Abril Istre has over 17 years of experience teaching group fitness classes as well as providing private instruction to adults and children to help them reach their fitness goals. She has directed Group Fitness Programs and coached many instructors over the span of her fitness career. Abril brings a wealth of knowledge to her classes and private sessions, and is passionate about making a difference in people’s lives and spreading positive energy to those she encounters in her path.
Abril began participating in a variety of sports and group exercise classes from a very young age, during which she found great value from all her experiences. In 2004, she discovered Yoga and Pilates and decided to pursue teaching certifications in each. Abril received her formal Yoga and Advanced Yoga Nidra training and mentorship under Lynn Mathews and Kamini Desai, and continued to further her Yoga knowledge through advanced training and participation in specialized seminars with Rod Stryker and Gary Kraftsow. Her Pilates training and certification was completed under the instruction of Michele Brodsky (Balanced Body Trainer). In addition to Yoga and Pilates, Abril is also trained in barefoot training, myofascial release, aquatic training, and the Arthritis Foundation’s Exercise and Aquatic Program.
As part of Abril’s personal journey, she periodically suffered debilitating lower back pain over the course of several years as a result of herniated lumbar disks. During these periods she was unable to exercise and basic physical tasks became very challenging. Abril was forced to re-evaluate her approach to exercise following the extensive period of treatment and physical therapy for her lower back pain. Through this re-evaluation, she realized that exercise should not only condition the body, but should also complement and enhance personal life and functionality outside the gym. This led her to dive into learning more about injury prevention, functional training, advanced anatomy and movement, aquatic training, and practices related to meditation and relaxation.
Her approach to training and teaching now incorporates different modalities of movement to strengthen the body from the inside out; strengthening both the larger muscles of the body and the smaller muscles that are intrinsically related to the spine. The result is greater strength and stability between the vertebras and the joints, equating to better overall health, functionality, and quality of life.
Abril currently teaches Yoga, Yoga Nidra, Meditation, Pilates Reformer, Cardio Reformer, Pilates Mat, Barre, and Full Body workouts. She has been a certified Group Fitness Instructor from the Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) since 2005.
Credentials.
500 RYT, 200 E-RYT, Balanced Body Pilates Reformer Certified Instructor, AFAA Primary Group Exercise Instructor since 2005, Amrit Institute Advanced Yoga Nidra Facilitator, Les Mills (Body Step and Body Pump), Body Shred, Bogafit, SCW Barre and MATRIX Indoor Cycle Instructor. Completed the Arthritis Foundation Exercise and Aquatic Program as well as WATER ART in 2006. CPR and AED Certified. Group Fitness Instructor since 2004.
