Vanessa Naja

Vanessa “Freyja” Naja is a Certified Pilates Instructor with a long background in a variety of movement modalities including various dance styles, Yoga, Tai Qi/Qi Gong, Alexander technique, Franklin Method and Classical stretch/The Esmonde technique.  Vanessa has studied dance since early childhood starting with ballet and jazz and later moving on to various world dance styles including Salsa, Flamenco, Indonesian , Indian, Middle Eastern and North African dance.   She has taught and performed dance throughout the United States, Canada and Europe under her stage name Freyja.

Vanessa’s interest in anatomy, kinesiology and the therapeutic application of movement led her to the advanced studies teacher training at the Iyengar Yoga Institute in San Francisco, and later to Pilates in which she is comprehensively certified through Balanced Body University and which she teaches full time.  She has done extensive studies both privately and academically in anatomy and body mechanics and she uses this knowledge to help her clients achieve balanced and effortless movements in their activities of daily living as well as any sports or dance activities in which they participate.    Vanessa also works with clients in a post rehabilitation setting to help them recover from injuries or trauma and get back to their every day routine.

Vanessa continues to immerse herself in education related to her chosen field focusing particularly on rehabilitation work.  She truly enjoys sharing the knowledge she has gained through her extensive work with various movement disciplines and applying this knowledge to help her clients achieve their goals.