Allison LaRochelle is a local musician who came to yoga in 2014 full of anxiety and heartbreak, and yoga did not take away the pain or give her a means of escaping, but instead allowed her to sit- to abide- in all she was feeling. This helped her eradicate her fear of an unknown future. LaRochelle developed a passion for yoga and connected with the practice very similarly to how she connected with her musical practice. She loved the healing, rhythm, intimacy with one's self, the new medium of self expression, and the overall hope to harmonize the inner-self with all that is.

In 2018, LaRochelle was able to participate in Bodhi Yoga Academy's Tinton Falls, NJ 200-hour yoga teacher training program with Samantha Vetrano, Irene Pappas, Tess McDaniel, and guest teacher, Eleonora Zampatti. As a result of completing this program, Allison LaRochelle is a CYT (Certified Yoga Teacher) 200. This training gave LaRochelle an in-depth education on safe asana (yoga posture) practices, yoga history, and yoga philosophy. She is passionate about sharing and incorporating all 8 limbs of yoga into her classes in order for her students to understand what yoga is all about and to honor the culture in which yoga comes from. Allison recognizes yoga as a lifelong practice and plans to pursue more training and education.

Melissa’s fitness journey has lead her to the role of Group Fitness Manager at Eastpointe Health and Fitness. Along with coaching 4 Spin classes and 2 Core Xpress classes, she is working on maintaining and improving Eastpointe’s Group Fitness Program which offers over 50 classes per week.

In 2002, Melissa was introduced to Spinning (indoor cycling) at Eastpointe Health and Fitness and she was hooked instantly. For the first time, she found a class that was motivating and produced results. She literally watched her body transform over the following 2 years; by incorporating strength training and spinning into her workout program, she achieved results she had never seen before. Spinning became her passion and now she teaches because she enjoys being able to help others achieve their fitness goals. Her classes are energetic and motivating, pedaling to the driving beat of the music. Melissa is a FitTour Indoor Cycling certified instructor and CPR/AED certified.

As a mother of two, and over 15 years of indoor cycling experience, she has taken Spinning classes through both pregnancies, and has had the joy of watching beginner riders build strength and confidence in their ability, physicality and health. She strives to make all of her classes challenging, but also FUN! “My philosophy to fitness is to challenge yourself, try new things, modify if you need to, and listen to your body. Everyone is built differently. We all get stuck into a routine that we can “dial in”, but dialing it in does not produce results. You do what your body needs you to do and you do not injure it. Modify and eventually, you’ll get there.”

A licensed Zumba instructor since 2012. A member in good standing of the Zumba Instructor Network (ZIN™). Currently teaches in several fitness centers in Monmouth County. Licensed to teach Zumba Gold®, Zumba® Toning and Strong by Zumba®.

Bonnie has been a part of Shore Results and Eastpointe Health and Fitness for over 5 years. Starting with Eastpointe as a member and taking on the role of a strength coach in 2017.

Bonnie’s passion for fitness began after her children were born and she struggled with her post-pregnancy weight gain. Bonnie realized how important eating well and exercising were to staying on track and giving her the energy she needed to keep pace with the kids. Since that time fitness has become a large part of Bonnie’s life. She has competed in a triathlon, as well as various 5ks and 15ks.

Her desire to help others lead Bonnie to become certified as an NASM Strength Coach. She instructs classes for both Eastpointe and Shore Results as well plays an important role on the training floor by coaching our clients. “The most rewarding part of my job is encouraging my clients to work hard and do their best. When they succeed, I succeed!”

Bonnie lives in Middletown with her husband and three children. She enjoys being outside, staying active with her children, gardening, and reading.

Cindy Durso started her journey as a group fitness instructor 28 years ago teaching Step Aerobics and Toning classes. She was a full-time dental hygienist by day, and Step instructor by night for many years. A life-long love of dance made fitness a natural fit. Over the span of a 28 year career, Cindy Durso has also taught kickboxing, pre-natal fitness, Pound Fitness and currently teaches cycling and Zumba. She was one of the first instructors to teach those formats in the area. She was AFAA certified for over 2 decades, and is lifetime certified in Mad Dog spinning, and is a current licensed Zumba instructor taking many choreography classes to keep her classes fresh and exciting.

Grace Lang has been involved in the fitness industry for over 30 years and has worked at Eastpointe for 15 years. She has dedicated her life to helping and encouraging others to reach their health and fitness goals. Having been a competitive bodybuilder in Australia, Grace has the real-life experience of shaping, building and toning the body to peak fitness.

Grace is a “WITS” (World Instructor Training School) certified personal training and fitness Instructor. Over the years she has done many continuing education courses in many different fields of fitness. These include Spinning, working with seniors, functional movement screening, nutritional concepts etc.

As a group instructor, Grace includes stability, balance and core strength conditioning to assist with everyday life activities. “Modifying to individual needs is very important to me. I also specialize in working with the aging population and people with injuries.” “Helping, teaching, and motivating clients is why I love my job so much.”

Uma Parasar was introduced to Yoga as a tween. She re-discovered her practice 5 years ago and completed her 200-hr training in May 2017, as her youngest child graduated college. She was inspired to teach seeing the benefits a regular practice brings both to mind and body in her mother, a disciplined yogi for 35+ years.

She strives to teach "purposeful yoga" for long term health benefits by including asanas that promote specific well-being and articulating these benefits in class. Her class is structured to stretch, build strength, balance and renew body and mind.  A regular yoga practice brings discipline, a positive mind, well-being and a caring attitude to others. Her goal is for each person to incorporate the asanas that help them into their daily life.

Her motto is: Exercise is medicine, do some everyday!

Uma lives in Atlantic Highlands with her husband and loves daily runs/walks in the area, gardening and being outdoors. She works at International Flavors & Fragrances and is passionate about exercise and healthy eating.

Be Healthy & Happy and Do More Good!

Graciela was born in Ecuador and she grew up surrounded by music. She is a singer and guitarist, and worked in a radio station for 13 years. When she came to the US, she felt so frustrated without her band and without the radio station, so she became a gym addict to fill the emptiness. “The time came when I discovered Zumba...I mean music, Latin music, my music. Music came back to me again... somehow it made me so happy.” She got her certification in 2010. “Since then, dancing and teaching Zumba have been the best therapy in my life, and make my life complete, I just love it!”

Graciela has been teaching in different gyms in the New Jersey area and takes 1 or 2 jam sessions monthly with a Zumba Jammer to keep herself updated. So that she may offer her students new routines in every class.

She is certified in Zumba B1, Zumba B2, Zumba Toning, Strong by Zumba, and Zumba Gold. She is also part of Zumbathons, an event that supports people in need within the community.

She attends ZINCON, a Zumba Convention in Orlando, an event that happens every year, reuniting thousands of Zumba instructors worldwide. This four-day training experience enhances her learning and competence as a Zumba trainer.

“ZUMBA is not only dancing, and a workout. Zumba is sharing love, changing lives, motivation, health, happiness, and I'm so proud to be part of this wonderful program.”

Kristine Venneman has been teaching all types of fitness classes for more years than she can count on her fingers (and toes). She still loves to create the most eclectic and energizing playlists and finds the fun in each and every workout. At Eastpointe, she teaches a Sculpt class infused with elements of Pilates, Barre and Boot Camp. Kristine also teaches a Cardio Dance class that blends hip-hop, Latin, and jazz all while working the muscles you most want to work. You will sometimes find her in the Cycling Studio, or anywhere she can combine her love of music and sweat.

Kristine holds a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Sports Studies from Rutgers and a Master of Arts in Teaching, Monmouth University. Over the years, she has trained in dance, Pilates, Spinning, TRX, Gravity, kickboxing and step aerobics and has held many certifications such as: AFAA Certified Aerobics instructor; AFAA Certified Step Aerobics instructor; AAAI/ISMA Certified Personal Trainer; AAAI/ISMA Certified Kickboxing; AAAI/ISMA Certified Mat Pilates; and Mad Dogg Athletics Johnny G Spinning Instructor.

At a young age, Melissa had a strong passion for music and fitness. She parlayed her passion for both music and fitness into becoming a Spin instructor.

Her passion for health and fitness has helped her gain many certifications over the years. She currently instructs the following classes: Total Body Spin, Core Xpress, Boot Camp, Total Body Strength, Spin and Spin with weights.

Whether you are someone just starting a fitness program, someone who is fit and striving to meet new goals, or someone in between, Melissa will ensure you feel welcome at Eastpointe Health & Fitness.

Melissa is a wife, mother to three beautiful children, former 95.9 WRAT Radio Rock Girl, and Mrs. New Jersey contestant.
She enjoys helping others find success through fitness, outdoor activities and loves spending time with her family.

Nancy’s teaching philosophy is that yoga is beneficial for everyBODY - regardless of age, flexibility and fitness level. She is especially passionate about promoting the benefits of yoga for men and welcomes the inclusion of men in her class. Nancy teaches a style of yoga called ’slow-flow vinyasa' - a well-rounded approach of breath synchronized movement - which is suitable for all levels including beginner.
She is a registered yoga teacher with the Yoga Alliance and has been a yoga practitioner for 18+years.

In addition to teaching yoga at Eastpointe, Nancy teaches private one-on-one classes for those who do not have the time or ability to get out to a group class, and those with specific physical issues. She also works at bringing yoga and meditation to businesses in the area.

Nancy is also a fine artist and her work has been featured in various art shows and galleries throughout New Jersey.

Classes taught: Yoga
Hobbies: painting, hiking, travel, gardening

Tricia was born and grew up locally, settled in the Locust area with her hubby and now two grown kids. It didn’t take long before spinning became her addiction at the gym. “It has never not become a challenge. My rides take you on the road as we pedal to the beat of the music. Your goal is to finish and mine is to get you there...I thrive on putting classes together, finding music that motivates, and always keeping the participants in mind.” Tricia is an interval trainer and certified thru Mad Dogg Athletics and CPR/AED certified. She has been spinning for 20+ years, and instructing for 10+. Indoor cycling is not only a great physical workout but also helps to clear your mind.

“It’s your time, your ride so make it count!!”

Paula began her active lifestyle as a competitive dancer for 15 years. After years of dance, she took an interest in fitness and the different ways to keep both her mental and physical health in check. This fitness path has not been linear, but ultimately led her to becoming a Schwinn Cycling certified instructor and laid the groundwork for teaching other classes at Eastpointe Health & Fitness. She is also CPR/AED certified.

Cycle classes were a way for Paula to blend some of her most cherished hobbies including: dance, music, and teaching. During her classes, Paula wants her participants to feel like, "they are joining me in the best, beat driven workout and pushing themselves to be better". Paula additionally notes that, "form is so important to me, making sure our bodies are positioned in the correct way is everything, and I am not afraid to get off my bike and ensure everyone is in check!"

As an aspiring speech-language pathologist, Paula is anticipating graduating with her Master's from Monmouth University in May of 2022. Her hope is to work with pediatric clients who have varying needs in a hospital or school setting. Paula is a local who values her family, enjoys the arts, and pushes to find the balance between her mind, body, and spiritual essence.

Kelley has been hooked on fitness ever since she first stepped into an aerobics class many years ago, and she never looked back. She loved how it made her feel, and how it changed her, not just physically but mentally too. She received her license to teach Zumba in 2013 where she started combining her love of fitness with her love of Latin dance. Today, Kelley is an instructor for Cardio Dance (think Zumba with some added challenging fitness moves) and Body Sculpt, Wednesdays. Her goal is to create an atmosphere that is welcoming, challenging and FUN! Come check out her classes the next time you're in the club!

Jaimie received her 200-hour RYT in 2018 at Yoga Youniverse in Sparta as well as a level 1 RYT in 2010, both through Yoga Alliance, and is certified to teach Vinyasa, Bikram-method, Hatha, Ashtanga and Beginners Aerial Yoga.  Jaimie’s journey into yoga began in 2000 when she took her first yoga class in college as an elective and was hooked!   She started to form a dedicated yoga practice, exploring many types of yoga until her journey led her to her first teacher training in 2010 and her 200- hour teacher certification in 2018.  Since her initial certification, Jaimie has continued to study and partake in workshops with a variety of teachers throughout the nation, always improving her knowledge.  Jaimie has spent 14 years working in the health and fitness industry as an advocate for natural healing of the mind and body and holds her Functional Nutrition Certification. Jaimie’s classes are welcoming to practitioners of all levels. Her teaching focuses on the fundamentals of yoga, paying close attention to form to ensure students have a safe practice with long-term benefits.

Monica is certified in Les Mills Body Pump and Spinning.   She started to take fitness classes after each of her pregnancies and realized during the 2020 shut down that she wanted to bring her love of fitness to others and teach classes.

Group fitness classes got her through the pandemic and help to keep her sane!  She has made it a goal to stay healthy and fit as an example to her children.  Monica is an officer’s wife and Mom of 3 children - 2 of which have autism.  Mental and physical health is extremely important to Monica, and she practices what she preaches.