About Harmony Pilates Studio Hawaii

Yasha has always enjoyed being physically active - from kickboxing and yoga to golf and paddleboarding. She tried Pilates in 2007 and was hooked. She loved how it synthesized elements she had enjoyed in different types of exercise. As she learned more, she became passionate about Pilates' long-term benefits, and now considers Pilates crucial to improving and extending people's quality of life. Yasha trained as a teacher in the Stott Method of Pilates in 2008. Her training includes Mat, Reformer, Cadillac and Stability Chair, and she specializes in the senior, runner and prenatal populations. She aspires to help people create balance and energy in mind, body and spirit through beautifully trained movement!

Asa grew up in Washington state and Idaho and has been active in sports and fitness for most of his life including snowboarding as a teenager, collegiate rugby, and his ongoing passions for martial arts and surfing. In addition to the benefits of sports training, he has witnessed and personally experienced various sports injuries, which led him to earn his Bachelors Degree in Health Sciences from the University of Miami in 2009 and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) from the University of Miami in 2012. There, as a student of Dr. Brent Anderson, he discovered Pilates and became a certified Pilates instructor with an emphasis on rehabilitation through Polestar Pilates. He went on to work at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA where he completed a residency in orthopedic physical therapy and became a board-certified orthopedic specialist (OCS). Dr. Mills has experience and expertise in manual therapy, strength training, injury prevention, joint mobilization, neural mobilization, and post-surgical rehabilitation. His wholistic treatment approach focuses on improving the overall wellness of his patients. When he is not treating patients or teaching Pilates, Dr. Mills enjoys surfing, diving, hiking, sailing, travel, muay thai, and playing music.

Samantha has a Bachelor of Physical and Health Education and completed graduate studies in Biomechanics from the University of Toronto. She played basketball for U of T and the Canadian Jr. national team. She went on to study mat, equipment and therapeutic Pilates with Stott and Body Matrix, which is affiliated with Body Harmonics. She enjoys the great outdoors by hiking, snowboarding, bicycling, playing Ultimate, swimming and now surfing. I have studied and practiced Pilates since 1999 and I feel it is an integral part of my fitness and wellness.

Moon spent many of her formative years doing gymnastics, and as a result significantly injured her knee and low back. Her rehabilitation experiences inspired her to pursue a career in physical therapy, and she received her Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California in 2003. She discovered Pilates around the same time, and it was instrumental in the healing process for her low back. After a decade of practicing Pilates, she completed the Harmony Mat and Equipment Teacher Training Program in 2012. Moon has 15 years of orthopedic physical therapy experience and specializes in manual therapy, movement reeducation, and therapeutic exercise. She has worked in a variety of clinics in California, Hawaii, Washington, Bali and Tokyo. Moon is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and Graston Technique Provider. She enjoys integrating all of these specialties to help patients achieve their health and lifestyle goals. In her free time, she has a love for all things ocean to include swimming, scuba and free diving and surfing.

Laura Foster received her Pilates Certification in 2008 from Core Conditioning Physical Therapy and Pilates thru Balanced Body University. As well as continuing education with Blossom Leilani Crawford and Courtney Miller. She has taught and worked with a wide array of clientele at studios throughout Los Angeles and Pittsburgh, PA. Laura studied Musical Theater and Dance at the University of Central Oklahoma before relocating to Los Angeles to dance, perform, and teach professionally. She was a principal dancer and rehearsal director for Winifred R. Harris’ Between Lines Contemporary Dance Co. touring America and abroad. Laura has as well taught ballet, and classical modern techniques for studios, non-profits, and dance companies including the Regina Klenjoski Dance Co, Joseph Allen Decker Dance Co, and the Music Center of Los Angeles. She has also appeared in regional commercials and film. After dancing professionally Laura found Pilates helped her recover from injuries, moving, and strong. Now here she is on this beautiful island, where she will continue teaching everything she has learned in a supportive and joyful environment.

Lahela Hekekia has been in the health and wellness industry since 2001 – as a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) and NCBTMB certified since 2001; teaching massage therapy since 2005; teaching Pilates since 2007, and fully certified by Pilates Method Alliance and STOTT PILATES ® since 2011. (Level 1 STOTT PILATES® certification in 2008). Lahela has also studied Osteopathic Sciences for several years and is Level 3 Certified through the Franklin Method®. Lahela loves to describe how Pilates with self-massage changed her spine – after 2 years of daily practice, she had an x-ray and noticed a substantial improvement in her spine and hips. That was in 2009! It has been about 10 years since then, and she has continued to fine tune her body ever since, while striving to understand functional movement. Along the way, Lahela discovered an amazing therapy that resolved her own case of Plantar Fasciitis in 6 treatments and sought out the training as soon as it was available to LMTs. Lahela has attracted a number of clients with Scoliosis and other spine issues as a result of her own progress. She also loves to keep athletes injury free, whether weekend warriors or serious international competitors. She also loves to work with Kupuna, helping them achieve more autonomy through better coordination, balance, strength, and flexibility. Some of her clients are in their late 80s. Lahela believes that the key to resolving chronic aches, as well as, helping someone achieve their best physical potential is a combination of Pilates, Bodywork and the ability to understand how someone is moving - or not moving. Lahela works closely with our and other Physical Therapists whenever possible to augment therapy, as well as, to assist in the transition from rehabilitation to a reglar maintenance exercise program. Lahela can offer assistance to PTs and clients as a Certified Graston Technique® Specialist and as a Certified Medical Myotherapist. The protocols Lahela has learned and is qualified to teach through approved workshops include the following: Tendonitis and Tendinosis in general Reducing adhesions in connective tissues to facilitate muscle function Scar Tissue Mobilization Low Back Pain Rapid Recovery Method Postural Deviation Correction Structural Integration Advanced Neck & Head Treatments: Headache Relief Treatments TMJD Treatment Reversing Military Neck Whiplash Recovery Anterior Neck Work Thoracic Outlet Treatment Protocol Rapid Recovery Protocols for the Arm: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis Tennis Elbow Golfer’s Elbow False Carpal Tunnel Seated & Side-Lying Technique Options Trigger Point Pain: Identify & Release Fibromyalgia Recovery Method™ Body Mechanics & Self-Care for LMTs Stretches for Expedited Recovery Hydrotherapy for Medical Massage Lung Capacity Expansion Techniques Advanced Leg Treatments: IT Band Release TFL/Tensor Fascia Latae Release Knee Injuries Shin Splints & Runner’s Injuries Foot & Ankle Injuries including PLANTAR FASCIITIS Compartment Syndrome Quad & Hamstring Balancing Reversing “Uniceps Femoris” Hip & Pelvis Treatments: Pelvic Decompression & Hip Balancing False Sciatica & Piriformis Syndrome Gluteus Minimus & Medius Release Ultra-Athlete Pre & Post Event Protocols Ligament Sprain Recovery Treatments Complete Shoulder Treatment Sequences: Frozen Shoulder Release Deltoid Treatments Bicipital & Supraspinatus Tendonitis CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES: Licensed Massage Therapist (MAT #6286) – since 2001 Board Certified in Therapeutic Massage (NCBTMB #307766-00) – since 2001 STOTT PILATES, fully certified – since 2011 (Level 1 Certified, 2008) Pilates Method Alliance, Certified Pilates Teachers – since 2011 Franklin Method® Level 3 Certified – since 2015 (Level 1 Certified, 2011, Level 2, 2013) Certified Graston Technique® Specialist – since 2018 Certified Medical Myotherapist (Haase Medical Myotherapy®)– since 2019

Carrie Menke has been a STOTT Pilates instructor for 15 years and holds a Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Washington State University. She comes to Hawaii via Bangkok Thailand, where she owned and ran her own private Pilates small business. There she also taught clients at a leading city Pilates studio for the past 10 years. Carrie teaches clients at all levels, from beginner to advanced. Her experience and qualifications include teaching injury and special populations and has designed and taught programs for clients with Parkinson’s, scoliosis, osteoporosis, knee and hip replacements, and back injuries. Teaching exercise and wellness has been a true calling for Carrie, as her clients can attest to. She is enthusiastic about improving the bodies and lives of others and is excited to work with people of all ages and fitness levels.

Owner of Harmony Pilates and Physical Therapy, is a seasoned Certified Pilates Instructor (500 training hours) and instructed in numerous prestigious Pilates studios in southern California for over three years before purchasing two Harmony Pilates and Physical Therapy studios in Oahu, Hawaii, April 2016.