Meet the Team
MARCELA
Marcela was born and raised in Cali, Colombia, where her love affair with yoga began at just 15 years old. She felt an instant and profound connection to her highest self through the practice. Meditation became her sanctuary, a space where she could let go of the mind and live fully in the present moment.
As a teenager, Marcela’s passion for movement expanded into sculpt, Pilates, running and dance. It seemed no matter where her energy flowed, her heart always returned to the yoga studio. Fitness and mindfulness became the thread that wove joy, strength and balance into her life.
In her early thirties, Marcela entered a season of profound growth and self-discovery. Yoga became her anchor, offering not only movement but a pathway to strength, clarity and joy. On the mat, she uncovered resilience and a deeper connection to herself. This awakening inspired her to become a yoga instructor, and soon thereafter, she traveled to Bali for three transformative months of study. There, she immersed herself in asana, meditation, Kundalini practices, energy healing and the innate wisdom of living from the heart.
As her gifts unfolded, Marcela committed herself fully to sharing yoga, joy and fitness with her community. Her teaching blends strength and spirituality, discipline and play and invites her students, not only to move in their bodies - but to also connect deeply with themselves. A passionate advocate for mental health, Marcela believes yoga is more than movement. To her it is medicine for the mind, body and soul. She sees yoga as a gateway to the highest self, a practice that awakens our power to manifest, to feel vibrant and whole and to experience the joy of creating heaven on earth within ourselves.
Today, as the new owner of Now Power Yoga, Marcela carries forward the studio’s legacy with love, vision and a deep devotion to community. Her mission is to create a space where everyone feels safe, seen, loved, supported and inspired - Her hope is that NOW remains a space where we are each aligned and connected to our highest selves. It’s a space where we share love and light TOGETHER and where we all live fully in the power of NOW.
KATINA JAE GRIFFIN
Katina’s passion for movement is inspired by her background in dance, Pilates, barre and yoga that spans well over 25 years.
Her teaching style and beliefs in the effects that functional movement has on rehabilitating her students from their injuries came first hand after she suffered a compression fracture in her spine in 1994 that left her in a prosthesis for 3 months. She attributes most of her core strength, healing and overall joy of movement to her immersion in corrective exercise and is committed to uplift individuals as they meet their body's in whatever rhythm they are in. Her classes are known to offer challenges inside of a room filled with fun music, attention to detail and connection to the community moving alongside her.
Katina previously held the title of Master Teacher Trainer of barre in the Bay Area for the past 17 years and over her tenure, has mentored hundreds of studio owners and teachers across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and France. She is most proud of the relationships she formed on her fitness journey, as well as her participation in the co-creation, conduction and digitization of an accredited barre certification program recognized by ACE (American Council on Exercise) and NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine).
She currently teaches weekly center floor core classes at Citrine in Larkspur and fills the rest of her schedule with both her private clients and passion project of “Healthy Aging Doula” work with her more senior population.
Katina joins NOW excited to guide us in our POWER flow and shows up with a dedicated commitment to learn as much from all of us as she hopes you may learn from her!
In her free time you can find her hiking in the hills of Marin County, editing her 3 books, writing poetry or enjoy her evenings with her beloved cat, Himalaya.
HEATHER LEIGH MCKENZIE
Heather brings 20 years of experience teaching fitness and yoga. She studies multiple disciplines and employs her broad range of knowledge in her classes. She consistently delivers smart, effective workouts with an infectious personality and energy that has earned her a place as both a top trainer and teacher in the San Francisco Bay Area. At NOW she teaches power yoga, sculpt, and pilates.
JULIE LOCKE
Julie lives and teaches from the heart. With a deep passion for Yoga, Pilates, Integrative Health and Wellness, Julie knows the value of balance, community, and a good sweat! Her classes are upbeat, fun, challenging, and are bound to leave you feeling stronger and more energized! When not on the mat, you’ll find Julie trail running, studying, and exploring the world with her beloved son and pup!
SHERMINEH TAKHAR
With over 20 years of experience in fitness and wellness programming, Shermineh has been certified and trained by top leaders in the industry. Guided by her spiritual intuition, or “Ori,” she discovered that joy and fun are not just additions to wellness - they are essential to it.
LIYA GARBER
Liya blends powerful movement, breathwork and inspirational teachings to strengthen your body, balance your nervous system, transform your mind and uplift your spirit. Her new paradigm approach to Kundalini Yoga emphasizes feminine wisdom and authentic embodiment, inviting each individual to unearth and uplift their own inner truth.
MICKEY BRUCE HUBBELL
An athlete driven by physically challenging and high energy sports, Mickey’s love of fitness has continued to grow since playing competitive softball. She began her yoga practice more than 20 years ago, however it wasn’t until moving to Tiburon in 2015 that she discovered a deeper passion for it at NOW Power Yoga.
After Mickey struggled to overcome two autoimmune disorders and an unexpected mastectomy; she prioritized her mental and physical health. Daily practice of yoga gave her newfound motivation, focus and the belief that yoga is for anyone willing to dedicate their time on the mat. She uses invigorating music and collective energy to motivate and move her classes. She finds fulfillment through passing her love of yoga onto others. Expect to sweat, laugh, have fun and be challenged in her all level power class.
Outside the studio Mickey is a boss babe, wifey, mother of two boys, foodie, fashionista and chief stew on the Barbary Ghost Ship (a 32ft Grand Banks).
NICOLA RUECKHEIM
After experiencing the benefits of yoga through her own personal practice Nicola was encouraged to begin her journey to teach. She completed her 200 hour yoga teacher training in 2018. Currently, Nicola teaches power and vinyasa flow yoga and our Signature Flow sequence at NOW.
Her top three passions in life are her boys, yoga and running and it’s her yoga practice that keeps her mind and body connected. It is Nicola’s belief that yoga places one back in their bodies so that one can remain grounded and present within daily life.
When she is not at the studio you can find Nicola spending time with her 3 boys, exploring beautiful Marin, cooking or running on a trail.
PETER BARTESCH
Peter is a Bay Area yoga teacher and fitness instructor. He has made a life of exploring the body in movement, mind and health. For over a decade he has worked as a personal trainer, a Pilates instructor and a yoga teacher. With a background in wrestling, a MA in philosophy and a practice of meditation, Peter brings a unique touch to his classes and teachings.
In Peter's class you can expect intelligent sequences that help you to progress your practice safely and effectively, all while learning how to control your breath, energy and mental state. You can expect a challenging class that is still rooted in the original spirit of Yoga. You will come out of his class stronger, grounded and more balanced.
AMY NABER, M.A., C.Y.T., CHT
Amy teaches yoga because she loves it, believes it is for everyone and that it changes lives!
She started teaching Yoga in 2001 after her first training at It's Yoga in San Francisco with founder Larry Schultz. She fell in love with Ashtanga Yoga and the Primary Series of Asanas and that love ultimately developed into a powerful vinyasa practice that she teaches today.
Before yoga, she was a personal trainer and fitness coach, yet found her true passion in yoga. It is her therapy! Since that time Amy experienced an injury and a lot of life changes - and what kept her going is her YOGA practice. Besides her passion for movement, she loves spending time with her 12 year old daughter, Madeline, and knows that she is a better mom because of YOGA.
In 2005, Amy spread her wings and received a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology and Hypnotherapy. She truly loves to spread light to MIND and BODY! With over 20 years of experience in the health and wellness field, Amy integrates her passion for optimal health, spirituality, and emotional well-being inside her private sessions, private practice, retreats, speaking engagements and group classes. She loves teaching group classes and is so excited to be a part of the community at NOW!
NICOLE LANDRY
eeply inspired by active parents and the 1982 Jane Fonda Workout Record, Nicole discovered early on that movement unlocks physical strength, inner calm and emotional resilience. These benefits have anchored her 20+ years in the ever-changing tech and design industry.
From conquering marathons, to teaching Power Yoga and Sculpt, Nicole pushes limits to unlock her inner potential and to inspire the same for others. Now Power Yoga fuels her fire.
Nicole’s classes blend challenging, high-energy sequences with mindful breathwork and introspection, woven with insights from her current study in somatic healing. She rallies her students to explore boundaries and unleash their inner champion. Her classes are celebrations of strength, humility, and pure fun, where you'll tap into your unique power - both on and off the mat.
Beyond the studio, Nicole finds balance with her husband (a Now 8am regular), their young daughters and endless summer dreams. You might catch her soaking up sunshine, experimenting with pottery and chasing Italian ricciarelli cookies.
HEATHER PIPER
Heather Piper grew up a professional figure skater on the east coast. She has been practicing and teaching Bikram/Hatha, Power/Vinyasa and Pilates for over 25 years after discovering the healing benefits of yoga. She has degrees in both Kinesiology and Special Education.
In addition to co-owning Body Temp Yoga Studio, Heather brings over 1000 hours of yoga teacher training to her dynamic teaching schedule. She also focuses on teaching yoga and recovery therapy (Roll Model Method) to professional athletes, the Zen community at Green Gulch, as well as with those going through detox/recovery.
SALLUMEH MAHMOUDHI
With over 20 years of experience and a passion for fitness, Sallumeh brings positive energy, creativity, and purpose to every class. A former Graphic Designer turned Fitness Coach, she blends strength and flow to create fun, dynamic workouts that challenge both body and mind. Her goal is to leave students feeling empowered, connected, and stronger than when they started!