Instructors

BERNICE HO (she/her/hers)

Hello there! My name is Bernice and I grew up in Hong Kong. I started my climbing journey during college in New York City. I was first a member at VITAL when it opened in Brooklyn and have been part of the community ever since. Outside of climbing, I enjoy long distance running and spending time with my dog, Pookie. I have extensive experience working with children as a teaching artist and camp counselor. I am passionate about nurturing a creative and curious spirit in myself and others and I look forward to doing that on the climbing wall!

Available for private training sessions.

DYLAN MCCARTY (he/him/his)

Hello! My name is Dylan and I’m a bouldering instructor over at VITAL LES!

I have a love for bouldering and would love to share the skills i’ve acquired and all the enthusiasm the sport brings!

Along with climbing, I enjoy hiking, ultimate frisbee, and all kinds of games (board, video, etc.)

Nothing gets me more amped than seeing someone pick up a skill and really hone it, so I hope to help everyone I can!

Available for private training sessions.

LAWSON GOODLOE (she/her/hers)

I grew up in Montana and love all outdoor sports but particularly love climbing for the mental challenge and supportive community. I have been both a competitive climber and a very casual climber at different points in my life so I am a believer in building a sustainable routine and making climbing fun for all levels. I coached top rope for a year and loved the excitement of introducing new people to the sport as well as helping people climb harder and reach new goals. I have also worked with various adaptive climbing organizations and I am passionate about making the sport accessible to everyone. I am very excited to continue coaching here at VITAL and happy to work with both kids and adults.

Available for private training sessions.

MADDI LANDAU (she/her/hers)

Hey there! I recently moved to NYC from California and I am loving the bouldering community that I have found at Vital. I grew up climbing both indoors and outside, with some of my favorite climbing trips being in places such as Yosemite and Jackson Hole. Now that I am in the city, I am spending a lot more time in the gym focusing on bouldering technique, and I am very excited to share my knowledge as a coach to help new climbers fall in love with the sport just as much as I have!

Available for private training sessions.

JUSTIN ROSS (he/him/his)

Hey hey! My name is Justin and I am a professional dancer, cycling instructor, and VITAL Cycle Lead from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. My class is a serious workout for all levels mixed with a heavy scoop of dance party. I bring elite coaching to each class and will have everyone movin’ and groovin’. My music covers all genres and I live for a 90’s throwback. When I’m not dancing or riding, I am most likely spoiling my doggo Kobol RuPaul or taking too many photos of my plants. Grab a bike and let’s hit the sweaty beat!

EMILY ROSE GREY (she/her/hers)

Hey Riders, I’m Emily Rose! My classes are a whole experience where the power of music and movement come together to motivate and inspire us to new heights! Whether you are a new or experienced rider, I promise you will never be bored, bopping to beats spanning hard techno, slut pop, reggaeton, and disco house! When we are on the bike, I invite you to find your rhythm, set your intentions, and leave feeling rejuvenated and empowered. In addition to being a passionate spin instructor, I'm also a certified Holistic Wellness Practitioner, working with individuals on their healing journey through mindful movement, energy work, and herbalism.

HOBIE HENSON (he/him/his)

Oh hello! I’m Hobie! Ever since joining the indoor cycling circle in 2018, I haven’t looked back! From my many years spent in dance/musical theatre, I have learned that music is one of the most powerful forms of encouragement and one of the best motivators for a great workout! I love to bring a warm and welcoming vibe to the room with (mostly) pop/alternative tunes!

When I’m not on a bike, you will likely find me at dinner with my closest pals, or somewhere out of town riding a roller coaster (ask me about my favorite coaster if you want to hear me yap for hours)!

I can’t wait to share this great space of music and movement with you!

SIERCIA O'BRIEN (she/her/hers)

Hi! I’m Siercia, an actor living in Brooklyn with my pug, Bacon! A former ballerina, I fell in love with rhythm-based cycling as a way to move my body to the music in a new way. My music taste is pretty versatile- I love riding to a mix of hip hop, pop divas, and 2000s pop punk. In my class, my only ask is that you show up, work hard, and walk out feeling proud of yourself. See you on a bike!

TORI WHEELER (she/her/hers)

Hey there! My name is Tori and I’m an NYC based actor and accountant as well as a cycling, ballet, and gymnastics instructor! I love group fitness because it combines my passions for building community, movement, and music! My class is an inspirational and welcoming space that allows everyone to connect to their body and build strength. Come get your sweat on and groove with me! Hope to see you soon!

ARMANDO GONZALEZ (he/him/his)

Hi there, I am Armando, the Fitness Lea! I’ve been working in fitness for over 20 years including pole & aerial dance, dance, group fitness, personal training, etc. I am currently the Programming Director at Body & Pole, a school for pole & aerial dance, where I also coach and run teacher training programs. I did my personal training education through the Equinox Academy back in 2018 and have different fitness certifications to teach Pole fitness, Flexibility, Floor work, The ring thing, Nutrition (in progress), etc.

My mission is to entertain and educate through fun, challenging and understandable exercises;Transmit knowledge while encouraging people to achieve and discover new goals in fitness.

Available for private training sessions.

ANGEL CORTEZ (he/him/his)

I am a movement and software hacker with a growing passion of balancing on my hands. My favorite types of climbs are balance focused with single leg squats sprinkled in. On my free time I like to go to concerts and play Super Smash Bros.

Available for private training sessions.

ANNA IWANCIW (she/her/hers)

Inspired by a childhood spent exploring the outdoors, I became a certified ACE Fitness Instructor to share my passion for movement with others. After a year in Taiwan, I recently relocated to NYC. In my other professional role, I leverage my creativity and communication skills to build strong brands through effective social media management and marketing strategies. But in my free time and for most vacations you can find me backpacking, reading, or perfecting my matcha latte recipe.

Available for private training sessions.

JESSE ENG (he/him/his)

Hi, I'm Jesse! I'm a personal trainer, strength coach, and mobility specialist. I am also a Functional Kettlebell Trainer and Foundation Training Instructor. As a lifelong learner, I'm currently working on a M.S. in Human Performance and Fitness. I love learning in order to help other people do what they physically want to do in life. I think fitness is most enjoyable when we have a purpose beyond it.

Outside of VITAL, I'm a purple belt in jiujitsu and father of two. As a native New Yorker, I want to see fitness and health take a more important role in our city. I incorporate all of my knowledge and experience in various fields of exercise science and athletics to make classes efficient, challenging, and fun!

Available for private training sessions.

LYNN GUERRA EISENSTAT (she/her/hers)

I'm Lynn, the Yoga Lead! When you come to my classes you can expect an hour-long moving meditation on breath. I love to offer intense physical challenges, but at the same time, encourage all of my students to be their own best teacher: to experiment and find the version and variation of each posture that is most beneficial to them in the present moment.

Yoga offers us a space to practice how to respond when under stress, and provides us two choices: to breathe deeply and calmly through the intensity, or to choose to back off the intensity and breath deeply and calmly.

JEN TSE (she/her/hers)

I found yoga through climbing, and completed my 200-hour YTT at Three Sisters Yoga with the specific goal of teaching yoga in the climbing community, my home. I strive to teach playful, joyful, and empowering vinyasa classes with an emphasis on alignment, body awareness, and self-discovery. Students can expect a thoughtfully sequenced, constantly evolving practice that weaves fiery and dynamic explorations of posture with invitations to look inward in stillness. There will be challenges, choices, and encouragement for cultivating a positive and inquisitive relationship with oneself. The yoga I want to share with others is ultimately about deepening the relationship between body, mind, and spirit using movement, meditation, and breath as tools.

LUISANNA TEJADA (she/her/hers)

I am a wellness practitioner, creative & photographer based in Brooklyn, NY. I fell in love with Yoga in 2010 and haven't looked back since. I completed my 200 HR teacher training in 2018 at Sacred Brooklyn in Bedstuy. Alongside my 200 HR I have completed trainings in Restorative & Trauma-Informed Yoga. In addition to my yoga offerings, I love to create immersive sound healing experiences that nourish the mind, body soul. My classes are crafted to create a supportive and engaging learning environment, blending enjoyment with challenges for both the mind and body.

MADISSON SINGLETON (she/her/hers)

I'm a yoga teacher, fitness professional, and avid climber with over 12 years of teaching experience. I've taught at studios in Montreal, Quebec City, Monterrey Mexico, Baltimore, Las Vegas, and New York and have led workshops and retreats. After initially training in power vinyasa at age 18, my curiosity led me to study other traditions such as kundalini, lyengar, mandala, bhakti, and yin. My typical class weaves a physically strong alignment-based vinyasa flow with meditation, breathwork, a beat-driven playlist, and a good dose of lightheartedness. I aim to create an experience that leaves students feeling confident, strong, and connected to themselves and their bodies.

MARC PINCIOTTI (he/him/they)

Yoga found me in 2014, after years of dancing and gymnastics, and instantly felt like home. Born in Texas, raised through Denver, now living in NYC, I bring the same passion to my practice that I have for R&B, house music, and my country roots. After completing my 200-hour teacher training at Yogamaya New York, my classes create a welcoming space where students can explore their practice at their own pace, cultivating strength and awareness both on and off the mat. Whether you're a beginner or experienced practitioner, I'm here to support your journey of connection and self-discovery.

MARIA-FERNANDA RODRIGUEZ (she/her/hers)

My journey with yoga began as a young dancer, looking to balance the rigor of ballet with a practice that celebrated movement in a whole new way. I fell in love with yoga's welcoming, non-judgmental vibe and kept coming back, eventually earning my 200-hour certification in college. With a dancer’s eye for alignment and flow, I’m here to help each student explore what their body can do—no matter their level. In my classes, expect a mix of challenge, play, and plenty of encouragement to connect more deeply with yourself, all while having a great time on the mat!

NIKITA BHASIN (she/her/hers)

My yoga journey began in my teens, and I was inspired to complete a 200-Hour Vinyasa Teacher Training in 2015. Since then, I have studied bhakti, yoga nidra, yin, pranayama, trauma-informed yoga, and pilates, integrating these perspectives into challenging asana classes. I intertwine creatively sequenced flows, precise alignment, and ancient mythology to facilitate a transformative journey through mind and body.

My teaching ethos centers on yoga as a form of self-exploration, guided by body awareness and ultimately our divine intuition. I view yoga as a powerful tool for navigating the unknown and fostering a deeper relationship with the Self.

SHAHAR MALKI (she/her/hers)

As a yoga teacher with four years of experience in vinyasa and power yoga, I combine my background as a former dancer to create a fun and fluid practice. I bring the movement of dance into yoga, focusing on flow, arm balancing, mobility, flexibility, and strength. My classes are lighthearted and joyful, encouraging playfulness while fostering meditation in motion, where breath and movement connect seamlessly. I help students find both strength and grace with a smile. Each session is designed to create balance in body and mind, while adding a touch of joy to the practice.

VICTORIA SZAFARSKI(she/her/hers)

I began my yoga journey back in college, and through the years, my love for yoga deepened, along with my desire to expand my knowledge of the practice. In 2023, I completed my yoga teacher training. As a newer teacher, I bring a fresh perspective, eager to learn and grow alongside my students. I aim to create a welcoming environment where everyone feels encouraged, supported, and challenged.

My classes combine creativity, fluid movement, and mindfulness, offering space to explore the body and breath with curiosity. Off the mat, I’m an avid reader and dinner-party aficionado. I also find joy in creating through painting, collaging, and calligraphy—yoga being one of my most powerful outlets for creativity.