Dr. April Walker is a doctor of chiropractic, massage therapist, holistic health practitioner, yoga instructor and owner of the Wellness Lounge. She has been in the holistic health field for the past 13 years specializing massage therapy, nutrition, life counseling and chiropractic care. Dr. April has a passion for blending her bodywork experience into her yoga practice, as well as sharing her yoga knowledge with others through the Wellness Lounge 200 hour teacher training.
Meagan DePaulo is an upstate New York native that has dedicated her life to well-being and fitness! She graduated from Pacific College of Oriental medicine for Massage Therapy and has been teaching yoga in San Diego for the last eight years. Her passion for health, fitness, and overall wellness has made her an amazing addition to the Wellness Lounge Staff & Family.
Meagan specializes in various modalities in body work such as: Deep Tissue & Structural integration, Tui Na (medical massage), Acupressure, Relaxation Massage, Circulatory, Neuromuscular Therapy, Table Thai Massage, Prenatal, and Hot Stone. These techniques are designed to manipulate the physical body into states of grace and ease and help the client maintain a level of comfort and function without pain.
In addition to attending PCOM, Meagan has honed her skills in yoga by teaching to many walks of life from young kids, military veterans, athletes, expecting mothers and to the organizations focusing on the challenged athletes of San Diego. Meagan's direct, yet supportive approach to well-being has provided her clients with an un-paralleled experience of relaxation and rejuvenation and the ability to enjoy their progressions on and off their mats. She is fully dedicated to growing your yoga practice and assisting you in building your confidence on your mat. Meagan specializes in Yoga Therapy (blend of yoga and massage), Hatha, Vinyasa, Prenatal and Postnatal, Yoga Sculpt, Restorative, Yin Yoga and Heated/Hot Yoga. Meagan also leads Yoga workshops and teacher trainings in Hatha and Vinyasa yoga.
Bekah Walsten is a So. Cal native, whose main passions in life are wellness, fitness, dance, and helping others. She attended C.S.U. Fullerton, where she achieved a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts Dance, as well as two Associates Degrees, and is currently attending classes to pursue her Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy. Before making her move to the Wellness Industry, she enjoyed over 20 years of dance training, & was blessed with 12 years in the Entertainment Industry, dancing, acting, modeling & singing. She helped to develop and open the Wellness Lounge in 2011, and has worked hard ever since to build a personal practice, within an amazing center, integrating yoga, massage, meditation, nutrition, and holistic medicine.
In addition to her 200 hour yoga teacher training in Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga, she is certified in Yin Yoga and Traditional Thai Massage as well as Swedish & Deep Tissue/Sports Massage Therapy. Bekah believes in a mind-body approach to yoga, holistic medicine, and life, and whether you're taking her Yoga Therapy (Yoga, Massage & Meditation) class, or are working with her in regards to massage therapy, each session with Bekah will leave you with the understanding that the mind and body are connected with one another; that they rely and affect one another, therefore, they must be honored and respected in such a way.
Kara Chartier was introduced to yoga in 2008, and it immediately served to help her grow stronger, more flexible, and grounded, both on and off the mat. She credits yoga with helping her to live each moment more mindfully and inspiring her work and daily life. In her classes, Kara combines her three great passions: acupuncture, massage and yoga. Her unique Acu-Yoga classes are themed in accordance with nature and are a blissfully relaxing and rejuvenating experience that aim to bring your practice to the next level. “In all my practices, yoga and otherwise, I seek to help others thrive in life by harmonizing and connecting people with their body, mind, and spirit. In my classes, my hope is that you step off the mat feeling refreshed, nourished, and balanced.” –Kara Chartier
Dr. Austin Abbruscato received her doctorate in chiropractic from Palmer West Chiropractic College in San Jose, CA and her BS in kinesiology with a minor in psychology from San Diego State University. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, she is excited to be returning to beautiful San Diego. She is also working towards receiving her chiropractic diplomat in rehabilitative exercise through the Midwestern Rehabilitation Institute. Dr. Austin received her Yoga Alliance 200 hour certification in April of 2016 and is excited to blend her chiropractic knowledge with yoga!
Kirby Duemig is a registered Yoga Instructor, trained in both Hatha and Vinyasa yoga with a strong background in health and wellness. A Cal Poly San Luis Obsipo graduate, Kirby has her B.S. in Nutrition and is an ACE certified Personal Trainer specializing in functional training. She has been with the Wellness Lounge since August 2014, working as the Office and Insurance manager. She has a passion for health and fitness, and helping her students bring wellness into their lives, on and off the mat.
Noel Froning is a San Diego native, born and raised. She went to Bird Rock Yoga to get her 200 hour teacher training certification for beginner vinyasa flow. Yoga found her during a time in her life that she needed restoration, peace, tranquility, and a deeper meaning to life. Her class allows you to not only receive physical benefits but mental and spiritual as well. It allows body, mind, and soul to be connected. Vinyasa is breath based yoga and breath gives us life.She tends to focus a lot on this concept during her practice. Overall wellness is incorporated inside and outside the class and she hopes people take what they learn about themselves or about life and apply it on and off the mat. Noel is also health coach certified and obtained a weight loss counseling certification. She believes we should honor our bodies and in order to reach our fullest potential.
Dr. Jennifer Hudgens received her doctorate in Physical Therapy from New York Medical College in Valhalla, New York and her Bachelor of Science from Stonybrook University. She has vast experience with the body working as a physical therapist with patients following injuries, post-surgical rehabilitation and pediatric care. She is certified as Mulligan Practitioner focusing on joint rehabilitation with movement. She enjoys taking a whole body more holistic approach to physical therapy many times incorporating yoga into to her rehabilitation.
JoAnn Porcaro has her bachelors degree in Marketing from Penn State University and has worked in the healthcare technology field for the past 15 years. Looking to become more involved in the health and wellness field, JoAnn became an ACE certified health coach and completed her 200 hour Hatha and Vinyasa yoga training in June 2016. JoAnn has a passion for nutrition and loves blending her health background in with her yoga practice.
Megan Barro is a Southern California native that has dedicated her life to well-being and fitness! She graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor Degree in Kinesiology, & Associates in Psychology. Her passion for health, fitness, and overall wellness has made her an amazing addition to the Wellness Lounge Staff & Family. In addition to attending the International Professional School of Bodywork, Megan has honed her skills by helping people with disabilities obtain the proper physical therapy they need at SDSU Fitness Clinic. She has also worked at Aztec Recreation as a fitness intern, and has volunteered her expertise at Alvarado Hospital's Rehabilitation Center. Megan's gentle approach to well-being has provided her clients with an un-paralleled experience of relaxation and rejuvenation. Megan earned her 200 Hour Vinyasa and Hatha certification in Summer of 2015 and now teaches Restored By Grace (Christian Yoga) every Saturday at the Wellness Lounge
Joy Nakaatari-Dingman is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and certified yoga instructor. She obtained advanced training at the center for mind body medicine. Joy has been in the field for 15 years and believes in holistic wellness by treating the mind, body and spirit with an integrative approach. Joy has experience working with all ages at domestic violence shelters, residential treatment centers and school based outpatient services. Her passions include expressive arts, the beach and yoga. Joy loves teaching kids yoga and Hatha yoga.
