Joanne Spence, ERYT
Director
Studio Instructor

Joanne discovered yoga in 2000 when she met Beth Shaw, founder and international trainer of Yogafit Training Systems. It was through Beth's encouragement and empowerment that Joanne was able to complete a Level I Yogafit Training despite being in a serious car accident 2 years earlier. Just three days after the training, Joanne was pain-free for the first time since the accident. She has gone on to complete Level II and III Yogafit Certifications; a Pre/Post Natal Yogafit Certification with Dr. Mary Jackson, OBGYN; and a Next Generation Yoga Certification with the inspiring Jodi Komitor (in children's yoga) including working with special needs children. Joanne has a 200 hour teacher training in Iyengar Yoga with Sara Azarius of Shadyside Yoga. Joanne holds a nationally recognized aerobics certification (AFAA) and, until recently has taught water aerobics.   She also has a 100 hour yoga training certification in viniyoga. She is a member of the American College of Sport's Medicine.   Joanne has been influenced by several styles of yoga and has benfited from many nationally known teachers including Miriam Austin, Manuso Manos, Judith Hanson Lasater, Bekir Algan and Amy Weintraub.

Joanne’s most recent accomplishment is founding a non-profit organization, Yoga in Schools (YIS). YIS teaches children life skills through yoga and trains school teachers in learning enhancement techniques for the classroom. She is a national trainer for Yoga Ed, based in LA and trains yoga instructors in 7 day Intensive Workshops in the implementation of the Yoga Ed curriculum.

Joanne holds a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from James Cook University in Australia. Some of the areas she has practice included: family therapy with high-risk families; psychiatric social work; community social work and co-coordinating a teen-parenting program. Her most delightful role yet, is as wife to Doug and mom to their three young children, who are natural yoginis. Joanne's heart is to see people of all ages and abilities be introduced to the life-enhancing benefits of FitnessYoga.

Joanne believes in the value of volunteerism and regularly volunteers in her community, her children's schools and her church. She has served on several non-profit boards both in Australia and the US. She is the former president of the Yoga Training Associatin of Pittsburgh.   She writes screenplays and is an avid movie go-er. In addition, Joanne enjoys reading, traveling, cooking, skating, swing dancing and being with her family and friends.