Fitness Center

Alix Marks was born and raised in the Santa Ynez Valley. In 2012, she discovered Pilates where Alixlater became certified through the Pilates Education Institute.  Alix specializes in teaching the fundamental movements of Pilates. She is passionate about helping people achieve proper alignment, improve posture, increase stamina, and build strength. “The human body is an amazing thing, and with the right foundation we can achieve stronger bodies and healthier minds.”

Jackie Steck has been a resident of the Santa Ynez Valley since 2020 after relocating from Park City, Utah. She is a certified yoga instructor through Yoga Alliance and is trained in power yoga and vinyasa since 2017. Jackie adheres to the traditional pillars of power yoga and vinyasa while striving to tailor postures and sequences to the individual anatomy of each student. Jackie believes that yoga is for every body – regardless of experience level or perceived limitations – the perfect practice for you exists in this space. In a class with Jackie, expect to move, breathe, sweat and restore.

Laurie Burnaby is a certified yoga teacher and a certified yoga therapist.  She has over 40 years of experience as a practitioner, 26 years as a teacher and 13 years as a yoga therapist.  Laurie has studied with many long-standing teachers, traveled to India to learn from K. Pattabhi Jois, studied Therapeutic Yoga with Cheri Clampett, received her teacher training from Erich Schiffmann in 1996, studied trauma informed yoga at the Veterans Yoga Project, received her certification from the International Association of Yoga Therapists after completing a two year program at Loyola Marymount and has been working as a yoga therapist at The Family Counseling and Trauma Healing Center in Solvang for the past 4 years.  Laurie has been teaching yoga classes at Alisal Ranch for 17 years.

Laurie teaches public classes, online classes, private sessions in-person and online, specialized workshops and individual yoga therapy sessions.  She works with a wide range of abilities and ages, tailoring classes and practices to individual needs.

For Laurie yoga is a life-long commitment.  Therefore, she is always learning via classes, workshops, reading and research.  She is forever interested in learning more and discovering new ways to integrate yoga into her work.  She bases her work in proven studies and research.  Laurie finds it fascinating as more work is being done to show the benefits of yoga.  Even though these practices are over 3,000 years old, she feels it is important to prove their effectiveness.

Melissa Moore is a Certified Life Coach, Group Exercise Instructor, and Personal Trainer. She is introducing one-on-one Personal Training for our Signature Club members and Guests at Alisal Ranch. Melissa received her personal training certification from the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) & her Life Coach with the International Association of Professions (IAP) Career College.

Melissa is deeply trained in the art and science of how to improve your health. From muscle mechanics to flexibility and cardiovascular dynamics, Melissa can customize a training series designed to assist you in your fitness goals. Melissa teaches a circuit HIIT and strength style class at Alisal Ranch and is now introducing Personal Training.

Sara Flower has been practicing yoga since the 90’s when she was introduced to Steve Ross in Los Angeles. Her practice has sustained her through multiple moves and has opened her eyes to various forms of yoga from Jivamukti to Iyengar, Ashtanga to Hatha. In 2010 she decided to take the next step and become a 200-hr RYT through YogaWorks in New York City. Since then, she has taught all over in faraway places such as an avocado farm in Guatemala, a kibbutz in Israel, a rooftop farm in Brooklyn and now back in CA. She is motivated by functional movement and mobility and her playful and sometimes challenging practice has her students always coming back for more.

When Sara isn’t teaching you can find her training horses, herbal crafting or spending time with her family.