Yoga is more than an activity or hobby that I fell into somewhere along the way and practice every once in a while. Yoga has literally changed the way I live, facilitating a happier and more productive life. For years I suffered from a herniated disc and debilitating sciatica. Forget vigorous exercise – I had trouble even walking short distances. Traditional medicine and therapy had little effect, and I was resigned to the idea that I would just have to deal with the chronic pain and discomfort. After discovering yoga, I felt better, I lost 60 pounds and I realized the power of yoga when it’s fully incorporated into my daily routine. I am passionate about sharing yoga with my students in a safe yet challenging environment.

I started working out in High School with the aspirations of becoming a bodybuilder. Coming to the gym every day to do the same workouts started to become boring. I went in alone, talked to no one, and left. I was looking for a new way to train and stumbled upon CrossFit. I immediately fell in love with the sport and had to find a box. Critical Mass gave me a home to train at on a daily basis and strive to be better physically, mentally, and spiritually. I wanted to be able to help other people reach their fitness goals, so I started coaching; the rest is history.

Like many practitioners, Yael Flusberg first came to yoga hoping she could get rid of stuff, namely the ways life’s stresses and traumas had become painfully embodied. Fifteeen years and thousands of layers of release later, yoga continues to teach her how to make strategic, creative, and life-nourishing choices. Trained as an integrative yoga therapist (currently working toward RYT-1000), Yael’s classes blend active with receptive states of being, and are both insightful and lighthearted. Off the mat, she is a coach, writer and energy therapist. More info: www.yaelflusberg.com

Like many practitioners, Yael Flusberg first came to yoga hoping she could get rid of stuff, namely the ways life’s stresses and traumas had become painfully embodied. Fifteeen years and thousands of layers of release later, yoga continues to teach her how to make strategic, creative, and life-nourishing choices. Trained as an integrative yoga therapist (currently working toward RYT-1000), Yael’s classes blend active with receptive states of being, and are both insightful and lighthearted. Off the mat, she is a coach, writer and energy therapist. More info: www.yaelflusberg.com

Chris started practicing yoga as a way find harmony amidst the intensity of long hours at work and triathlon training. Lured by the athleticism of Power Yoga and the flowing movements of Vinyasa, Chris completed his first Teacher training with Angela Meyer and then with Bryan Kest. He teaches and practices on a daily basis, continually looking for inventive ways to awaken the energy and breath in each of his students. Students can expect an intense physical but relaxed psychological practice meant to promote a healthy mind, body, and spirit.

After leaving the US Navy, I looked for a program to supplement my physical fitness, but it was not until gaining 30 pounds and following an unhealthy diet that I decided to try CrossFit Critical Mass in Howard County, MD. I realized very shortly that I had not only found my passion, but also gained a great group of friends with common goals for fitness and health. Seeing everyone fight for success, cheer on the other athletes and go back to do more reps just to help another athlete finish was amazing. This was everything that I missed about the military and I found it at CFCM. I naturally decided to become a CrossFit trainer after seeing this level of support for others and the changes CrossFit has made in my life. Now my focus is on becoming a better coach and athlete to help other achieve their goals. CFCM – Team, Family and Fitness!

Wanelle Kellee Charles known as Kellee is a certified Hatha Yoga Instructor since 2006 by the Ashtanga Yoga Center. She was inspired to share and teach the benefits of yoga and a healthy life style with others based on her teachers and her own experience. Kellee has training in pre-natal yoga, Thai yoga therapy, anti-gravity yoga, bodyshred, barre & pole fitness. Kellee's yoga classes incorporate hatha, vinyasa and ashtanga. Kellee brings a strong passion to the practice. Be prepared to be push to your next level.

Info coming soon.

It’s all about functionality and fun for me as a fitness coach. If i’m not training a client or a group with purpose then it’s not worth our time. So many trainers are in this industry for the wrong reasons and I do everything in my power to stand out. I have to be able to make a different in people's lives or else I'm not doing my job I consider myself a coach rather than a trainer. I could list off my certifications and throw a bunch of long titles at you, but really, the bigger question is, do we connect? Do you understand and commit yourself to training, clean eating and our time together? Do you want great things to happen? If the answer is yes, then I'm here to GUIDE you and coach you. There's something about the term "trainer" that rubs me the wrong way! Coach implies that I'm starting with you at your level. I'm not above you, I'm just here to help you get to a better place. A guide and an influencer.

CrossFit and I made a beautiful pair when my cousin introduced me to CrossFit Critical Mass near Columbia, MD. I did gymnastics through elementary school and middle school, then I took up cheerleading in my high school and college years. I was a cheerleader for Towson University for two years, in which we won the National Championship title. After my final cheer season, I experienced a lack of motivation and structure to get up and exercise. In passing, my cousin suggested I try CrossFit – and now I’m hooked! Being a CrossFit coach has definitely increased my love for CrossFit workouts, and I hope to continue growing in CrossFit throughout my life.

VOTED “BEST YOGA INSTRUCTOR ” 2014! Wash DC City Paper After trying many styles of yoga, in 1994 it was the Ashtanga method that grounded Denese. She began to teach after her very first step on the mat. As she puts it "we are our own gurus". Denese is a full time E-RYT 500 yoga teacher/ therapist. " Teaching helped me open to yoga and found it an invaluable way to enrich my life as well as the lives of others".Her yoga transformation is rooted from workshops with masters Shri Pattabhi Joi, Manju Jois, David Swenson, Beryl Birch, Cyndi Lee and contemporary masters such as Kino Macgregor. Denese creates a yoga community wherever she goes. She leds local and international workshops-studied yoga in regions of India and owned two studios in Italy. In 2011, she created Mala Flow(TM). Learn more about Denese at www.denesecavanaugh.com

VOTED “BEST YOGA INSTRUCTOR ” 2014! Wash DC City Paper After trying many styles of yoga, in 1994 it was the Ashtanga method that grounded Denese. She began to teach after her very first step on the mat. As she puts it "we are our own gurus". Denese is a full time E-RYT 500 yoga teacher/ therapist. " Teaching helped me open to yoga and found it an invaluable way to enrich my life as well as the lives of others".Her yoga transformation is rooted from workshops with masters Shri Pattabhi Joi, Manju Jois, David Swenson, Beryl Birch, Cyndi Lee and contemporary masters such as Kino Macgregor. Denese creates a yoga community wherever she goes. She leds local and international workshops-studied yoga in regions of India and owned two studios in Italy. In 2011, she created Mala Flow(TM). Learn more about Denese at www.denesecavanaugh.com