INSTRUCTORS

Kirstin is the owner and founder of The Balance Culture, as well as an instructor. She majored in psychology and counseling and received her Master’s in Counseling. She fell in love with fitness in college when she realized how much it helped to manage her anxiety. After working as a therapist for a year, she discovered she wanted to help women in a more holistic way, sparking her interest in starting The Balance Culture. Kirstin teaches a variety of fitness classes and offers health coaching to her clients. She is certified through Power Pilates and the Athletics Fitness Association of America (AFAA), and she is also a Health Coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Kirstin teaches pilates, barre, and barrelates.

When working with Kirstin in a class, you can expect to be challenged but also given a lot of modification options, as well as breathing techniques throughout the workout. She also works hard to make her class feel comfortable but challenged!

Some of her favorite things include her husband Tomas, writing, and interior design.

Ruthie is a co-owner and instructor for The Balance Culture. She majored in Social Work at Southeastern University where she played 4 years of collegiate volleyball. She was a gymnast for 12 years before starting her volleyball career. Ruthie has been passionate about fitness and nutrition her whole life. Her dream has been to create a place where women are encouraged and empowered to be their best selves through fitness, nutrition, and community. She sees The Balance Culture as the kind of positive place where women can work to achieve their goals together! Ruthie is certified through the Athletics Fitness Association of America (AFAA) as a Group Fitness instructor and Mat Pilates instructor, she is also a 200 hour RYT.

During a class with Ruthie you can expect to be challenged to push yourself while having fun! Ruthie’s classes are intermediate to advanced with options for modification throughout.

Three of her favorite things include her husband Justin, traveling and parties!

Carolina is an instructor at The Balance Culture. She doubled majored in political science and philosophy at Florida State University. She found her true passion in fitness during her college years but it wasn’t until she was pregnant with her first child that she realized it was time to pursue her dreams. She took a leap of faith and reached out to Kirstin Czernek, knowing that The Balance Culture embodied the ideals of not only external but internal health that she learned were so important to the empowerment of any woman. Carolina is certified through the Athletics Fitness Association of America (AFAA) as a Group Fitness instructor, she teaches a variety of fitness classes and offers private lessons to her clients.

Carolina’s classes bring emphasis on breathing techniques, proper form, injury prevention, endurance and most importantly learning to smile through the pain!

Some of her favorite things include her husband Alex, son Eli (1 year old), her two labs, photography and traveling.

Christina was born and raised in Alaska and moved to Florida, from Seattle, in 2011. She majored in Communication and Organizational Management. She has master’s degrees in Human Services, specializing in Marriage and Family Therapy, and a master’s in Ministerial Leadership. She is a Professor of Psychology and she and her husband, Andrew, pastor Grace City Church.

Christina has taught at the Balance Culture since we opened our doors. She has been teaching fitness in the community since 2013 and is an Athletics Fitness Association of America (AFAA) certified fitness instructor. She is also AFAA certified in yoga and Pilates. Christina didn’t always love fitness, but decided that when she turned 32, it was time to start working out. She loves providing beginner options, as well as more advanced options in her classes, so everyone can enjoy working out. She has loved motivating others to achieve their goals and live a healthier lifestyle!

Christina’s 3 favorite things include her husband, her church, and lots of ice cream!

Tiffany is an instructor at the Balance Culture.  She is a former college athlete, she played soccer at Southeastern University. She majored in Special Education and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership.  Although she has always enjoyed fitness, she really developed a passion for a healthy lifestyle after college.  She is passionate about living a healthy lifestyle and encouraging women to overcome insecurities, and reach their personal fitness goals.  She teaches a variety of fitness classes and is certified through the Athletics Fitness Association of America (AFAA) as a Group Fitness instructor.

In Tiffany’s classes you can expect high intensity and encouragement.  She loves inspiring people to challenge themselves to reach their fullest potential.  Her positive energy and enthusiasm leave people feeling inspired and motivated to achieve their goals.

Three of her favorite things include spending time with her husband Shawn, shopping, and traveling.

Sabrina is an instructor at The Balance Culture. She has a Bachelor’s degree in marketing and a Master’s in business administration. It was during the early part of high school that she was introduced to fitness and ballroom dancing, in which she fell in love. The journey of learning how to steward the inner and outer body eventually became more of a mission of passion that she wanted to share with others.

Group fitness has become an outlet for her to help women enjoy working out while learning how to care for themselves and build their confidence. Sabrina designs her various classes to be energetic, challenging and effective; emphasizing proper form while targeting both the larger and smaller muscle groups. She is certified through the Athletics Fitness Association of America (AFAA) as a Group Fitness instructor.

Some of Sabrina’s favorite things include outdoor activities with her husband, spending quality time with family, and eating all the breakfast food possible.

Tara is an instructor at the Balance Culture. Her love for fitness began at an early age when her mom enrolled her in yoga classed to help with her ADHD at 7 years old. It worked, and she’s been hooked ever since. When not instructing classes Tara works in Social Media Advertising, and is a self-proclaimed hot mess super mom! She knows juggling life as a career woman, instructor, and mom can be tricky, but with a little bit of balance it can be wonderful too! She is certified through the Athletics Fitness Association of America (AFAA) as a Group Fitness instructor.

While participating in a class with Tara you can expect to sweat a lot! Her workouts are cardio intensive, fun, and challenging, but modifications for all levels are always given, as well as a few water breaks!

Tara’s favorite things include her 3 year old daughter Hallie, her boyfriend Troy, her Great Dane Winston, and her cat Sheldon.

Esther is an instructor at The Balance Culture. Esther teaches beginner Pilates and Pilates at The Balance Culture. She graduated from Florida Southern College with a degree in biology and received her masters in physical therapy from USF. Esther was introduced to Pilates as a physical therapist and has used Pilates to help improve her patients’; posture, strength, flexibility, and overall well-being. She applies her education, training and experience to her Pilates classes and private Pilates sessions. Esther’s experience enables her to work with any body, from the fit and active, to those just beginning their fitness journey. She loves helping people reach their fitness goals and offers private Pilates to individuals desiring one-on- one instruction. Esther is excited to begin private reformer Pilates sessions in the fall. She is certified through Pilates Institute of America.

When she is not teaching Pilates, Esther can be found spending quality time with her husband and their 3 daughters, preferably by the pool or at the beach.

Annalee is an instructor at The Balance Culture. She is a half-Filipina who grew up in Japan, proudly claiming the title of a “military brat.”  She graduated with an undergrad in journalism and public relations and a masters in business administration. She currently serves at Southeastern University as the Campus Communications Coordinator. Annalee primarily teaches yoga classes at The Balance Culture, and began practicing yoga as a teenager as a way to deal with stress and anxiety. Throughout the years she has integrated these practices into her daily routine. She is certified through the Athletics Fitness Association of America (AFAA) as a Group Fitness instructor.

While practicing yoga with Annalee, you can expect to feel good. She intends for you to be challenged through a simple and fluid approach to yoga.

Annalee loves getting lost in books, aimlessly exploring art museums, writing, and traveling the world with her husband.

Allie is an instructor at The Balance Culture. She majored in Event Management from The University of Central Florida and is currently working on her MBA at Southeastern University. Allie is certified through the Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) as a Group Fitness Instructor. She has been at The Balance Culture for over a year now and has had prior experience in group fitness classes. Allie teaches HIIT-Yoga at The Balance Culture.

In Allie’s classes you can expect to challenge yourself for the first 30 minutes with a High Intensity Interval Training and then cool down with a 15 Yoga sequence. High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) includes endurance and strength exercises so that all women working out can guide their workout to fit their needs. Allie’s favorite part about this class is the interval training. She loves to challenge herself with the workout and then use the 15 minute Yoga workout to cool down and stretch out her muscles. She loves to encourage the women taking her class and help them reach their fitness and personal goals through their workouts. 

Three of her favorite things include: weddings, her dog Moose, and living on Park Street.

Melissa (aka Mel) is an instructor at The Balance Culture. She is a full time Realtor with Olive Branch Realty. She is certified through the Athletics Fitness Association of America (AFAA) as a Group Fitness instructor and teaches beginner yoga. 

Mel’s favorite part about being an instructor is helping women discover they are better, stronger, and have more in them than they think they have. During Mel's classes she will be introducing yoga poses, proper posture, flexibility, and stability. Her class is designed to meet the needs of those new to yoga.

Three of her favorite things include: encouraging others, healthy living, and beaches!

Alyssa is an instructor at The Balance Culture.  She graduated from Southeastern University with a degree in Psychology and is currently completing her Master’s in Business Administration. She is certified through AFAA (the Athletic Fitness Association of America) and has always loved being active and involved in group sports (especially volleyball) and fitness classes.

Alyssa has been a part of The Balance Culture since day one. It’s her favorite place to workout because The Balance Culture is more than just a gym or another fitness studio – it is a place for women to come together in a healthy and fun environment to be encouraged and challenged together in our fitness journeys.

In Alyssa’s classes, you can expect an atmosphere of encouragement, energy, and fun while completing a challenging workout that will push you to reach your personal goals and fitness growth.  Barre provides a well-rounded and full body workout that will move at a steady pace throughout the class but also allows for modifications so you can catch your breath or push yourself further.  Alyssa loves seeing people meet their goals and feel healthy through fitness; exercise plays such an important part in our mental, emotional, and physical health, and Alyssa loves being able to help people make space for their health by exercising together.

A few of Alyssa’s favorite things are the beach, matcha, and traveling!

Hannah majored in Human Movement and Performance while playing collegiate golf for 4 years at Florida Southern College. She went on to receive her Masters in Exercise Science and Nutrition from the University of Tampa, also while serving as the Strength and Conditioning GA for the Women’s Golf Team. Hannah’s passion for fitness began when she discovered that it was more than just being in shape, and it was about an overall lifestyle that promoted healthy living and helped benefit her performance and attitude in daily activities. Her favorite part of being an instructor is helping women fall in love with themselves and to learn to be confident in their own skin through encouragement, support, and fitness. She is a certified Spinning Instructor through Mad Dogg Athletics. 

When working with Hannah in a class you can expect to have fun but also be challenged to push yourself! Proper breathing techniques will be taught as well as proper procedures on the bike. You will build endurance while breaking a sweat! 

Three of her favorite things include spending time with her family, going on adventures with her boyfriend Ben, and cuddling with her dog, Belle.

Audrey Goldsberry is a Spin instructor for The Balance Culture and is certified through Mad Dogg Athletics. She majored in Middle Grades Mathematics while playing 3 years of collegiate volleyball at Southeastern University and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Elementary Education.  She is currently the Head Volleyball Coach at Southeastern University and is the Assistant Director and Head 15’s Coach for Southern Select Volleyball Club. 

Audrey is looking forward to bringing her competitive edge to her Spin class. Her goal in a Spin class is to work along side you to help you push yourself farther than you think you can go, leaving you with a great sense of accomplishment.

Three of her favorite things include: her husband Geoffrey, playing beach volleyball, and playing with her nephew Wendell.