Turkan
Yoga, Belly Dance, Pilates
and Zumba Instructor
SAMADHI YOGA AND DANCE was started by Turkan Aydogmus who spent her lifetime on a journey of self-discovery, seeking the true meaning of life. This triggered her to learn more about her own mind, body, and spirit ultimately finding peace, serenity, bliss and enlightenment in the practice of yoga and dance. She found that through yoga and dance, the connection between mind, body and spirit is ignited and one is able to experience an almost supremely divine, all-pervading, self-amorous ecstasy. Inspired by an intense desire to share this experience with all those around her, Turkan opened her yoga and dance studio in the Heights, appropriately named SAMADHI, and invites everyone who wishes to experience a transformational spiritual experience to come join her at the studio.
Turkan's dream for SAMADHI Studios is to provide an environment where people can feel free, blissful and safe, in an environment where they can tap into nature both inside and outside of the body. This will be a place of discovery where things like similarities between our basic needs as human beings to other creatures such as a bird or a flower will be revealed. Through SAMADHI YOGA AND DANCE, Turkan embraces Rumi's words. "Let the beauty of what you love be what you do."
Yoga, Belly Dance, Pilates
and Zumba Instructor
SAMADHI YOGA AND DANCE was started by Turkan Aydogmus who spent her lifetime on a journey of self-discovery, seeking the true meaning of life. This triggered her to learn more about her own mind, body, and spirit ultimately finding peace, serenity, bliss and enlightenment in the practice of yoga and dance. She found that through yoga and dance, the connection between mind, body and spirit is ignited and one is able to experience an almost supremely divine, all-pervading, self-amorous ecstasy. Inspired by an intense desire to share this experience with all those around her, Turkan opened her yoga and dance studio in the Heights, appropriately named SAMADHI, and invites everyone who wishes to experience a transformational spiritual experience to come join her at the studio.
Turkan's dream for SAMADHI Studios is to provide an environment where people can feel free, blissful and safe, in an environment where they can tap into nature both inside and outside of the body. This will be a place of discovery where things like similarities between our basic needs as human beings to other creatures such as a bird or a flower will be revealed. Through SAMADHI YOGA AND DANCE, Turkan embraces Rumi's words. "Let the beauty of what you love be what you do."
Jessica
Hatha Yoga Instructor
Jessica Garcia was born and raised in Houston, TX. She graduated from the University of St. Thomas in 2004 with a Finance degree and soon found that her passion lied in Yoga and dance instead. She has actively gone towards her goal of becoming a Yoga teacher and Zumba Instructor and now teaches at Samadhi Yoga & Dance Studio. She is a certified Yoga instructor, Kids Yoga Instructor, Pre-natal Yoga Instructor and Zumba Instructor who has a passion for life! She wants to share Yoga and Zumba with adults and kids alike! Please come and join Jessica in a Yoga and/or Zumba class. She targets the following: Stress, Depression, Obesity, ADD, ADHD, Anger issues, Runners, and much more!
These statements are not to say that Yoga will cure any of the above, however the research shows that Yoga can help many of the above named and much more. Sign up for classes and enjoy the benefits of YOGA!
Hatha Yoga Instructor
Jessica Garcia was born and raised in Houston, TX. She graduated from the University of St. Thomas in 2004 with a Finance degree and soon found that her passion lied in Yoga and dance instead. She has actively gone towards her goal of becoming a Yoga teacher and Zumba Instructor and now teaches at Samadhi Yoga & Dance Studio. She is a certified Yoga instructor, Kids Yoga Instructor, Pre-natal Yoga Instructor and Zumba Instructor who has a passion for life! She wants to share Yoga and Zumba with adults and kids alike! Please come and join Jessica in a Yoga and/or Zumba class. She targets the following: Stress, Depression, Obesity, ADD, ADHD, Anger issues, Runners, and much more!
These statements are not to say that Yoga will cure any of the above, however the research shows that Yoga can help many of the above named and much more. Sign up for classes and enjoy the benefits of YOGA!
Linda
Vinyasa Flow Instructor
Linda was raised in Houston, Texas. She graduated from Trinity University in San Antonio and completed her MBA at the University of South Carolina. While pursuing a high powered but stressful career with one of the world’s leading companies, she found yoga gave her strength to endure and find peace in a chaotic world. In 2012, Linda completed her 200-hour teacher certification at YogaOne studios in midtown Houston. Since then, she has taught invigorating and encouraging yoga classes to friends, family and anyone who’s interested in yoga! Linda believes that everyone can benefit and find greater connection to body, mind and spirit through yoga. In the words of Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois "Yoga is possible for anybody who really wants it. Yoga is universal"
Vinyasa Flow Instructor
Linda was raised in Houston, Texas. She graduated from Trinity University in San Antonio and completed her MBA at the University of South Carolina. While pursuing a high powered but stressful career with one of the world’s leading companies, she found yoga gave her strength to endure and find peace in a chaotic world. In 2012, Linda completed her 200-hour teacher certification at YogaOne studios in midtown Houston. Since then, she has taught invigorating and encouraging yoga classes to friends, family and anyone who’s interested in yoga! Linda believes that everyone can benefit and find greater connection to body, mind and spirit through yoga. In the words of Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois "Yoga is possible for anybody who really wants it. Yoga is universal"
Jenny
Tribal Fusion Belly Dance, Pilates Instructor
Jenny spent her early childhood taking ballet, jazz, and tap. She was first introduced to oriental dance at the age of 8 when she took classes with her Persian best friend's mother. Since then she's been fascinated by dances outside of the norm. Jenny's discovery of Tribal Fusion belly dance in 2005 convinced her that this art form is ideal for those who want to freely express their multi-cultural individualities as it allows one to draw various dance movement vocabularies from around the world.
Jenny gets inspiration from her travels. In Buenos Aires she attended tango classes and during her semester abroad in Barcelona she took R&B at BCN Studios and Tribal Fusion with Amaru Sabat in Munique Neith's studio. Jenny salsa danced in Latin renowned local band Walter Suhr and Mango Punch!'s music video Que se lleve el viento mi dolor. Bellydance education includes workshops from Bozenka, Zoe Jakes, Jill Parker, Helena Vlajos, and Donna Mejia.
Jenny graduated from the University of Saint Thomas with a Bachelor degree in Communications and International Studies. Her senior thesis was on Orientalism and the Modern Morphology of Oriental Dance.
Tribal Fusion Belly Dance, Pilates Instructor
Jenny spent her early childhood taking ballet, jazz, and tap. She was first introduced to oriental dance at the age of 8 when she took classes with her Persian best friend's mother. Since then she's been fascinated by dances outside of the norm. Jenny's discovery of Tribal Fusion belly dance in 2005 convinced her that this art form is ideal for those who want to freely express their multi-cultural individualities as it allows one to draw various dance movement vocabularies from around the world.
Jenny gets inspiration from her travels. In Buenos Aires she attended tango classes and during her semester abroad in Barcelona she took R&B at BCN Studios and Tribal Fusion with Amaru Sabat in Munique Neith's studio. Jenny salsa danced in Latin renowned local band Walter Suhr and Mango Punch!'s music video Que se lleve el viento mi dolor. Bellydance education includes workshops from Bozenka, Zoe Jakes, Jill Parker, Helena Vlajos, and Donna Mejia.
Jenny graduated from the University of Saint Thomas with a Bachelor degree in Communications and International Studies. Her senior thesis was on Orientalism and the Modern Morphology of Oriental Dance.
Jillian
Hatha Flow Yoga Instructor
Jillian grew up in Spring, Texas and graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in 2005 where she dabbled in yoga as a way to handle stress. After holding several jobs in various industries, she realized that in order to be satisfied with her career, she needed to help people directly and personally. Jillian completed her teacher training from Yoga Yoga Studios in Austin and became a full time personal trainer and yoga instructor in 2008. Since then she has taught classes and workshops in parks, studios, gyms, offices, and spent a month at the Present Moment Retreat in Troncones, Mexico as the resident yoga instructor. Recently, Jillian completed her masters degree in Clinical Counseling Psychology in Philadelphia. She has returned to Houston and continues to teach yoga while working towards a license in professional counseling.
Jillian believes that in practicing yoga, we find the balance between effort and surrender in whatever it is that we do. She encourages students to cultivate mindfulness, self-compassion, and humor through the yoga class experience.
Hatha Flow Yoga Instructor
Jillian grew up in Spring, Texas and graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in 2005 where she dabbled in yoga as a way to handle stress. After holding several jobs in various industries, she realized that in order to be satisfied with her career, she needed to help people directly and personally. Jillian completed her teacher training from Yoga Yoga Studios in Austin and became a full time personal trainer and yoga instructor in 2008. Since then she has taught classes and workshops in parks, studios, gyms, offices, and spent a month at the Present Moment Retreat in Troncones, Mexico as the resident yoga instructor. Recently, Jillian completed her masters degree in Clinical Counseling Psychology in Philadelphia. She has returned to Houston and continues to teach yoga while working towards a license in professional counseling.
Jillian believes that in practicing yoga, we find the balance between effort and surrender in whatever it is that we do. She encourages students to cultivate mindfulness, self-compassion, and humor through the yoga class experience.
Alexandra
Cabaret Belly Dance Instructor
I was introduced to the Middle Eastern culture at an early age. After returning to Texas, I began dancing with Sirrom Studio in 2003; with the instruction of many great dancers like Shakira Massood-Ali, Linda Underwood, and Halimah, I have advanced through Sirrom in classical Egyptian, and modern cabaret belly dance.
To further my education, I have studied with Momo Kedous, Vashti, Aziza, Ansuya, Ava Flemming, Jim Boz, and Leila Gamal, who have all influenced my style and inspired the direction of my journey in dance. These performers and their various workshops have been the thread that has sewn together the pieces of my art.
I have performed numerous times at Sirrom and at several other venues including the International Festival and the Thanksgiving Day Parade. I am a gypsy at heart and will dance wherever there is a drum giving me an opportunity to do so. I have also appeared in many troupe and solo performances. I am currently a member of Solange Dance Company, the historian for The Houston Area Belly Dancers Association, and I teach at Sirrom to continue this journey into culture and art for others.
Cabaret Belly Dance Instructor
I was introduced to the Middle Eastern culture at an early age. After returning to Texas, I began dancing with Sirrom Studio in 2003; with the instruction of many great dancers like Shakira Massood-Ali, Linda Underwood, and Halimah, I have advanced through Sirrom in classical Egyptian, and modern cabaret belly dance.
To further my education, I have studied with Momo Kedous, Vashti, Aziza, Ansuya, Ava Flemming, Jim Boz, and Leila Gamal, who have all influenced my style and inspired the direction of my journey in dance. These performers and their various workshops have been the thread that has sewn together the pieces of my art.
I have performed numerous times at Sirrom and at several other venues including the International Festival and the Thanksgiving Day Parade. I am a gypsy at heart and will dance wherever there is a drum giving me an opportunity to do so. I have also appeared in many troupe and solo performances. I am currently a member of Solange Dance Company, the historian for The Houston Area Belly Dancers Association, and I teach at Sirrom to continue this journey into culture and art for others.
David
Body Dynamics Instructor
I began running track/cross country and lifting weights in high school (1993-1997). I trained cross country with the University of Colorado team for two years and discovered dance. Shortly after, I began training break dance, capoeira, gymnastics tumbling, Power yoga and Bikram yoga in Colorado. In 2003, my mom was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and I moved home to care for her. In the process, I stopped training and gained 40 pounds over several years. In 2011, I pledged to re-enter my active lifestyle and began studying plyometrics interval training. I completed the beach body program 60 day "Insanity" twice and lost 30 pounds. Shortly after, I completed "The Asylum" (professional sports & performance training) and am currently completing P90x2, while undergoing Certfied Personal Trainer certification through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). In 2012, I plan to launch a 60 minute intense class that combines all the intensity of max plyometric circuit training with the body control techniques of dance, capoeira, yoga and gymnastics.
Chris
Yoga Instructor
The universe led Chris to yoga during a time of recovery and self-discovery, a time when he needed yoga the most – and it has since become part of his being. After taking his first ever yoga class in Dec 2009, he was hooked – and he knew that yoga was now part of his life journey. Since that wonderful day, Chris has practiced hot hatha and a variety of other styles almost daily and has experienced firsthand the amazing healing and growth that a dedicated yoga asana and meditation practice can bring to every aspect of life. This realization that yoga, along with meditation and ayurveda, can improve life in every way ignited Chris' desire to take his practice to the next level and share these amazing benefits by becoming a teacher. Chris received his 200-hour certification at YogaOne Studios in Houston and began teaching in early 2011. His classes focus on helping his students hit the pause button on the normal hustle and bustle of everyday life, become aware of the energy that flows through all things and use the breath to send this transformative energy into every cell.
Yoga Instructor
The universe led Chris to yoga during a time of recovery and self-discovery, a time when he needed yoga the most – and it has since become part of his being. After taking his first ever yoga class in Dec 2009, he was hooked – and he knew that yoga was now part of his life journey. Since that wonderful day, Chris has practiced hot hatha and a variety of other styles almost daily and has experienced firsthand the amazing healing and growth that a dedicated yoga asana and meditation practice can bring to every aspect of life. This realization that yoga, along with meditation and ayurveda, can improve life in every way ignited Chris' desire to take his practice to the next level and share these amazing benefits by becoming a teacher. Chris received his 200-hour certification at YogaOne Studios in Houston and began teaching in early 2011. His classes focus on helping his students hit the pause button on the normal hustle and bustle of everyday life, become aware of the energy that flows through all things and use the breath to send this transformative energy into every cell.
Susana
Tango Instructor
Susana Collins was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina . She began her dance training at the age of 5 studying Classical Ballet, Flamenco and Argentine Folk. After moving to Houston, Susana trained and was featured in a variety of Latin and Central American dance troupes in Houston. By the age of 16, Susana and her family formed her first dance group , Argentina 2000, performing for celebrities such as Libertad Lamarque and Robert Duvall .
In 1998, Susana discovered her major passion, Argentine Tango , and began studying intently at workshops, eventually returning to Argentina to further her training in this passionate art form. Susana's stage performance and instruction is focused on Latin dance forms featuring Tango and Salsa. Her intensive study in multiple dance disciplines has given her depth in partner dancing and instruction, introducing many to the joy and excitement of social dancing.
Tango Instructor
Susana Collins was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina . She began her dance training at the age of 5 studying Classical Ballet, Flamenco and Argentine Folk. After moving to Houston, Susana trained and was featured in a variety of Latin and Central American dance troupes in Houston. By the age of 16, Susana and her family formed her first dance group , Argentina 2000, performing for celebrities such as Libertad Lamarque and Robert Duvall .
In 1998, Susana discovered her major passion, Argentine Tango , and began studying intently at workshops, eventually returning to Argentina to further her training in this passionate art form. Susana's stage performance and instruction is focused on Latin dance forms featuring Tango and Salsa. Her intensive study in multiple dance disciplines has given her depth in partner dancing and instruction, introducing many to the joy and excitement of social dancing.
Rico
Zumba Instructor
I am originally from the beautiful island of Puerto Rico and now live in Houston, Texas for about five years. Ever since I joined college I developed strong passions for both dance and fitness which have combined within me in the form of a rather enlightening philosophy and lifestyle. Dancing, on the one hand, detaches the present moment from everything past and future allowing us to express and experience our current state by means of interpreting music. Fitness, on the other hand, provides us with great health benefits by making us both stronger and more capable in many dimensions. The reason I love Zumba Fitness is because it lies precisely at the intersection of these very two passions delivering benefits that are both physical and emotional. My favorite two rhythms happen to be Salsa and Bachata (with no absolute preference…). I have also always had a growing passion for latin partner dancing as it is so amazing that I just couldn’t write enough… Although for several years I was exposed to various rhythms within international latin ballroom (e.g., Jive and Rumba) my preference has always been to dance without strict rules emphasizing the fun. The first time I saw the Zumba slogan “dutch the workout, joint the party” everything suddenly clicked! I am also a Spinning Certified instructor, have practiced yoga for about 3 years, and love to try new fitness classes and ideas as I am a firm believer in the importance of “cross training”. I am always open for input and love dynamic energy-filled classes. In the end, we all want to have a great class, one that sits on the common ground of being both fun and effective, where I continually strive to add value through passion, dedication, and persistence. Please join me for one of my Zumba classes… I am sure we will have a lot of fun and throw a big loud party!
Zumba Instructor
I am originally from the beautiful island of Puerto Rico and now live in Houston, Texas for about five years. Ever since I joined college I developed strong passions for both dance and fitness which have combined within me in the form of a rather enlightening philosophy and lifestyle. Dancing, on the one hand, detaches the present moment from everything past and future allowing us to express and experience our current state by means of interpreting music. Fitness, on the other hand, provides us with great health benefits by making us both stronger and more capable in many dimensions. The reason I love Zumba Fitness is because it lies precisely at the intersection of these very two passions delivering benefits that are both physical and emotional. My favorite two rhythms happen to be Salsa and Bachata (with no absolute preference…). I have also always had a growing passion for latin partner dancing as it is so amazing that I just couldn’t write enough… Although for several years I was exposed to various rhythms within international latin ballroom (e.g., Jive and Rumba) my preference has always been to dance without strict rules emphasizing the fun. The first time I saw the Zumba slogan “dutch the workout, joint the party” everything suddenly clicked! I am also a Spinning Certified instructor, have practiced yoga for about 3 years, and love to try new fitness classes and ideas as I am a firm believer in the importance of “cross training”. I am always open for input and love dynamic energy-filled classes. In the end, we all want to have a great class, one that sits on the common ground of being both fun and effective, where I continually strive to add value through passion, dedication, and persistence. Please join me for one of my Zumba classes… I am sure we will have a lot of fun and throw a big loud party!
Jennifer
Summer Camp / Acting & Drama Instructor
Jennifer Almaguer has been working as an actress for the past thirteen years. She has credits as both supporting and principal leads in television, film, and theatre. Jennifer works in both the local Houston market as well as in major production film houses like 20th Century Fox and the National Geographic Channel. She has completed a trailer for an upcoming feature film directed by Mr. James Hong (Kung Fu Panda, Balls of Fury, Wayne's World). Her recent Film credit includes "Portion 71" starring Bruno Bichir. Jennifer was long time host of Latin based television program "Salsa TV" where she received the opportunity to sit down with A list actors: most notably, Bruce Willis, Will Smith and Sandra Bullock amongst many more. She is credited in Stage-Managing and Production Design for the Wortham Theatre Center. Her recent production credit includes Associate Producer for MTV music videos.
Summer Camp / Acting & Drama Instructor
Jennifer Almaguer has been working as an actress for the past thirteen years. She has credits as both supporting and principal leads in television, film, and theatre. Jennifer works in both the local Houston market as well as in major production film houses like 20th Century Fox and the National Geographic Channel. She has completed a trailer for an upcoming feature film directed by Mr. James Hong (Kung Fu Panda, Balls of Fury, Wayne's World). Her recent Film credit includes "Portion 71" starring Bruno Bichir. Jennifer was long time host of Latin based television program "Salsa TV" where she received the opportunity to sit down with A list actors: most notably, Bruce Willis, Will Smith and Sandra Bullock amongst many more. She is credited in Stage-Managing and Production Design for the Wortham Theatre Center. Her recent production credit includes Associate Producer for MTV music videos.
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