Our Practitioners and Staff

Justine Bernard, PT, DPT, Studio Owner

Physical Therapist, GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® Exercise Master Trainer

Dr. Justine Bernard began studying GYROKINESIS® Exercise, then known as Yoga for Dancers, in 1994 with Hillary Cartwright while on scholarship at The Ailey School for Dance in New York, NY. She also studied with Juliu Horvath at White Cloud and became certified to teach GYROTONIC® exercise in 1997 and GYROKINESIS® in 1999. She taught at Studio Riverside under the guidance of authorized master trainer Leda Franklin for many years.

In 2003 she received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Columbia University, read her complete Physical Therapy bio here.

In addition to seeing clients for Physical Therapy and GYROTONIC® exercise privates and duos, Justine teaches a nationally recognized course, GYROTONIC® Exercise Applications for Osteoporosis.

Ellen Barlow

Master Somatic Movement Educator (ISMETA)*, Senior GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® Exercise Trainer, Physical Therapy Aide

Ellen has over 35 years of experience teaching, designing, and managing programs in health and wellness, education, and the arts. Her lifetime interest in movement-based practices encompasses the holistic dimensions of body, mind, and spirit.

Ellen’s primary influence continues to be Body-Mind Centering®, an embodied approach to movement, the body and consciousness. Developed by Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen, OTR, it is based on anatomical, physiological, psychophysical and developmental principles. Ellen was certified as a Teacher of BMC® in 1985 with a background in dance, yoga, fitness, and meditation practices, and is an ongoing student of Qigong. She became a GYROTONIC® Trainer in 2003, a GYROKINESIS® Trainer in 2012, has a certification in all of the specialized equipment (JSB, LEU, Gyrotoner & Archway) and advanced application courses including but not limited to Level 2, Gyrotonic Application for Osteoporosis and Gyrotonic Therapeutic Application courses for shoulder, pelvis and scoliosis. Ellen also has a wide body of knowledge from continuing education courses in Pilates, REBUILD barbell training, pelvic floor, neurological development and more.

At Elements, Ellen engages her private and group clients in a welcoming relationship with the body while improving functional alignment, strength, flexibility, coordination, balance, all contributing to the enjoyment of participating in life’s everyday movement activities. She works with people across the lifespan, from those with therapeutic needs to professional performing artists.

* International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association (ISMETA)

Utha Callen

Licensed Massage Therapist, GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® Pre-Trainer

Utha started training in ballet when she was two years old and came to GYROTONIC® after a dance injury put her in chronic back pain at the age of sixteen. She quickly fell in love with this movement system and in 2011 her desire to keep learning pushed her to start teaching. In a private session with Utha, you can expect to balance technical rigor with finding delight in movement, creating enjoyably challenging sessions that address your needs in a safe, supportive way.  Utha continues to be passionate about learning and has taken many therapeutic application courses, as well as becoming certified on specialized equipment, such as the jump and stretch board, GYROTONER®, and leg extension unit. In 2014 she became a GYROTONIC® Pre-trainer, and shortly after a GYROKINESIS® Pre-trainer.  Complement your exercise practice with a massage from Utha!

Her fascination with the human body inspired her focused premed studies in her BA from Harvard Extension. During this time she became increasingly interested in the fascia, the connective tissue system that winds throughout the body, communicating with every system it touches. In 2017 her desire for more hands-on knowledge led her to enroll in the Ashland Institute of Massage due to their therapeutic focus and training in myofascial release. In her massage practice, Utha blends Swedish, myofascial release, and neuromuscular/deep-tissue therapies to unravel tension and facilitate healing, allowing my clients to find greater range of motion and empowering them to become more aware of and comfortable in their bodies. Her own struggle with chronic pain helps bring compassion and understanding to the table, meeting clients wherever they may be that day. She is currently continuing her education with additional training in John Barnes myofascial release and advanced myofascial trainings with Til Luchau.

Zahra Carpenter

Certified GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® Trainer

Julia Curry

Licensed Massage Therapist, Senior GYROTONIC® Trainer and GYROKINESIS® Pre-Trainer, Certified MOTH Aerial Yoga Teacher

Julia started work at Elements in 2012 as the practice manager. She began the teacher training process for both the GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® methods in 2013. Since then Julia has become a teacher trainer (“pre-trainer”) in both methods, certified in all specialized equipment, and many advanced and therapeutic courses. She completed a comprehensive reformer teacher training program through Quantum Pilates by mark Trudeau. She was initially drawn to the work to manage her chronic knee pain and lower body stiffness from running and cycling, but has stayed with it because of the lightness and greater ease it brings to all her movements. Julia’s goal is to help clients find a greater ease in their own movements and more joy in their bodies by engaging in exercise that is fun as well as challenging and therapeutic.

In 2016, wanting to learn more about musculoskeletal anatomy, Julia enrolled in the professional massage training program at Potomac Massage Training Institute in Silver Spring, MD. There she studied Swedish and deep tissue massage, myofascial release work, and Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy. In 2019 she attended the Functional Anatomy for Movement and Injuries Workshop at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, which consists of physician-led lectures and a human cadaver lab. She also studies Reiki practice with Reiki Master Christina Hritz and is currently pursuing training in Thai Massage therapy. 

Michele Fry, PT, DPT, L.Ac, MSTOM, E-RYT500

Physical Therapist, Certified GYROTONIC® Trainer

Dr. Michele Fry has been practicing yoga since 1994, & teaching since 2001.  She holds both a Doctor of Physical Therapy from The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, and a Master of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego, CA. Michele completed a comprehensive Reformer Teacher Training program through Quantum Pilates by Mark Trudeau.

Lisa Grimmer, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist, Certified Pilates Instructor, Certified GYROTONIC® Trainer

Teresa Gill

Certified GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® Exercise Trainer, Certified Pilates Instructor, MOTH Aerial Yoga certified, TRX® certified

Teresa Gill has been involved in movement and fitness since her introduction to ballet and jazz at the age of three. After 10 years of dance, she picked up high school sports and weight lifting, which opened her opportunity to combine graceful movements from years of dance with the strong athleticism of sports.

Teresa found the GYROTONIC® Method 2008, when she managed a fitness and wellness studio in Bethesda, but only pursued the movement further after a severe hamstring injury from aerial dance. She chose GYROTONIC® exercise as her rehab and has since been motivated to share this amazing modality, along with GYROKINESIS®, with others whether coming from injury or just looking for a feel-good fitness routine!

As a lover of movement, and of all the exercises she has tried over the years, she feels the GYROTONIC®  & GYROKINESIS® Methods offer some of the best cross training, achieving a balance in the nervous system, muscles, and skeletal frame through the combination of dance, tai chi, yoga and swimming.

In classes, Teresa incorporates her dynamic background to offer a fun and cohesive movement session that addresses the full body. She believes there is wellness through movement, and her desire is for every student to walk out of class feeling better.

Christina Hritz

GYROTONIC® Master Trainer, GYROKINESIS® Pre-Trainer, Certified Pilates Instructor, Physical Therapy Aide

Christina Hritz, a former dancer and lifelong mover, first discovered the GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® exercise techniques in 2005. Since then she has worked with a wide range of clients, having witnessed healing and transformation, pain reduction and prevention, and the freedom through movement that GYROTONIC® exercise can provide. In addition to her multiple trainings, she has also studied in-depth the Therapeutic Applications of GYROTONIC® exercise and is certified in the Ladder, Archway, GYROTONER® and Leg Extension Unit.

Christina became a Gyrotonic Master trainer in 2013 and will complete her Gyrokinesis Master trainer program by the end of 2024. She has assisted Justine in teaching the Gyrotonic application for Osteoporosis course and is co-creating the Gyrotonic application for the pelvic floor course. Christina is currently a physical therapy aide and is in school to pursue a degree in physical therapy.

Angela Ingram

Certified GYROTONIC® Trainer

Angela Ingram, originally from Pittsburgh, PA, is a life-long dancer and has taught dance for the past 20 years. Angela built her dance experience through training in New York City, then became interested in Afro-Cuban and Afro-Brazilian dance, upon seeing how folkloric dance influence contemporary dance styles. She traveled to Havana, Cuba and Bahia, Brazil several times, studying the folkloric (Orisha) dances of Cuba as well as rumba, salsa and son, and folkloric (Orixa), samba, and samba-reggae dances of Brazil. 

In the DC area, Angela continues her studies in Flamenco and other folkloric dance techniques, modern jazz with Maurice Johnson, and modern and ballet with Danilo Rivera.  Angela has taught at the U.S. House of Representatives, Office of Naval Intelligence, DC Dance Collective, Flow Yoga Center, George Mason University, George Washington University, Joy of Motion Dance center as well as many middle and highs schools in the DC area. She has performed at Fiesta Latina at the White House for President Obama, and in several dance companies. She lectures and choreographs on stories of Afro-Brazilian and Afro-Cuban dance, as well as the anthropological relationships of rhythms and dances to contemporary dance styles and Musical Theater.  She applies traditional and folkloric techniques, and her experiences to her instruction of the GYROTONIC® Method, Ballet, Modern, Fosse and Luigi-styles of Jazz.  Angela encourages her clients to reach a higher quality of movement, and connect with the experience of the technique they are bringing to life. She is a Certified GYROTONIC® Instructor in 2021.  She is also certified in GYROKINESIS^® ,GYROTONER^® and Leg Extension Unit. Angela is thrilled to be taking clients at Elements Center. 

Catania James

Certified GYROTONIC® Trainer

Stephanie Leon

Senior GYROTONIC® Trainer and GYROKINESIS® Pre-Trainer, MOTH Aerial Yoga Teacher, Certified Pilates Trainer

Paula Marie

Senior Pilates Trainer, Certified GYROTONIC® Trainer

Tracy Monaco Reid

GYROTONIC® Master Trainer, GYROKINESIS® Pre-trainer, Certified Pilates Instructor, Physical Therapy Aide

Tracy’s career in body movement and fitness began as a professional dancer.  After a professional dance career in NYC and beyond, Tracy became certified in Pilates and is a National Certified Pilates Teacher (NCPT).  While Tracy appreciates Pilates and its benefits, her heart and passion stands with the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM!

Tracy started her GYROTONIC journey in 2006 and has been nonstop ever since.  She continued to get certified on all of the Gyrotonic specialized equipment and in the GYROKINESIS Method.  Tracy became a Gyrotonic Master Trainer in 2011.  She is also a Master Trainer in Gyrotonic Level 2, Jumping Stretching Board and the GYROTONER.  She continues to train teachers across the country and in Washington DC.  She always continues to study herself and will soon be a Gyrokinesis Master Trainer as well.

Tracy is also a Physical Therapy Aide and is honored to have been part of Elements since 2009!  She feels lucky to work with clients and teachers from all walks of life to bring more joy and freedom to their movement and life.

Caroline Rocher

Certified GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® Trainer

Caroline Rocher Barnes trained at the Conservatoire de Montpellier in France, the Rudra Béjart Art School in Lausanne, Switzerland, and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center. In 1999, Mrs. Rocher Barnes joined The Dance Theatre of Harlem under Arthur Mitchell’s mentorship, was promoted to soloist in 2000, and then principal dancer the following year. Her professional career extends to the Bavarian State Ballet in Munich, Germany, the Lyon Opera Ballet in France, and Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet in San Francisco. In 2001 Mrs. Rocher Barnes was named “25 to watch” in Dance Magazine. She has been on faculty at the Citydance Conservatory, the Washington School of Ballet, and the Metropolitan School of The Arts. Mrs. Rocher Barnes has worked as an adjunct professor at George Mason University and Prince George’s Community College. She is part of the Alonzo King Lines Summer Program Faculty.

Mrs. Rocher Barnes holds a certification in the GYROTONIC® & GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM^®, and in the Progressing Ballet Technique®. She is an ABT® Certified teacher who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher training intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 5.

Mrs. Rocher Barnes graduated Summa Cum Laude from Saint Mary’s College of California with a BA in Performing Arts, and she is currently an MFA candidate in Dance at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Sabrina Shapiro, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist, Certified Pilates Instructor

Jessi White, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist, Dance Medicine Specialist

Hope Wolfe

Senior GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® Pre-Trainer

Hope Wolfe has been in love with movement since the age of 4 when she first began dancing. She received her B.A. in Dance Studies from Appalachian State University and has continued to dance professionally periodically since attaining her degree. This led her to discover Pilates under the tutelage of Marianne Adams and Rebecca Quin during her time at Appalachian State. It was here that she pursued her Pilates certification, becoming a 3rd generation classical instructor in a lineage descending from Romana Kryzanowska. She is comprehensively trained in both mat and apparatus.

Hope’s passion for movement and her continued desire to learn led her to the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM^®. She is now a certified GYROTONIC^® Level 1 and GYROKINESIS^® Instructor. She is Jump Stretch Board and Archway Certified. She has also completed other continuing education courses including Gyrotonic® Applications for Osteoporosis and GYROTONIC^® Psoas Principles, to dive deeper into her GYROTONIC^® and Pilates practices.

Her clients appreciate her knowledge of modifications for different therapeutic applications, her care, concern and clarity in teaching.

Airin Dalton-Beaugnon

Certified GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® Trainer, VAYU Aerial Yoga Teacher, Physical Therapy Aide

Airin is a lifelong dancer and mover. She graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a BFA in Dance & Choreography in 2008. She has 10+ years professional performance and instruction in the Contemporary Circus Arts & Aerial Dance. She has recently relocated after touring with Cavalia in Asia. Airin was first introduced to GYROKINESIS® through her Aerial Yoga mentor. She longed to learn more about the technique and has since received her Certified Teaching Certification in both GYROKINESIS® and GYROTONIC® Technique.

Maz Harris

Certified GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® Trainer, Physical Therapy Aide

Maz was first introduced to GYROTONIC® Exercise when training to be a dancer and grappling with the challenges of multiple growth spurts. She found freedom and joy of movement through the GYROTONIC® Method that helped her navigate injuries she overcame as a dancer. Growing up in Luxembourg and France, her training in Ballet and Contemporary Dance brought her to the U.S. in 2012. She has since lived and danced in Boston, San Francisco and DC. After a foot injury ended her dance career, Maz was determined to keep living a life centered around movement and helping others heal. She’s certified in both GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® Exercise and went back to school, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology and Health Sciences from the College of William & Mary. Her study of the human body catersto sessions focused on safe and efficient movement, increasing one’s body awareness.

Her personal experience with chronic pain following her dance career instilled a commitment to helping those in pain or anyone seeking joy through movement. Her creative imagery fueled by fascination for the human body guides movers of any level into a place of curiosity and wonder. Maz offers sessions in either French or English.

Rosalie Begun, BSPT

Physical Therapist, Certified GYROTONIC® Trainer