INSTRUCTORS

Kirstin Czernek | Owner, Founder & Instructor
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 Tait | Co-Owner & Instructor
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!

Stephanie Garrison | Director of Operations & Instructor
Stephanie’s favorite part about being an instructor is empowering people with “normal schedules” to live extraordinary lives through health and wellness. During Stephanie’s classes she will incorporate the moves of dance, the posture of pilates and the low impact nature of yoga and stretch. Her classes will improve your endurance, strengthen your lower body and bring enjoyment to the workout at any age or fitness level.
Three of her favorite things include: vacuum lines, organization, and traveling!

Carolina Vander Poel | Instructor
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.

Sabrina O’ Gorman | Instructor
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.

Kalya Kapp | Instructor
As a health and fitness enthusiast, Kayla enjoys working with women to help transform themselves bringing their fitness game to another level. Fitness should be fun not boring which is why she likes to create varied yet challenging work out routines.
You will most likely find Kayla shopping, reading, and enjoying a venti coffee.

Tara Koleniak | 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.

Faith Wagner | Instructor
Faith is an instructor at The Balance Culture. She has a Bachelors in Exercise Science and Masters in Kinesiology from Southeastern University, and currently works as a personal trainer and health coach. She has always wanted to be a group fitness instructor and have the opportunity to encourage ladies through their workouts. Being an instructor at BC allows her to do just that. She is certified through Barre Intensity.
As a former competitive gymnast, health and fitness has always been a huge aspect of Faith’s life. She values the discipline of working out and living a healthy lifestyle. Like many women, working out became an outlet for Faith. She enjoys pushing her body in her workouts and fueling her body with clean nutrition. She loves helping other women challenge their fitness journey and reminding them that working out should be fun and exciting!
While in one of Faith’s classes, you’ll experience cues for technique, proper form, and modifications for all levels. You’ll be challenged, encouraged, and motivated throughout the entire class.
This Lakeland girl was also an SEU Cheerleader and loves her city. When she’s not at the studio, she’s likely sipping iced coffee, shopping with her family or at the beach.

Kayln Cambers | Instructor
Kalyn has a degree in social work and believes strongly that her health and fitness plays a huge part in managing her emotions and stress while in the helping field. Kalyn is certified under Aerobics Fitness Association of America (AFAA) and instructs Barre classes. While attending Kalyn’s class you can expect lots of encouragement, form correction, modification options, and naming of muscle groups targeted in each exercise.
Three of her favorite things includes cooking with color, hand lettering, and traveling!

Annalee Mutz | 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.

Alyssa Chamberlin | Instructor
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!

Erin Kennedy | Instructor
Erin’s yoga classes tend to be slower paced, designed to help to increase strength, balance and flexibility; and reduce anxiety. She is a RYT 200 with the Yoga Alliance.
Her favorite things (besides yoga) are being in nature (mountains, hiking, beaches, gardening) and spending time with her family, friends and bulldog!

Britney Powell | Instructor
Britney Powell is an instructor for The Balance Culture. She majored in Geomatics (Surveying and Mapping) at the University of Florida. Before transferring to UF, she played collegiate softball and volleyball. Her love for fitness started at an early age when she started playing softball at the age of 5. Her true passion for helping others with their fitness and nutrition really took off after she graduated college. She is passionate about empowering others on their unique fitness journey, unleashing their inner strength, building confidence, and helping you be the best you. Britney is certified through Mad Dogg Athletics and Barre Intensity. She is also currently getting her certification in personal training.
In Britney’s classes, you can expect an upbeat, encouraging, high-energy class where you can get lost in the beat. She encourages you to push past what you think is possible and leave feeling accomplished and empowered to conquer your goals in the studio and in life.
Three of her favorite things include spending time with her family, being on or near the water, and football season!

Erika Elsinger | Instructor
Erika loves sharing the practice of yoga with everyone who takes her class. You can expect to be encouraged to listen to your own body, to be offered several variations of poses, and to be reminded to follow your breath in a class with Erika. Her goal is for you to find that balance between effort and ease, and to help you develop your own practice.
Three of her favorite things include: yoga (of course), watching soccer, and traveling.

Emilee Hill | Instructor
The Balance Culture community has been a main contributor to Emilee and her health journey. Consistent encouragement and motivation has allowed Emilee to break through doubt and fear to become an instructor. As an instructor, Emilee strives to encourage each lady to push themselves a bit further than they think they can and will be right there with them as they push to new limits in their health journey. Emilee loves a good sweat sesh to clear her mind, and get energized.
Emilee is a Spin instructor and is Spin certified through Mad Dogg Athletics. When taking a class with Emilee you can expect to get your sweat on, be encouraged and have fun. Emilee loves to bump up the music, give a challenge and cheer you on as you ride through that finish line. Modifications are always given and all fitness levels are welcome. Emilee enjoys helping others find their passion for working out.
A few of Emilee’s favorites are exploring new places with her husband, Tim, loving on her pups, Ace and Lola, and getting crafty with paper.

Serena Sinos | Instructor
Joining The Balance Culture was one of the best decisions Serena has made. She found her passion for group fitness after attending classes for over two years. Through support from fellow instructors, took the leap to became an instructor herself! Serena is Spin certified through Mad Dogg Athletics. As an instructor, Serena’s favorite part is seeing each woman’s satisfaction and happiness after finishing a workout. She enjoys seeing women interacting with one another before and after a workout and loves becoming friends with the women in her classes as well. Serena has fun finding new motivating songs to ride through class. Any fitness level is welcome!
Besides working out, Serena loves traveling (specifically to Greece where her family is from), her rescue dog Keia and Black & Brew lattes.

Meghan Conkel | Instructor
Meghan’s favorite part about being an instructor is getting the chance to interact with an amazing group of women, while helping them to challenge themselves to achieve their fitness goals. During Meghan’s classes, you can expect to sweat! Her classes will strengthen your total body, all while having fun! While you can expect to be challenged to push yourself, Meghan also offers injury modifications, as well as various levels of modifications so you can get the best out of your workout!
Three of her favorite things include her sons, Remington and Crew (shoutout to her hubby Ryan too!), traveling, and anything Harry Potter.

Grace Chandler | Instructor
Before working out at BC, Grace had a difficult time keeping up a consistent and effective fitness routine. She remembers how hard it was to get through those first few classes, and never would have dreamed that she would one day become a fitness instructor. Three years later, after a lot of hard work and endless encouragement from the BC team, Grace got her Barre Intensity certification and is now teaching Barrelates.
You can expect a lot of encouragement as well as modifications throughout Grace’s classes, because she wants everyone to know that if she make it through a workout, so can you.
Grace enjoys practicing mindfulness, anything to do with personality psychology, and being with her family and friends.

Karen Gullifer | Instructor
Karen has been involved in health and wellness since a young age. Participating in high school sports helped develop her love for staying active. She has a degree in Business Administration which she utilized during a multi-year sales career. Yoga has become an integral part of her over-all health regimen and a vital outlet in maintaining a balanced lifestyle.
Beginning her personal yoga practice over five years ago, opened her mind to the physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental benefits of yoga. Teaching yoga was not something she envisioned herself doing. However, life events altered her journey. Karen has completed 500+ hours of yoga training and is a RYT-500. Her passion is to help her community learn the importance of “slowing down” and “being still”. Karen’s teaching style includes taking the time to settle the mind and body, focusing on a key element and pose(s) and ending with Restorative options, preparing students for surrendered rest. She offers variations including a challenging option for those who desire to expand their practice.
In her spare time, Karen trains alongside her husband for endurance races. They also enjoy traveling, paddle boarding, hiking, college basketball and spending time with their adult children. She enjoys a cup of Caribou or Lucky Goat coffee, all things nutty and chocolate and a spontaneous moment playing the piano.