Meditation, Pilates

    Boo is an Integrative Wellness Professional and Holistic Lifestyler whose philosophy — “Health and wellness is not any one thing, it’s everything” — reflects her integrative approach to mind, body, and life. Drawing from a corporate background and extensive wellness training, she brings a comprehensive understanding of human well-being, recognizing that self-care and self-advocacy are highly dynamic, non-linear processes.

  • Jason

    Personal Trainer, Precision Nutrition, Prenatal and Postpartum

    Jason is a native Brooklynite. He went to SUNY Cortland where he earned his BA in Musical Theatre. Through dance he learned how to move and how not to move. After teaching gymnastics to children and adults of all ages for over twenty years, he decided to become a trainer and found FOCUS Personal Training Institute in 2018. He has been training ever since. Jason is certified through ACE and has a Pre and Post Natal certification. Jason’s biggest goal as a trainer is to help everyone move better and feel better as they move. here

  • Jess

    Dance, Yoga, Mediitation

    Jess is a dancer as well as an instructor. She teaches ballroom, latin, swing, belly dance, modern dance, and line dancing. She is also certified in SharQui, the original belly dance workout as well as West Coast Swing, Meditation, and Yoga. 

    Jess lives in Orange County, NY with her family. 

  • Diana

    Personal Trainer, Prenatal and Postpartum, Senior Fitness, Running, Triathlons

    Fitness has been an integral part of my life, evolving from my gymnastics training to completing the New York City Marathon, two NYC Half Marathons and NYC Triathlons, and numerous Spartan Sprints.

    My passion lies in strength training, and I'm dedicated to empowering women to embrace lifting heavy and discover their strength without the fear of becoming bulky.

    My philosophy is straightforward: daily movement, balanced nutrition (with a little flexibility!), and plenty of laughter are the cornerstones of a fulfilling and healthy life. I'm excited to bring my energy and enthusiasm to each client, ensuring their fitness journey is both enjoyable and rewarding.

  • IIona

    Qi Gong, Tai Chi, Dance, Prenatal and Postpartum

    Ilona holds a Masters in The Art of Teaching from Sarah Lawrence College. Her background in dance and martial arts grounds her training in a practical, personal, and creative approach.

    A current ACE certified personal trainer specializing in functional movement. She has experience teaching in group settings and one-on-one in NYC and online. Ilona has also performed and taught dance professionally in NYC for over a decade, recently appearing as a soloist with Gamelan DharmaSwara at the New York Philharmonic Lincoln Center.

    Ilona is the World Tai Chi Push Hands Tournament Champion, proud to hold two gold medals from the World Cup of Tai Chi in Taiwan 2023.

    Ilona has taught youth since 2010 and seniors since 2015. In 2020 Ilona studied pre- and postnatal fitness during her own pregnancy, and since then has enjoyed working with other moms and mothers-to-be.

  • Barbara

    Yoga, Tai Chi, Meditation

    Practicing and teaching yoga for over 24 years, the practice of yoga in all its forms, meditation, asana and breath work have been transformative. The beauty of yoga is that it can be healing whether you're practicing a vigorous vinyasa class, a gentle class, chair yoga or mindful meditation. Even five minutes a day can make a difference. My classes include lots of variations, making it accessible for all types of situations. Each class will also include some meditative moments.

    I’m certified in the Barkan Method and have a 200 hour Anusara certification, LV Chair Yoga certification, training in Yoga for Osteoporosis, as well as Dr. Lam’s Tai Chi for Arthritis, and an ongoing training in Mindfulness Based Stress Release.

  • Laci

    Dance

    Laci is dedicated to empowering people through movement and culture. She brings joy and energy through dance classes, helping individuals stay active, connected, and confident.

    A passionate community advocate and award-winning entrepreneur, Laci uses dance as a powerful tool for wellness, self-expression, and unity.

  • Eve

    Yoga, Meditation

    As a nervous system enthusiast, Eve's focus is nourishing my clients’ mind-body connection and physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, helping them better connect with themselves.

    She is a yoga instructor (RYT 200), specializing in Hatha yoga, using a trauma-informed and inclusive approach, and teaching breath-led yoga classes. She also reaches slow flow, restorative, gentle, senior and senior yoga, stretching, meditation and breathwork. Her teaching style is tailored to each client's needs, offering thoughtful modifications and accommodations to support their mobility, balance and athletic recovery.