MIND 2 BODY STUDIO

Karen is a dynamic Canadian born dancer, actor, teacher and

writer. She trained professionally in ballet with the Royal Winnipeg

Ballet Professional Division, and continues to follow her curiosity in

studying other artistic modalities including Lecoq clown, improv,

stand up, Alexander Technique and more. Karen has performed

internationally with PHISH at Madison Square Garden; in Das

Rheingold for the World Premiere of the Canadian Opera

Company’s production of the Wagner Ring Cycle; the Canada

Winter Games and Cinema New York Film Festival. She is certified

in Usui Reiki (Level III) and is a U.S. Member of the International

Dance Council CID, recognized by UNESCO.

Karen was introduced to the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM®

while recovering from a neck injury. One of the things Karen loves

most about the GYROTONIC® Method is how well it aligns with

the body’s natural intelligence and connection to flow. Karen is

excited to be a member of the Mind 2 Body team and looks

forward to facilitating more freedom of movement and ease for

Mind 2 Body clients.

Originally hailing from Naples, Florida, Jamie Thomas studied Environmental Science and Policy at the University of Southern Florida before making her way to the west coast. A natural born athlete, Jamie’s love for sports influenced her to study Pilates and complete the Mind 2 Body™ teacher certification program, as well as becoming a certified GYROKINESIS® teacher and a GYROTONIC® instructor. Beyond that, Jamie is a Mind 2 Body™ certified Teacher Trainer, which qualifies her to teach Pilates apprentices and teachers alike. 

When skies are clear, you’re sure to find Jamie riding her bike across town, hiking or getting together with friends to play a game of softball or soccer.

Donna Place​ graduated with a BA in music education from Whittier College in 1987.  She spent the next 12 years teaching music, folk dance and physical education, both in college and in elementary schools.  Convinced of the necessity of movement in the school system, Donna began studying dance more formally at local studios and the Lewitzky summer dance program.  She received her MA in dance studies in 1995 from the Laban School for Movement and Dance in London.  During that time she also began studying Pilates with Alan Herdman. After returning to the United States she continued Pilates training with Marie Jos​e Blom and GYROTONIC® training with Mary Halzworth, completing both programs in 1996.  In 2000 Donna became a Gyrotonic® Master Trainer and in 2001 she joined the dance faculty at Orange Coast College where she currently teaches kinesiology for dance.  Donna travels throughout the United States and abroad teaching anatomy seminars for various movement programs as well as teacher training courses for the GYROTONIC® system.  

A certied Pilates instructor for over 30 plus years, Niedra Gabriel trained directly under Romana Kryzanowska, a protégé of Joseph Pilates, while completing her Pilates Certication at the New York Pilates Studio. In addition to Pilates, Niedra’s breadth of expertise also extends to yoga, dance, choreography, and Circus / Aerial Arts training, which she first learned as a hobby and has recently begun teaching and performing. Niedra is committed to fitness education in both the U.S. and abroad. In addition to her role as a Master Trainer at Mind 2 Body™ Studio in Studio City, she also frequently teaches segments of the comprehensive training as a guest teacher in other studios in California and internationally. Niedra holds master classes and workshops throughout Europe, and is currently establishing the Mind 2 Body™ Pilates teacher training program in the Caribbean Island of St. Lucia. She regularly leads classes and retreats on physical and personal growth and lifestyle, taking a comprehensive approach that includes an exploration of nutrition and wellness.

Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, Casey Gonzalez moved to Los Angeles to continue pursuing a career in professional dance. As a classically trained dancer who’s studied ballet, jazz and modern dance since she was three years old, she uses her unique perspective and keen sense of balance to help clients achieve their fitness goals. A homegrown expert, Casey began practicing Pilates in college and subsequently completed the Mind 2 Body™ classical pilates teacher training program at our home studio and is a certified instructor. Additionally, Casey is a certified GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® instructor.

As part of her training, Casey obtained a certificate in dance through the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City. She’s since has gone on to perform, teach and judge professionally within the United States and Canada. Casey earned a Bachelors of Science in Healthy Lifestyles and Coaching from Arizona State University.

Jill began dancing at the age of 3, which started her on the path to GYROTONIC® and other movement and healing modalities. She was introduced to the GYROTONIC® Expansion System in 1999 when she was a student at the State University of New York-Conservatory of Dance at Purchase College.

It was her inherent love of movement and desire to heal injuries that fostered her curiosity about GYROTONIC®. Since being introduced to this system, she has done various advanced specializations, including: all aspects of the Specialized Equipment, Therapeutic Applications for the Pelvis, Shoulder, and Scoliosis, the Dancer’s Application, and Applications for the Fascial Body. She continues to study regularly with Juliu Horvath, the creator of the method, and furthers her education through other modalities such as Yoga, Pilates, and bodywork.

Jill taught at studios in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New Hampshire, Washington D.C. and Beijing before opening GYROTONIC® Santa Barbara in 2010. Jill is a Specialized Master Trainer in GYROTONIC® and a Master Trainer in GYROKINESIS®. She is a GYROTONIC® Level 2 Master Trainer, GYROKINESIS® Level 2 Prep Master Trainer, and a Master Trainer on the GYROTONER®.

She has represented GYROTONIC® at the Body-Mind-Spirit Conference, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in dance from the University of Wyoming. She regularly teaches educational courses in all facets of the system and hopes to impart the love of movement to all her students.